I don’t really want to review the year and I bet you don’t want to hear about it either. I think we all know WHAT 2020 was mostly about…
SO… how about a different kind of review… a doll dress review. I closed out my books for the year this weekend and discovered I had made 25 dresses this year. It doesn’t sound like very many, but there were some really big gaps in my selling this year…
My first dress was sold on the 30th of January in 2020… (I’m hoping to get one before the end of January, in 2021.) It was for Navi and of course it was a Valentine dress called Time for Tea…
Then there was a long break because my mom had a stroke and passed away in February… there was lots to be done and my next dress didn’t come until March 11th. It was for Emmie and I was ready for Spring when I made this one. It was called Springtime Delight.
I tried to make up for lost time and turned out two sister dresses…one for Nellie in a pretty pink plaid and one for Samantha in a blue plaid… Both fabrics were vintage and very sheer and SO SO pretty! (at least to me!) :o)
Next came a dress for Eden… in a pretty red and pink and blue floral dress for Easter…
Molly moved us into April in Coral Charm…
Ten Ping got the next Easter dress, called No Easter Parade…
There was a long gap in my sewing for the dolls…but in July I sold 2 sets of a dress to 2 different ladies on the blog… The sets were slightly different… but it was a sale through my blog…
Elizabeth was the model for the next dress, which came in August… it was a Regency dress called Regency Romance.
Nora wore the next dress in August… a pretty rose and burgundy striped Civil War dress called School Girl Charm.
I made of set with 8 pieces for my Boneka dolls and mentioned on my blog if one of my subscribers bought it, I’d add a few more pieces… Someone did and they were happy! The only ones who weren’t were my girls when they had to get undressed…
These were the extra pieces… 2 hats and 2 gauzy like tops…
Here are all the pieces the winner received.
I put the girls dresses back on to see what they looked like with their new hats…
Well, if you enjoyed these pictures, come back tomorrow for the rest of the dress review from 2020!
See you then,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a lovely review! And I really like ALL of them, because they are primarily done in pastel shades, which I really like. However, my favorite is Emmie’s springtime one. There is just so much going for it: the lovely hat, the delicate print fabric, etc. Gorgeous!
Thanks Charlotte
Emmies dress was one of my favorites too!! But then they all have a special place in my heart!
Blessings, Jeanne
I loved reviewing all the pretty dresses, Jeanne, well, half of them! I remember them all, but really do like those sister dresses that Nellie and Samantha wore! Just so lovely and springlike! I also loved the sister outfits you made for the Boneka dolls. Who wouldn’t love to get that set? I guess I’m all about sisters, since that’s what I had!
Another favorite from this group are those darling hats and bonnets you made! You need to make more, Jeanne! They would sell like hotcakes!
I also would love to thank everyone for their “Congratulations” on my wedding anniversary! People like you are hard to beat!! And was that you, Kathie, who said you had a birthday the 27th? I’m guessing it was, because I read it last night,so I may have to change the name, but if so, Happy Belated Birthday!”
Hi Linda,
Those dresses for Nellie and Samantha were a dream to sew!! Talk about girlie..it was so much fun to make them.
I would love to take a whole week and make hats and bonnets…I really enjoy creating fun and pretty things for the girls.
Happy belated Anniversary from me Linda…
I had it written down somewhere, but misplaced. I need to make a calendar of all the things pertaining to my blog ladies!! I hope your anniversary was special…54 years is something special…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
A dress review! Reminds me of 4-H. We had a dress review, too. Everyone that made an article of clothing got to model it. Judges also examined the inside to critique construction methods. All these would get a blue ribbon, Jean! I’ll have to wait until tomorrow before I award Grand Champion and Reserve Champion Ribbons. 😉 That is going to be hard!
Hi Julia,
We had dress reviews in 4H too…I was pretty much only in 4H just for the sewing. I went to state quite a few times and think I won a blue ribbon on everything I ever made… I remember all that modeling too. I even wrote a post on my modeling disasters…
I think I will ask everyone to vote on their favorites and see which dress gets top honors for 2020!! Won’t that winner be special to the buyer who won it?
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, that was fun. A breath of spring to come, and the rest of the year tomorrow. So many lovely outfits for our dollies.
It might be fun to have a dolly request for special outfits for the new year. I just asked my girls, and they said a tailored coat with a collar and pockets about knee length is their desire. Definitely a neutral color for versatility. Maybe a cute 30’s or 50’s hat to match. I’m sure they chose that because it is so cold again today. Frosty.
Looking forward to the rest of 2020, tomorrow.
Hi Joy,
We’ve hardly had any winter and yet all I’m thinking of is Valentine and Easter dresses…I would like to toss in a wintery coat or pants set just because…maybe I can figure out how to do it…
Thanks Joy
Blessings, Jeanne
Enjoyed your lovely dollie show of beautiful outfits. The sisters dresses for the American Girls are so sweet and crisp looking. The material, beings it’s vintage, is a plus too. Just beautiful lightweight looking fabric.
