But of course…a white blouse! Not just any white blouse, but a very pretty white embroidered one. That’s what I was working on today..I’m glad we all seemed to be on the same page! :o)
Seems like we were all on the same page about the straps for the skirt too… I had already planned on making them. 4 little black buttons were added…
…and yes, they will criss cross in the back…
My blouse sleeves seemed a little too wide in the shoulders to me, so I took them in a little bit…
I also made another skirt with the waistband cut on the diagonal…and the back is a little different too…
Do you have a preference?
Well, that’s what I accomplished today…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, I’d say you got quite a lot accomplished! I love the blouse, and yes, I think you were right about the shoulders being too wide. Good save on that! I also love the straps, and remember wishing *I* could have a skirt with suspenders that crisscrossed in the back like that! I also remember how some of them were, as Sandra L. described, removable. I thought something like that was the height of cool when I was a little girl! LOL
Putting the waistband on the bias that way definitely gives it a different “look”. Plaids are fun to work with as you can often do that–put some pattern pieces on the bias, I mean–to change the the overall appearance of a garment. Same thing with stripes.
Hi Charlotte,
The blouse shoulders still bugged me so I fixed them a little more.
Yes, plaids can be fun to work with, turning them on the bias and more… I’m glad you enjoyed all my pleating and plaid talk.
Blessings, Jeanne
You are killing me, Jeanne! This skirt and blouse is exactly what I remember that doll I wanted oh, so many years ago was wearing! The straps dress it up, so to say, and i prefer them to without, although an older girl might not want them! That collar is just the cutest thing, and the puffed sleeves are perfect, after you “fixed” them! And you put it on Molly!!!!
I don’t think you have them, but saddle oxfords would be perfect for this little 40″s girl! Just the thing for school! She needs a book bag too! This one is a winner to me!
Linda D, When I make my all in one roast beef dinner, it is a roast and not cubes for stew. BUT that’s a good idea for stew! I will have to try it like that sometime.
Jeanne, yes I am still at Dad’s. We agreed that I should stay until we are sick of each other! Since I don’t see that happening, it might be when I get homesick. If that doesn’t happen, who knows when I will go home. He still has another dinner party planned. And I am going to make an apple pie almost from scratch. 😉
Hi Julia,
I liked it when you said you were going to stay until you got sick of each other…
Keep having fun!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Linda,
Well, I love and hate that I’m killing you with what you wished y had gotten so many years ago, but I’m glad you are enjoying how cute this is turning out… me too!!
I couldn’t remember if I had any saddle shoes, BUT I DO!! Black and white ones…
Blessings, Jeanne
I really like the waistband cut on the bias. Like Linda D suggested, saddle shoes would be perfect. Cute!
Hi Julia
I found my saddle shoes…yay!!
Blessings, Jeanne
This has been a great tutorial on working with plaids. I like both of the skirts. The blouse is so pretty. I sure hope Linda finds that doll. Surely she will with a little help from your followers.
Thank you Susette,
I’m glad you enjoyed all my talking about pleats and plaids. I hope you learned something too…
Blessings, Jeanne
I hope Linda finds her doll, but in the meantime, she has a Molly, and this is the perfect outfit for her. Of all your Molly outfits, this my be my favorite. Everything about it is perfect.
Hi Marilyn,
It WOULD be nice to think that Linda could find her dream doll, wouldn’t it?
Awww…thanks Marilyn, it’s nice to hear when someone likes something so much…
Blessings, Jeanne
The pleated plaid skirt is so cute and the straps do get it that perfect “1940’s look”. The white blouse is, of course, the ideal choice, so crisp and pretty with the puffed sleeves.
The plaid skirts we wore pleated as well, sometimes with a lot of pleats and sometimes with fewer and some with none. My favorite one that I recall was tan, cream, and gray and was an A-line. The plaid skirt was cut on the bias and I had a gray angora sweater I wore with it and gray hose and gray flats. Whether preppy or wild colors we did always coordinate our outfits right down to the same colors in jewelry if your weren’t wearing silver or gold. Those twist-a-bead necklaces made that a snap.
zI prefer the skirt with the bias waistband.
As far as Courtney goes, she’s cute, but not the “look” I’m after. I graduated from high school in 1986 and while some of her things are spot on, some others are missing.
One of my little kitties is having surgery … stressful day, stressful year.
Hi Laura,
I think sweet pleated skirts are SO reminiscent of the 40’s and 50’s… I was trying to remember if I had a favorite pleated skirt…can’t think of just one. But I think we all had a favorite pleated skirt as you did.
I did look up Courtney last night and while she’s cute, she isn’t one I would buy..but I hope lots of little girls to pick her.
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the look of the first skirt/straps as well as that with the waistband on the bias. Perfect criss cross straps too. Fun. Very glad you took in the shoulders on the blouse. Reminded me of the Flying Nun, remember Sally Field? To be authentic, the blouse should probably button up to the neck and perhaps include a tie or bow. Can’t wait to see your take. I think there was a photo of me many years ago wearing such a skirt. I’ll have to look.
