You are in for a treat this Saturday morning! Remember when Susette was the winner in my last Giveaway? It was my 5th Anniversary and she won a red ruffled skirt/slip. Susette had mentioned something about her Prom dress (a few years back) having a long red ruffled skirt. So instead of sending Susette a completely decorated slip the way “I” wanted it to be, I decided to just add the white stretch lace waistband to the ruffled tulle skirt and send a few things along with it so Susette could do with it whatever she liked.
This was what she received from me…
Well, let me tell you…she finished the set beautifully! And I DO mean BEAUTIFULLY! Molly looks STUNNING in my opinion!
First, some undies…
…and now, a few views of her skirt and the top that Susette made.
Susette bought a pearl necklace from my daughter, Rebecca, a few years ago and found it went perfectly with the dress…and then she discovered a pair of pretty evening gloves that belonged to some other outfit in a box! Score! Don’t they look like perfect accessories to this dress. Oh, yes, and that sweet little purse too!
Susette lined the top with some white lace so the red wouldn’t stain her doll… smart cookie that Susette is!
Susette said she “couldn’t” do hair! I think NOT!!! She pulled her braids behind her head and did a little ribbon magic!
Isn’t she going to be the belle of the ball wherever she goes? I’ll tell you what I like BEST about Susette’s dress design…not seeing the armhole area where the doll goes from hard vinyl arms to soft body… The section where her bodice goes over her shoulder is in the EXACT right spot not to spoil the look. Then the pearl necklace sits just in the right spot to fill in the neck “crack” area. Perfectly done, Susette!
AND… if Molly gets cold while she’s out, look at this pretty cape that Susette made a few years ago when she first got back into sewing!
She made one for her granddaughter, Riya that was just like it! Pretty isn’t it?
I liked Susette’s last few sentences to me…
“I may make a lacy white skirt later. You’ve released a monster, Jeanne. Where does this end?”
I hope it DOESN’T end, Susette.. I need you to keep inspiring me and lots of other ladies that you can take up sewing no matter your age or your skill, or your doll collection or your fabric stash… but if you need any help in that area… I MAY know someone who can help you out! :o)
Thank you again, Susette!
Have a wonderful Saturday everyone,
See you Monday!
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, I LOVE what Susette has done with Molly’s red formal! My Molly is dropping huge hints around here, with words such as, “You know that red is my favorite color, Mom!!”
The bodice style and neckline look to me similar to what was being worn in the 40s (Molly’s era), and the necklace, gloves and purse are perfect accessories! Lucky Molly even has a cape to go with her outfit!
Her ensemble would be perfect for a Valentine dance, or maybe a Father-Daughter dance. Lucky girl!
Hi Charlotte,
I bet your Molly isn’t the only one aking for a dress like this! All across the country and probably around the world, whispers of red dresses can be heard on lots of dolly shelves!!
Thank you Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Absolutely stunning, Susette! You have created a beautiful version of your own gown, which is going to make this a very special dress indeed! How grown up and sophisticated Molly looks! She needs a tiara to top it off, since for sure, she will be the Christmas queen! At first I thought……Molly with those braids, in a formal?? But you did an elegant job of fixing her braids without taking them out, and making it look like a 40″s hairstyle!
I love the way you fashioned the top, Susette, and lined it so the color wouldn’t bleed through. Oh yes, a white lacy full skirt would be pretty too, and make the outfit work for two different occasions!
Jeanne, maybe you could make a few partially sewn outfits and sell them for some of us who are too scared or feel like we don’t have enough know how to get started. You could also cull your stash, without going through the trouble of completely making the outfit and finding accessories, plus the picture taking session would be a lot easier! Just a thought!
Hi Linda,
You know what? If Susette decides to get a tiara, they have small ones at Hobby Lobby in the wedding section. But, if not, Molly looks perfectly fine as is…
I actually have thought about making doll dresses but leaving them plain and letting the winner embellish them however they wished.
I’m glad you enjoyed the pictures…
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Suzette, what a beautiful and stunning evening gown for Molly!! The skirt with the heart shape top is just lovely. I agree with Jeanne that the straps cover Molly in just the right place at her shoulders. The way the straps peak upward is so stylist and I like how the lower part of the bodice comes to a point over that gorgeous slip.
The pearls and her white gloves accent her complete outfit perfectly.
What a beautiful, regal gown and cape. Molly reminds me of a young princess stepping out of her carriage, on a snowing night, and being escorted up the steps to a grand ballroom. Her outfit is just stunning!
Hi Paula,
I knew everyone would love seeing this dress today. I think it is SO pretty and Susette must be beaming from everyone’s sweet comments.
