I asked Nora what kind of dress would she like me to make for her and she said she’d like to time travel back to the Civil War. Oh goodie…you know how much I love that era and making those dresses! Then we spent QUITE SOME TIME looking at a million different prints and each of us saying yay and nay at each others choices. Finally we landed on one that we both liked.
I got started on it right away and have a few pictures to show you…
I found a sweet button “brooch” to go with the fabric…
…and yes, Nora’s freckles are still on her face, even though the consensus by the majority was to lose them! I’m still debating what to do…maybe I could leave them there and just take them off with Picasa when I wanted to….just a thought…
Freckles or no freckles, she is looking quite happy to be modeling her dress…well, her bodice.
You’ll have to use your imagination to guess what the bottom half of the dress will look like…but I bet you get it right!
Most Civil War dresses had white collars and the sleeve cuffs were usually made of the same fabic as the dress….but Nora has a “rebellious” seamstress who went against the norm and used a coordinating print. :o) Hope you like it so far…
Have a great weekend.
See you Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne
Nice to see another AG project, Jeanne, even though I prefer either modern or “prairie” (think Kirsten) styles. I love the brooch–a really nice touch. The jury is still out on the contrasting fabric at this house! But you always manage to pull it off, so you probably will again!!
What a neat idea, to “remove” Nora’s freckles with Picasa just when you want them gone! You’d have the best of both worlds that way–the look you want while keeping her “original”.
I got out Bella tonight and am contemplating sewing for her. I don’t have any patterns specific to the Ruby Red Fashion Friends yet, but I discovered I still had the measurement for my old Global Friends (1997) doll, and they’re fairly close to Bella’s, so I think the GF patterns (McCall’s did them) might work, with a bit of tweaking. Once I have access to a printer again, I may order a pattern or two online, but they are only available as e-patterns, so that will have to wait.
I noticed that Pixie Faire is having more FF patterns all the time. Just bought a couple so I could get the extra bonus points yesterday.
Thanks Charlotte,
I’m glad you’re going to give the coordinating fabrics a chance before you write them off! :o)
I hope you settled on a pattern and some fabric for Bella… I was back at it in my sewing room again and it felt good..
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Barbara, I’ll be waiting to get to the library for printing before I order any Pixie Faire patterns.
Barbara and Jeanne–in the meantime, I discovered that some of my Betsy McCall patterns will work for Bella (I tried on things I’d made for Betsy). Yay!!
This dress is the perfect color for Nora. And the pin is lovely with it. So fun to see this dress in progress. It is so pretty.
I’m going to do another sew along with Lori and will end up with an outfit for soon to arrive Aya Kitty. I just checked this morning, and she has arrived in SF, so I’m sure she will be here on Monday. 🙂
Hope the weekend treats you well.
Aya Kitty is so adorable. You are one lucky lady to have so many adorable Meadow dolls and the big ones even.
Thank you. It was just luck getting Aya Kitty. They only had 30, and they sold out in 2-3 minutes. Little cutie arrived earlier today. Fast truck from SF I guess. She’s getting to know the rest of the girls and will definitely want something cooler to wear. She is even cuter than her photos. Don’t I sound like a grandmother? 🙂
Hi Joy,
Thanks for your compliments on Nora’s new dress… she likes what I did on I today!!
I hope Aya has won all your girls over today and they are having a grand ole time!!
I hope your sew along is just as fun as your last one.
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the fabric and the “brooch” is very nice. Can’t wait to see the skirt. I have a good imagination but the finished product is always exciting to see.
I just bought a Boneka doll but can’t seem to find much in the way of patterns for clothes for her. I know you sew for your Boneka doll. Do you know where I might find patterns for her or do you create your own?
Just a thought, but I think Ann Estelle 10″ fits the Boneka. Might only need slight alterations. Maybe compare their measurements? I’m sure they are online someplace.
If you look at Wren Feathers blog, she has several adorable free patterns that will fit and a comparison photo of a Boneka and Patsy/Ann Estelle. They are pretty close.
Thanks, Joy. I will check it out.
Thank you Barbara,
I think you probably figured out the bottom half of the dress without any problem. I hope you’ll like it!
I have one basic Boneka pattern that I drafted and just do variations of it I when I make something for mine.
I hope you find something…
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the button brooch! I have some little cameo buttons but they are plastic. Yours looks more realistic and authentic. I am never sure if my fabrics look right for a certain era unless it’s exactly the same as something known to be correct. I made Felicity’s Christmas gown using the AG pattern. I had found a yellow floral stripe that was the right scale or very close. It turned out great but I’ve always wondered if I got it right. How do you know or find out if you don’t know?
Hi Julia,
How do you know when you get a doll dress right? I think you just know… it has just enough charm and not to much frufru… I’m not much into frilly and sometimes the simpler the better…
I don’t know if that help you, but hope it does. Just keep sewing and you’ll figure it out…
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yeah, a Civil War dress. I’m so excited. Since Charlotte shared her favorite dress eras, I’ll share mine. I know you know, Jeanne, but it would be fun if everyone would. We should have a POLL like AGPT does sometimes.
Well, mine are in chronological order – Colonial, pioneer, Civil War, Edwardian, and 1930’s.
Good plan to keep her freckles and remove them with Picasa on occasion. I’m thinking if you ever use her as a Great Depression girl the freckles would make sense – working in the sun to plant etc.
The fabric you chose is lovely. I really like the striped pattern of flowers. Ha ha “rebellious seamstress”, but I’m sure the finished result will be beautiful. The brooch with the butterfly is a pretty touch.
While looking for fabric for masks yesterday, I came across a whole stack of old patterns in the craft/ fabric dresser. In one drawer was this pattern
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91fWLsj9PcL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
I want to make those lacy whites and the bonnet at some point. Do you see it features PC/AG dolls and I spy Samantha’s desk, Felicity inkwell, and chamberstick ( all of which I have :-)) as well as Felicity’s Windsor writing chair, Addy’s songbird from M’dear, and Molly’s plaid suitcase.
I’m pretty sure I have that pattern too. I love the cape/coat. 🙂
Hi Laura,
I knew you’d be happy the next dress was a Civil War one.
I like all the same eras as you… but Civil War might be first for me…
I might forever be known as the rebellious seamstress…I just like to be creative when I can…as long as it still looks good.
I have that same pattern and “almost” used it for Nora’s dress. It’s a nice pattern and I’ve used it many times. Good eye on the pattern picture!!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne,
I always highly enjoy seeing your Civil War era dresses. Besides the ones for Kirsten, I know that those are my favorites-not sure why. This one looks to be a beauty. Nora is so pretty that I’m sure she’ll look stunning in the dress. It’s always such a treat to see what you come up with.
I trust you are enjoying pleasant weather. We are here.
Hi Becky,
I’m not sure why Civil War dresses are my favorites either, but they sure are.
Thank you for always liking and letting me know you enjoy what I make.
Thank you,
Blessings, Jeanne