My hubby and I went out of town today so I had plenty of time to think about what I was going to do with the dress… I appreciate your comments even though we weren’t all thinking along the same lines today.
I think I know when it’s time to throw in the towel…when everyone has a different interpretation of what I’m trying to make… I decided after much thought today, to go a different direction. If I can’t replicate a picture, then why keep striving to make it happen. (and just between you and me, the next time I do a copy cat creation, I think I’ll vote for a picture with a full front view!) But don’t get me wrong, I loved the challenge, and enjoyed “trying” to make it happen, but…I think this new look will be simpler and easier for everyone to “get!” It’s just going to be a sweet Edwardian dress for Nellie or Samantha…
I took off that apron thing I made and will save it for something else sometime… probably just using the bottom half that hasn’t been all scrunched up, for one of my smaller dolls. I decided to just go simple and make a pretty sash (with pleats) that sits low on Nellie’s hips.
Looking at my pictures (I may) decide to shorten the ends of the sash just a bit…
I didn’t want anyone to have to fuss with tying a bow in the back so I overlapped it in the front and it hooks together with Velcro.
Simple, huh? I gathered up the spot where I sewed the butterfly pin in place to give it a little bit of definition instead of just being a straight ribbon. You just lap the front piece over the one in the back and viola…it’s done. You can put the sash on your doll wherever you like… where I have it, or in the front or even in the back.
It’s pretty flattering on her, don’t you think? It shows off her figure a bit instead of being so boxy.
I made Nellie a pretty pre-tied hair bow out of the same ribbon and finished off the ends. It is fastened to a snap clip so all you have to do is slip it in her hair and snap it!
Her thigh highs are made from a cream cotton knit and slide up her legs and rest in the spot shown.
I have decided to pass on the backpack and purse this time… and just made her a Geography book to go with her chalkboard…
I’ll be waiting to see how everyone reacts to this look now… then it’s off to Ebay for this one…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
My first thought at seeing the first picture? Oh, YES!!! This is a Beautiful dress! Just beautiful. You nailed it, Jeanne, and I foresee a bidding war!
I just read your comment on curling irons, Charlotte. I think we all remember sights, sounds, and smells of our grandmother’s house. I can see a brand or item today on eBay or the antique store and it takes me back – Clairol Herbal Essence shampoo and Rose Milk lotion to name two.
Rebecca’s little silver curling iron is only piece I have from her collection, but I had to have it for Samantha.. It’s a really amazing item.
I’ll have to see if that’s still available, Laura. Thanks for the heads up!
Hi Charlotte,
Yay, I’m so glad I got it right this time. Thank you for your sweet compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, yes, YES, this is it! While I did say yesterday that I loved how you did the dress, I was a bit puzzled as to why an apron, if it was for a schoolgirl, and a wealthy one at that! She looked more like Cinderella sweeping the ashes with the apron! But oh, I love the sash, and what a difference it makes! It really does look like a 1900 dress now and I’m so happy that you were able to salvage it. I love the muted colors!
Those shoes are so pretty! I have them too, and use them for Cecile. Cecile would love this dress, and look so pretty in it with her dark coloring! Perhaps you could also show it on a darker haired doll in the Ebay listing.
This is a winner, Jeanne!
HI Linda,
I’m a bit late today but decided to tackle the comments anyway… I’m glad you like this new version of the dress. The other one wasn’t working for everyone and I wanted it too! I like the neutral colors of the whole outfit, but my hubby thinks it’s too drab… I might have to do something about that…
Cindy sent me the shoes and I love them too… just perfect for this dress…
I might try this dress on Addy and on Samantha… I was going to try and get to it this afternoon but my day got away from me…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Looks perfect, Jeanne!
Thank you Shara!
I’m glad you like it!
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s beautiful, Jeanne. I admire your patience to completion.
Blessings
Thanks Becky,
You win some and lose some… This one fortunately was salvageable! I like it much better now too!