This would be pretty with that fake snow laid out underneath her feet and a pretty background behind her. It would just scream Christmas!
Thanks Paula
Blessings, Jeanne
Perfect!
Hi Terri,
Yes it is!! Perfect in every way!!
Blessings,Jeanne
Well, Molly is certainly the belle of the ball today. I was so hoping to see a photo of you in the dress you wore too. Although, when I was still in the dance scene, not many pictures were taken.
I absolutely love the top you made to go with the slip. First thing I noticed was the perfect hiding of the dreaded arm seams. The styling is wonderful. Molly will never let you remove that dress. Looks like a Christmas dance is about to begin or like Charlotte mentioned Valentine’s Day too. So many special occasions where Molly and her dress can be the star. And her accessories are perfect. I remember those long white gloves. 🙂 That lovely cape is the perfect topping too. Thank you so much for sharing your amazing accomplishment. And thank you Jeanne too.
Hi Joy,
I was maybe hoping for an original picture of Susette’s dress too…guess not!
I do believe Susette is going to have a hard time getting this one off Molly. It just might be her “forever” dress!
So glad you enjoyed seeing it and thanks for your compliments to Susette!
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, wow! Molly is a vision of loveliness.
Suzette made just the perfect prom dress. Rebecca’s necklace sets off the outfit.
I bet that Molly will be crowned Prom Queen!
Hi Dorothy,
You are SO right…Molly IS a vision of loveliness and I would seriously bet she is crowned Prom queen.
Thanks Dorothy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Suzette,
the gown is gorgeous with the pieces you made! The added accessories really ramp up the elegance factor. Your Molly is so cute and this whole ensemble makes her look very grown up!
Hi Jula,
Molly does look grown up, doesn’t she? I bet she’ll want to stay out past 9:0] when she goes out in this set!!! :o)
Thanks So much for sharing!
Blessings, Jeanne
Absolutely stunning!! What a real classic designer look. You could be a Versace, or Halston for sure. Love it. Please Show us more.
Linda echoes my thoughts about special pieces, like mix n match for us to “play” with. Especially the two piece civil war period items. I see white blouses in your future . . .
Lots of skirts . . .
Hi Dorothy,
As soon as I read your comment Versace, I thought Susette’s name should now be pronounced Su-zett-ee with the accent on zett! :o)
Thanks so much for your fun comments for Susette!
Blessings, Jeanne
What an amazing outfit! So much to see. After reading the comments I went back and looked again just to make sure I hadn’t missed anything. It is such an elegant ensemble. It was hard to believe it was Molly, all grown up. I love the pearl necklace. It really added to the elegance, as did the lovely hairdo. The cape is so beautiful. I love capes and that one is especially pretty. And the gloves are perfect. What a clever use of the lace you sent. Lovely set of undies. Susette did a marvelous job. Can’t wait to see what she comes up with next for the mix-and-match.
I have never had a AG 18″ dolly daughter. My 18″ is a Madam Alexander. Comments were made here about the hard vinyl arms meeting with the soft vinyl body and needing to be minimized if possible. I realized I never had that problem with my doll and I’ve made her a lot of sundresses and strappy tops, so I went and looked to see why that is. The MA 18″ dolls have a vinyl neck, shoulder and upper chest area. Their soft body doesn’t start until the midriff area. Unless you make something like a two-piece bathing suit or midriff top, she looks the same from top to bottom.
I thought Linda D’s idea about the partially made outfits with accoutrements was a good one. Kind of like the Pixie Faire Pixie Packs. They sell out fast, so the need must be great. I’ve never bought anything but the shoe soles because I have tons of fabric, trims, etc., But many people who don’t stock up (okay maybe that’s indulge themselves routinely) on those items, find things like that a great idea. Years ago I had a friend who sewed. She bought only what she needed when she needed it to sew for her three daughters. There are many like her, and many of them, I feel certain, are in the dolly clothes sewing world.
When my kids were small I sewed a lot for them. When they entered their blue jean/t-shirt phase, with the exception of a dress now and then for my daughter, I did not sew for them. The leftovers from their clothing over the years made great fabric for doll clothes, but I figured I would soon run out of that and some of it was not really good for clothes for more grown up dolls. Imagine my glee when I found that you could use fat quarters for doll clothes. Lots of choices at fairly low cost. If I want to make an outfit for my 18″, I just buy two fat quarters. Since fat quarters are only 22″ on the long side, if I really like the fat quarter I will alter the pattern to make it work. Now I have both a yardage and a fat quarter stash. Sometimes it’s a bit overwhelming, but when I stand in the middle of my sewing room and take it all in – well you probably know the feeling.
