PLEASE NOTE: My sweet dress set, “Under Blue Skies” is ending Monday evening on Ebay. It is for 13″ Dianna Effner dolls. I hope you’ll take a peek if interested. You can click the picture at the right side bar or click HERE to go to the auction.
Yes, things are looking like Williamsburg here in my sewing room. I love it when I make a dress and my hubby easily recognizes the period it’s from!!
I should have gotten more done on this dress but I hit a few snags. I didn’t like the way my sleeves went in the first time…well actually the way the gathers looked, so I took them out and redid them. (It doesn’t even really show, but I’ll let you see them under the lace.)
I think her sleeves look very pretty with a narrow piece of lace and then a sheer ribbon tied into a bow. A satin or rayon type ribbon may have been better but I decided to use what I had.
Then the back didn’t meet so I had to add an extension. I used the Keepers Dolly Duds pattern for this dress, but my Felicity is one of the first addition dolls and is quite chubby. To finish it for MY Felicity, I had to make it about a half inch wider in the back bodice. I’ll show it on one of my slimmer dolls when I get the back all finished.
Because I had to add that extension and not overlap the back left side over the right, my lace is slightly off in the back, but there was nothing I could do to fix that…most likely the dolls hair will cover it…
I had her hair pulled up while I was working on the back, but had to show you what she looked like with it let down.
I hope you’re liking the looks of it. It still has to be hemmed, snaps sewn on, and then all the rest that goes with it. :o) I’m also hoping for some time in my sewing room!! :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
This dress is really turning out quite nicely! I was thinking a dark red ribbon would work (or black…) but your rust-red is quite a good match, also! Not a color I would have thought to try!! I also love the narrow lace you added on the elbow-length sleeves–such a pretty touch!
Oh, yes, some of those older AG dolls could be quite chubby, depending, I suppose, on who did the stuffing! One of my “modern” ones (from about 20 years ago) has quite a good-sized tushy, so I have to watch any slacks I make/buy for her, as not everything fits her well!! I have learned to measure the doll’s body (particularly a stuffed one) before cutting the pattern out! However, you found a good fix for the issue, and if whoever gets this dress has a slimmer doll, the snaps can always be moved.
You’re right, the hair will cover the back of the neckline, so I don’t think it’ll really matter.
All in all, this is turning out to be quite a pretty dress!
Hi Charlotte,
The ribbon I added is a perfect color…I just wish it looked more “antique.” :o)
I’ve thought about taking some of the stuffing out of my Felicity doll, but never got to it.
Thank you for your kind compliments…
Blessings, Jeanne
No, Jeanne, I don’t think you should do that…..if the time comes you ever want to part with her, some collector might not be happy! Also, if you make things to fit this particular doll body, then you can add that to your blurb about the dress: “Will fit the more plumply stuffed, older bodies, too” or something like that. Just my thoughts on the matter…..for what it’s worth.
Felicity’s dress is another stunner, Jeanne. I’m always eager to see your creations and this one is like the rest…super satisfying to have waited for. Someone will be blessed to own this lovely creation.
I know it’s a challenge to have to take things out and re-make some seams or back as you have done…but you do it and your work always shows such prize-winning workmanship.
Blessings.
Thank you Becky,
You are so kind with your compliments on the dress. I hope I get the rest of it right!!!
I hope things are going well on your farm.
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m loving this dress, Jeannie! The lace is beautiful and really sets off the whole outfit .
My Caroline Abbott (circa 1812) would look wonderful in this Period look as well.
Anxious to see the finished photos!
Hi Shara,
I actually thought Caroline would look pretty in this and might have to show her in it too!!
Thank you so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Great save with the back extension. Dress is coming right along.
Rain has stopped, so we’ll be heading down to the cemetery in awhile for the Avenue of the Flags program. We put out flowers for the relatives the other day.
Hope you have a nice Memorial Day.
Hi Joy…
Thanks for your comments on the dress.
Rebecca gave her dad an early Father’s day gift…a gift card to Harbor Freight…so guess where we went? He dropped me off at Goodwill and went by himself… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
What a lovely dress. The fabric is so appropriate for the time period. And I love the sleeves! Don’t you just love it when you use a pattern and it turns out adjustments are needed after the fact. Well, no. One of my rescue dolls is a challenge to sew for. She is 16″ and fits a lot of the 16″ doll clothes pretty well sometimes. In slacks I use an Ellowyne pattern and they fit fine. I usually use an AGAT pattern but have to adjust it through the midriff area. This I found out when I made a lovely dress for her that ended up with a gap of about 1″ across the broadest part. I too put in an extension. Since then I have printed out a listing of the measurements for all the 16″ dolls whose patterns I use to sew for her. I don’t like surprises.
