I tried, really I did! I wanted to make this work! But it didn’t. I wanted to take pictures outside today but it was really windy so I was destined to do them inside. I worked like crazy finishing up all the pieces I wanted to go with this set…an outfit for 3 girls…a top a bottom and a hat…and then some kind of accessory. I had all the pieces, but the set up failed me. I got out my big American Girl book and set it up in my sewing room, added my styrofoam “slab”, laid my fake grass on top, got my sticks stuck in through the grass and into the styrofoam, had my girls all dressed, got my lights set up, hooked their overalls and shorts over the sticks and was ready to take pictures. I took 71, just to make sure I had some good ones…
Ugh… how do I say this… they all turned out horrible. Blurry like and fuzzy and hazy and unclear. I was SO disappointed. I had worked SO hard to make everything perfect. The girls were going to be going to camp and I wanted to show their cabin in the background, but for some reason… and I’ve noticed it before, when I use these big American Girl Scenes and Settings books, the pictures tend to be hazy. I’m doing everything the same as I always do…same lights, same placement, same level for the camera, and everything turned out awful. I picked out 3 pictures that I saved, just to show you I tried, but in the end, I removed the big book and did pictures the way I usually do.
So you’ll just have to tolerate the pictures that I ended up using. And on top of all that, I forgot to dress Betsy McCall in the pieces to show how they fit her… So this is sort of a mixed up post, with Betsy modeling all by herself and the girls just standing sometimes on grass with a light gray background…
First up the crummy pictures…
Then a few that I used in the listing on Ebay…. I didn’t dress the dolls in different outfits, but laid out a few different mix and match options.
Next is Betsy’s 15 minutes of fame. This set fit her really well and I’m sorry I forgot to dress her in some of the pieces and show her in the listing…
I tried everything on her and it fit her well. Her waist is a little smaller than the Little Darlings, but everything still looked nice on her. My Betsy doll has super duper thick wig, so the one pink polka dot bucket hat is a little small looking on her.
NOW…I decided to keep all these pieces as one set and sell everything together. Many ladies have more than one Little Darling and this listing gives them lots of options to dress their girls in mix and match outfits. If you’d like to see the listing on Ebay, you can click on the picture at the right side bar or click HERE.
Thanks everyone,
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love all the mix-and-match pieces–so cute!! Everything turned out really well, and I like that they fit Betsy as well as the LDs. The little accessories are perfect, too!
And, actually, the backdrops aren’t that bad. It’s just that they are Supposed to be “far away”, and when things are far away, and the camera sees something close up, it chooses to focus on the close-up items unless you can manually change it to focus on the far-away things (in which case, the close-up things are blurry). Ron’s noticed that on some of his pictures, too, and he has a fairly “fancy” digital camera! I can’t remember what he said he thought the problem might be–maybe a different lens is needed or something? At any rate, I think those pictures with the AG backdrops look better than you think they do!!
Thank you Charlotte,
I’m glad you like all the matchy matchy pieces I put together.
Maybe I was just in too much of a rush to get the listing finished
Maybe I should have waited one more day and taken some outside pictures….it’s a very nice day here today!
Oh well, maybe everyone can overlook my not so great pictures!
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a cute lineup of summer outfits, Jeanne! I love that they are in the same color family, which makes for more pleasant pictures. Everything turned out just great, and I was happy to see your Betsy modeling! My Betsy doesn’t have the same hair as yours, hers is closer to her head, but out of that, they look the same. I find that Betsy can also wear WW outfits, but not the shoes, as well as LD outfits.
The AG background doesn’t look too bad, but I see your point, in that the light shines on the background. But some photographers do make the background blurry on purpose, to highlight the closer objects.
Now to get started today! So much to do, so little time! Physical therapy starting tomorrow, and so far, so good!
Thank you for your kind comments Linda!
It was fun to see Betsy trying on all the pieces
She was thrilled too!!
Oh boy, good old physical therapy. George had both his knees replaced at the same time so I was his nurse AND his driver everywhere for a LONG time! Hope your sessions go well.
Blessings, Jeanne
I too think that the photos are fine with the background of the woods…it gives the feeling of either an early morning or early evening and definitely that the girls are outside…and all of the other photos surely do make your ensembles shine….you make such cute outfits and your skills show through each and every time. Take heart, friend.
Blessings.
Thanks Becky,
You are always so encouraging! I appreciate that very much!
Blessings, Jeanne
These outfits are so adorable, Jeanne. So bright and cheery and you can feel summer outings just looking at the summer rompers.
The girls look so cute in them. And Betsy too. I noticed her head of hair…it’s a good amount of hair.