Where did Susette get those wonderful backdrops? I’ve seen some amazing things on the blog but I can’t seem to find much in the way of “dolly specific” things, which was why I went to the posters. But the only thing you can get that looks like a room in a poster is a Christmas scene. I’ve been looking for something that looks like a classroom scene.
I used the large American Girl Molly Scene Book for the pictures. The older dolls have scene books. Wish I had more but they are usually very expensive with the shipping costs. I buy things when I find them at exceptionally low prices compared to what’s usually on eBay and the shipping costs are low. One just gets lucky every once in a while. It took years to find this one.
And what a great find it was!!! I’ve tried e-bay and Amazon, but, like you said, sometimes they can be expensive. I’ll keep on searching.
Hi Barbara
I used to have all 5 of the books but sold them s few years ago
..then last year I bought Samsntha again because I love her bedroom scene very much.
Just watch on Ebay as often as you can and you’ll fine one eventually.
Hi Barbara,
Yes, it really is an amazing dress to look at! I be Molly (and Susette) are both smiling from ear to ear!!
Barbara, you really should think about getting a sister for (Claire is it?) . She would love having someone to share her clothes with! Well…maybe she would.
I used to have a friend (she’s moved away now) that only had fabric for whatever project she was working on at the time. Maybe I used to be that way, but now I have much more fun and s lot more ways to be creative with all the inventory I have.
I’m glad you enjoyed seeing Molly in her dress. I think everyone has!
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks to everyone for the lovely compliments. Molly does look very grownup, doesn’t she? I don’t remember hair ornaments of any kind when I was in high school, let alone a tiara but one would look appropriate. My granddaughter has a black cape and a ruffled long red dress, bought from Dollcake website located in Australia, but not a tiara at ten years of age. The dress my mother made was a short formal. No picture that I can find. As Joy said, we didn’t take a lot of pictures back then. Maybe I’ll find one.
I had fun making this and will use the sparkly fabric to start another outfit. I didn’t have a pattern for this dress and used bits and pieces from other patterns which is somewhat stressful, but I do that to myself all the time. Thanks again, Jeanne, for the inspiration.
Hi Susette,
Well, it’s a hit! Molly must be beaming… you too! Really, you did a wonderful job on creating and making this set. It truly is a lovelh and you should be so proud of yourself!!
I think it was Linda that I told, but you can find mini tiaras in the wedding section of Hobby Lobby….just sayin’… :o)
I’m so glad you enjoyed making it…and just think
..it’s August and you have ONE Christmas dress all completed!! Now on to the next one!!
Thanks so much for sharing your pictures with us…Miss Su-zett-ee!
Blessings, Jeanne
That turned out spectacular!
My prom dress was layers of ruffles too… only pink. My favorite part are the sleeves! Yes they hide the shoulder/arm issue but they look like the sleeves on Cinderella’s dress for the ball. From the Disney movie. I always loved the way they looked and Suzette’s are perfect!
What a fun post. Enjoy your Sunday!
Hi Kathie,
Susette’s dress for Molly did turn out to be spectacular! And stunning, and gorgeous and elegant!!!
I think we all can agree that Susette nailed it on this one!!! I bet shes in there sewing on the next dress!….maybe not! She might be resting…creating is hard work!! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Marvelous!
Thanks Joy,
I’m so glad you got to see this red dress for Molly! Isn’t it just the sweetest thing?
Blessings, Jeanne
I know I’m very late here commenting, but I couldn’t miss the chance to tell Susette what a treasure she re-created! When I saw it earlier, all I could say is Wow! It’s every adjective that everyone used to describe it. I can only add that it is very classy, Susette. You did an absolutely perfect job, from the designing right through to the stitching. It’s truly gorgeous and everyone who sees it would want it for their own. You, indeed, nailed it!!! I LOVE it!! I love the bodice and the sleeves, p.e.r.f.e.c.t.!! Love the skirt and that you matched the colors perfectly. From her hair to the floor it’s a perfect and very elegant outfit and styling. Every time you look at it, you can remember a wonderful event in your life. Congratulations!!
Love and Hugs,
Ali
Thanks for chiming in Ali,
I’m so glad I checked my post before I went to bed so I could see if anyone else had commented. Boy, did you! Isn’t the dress just the dreamiest thing ever? I just think it’s such an adorable ensemble on Molly. I bet Susette leaves it on Molly for a long time!
Yes, it is a little memento of the past!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks again for the attention the dress has received. It does inspire me to keep going on the sparkly fabric. And thanks to Jeanne for including Molly and me in her wonderful blog.
Hi Susette,
You are so welcome. It was fun!!!
Blessings, Jeanne