I planned on sewing Saturday after mowing but hubby caught up with me as I was putting up the mower. He said he needed to go in to Home Depot and Harbor Freight and did I want to go or stay home and sew. He said if I went we could go to lunch at Texas Roadhouse. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse – and I made a side trip to Joann’s to use my Memorial Day coupon. So much for my day of sewing. Oh the sacrifices that keep us from our sewing.
Hope everyone has a lovely Memorial Day. Our son and his family and our older son will be here for ribs this afternoon and my daughter-in-law and I will be taking the kids to the pool. No sewing again for today. Maybe tomorrow…
Thanks for your sweet compliments, Barbara,
I planned on sewing today too, but my hubby got an early Father’s Day gift card, so guess where we went? Harbor Freight! Yep…and I went to Goodwill. He found treasures…not me…:o(
Happy Memorial Day to you!
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh dear, my comment never did show up! Maybe I forgot to post it, which has happened before.
The dress is coming along beautifully, Jeanne! I love seeing the whole dress in one picture so I can visualize it better. One thing I would change, but maybe it looks fine in real life, is the size of the bows, or the long tails on them, if you know what I mean. I think a smaller, daintier bow would look more fitting to the dress. Maybe I don’t see it the way it really looks, so you certainly can disregard what I mentioned.
I love the lace around the sleeve ruffle. With that lace collar, this will be a one in a million dress for Felicity!
I started working in the yard today, but it is getting to hot to go for long. However, the swimming pools will sure be hopping today! Happy Memorial Day!
Hi Linda,
Glad you like the dress…( just not the bows…) but most Colonial dress bows were long tailed…I’ll check some pictures, though…
I bet the swimming pools around here were busy today too…one time I checked the temp and it was 94…ugh!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings ,Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, what a beautiful dress. I love the color.
I counted May in now I am counting it out. Only 4 more days. How did that happen?
I have been on a Jane Austen binge with a little Hallmark Channel thrown in.
Hi Dorothy,
Awww…you waited so long for May to get here and it has just zoomed by us all!!
I hope you’ve enjoyed your Austen time…how could you go wrong?
Blessings, Jeanne
What a perfect dress for dear Felicity. I missed the first couple of days and had to catch up.
That fabric is ideal for her and the accent bows set off her hair. I really, really like that lace you used for the collar. It looks a little like the pineapple crochet pattern. Felicity will look lovely for whatever adventure she may be going on. I do agree with you about the first edition Felicitys being chunks. Mine has definitely had more than her share of cake, tarts, marzipan, and queen cakes. LOL
Summer has arrived in earnest and I have been working frantically to stay ahead of the weeds, thistles, etc. It’s difficult to do with tending to my mom’s and daughter’s needs, but I’m trying. I did get the house festooned for summer- the flag in on the flagpole, the fan bunting is on the porch along with the red, white and blue mini lights on my all season tree, and the stars and blue candle lights are in the window. Looks pretty and patriotic!
When I have had a break, I’ve been watching those “people going back in time” documentaries that PBS and other have put out years ago. I’ve seen The 1900 House and The 1940’s House before and am currently watching Victorian Slum House alternating with the current season of “When Calls the Heart”. There’s one called Colonial House also.
Dear Laura, I loved 1900 House. I admire the family for participating in that experiment. I have often wondered where they are now.
I have also wondered what it would be like to try to get teenagers today to give up their cell phones for a month to be in an experiment. I think that would be very difficult.
I liked when the women snuck away and bought shampoo. I really liked the Suffragette/Feminist program oh and watching the maid clean.
HI Laura,
I’m about ready to put my Felicity on a diet…she’s quite the chunk too… :o)
I’m glad you like her dress and will have to think of the perfect story line for her. I haven’t gotten that far yet…
WOW! You win the patriotic award Laura! It sounds like you must have the most dressed up house and yard in your area!
Your shows sound wonderful and educational at the same time… I like those kinds. I’m going to have to check them out…
Thanks Laura, I had to help momma with some things this afternoon so I haven’t even made it into my sewing room yet, but I’m still hopeful.
Blessings, Jeanne
Loving the total look of this fabric in that style and of course the lace. A really good combination. You get us this far and then we can’t wait to see what else you do to add the finishing touches.
Going to go figure out something to have with chicken!
Hi Kathie,
I’m glad you like the way I’ve used the lace… me too.. Felicity three!
I’m hoping to get in my sewing room, even though it’s late… I can still do “something” I think.
So what did you decide to do with your chicken? Just wondering…
Blessings, Jeanne