I see what you mean about using the American Girl Books in the background. The background does go fuzzy. The one of your yard in the back ground is great. I think that grass roll out is perfect to use for the dolls and it blends right in to your yard. I must get some.
What sweet summer outfits!
Hi Paula,
In person. These pieces are so bright and oretty…not drab, like some of my pictures make them look… pretty pinks and apple greens with a splash of white!
Thank you for your sweet compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Betsy! Looks like you are doing well. 🙂 The outfit sets are adorable and exactly what someone will want for their LD’s or McCall dolls.
So sorry about the photos. I too have had that happen with my camera that occasionally gives me fits. So sad after all of the posing and work to see the disappointing end results. But, the outfits are so cute that I’m sure no one will notice.
Got skipped yesterday in comments, but actually wondered what easy seam finish can be used for dolls if you don’t own a serger. I just pink the seams, but maybe there is something else I can use?
Can’t believe that school will be starting here next month and the stores that are left are filled with school supplies. Everyone around here is clamoring for new school stuff. 🙂
Hi Joy,
I saw I had somehow skipped you yesterday but made good on it when I caught it…
I have a pair of pinking shears and sometimes use them when I don’t want to add any bulk to a seam…they are fine to use.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Joy, I don’t know if you’ll see this or not, but perhaps I’ll post it later, too.
In regard to seam finishes, in place of a serger, I have sometimes used a narrow zigzag, in from the edge a bit (if your presser foot is narrow enough to manage it), and sometimes, particularly for ravelly fabrics, I’ll use a line of straight stitching about 1/8″ from the raw edge, and then pink the very edge of the fabric, being careful not to cut into the straight stitching. On curves, though, I would probably use a second row of straight stitch really close to the original seam line before clipping the curves.
Hope that helps!
I totally agree with Charlotte and Becky. I think the AG background looks great. When I first saw it I thought it looked like maybe early morning with some mist in the air. It looked very real – I thought. I think (know) we tend to be more critical of our own work than are others. I’ve made clothes, both people and doll, that I wasn’t really happy with, but down the road I looked at them again and they looked pretty good.
I love all the outfits. They are all adorable. I love the visor. Last evening I was once again looking for a wig for my Lolla when she arrives. I happened to run across your post where Bailey was trying on several wigs. When I clicked on it I saw that you had already listed your LD/Betsy outfits. Wow, that was fast. I haven’t been at my sewing machine for the past few days. Need to today because my son handed me a pair of jeans I need to mend. They are still in good shape but the crotch is worn. Then I have another pair of his jeans that need a new zipper. Since he is here today, I will try to get all that finished. I know he needs them.
But I really itch to do some creative sewing. Right now Betsy and Taylor Jane are wearing Claire and Fallon’s short sets. Claire and Fallon are wearing I Dream of Jeanne Marie creations so they are fine with sharing. Since the LD patterns fit Betsy and Taylor Jane so well, they picked out fabric so I can make them some of their own. Now they tell me they need some sandals to go with them. It never ends.
Regarding your wig post. You used size 7-8 for Bailey while the Meadow site says a size 8-9 for Dumplings. The 7-8 size looked fine to me and I like the selections better. There seemed to be more in that size that suited Lolla like I want her to look. Do you and/or Joy have any opinions on this?
Hi Barbara,
The pictures “may” have worked, but I just wasn’t that happy with them. Thanks for your opinions…
It was Rebecca’s idea to make a visor! I like it too!
Ahhh… alterations day…I’ve got a bridesmaid dress I have to fix by August 10th. I just need to get it done!!!
I like the size 7/8 wigs..for Bailey and the Little Darlings. You just have to make sure the wigs have a stretch wig cap to fit Baileys head. Her head is pretty big but the 7/8 stretchy wigs still will go on…just make sure you hold her face so that you don’t scratch her faceup.
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Pink and green is my favorite color combination. I need to think of a way to get that in MY wardrobe. I’m still sewing for me and only using stash or thrift store finds. I should start doll sewing so I can donate again before Christmas.
Hi Julua,
I love pink and green together too. I think it’s such a great combination!
I hope you get to some dolly sewing soon…it’s so much fun.
Blessings, Jeanne
I like the idea of mix and match outfits, since as you said, many people have multiple Little Darling dolls. It’s nice when you can buy a set like this and have all the pieces coordinate. I’m sorry you weren’t happy with your pictures. I agree with others that it looks like a camp location where the early morning mist hasn’t burned off yet. I know you work hard to get your pictures looking the way you want them though.
Thanks Carolyn,
I’m glad everyone seemed to like the pictures except me! Maybe I’ll try again with my lights in a different place or better yet, do them outside! I do like how you get the crisp, clear and great colors of the outdoors!
I took some for my next little dress set and they were wonderful! Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t!
Blessings, Jeanne