Did Emmie always have blonde hair? I don’t remember her being blonde unless I’m thinking of another LD doll.
Always love your Civil War and Colonial dresses. I’m still wondering about the beautiful material you showed us a few weeks ago? It was a print.
Thank you for your kind compliments on the dresses, Paula. I appreciate them.
I change Emmie’s wig from time to time…as I change Janies too. Isabelle’s wig is glued on and I rarely change Lian’s wig.
I was looking at fabrics last night…trying to figure out what dresses I plan to make in the new year. The fabric you are referring to is still on hold for a Civil War dress as I haven’t made it to the jeweler to check out the pin I showed.
New dresses will start up soon… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, this is the kind of review we need right now. It was so much fun to see the lovely dresses modeled by your pretty dolls.
I can’t wait to see what you design for 2021.
Thank you Dorothy,
I like to see what I’ve accomplished in a year too.
I hope to make some pretty dresses this next year…
Thanks so much
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m with you on not reviewing 2020. Enough of that is still with us so no reminders necessary – not that we’d need it anyway.
I love all the 2020 ensembles. I didn’t purchase my MA Natalie from you until July. If I had her sooner I would have bid on the pink and blue sister dresses for her and Gracie. So dainty and I just love that fabric.
Yes, Dorothy in PA and the World and Charlotte, I did finish the Advent calendar and found all the Gnomes, sometimes a day or two later (lol). I didn’t think they could top the Cotswold calendar of last year but they always manage to surprise me with added technology each year. There did seem to be fewer games but I always manage to get hooked on one of them and play it all year. Last year it was the one where you play the solitaire-like game by suits. I tried the four suits one time but got nowhere so I kept to the two suits. That one I could win. This year it’s the one with the gems. I’ve managed to get over 900 points one time but that was a one-time deal. I also buy this calendar each year for friends and family. This year my three-year old grandson was old enough to participate. He especially loved decorating the tree in the cottage. Can’t wait to see what Jacquie Lawson does for next year. I still have all ones I bought in the past – Victorian and Seaside. Even though their technology was limited they are still totally amazing to see.
Jeanne, I can’t wait for the next edition of “Dresses of the Year”. So much fun to review. I agree you should do some of those bonnets to sell. They are so lovely.
Hi Barbara,
I have more of that pink and blue plaid fabric, and I liked it as much as anyone, so it might make its way back in the 2021 lineup!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the dress review and hope you enjoy the dresses tomorrow just as much!
Thank you Barbara
Blessings, Jeanne
A replay of the pink and blue sister dresses! Gracie and Natalie say that would be a dream come true.
So many lovely dresses. I absolutely love Emmie’s and the bonnet is just darling.
Nora Civil war one with the bonnet is another favorite. The multi-piece set you made for the Boneka girls is adorable. The winner had so many pieces to enjoy.
Samantha and Nellie are a breath of fresh air in their sister dresses. Can’t wait to enjoy the final half tomorrow.
Thanks so much Laura,
I’m glad you had so many favorites in today’s lineup of doll dresses…tomorrow will hopefully be just as fun for you.
Blessings, Jeanne
I hadn’t seen any of the early outfits, I didn’t join the sisters until you were renovating your workroom so it was a real treat to see them all. I would be hard pushed to choose a favourite, I loved the pink and blue outfits, the fabric is just so lovely. I loved the Regency outfit on Elizabeth too. I must have a go at making straw hats sometime. Molly was lovely in her coral coat and pink dress, loved the lovely pleated skirt.
Looking forward to tomorrow
Thank you Anne,
I’m glad someone saw these dresses for the first and enjoyed them so much. Thank you for all your kind comments, Anne.
Enjoy tomorrow’s pictures!
Blessings, Jeanne
Several people have mentioned you really wonderful, charming, becoming hats. As a wish for next year’s production, hats should come high on the list.
I hadn’t seen some of these. I finally realized you made them while I was in the hospital. Not being there is now so normal I’d nearly forgotten what it feels like and that some of your work had escaped me, so I am completely appreciating this post. I really liked the sister outfits and Regency Romance was a universal favorite. I’m beginning to think you should be sure to feature a pale blue dress every year — they are always beautiful.
My Julie is ethnically Slavic and has an outfit for celebrating mid-winter. That might be something to think about for Feb. 2.
HI Mairlyn,
I’m glad you enjoyed today’s slideshow and hope it put a smile on your face. I do hope to make more hats next year… I really do like making them and I think the girls LOVE wearing them…it’s a win-win!
Blue just might beat out pink for my dresses, you think? I do have LOTS of blue fabrics so I could potentially make LOTS of blue dresses!
I need to get myself in order for the new year… a new year, a new set of doll dresses for each month… I hope more than in 2020… wouldn’t double be nice?
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne