I did it! I actually did it! I managed to get Eden’s Valentine/Easter dress listed TWENTY TWO days ahead of the actual holiday. I should now be able to get another doll dress made, (Navi’s) and get it listed too! I’m more than excited… I guess you can tell. This is my first dress of 2020 and it feels good to have a new auction on Ebay. If you want to see the listing, (after you finish reading this post) you can click on the picture at the right side bar, or you can click HERE.
I wanted to take some pictures outside this morning, but it rained most of the day, so that was out.
I decided to brighten up my background for this dress, so I used a piece of white fabric and a piece of lace. For some reason, the white totally changed Eden’s skin tone and made her dress look all washed out. Believe me, I tried EVERYTHING to make it work…photo lights, lots of editing, using the flash, no flash, (3 hours of trying) and my pictures still looked like this…
I think the thing that bothered me most was that the dress wasn’t defined…it sort of got lost in the white background.
They just would NOT turn out clear, but were orangish looking and faded looking. I didn’t like them at all, so I switched my background to the light gray suede cloth that I use most of the time… and things just sort of popped. Everything looked clear, and so I used those pictures in my Ebay listing. It was mostly the full length pictures where I had to step back just a bit that looked the worst. The close up ones were semi acceptable.
Anyway, here are a few of the decent pictures and then you can go to the listing and see the rest. My hubby even came in while I was taking pictures and he really liked this dress. He doesn’t always say much about the dresses I sew. He said he liked my “dark headed doll” with this fabric! Me too! I found myself looking at Maryellen dolls since she is the 50’s doll, but I don’t think she would have looked as good as Eden does in this brightly colored dress.
Here is her accessory… you can find out what it is by reading my Ebay listing…
I hope you like these pictures better than the ones I showed at the top of this post… to me it was night and day differences.
Thanks for taking a peek,
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations, Jeanne–I’m so glad you were able to get this dress finished and listed. You’ve had quite a rough start to the year, so I know this is an encouragement to you.
I see what you mean about the pictures; the dress and Eden herself just look better with that soft gray background. In taking pictures of my own dolls and things that I’ve made, I’ve found the best background for most things is usually something that isn’t just “white/bright” or very dark. Even if I’m photographing something white or light-colored, it looks better if the background has some color to it that will contrast–but not TOO much!–with the main color of what I’m shooting! One of my favorite backgrounds is a piece of beige suede cloth–and I see you use a light grey suede cloth. I think the texture of the fabric helps, too!
Anyway, I really like Eden’s whole outfit, and the wonderful story you wrote to go along with it! I know whoever wins it will really enjoy having it for her doll!
What a dilemma with the background. Have you ever been able to use that light box? I would love to see some photos using it for comparison. Anyway, glad you captured some great photos and listed the dress. It is very cute, and I’m sure it will sell with lots of bidding.
Onward to the weekend. How’s your mom doing?
Jeanne, I do see what you mean about the gray background giving the dress more “pop”, but I do like the lace too! Somehow it seems more fitting with a Valentine dress, and if I were to hang a picture of Eden on a wall, I would go with the lace background. However, you are trying to sell the dress, so I understand.
Your background story is so cute, and gives the dress more personality, I think! It’s not just a dress for sale, it a dress with a story!
Yes, Eden is the perfect doll to model this dress, mainly because of her dark hair. I had a friend with dark hair, and always thought she looked so striking in most everything she wore, because her hair accented every color. That’s one reason I have Ruthie, she makes everything she wears look so special and is my little diva!
Congratulations to you!! I still have not managed any sewing yet this year. Today maybe? I really like the gray background. It does show the dress very well. The white fabric and lace would be great for displaying her though. Very feminine looking.
I just have to share what I found today. Go to Pixiefaire.com and check out one of the new patterns. Forever 18 Inches has done the cutest outfit with cutting lines for H4H, WW and Fashion Friends! I was over the moon, since the patterns for Wellies and H4H dolls don’t exactly fit the FF without some adjustments. Since so many of us have Fashion Friends and there’s been a lot of questions about sewing for them, I thought there might be some interest in this. I know I couldn’t resist. I hope they do more of these.
Thanks Barbara, for the lead on this pattern. I hope they do more also. I bought this, but when I looked at it, it only includes the skirt! No bodice or bodice pattern. I’ve written them and hopefully they have also done a pattern for the bodice. I’ll let you know, if there is one! If you find it please let me know. A link directly to the pattern, though, would be super helpful. It took me an hour to find the skirt, LOL. I don’t know my way around that website very well. I sure hope they have the top part, as that was the most important to me. Love and Big Hugs, Ali
Ali C., oops I forgot to mention it was just for the skirt. I was just excited that someone was doing something for Fashion Friends. I am seeing more outfits made for the Fashion Friends on Etsy, but I really wanted to sew for them myself. The two tops they used are pictured in the one picture. I have both of them and have used them both. I love the t-shirt but I did have a bit of a problem with the neckline of the Not For Knits dress/t-shirt. If I make it again I will actually make a neck facing. If you buy that pattern you’ll see what I mean. Otherwise it’s a great pattern. Two of my H4H dolls have dresses made from that pattern and they turned out really cute. It’s great for embellishing. I usually don’t have problems with tops not fitting right as much as I do skirts and dresses. I get an e-mail each Friday from Pixie Faire showing what is for Freebie Friday and they also show any new patterns. That’s how I found it. Forever 18 Inches has a great Facebook page where you can communicate with her and she answers questions. I’ve asked her to do more Fashion Friend friendly patterns. I think she’ll be glad she did. So far she’s the only one doing the patterns that I’ve found.
Thanks, Barbara. I don’t understand which pattern you used to make the top or tops. Could you send a link to the one that Sara is dressed in on the skirt pattern?
Sorry. Thanks, again. Love and Hugs, Ali
Dear Jeanne, the dress really does pop against the gray background. Eden is certainly ready for a Valentine’s Day party.
Just beautiful! The gray backdrop is perfect. I know at the university, they often use a neutral gray background to make their ceramics, jewelry, drawings, or paintings stand out. I think you’re right that Eden is a much better choice for this fabric and maybe for 1940’s-1950’s sewing in general. I love my Felicity and Caroline, but their coloring limits what looks good on them while I think Samantha and possibly Marie-Grace can wear almost any color..
Congratulations on your first dress of the new year and the new decade. Looking forward to see what all you have in store for the year. Nav’s Valentine tea I know will be up next.
I love this dress, Jeanne! I especially love the shorter length!! Full skirts are important to me, too! It turned out great, and I’m wishing now I had an AG to wear it, LOL. Good luck on the listing! I can’t wait to see now, what Navi will get. : ) Blessings, Love and Hugs, Ali
I love that dress soooo much! I wish it would fit my Stella Bettie. 🙂