Our weather was perfect yesterday. No smoke. Got outside and cut enough to fill the yard waste cans for pick up today.
Hi Joy,
I did a little more on the blouse…no more Flying Nun!! :o)
You certainly have the look of the blouse pegged Joy…me too!!
I’m glad you were glad to get outside a little bit today!!
Blessings, Jeanne
I wouldn’t know which skirt to choose. I love them both. And the white blouse is absolutely perfect. I have saddle shoes for all my girls, even my BAB bunnies. When I was growing up I had to get them every year for back-to-school because they would last all year or until I outgrew them during the school year. And they were great for those roller skates that clamped onto your shoes. Funny thing is, I hated them. I wanted penny loafers or the year the “gumdrop” (black suede oxfords) shoes were in style and it seemed everyone had them, I wanted some. But my parents said no. But I think they are so cute now that all of my dolls have them. Maybe my parents thought they were cute too.
Going to mow today. I can honestly say that I’m having to do it less now. I’m not sure if it’s because we haven’t had much rain or it’s just that time of year when the grass stops growing so much. But I haven’t had much sun lately so this will be good for me.
Hi Barbara,
I’m glad either skirt gets your vote…maybe I’ll make 2 sets.
I discovered one pair in my shoes drawer for the AG… and they happened to be the black and white saddles. Yay!!
I hope you got your mowing all finished. My hubby is still mowing pretty regularly..
Blessings, Jeanne
Love this plaid. This was my dream outfit when I was in grade school but I never had the skirt. My mother loved red plaids too.
In my early twenties, I got myself a red kilt with a pin on the side opening. It might not have been called a kilt. I forget if it had another name. Anyway, I wore a white blouse or white pullover sweater with it and sometimes a black blazer with the blouse. I loved that skirt and it’s hanging back home in my closet. I doubt I could get into it today!
I’m loving this outfit. So smart looking and stylish. You are great at making pleats too.
Hi Paula,
So this was your dream outfit for grade school, huh? I’m glad you like it…
You’ll have to take a picture of your skirt when you get back home..sounds sweet…
Thanks Paula
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, both skirts are so lovely. They remind me of a back to school look.
I echo Linda, saddle shoes would complete the look.
Hi Dorothy,
It WILL be a back to school set…right down to her saddle shoes…which I found in my shoe drawer today… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne
I love both skirts and the blouse is so pretty. I have another story if you can bear to read to any more lol!
I don’t remember how old I was, but probably about 6 or 7 but I went to stay with my Gran and Grandad for the night. My sister was born when I was 6 and a half so it it was probably to give my Mum a break, I don’t think I was the easiest child and I was always fighting with my brother who was 21 months younger than me. My Grandad was a really lovely man but he did used to tell me ‘naughty’ jokes. I, of course always laughed though I had no idea what it was all about lol. He used to let me make his cigarettes too in one of those little machines in a tin. Anyway I digress. I had taken a red plaid pleated skirt to wear, with straps, though the pleats were regular pleats not box ones. I don’t think I owned a white blouse but I put the skirt on over my pyjama top, to me it looked cool, just like a white blouse (not that it was white, more a faded blue) and I insisted on wearing it out to the shops. Gran tried to make me change it but I insisted it looked just like a blouse and no one would know it was pyjamas! Unfortunately I was wrong and almost the first person we talked to asked why I was wearing pyjamas out! I was very embarrassed. If I was 6 or 7 it would have been 51/52 and life was very different then to today. It mattered what other people thought and I am sure my Gran was just as embarrassed as me.
When I was in UK I went to the Anglican Church with my sister and her family and someone brought their little girl who was dressed up as a fairy, Jan and I both said we would not have allowed our daughters to do that but I hasten to add that we thought it was lovely and we were critical of ourselves not of the other mother. How things have changed.
I’m not sure my family have heard a lot of these stories I tell, I should write them down. My Dad did and we have them all in a book it is so lovely to go back and read.
Anne, I certainly hope you do write down all of the stories. Those you have shared with us are wonderful. My uncle wrote down most of his adventures which also included my father who was nine years older in many of them. I’m sure your family will greatly appreciate hearing them.
Hi Anne
I had to laugh at your story as I see people in Walmart all the time in pajama pants and sometimes big silly animal slippers. I think it’s just normal now to do that…but you’ll never catch me in my pj’s in a store… :o)
Thanks Anne
Blessings, Jeanne
Back when church was open for regular worship, my granddaughter used to show up dressed as Elsa or Anna from “Frozen”.
Very elegant clothes, can be used for ceremonies. And what would a pleated skirt look like without a plaid, smooth or patterned material?
Hi Alina,
A skirt made with pleats but not in a plaid would be just as nice…I’ll have to make one some time…
Blessings, Jeanne