Blessings, Jeanne
Perfect! The sash and butterfly 🦋 pin are the perfect accessories. Thanks for a very interesting challenge admirably met. Good luck with the auction.
HI Susette,
Well, sorry I couldn’t follow through with the whole look, but parts of it are still the same… I hope you don’t mind the “new” look! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I can’t imagine what it’s like to get so much input on what you are making; Especially when we have conflicting ideas!
I love the butterfly pin. Did it start out as a button? I recognize the shoes. They really make this outfit stand out.
I’m making blueberry muffins for breakfast so I better get crack in’!
HI Julia,
Well, all the different opinions certainly did make me think… about how to fix it or scrap the whole idea. I’m glad I went ahead and fixed it like it is now. I’m liking it much better too.
The butterfly pin was actually a charm from Hobby Lobby a few years ago. This was my last one… :o( I’ve really enjoyed using them… I had greenish ones and bluish ones…
Yummy, Blueberry muffins are one of my favorites!
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, I love the look now! Although pretty, I just wasn’t “feeling” the apron with this dress. And I love the neutral palette from head to toe, right down to the geography book. Great job!
Hi Linda,
I “almost” put a blue book with the set to give it a pop of color, but decided on the Geography book to keep the neutral theme going… :o)
Thanks for your kind compliments!
Blessings, Jeanne
YES! This is perfect now! I just wasn’t “feeling” the other look, but I love this one.
Thank you Debi,
I think the sentiments on this new look are unanimous! YAY!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a difference a day makes! Now this outfit rocks. From the perfect hairbow to the delightful white thigh highs without annoying garters, Nellie looks to be the perfect student. The pleated ribbon sash is a real winner too. I’ve never seen ribbon pleated like that. Such a delightful idea and the pin adds a royal touch. I like the dress length on Nellie and it fits right into the era. Great save!
Back to the same old around here. Weather going to really heat up into Monday and Tuesday with triple digits expected and winds from the north bringing back smoke and high fire danger. Cool this morning though and air quality is good. 🙂
Just caught Meadow Sylvia Scarlet and Shasta clicking on those shoes on Ebay. Looks like we too will have a pair of beige shoes. They will have to share though. 🙂
HI Joy,
Good to see you got some of those beige shoes… I just saw the listing for them on Ebay and saw they were the last pair… guess you may have scooped up the second to last pair. Cindy sent those to me from PA, but from a store that has long been out of business.
I pleated that ribbon, that’s why you haven’t seen it before. I just finger folded it and then ironed it…
Thanks for your kind compliments! I’m dancing with joy now! Not YOU, I should have said happiness! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
This dress is just beautiful and elegant and represents the era. The material choice is a soft sweet color and her sash absolutely defines the dress. Love the pin. With her hair bow and stockings matching the dress, it is simply divine.
It’s just beautiful, Jeanne.
I agree, Linda, this would look lovely on Cecile.
Thank you Paula,
I’m just thrilled that everyone has responded in a positive way with Nellie’s new look to her dress. I realized it was never going to look the way I wanted it to if I kept going. Scrap the old way and go a different direction… works for me! :o)
I’ll try it on Addy to see how a darker skin doll looks it. It was probably look wonderful against her skin.
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well I missed all the fun yesterday, but read all the comments last evening. Now I know why I don’t “put myself out there”. I’m way too sensitive. Comes from a childhood where parents thought that positive comments would lead to a “big head”. But, Jeanne, I admire your courage to take it all in and come up with something that appears to be pleasing to everyone. I know I love it. And where did you get the shoes? I haven’t seen any like that. Beautiful!
While rainy some days and just cloudy others this week, the sun is out now and the temps are still expected to be comfortable for a few more days. But it’s Fall now and usually by this time the really hot days are behind us. I know my electric bill will become more manageable. Off to get a much needed haircut.
HI Barbara,
I can take constructive criticism pretty well when it comes to my doll clothes. I guess I figure I’m not making them for ME, so I better come up with something everyone else likes. Forget what I think… well… part of the time. I’m glad it turned out like it did and everyone seems to like this new look. Lesson learned… use a full clear picture if you want to copy things… :o)
The shoes came from Ebay… if you type in beige shoes American Girl doll they will come up…there is one pair left from the seller… I’ll try to give you the link in a minute….
Beige dress shoes for American Girl doll
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I love this dress. It is so classic and elegant. I love how the hair bow sets it off.
I bet that this little miss is off to the first day of classes at Miss Jeanne’s Finishing School (smile).
HI Dorothy,
Oh, I like that… Miss Jeanne’s Finishing School… you are too clever! And funny thing is Geography was one of my favorite subjects! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Good for you going forward with your own look. She is adorable in that dress and the book and assessories are so appropriate. The sash is a great look and that pin ! Wowza!
You can look forward to the next creation now🤗🤗
HI Kathie,
Thanks for all your sweet comments. She does look much happier than she did before, I think! I’m glad you approve of all the changes! They had to be done… :o)
Next creation? Hmmmm… I better get to thinking…
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes!! That is perfect. The sash and hair bow are completely in keeping with the era. Nellie looks very refined. The butterfly pin is the ideal touch.
I love the shoes. Where did you find them, please?
I like Dorothy’s idea of Finishing school. I actually pretend that with Samantha on occasion.
Thank you Laura,
I’m glad it all worked out… yesterday, not so much love for it and today 100% on board from everyone! Woohoo!
Cindy sent me the shoes, but there is one pair left on Ebay… from this seller…
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Light-Beige-w-Gold-Flower-Accent-Dress-Shoes-for-18-American-Girl-Doll-Clothes/202096029592?_trkparms=aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20160908105057%26meid%3D6d93812248be4d03aa1d9c9e459d277d%26pid%3D100675%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D15%26mehot%3Dag%26sd%3D333727282623%26itm%3D202096029592%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D2380057%26brand%3DAmerican+Girl&_trksid=p2380057.c100675.m4236&_trkparms=pageci%3Aff375a9c-ff9c-11ea-b74a-74dbd1805f2d%7Cparentrq%3Ac82a13e51740a9c94ed59397fff9b596%7Ciid%3A1
I just emailed the lady and asked if she had any more… in case others wanted them…
Blessings, Jeanne
Do you have a green background? that hair and that dress would look great against green.
Wow! what a difference in the comments today. Everyone agrees that you pulled the rabbit out of the hat on this outfit. the shoes are perfect with the dress and the big hairbow is simple and exactly right. the button/pin is my favorite. i hope you have a dozen more. i’d love to see a similar alternate sash in french blue or some other nice blue.
even the book is the perfect color for this outfit.
congratulations on Molly’s school outfit. that was a nice sale.
and now — a school outfit for Felicity? you have some beautiful fabrics that would work for her.
HI Marilyn,
If my day hadn’t been so busy, I was hoping to go outside with Nellie and take some outdoor shots. We still have green grass… maybe tomorrow will work…
Yes, the comments are totally different aren’t they? I was very happy to see harmony among the troops! :o)
That was my last button pin like that, but maybe I’ll find some more at Hobby Lobby… It pays to buy all they have when you find something so cute and sweet looking.
I haven’t decided (or even thought about who will be next…) we’ll see…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the look Jeanne. I love her shoes. Every time I see doll shoes my mind starts working on ‘how could I make these’. They are so pretty, there must be a way lol
HI Anne,
Well, as my fellow shoe cobbler, if there’s a way to make them, I’m sure you’ll figure them out! :o) Thank you !
Blessings, Jeanne
For the shoes, search ebay under beige doll shoes american girl. They are pretty inexpensive.
HI Marilyn,
Cindy sent me the shoes for Nellie, but that pair on Ebay is exactly like hers. I did give the link to 2 ladies above…
Thanks for looking for them… I wouldn’t have thought to look for them…
Blessings, Jeanne