I picked Addy to go first… since she’s been here the longest…
I didn’t get anything done on her dress today (BUT, I did get priming done on the doors and the frames of my upper cabinets on the one side of the kitchen are ALL done!) Slow and steady wins the race! :o)
I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who noticed Addy’s bonnet looking like it was going to pop off her head. Joy mentioned it and as soon as she did, I knew I had to change something… It wasn’t going to be the bonnet, so it had to be Addy’s hairstyle. I usually have it in braids and pull it to the back and make them loop over each other and bobby pin them close to her head. Well, the way I pulled back her hair from the top this time and braided it down the back, made it too puffy on top, hence, the bonnet sticking up too high. She reminded me of a cone head…. and looked like a peeled onion to me… She needed some hair at the sides of her face…
So this is what her hairstyle looked like…
The braid was loose and not French braided…
This is what it looked like before I tucked it under…
I just took all the hair hanging down and put another hair band around it close to the bottom and tucked it underneath and bobby pinned it with one pin… it stayed in place…
…and it looked like this…
Here is a short 9 second video I took with one hand showing the hair and the other holding my phone… (it took about 45 seconds to fully load on my computer once I hit the arrow…)
BUT… when I realized her bonnet was looking strange, I did this…
…started over… I divided it into 2 sections and divided each half into 2 sections and just twisted them like a rope… I held the first one in place until I got the second one done and then I used a hair band and connected them…
When I put her bonnet on this time, it was much better… I will have to take her bonnet off again to finish the back of her dress, but for now, here are a few pictures of how her bonnet looks now…
Now onto Poppy… I didn’t get started on her dress until this evening, but we did manage to get it made… Here was our conversation tonight…
What ‘cha doing?
“Cutting out a new dress for you from that fabric you said you liked so much!”
You mean you really do know how to sew… a dress for me? I can get out of this “Troll” dress?
“Yes, I know how to sew…and I love making pretty little dresses for girls like you and Navi… but first we need to make you a pair of pretty lace panties so you are presentable to anyone who sees you… Is pink lace okay?”
They fit perfectly! Thanks!
Okay, I need you to try on your dress and see if it fits… it should be much better than that “Troll” dress with the pin in the back… This one has tiny buttons and snaps in the back…
Well, how do I look? Beautiful? My pink shiny shoes look perfect with my dress!
“Cute as can be, to me!” Do you like the fabric as much as you thought you would?”
It’s very lightweight and so comfy!!
Can you make me something else to go with it?
“I thought I just might…but let’s surprise everyone with it…okay?”
Well, that was my day… well the part where I was in my sewing room! Hopefully tomorrow I’ll have more to show you…
Thanks everyone,
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, yes, Addy’s hat looks so much better now! I’m really all thumbs when it comes to hair; you seem to have a talent for it, Jeanne!
I’m glad you decided on a longer length for her dress, too. As someone mentioned, it can be shortened a bit if the purchaser prefers that length. I think the AG dolls were originally 9-10 years old, birthday books having them turn 10, as I recall.
I love Poppy’s new dress! She seems quite happy with it, too! Now the accessory…Hm, a little jacket? Perhaps a purse? Can’t wait to see!
Oh, I forgot to comment on your amaryllis last night. It’s really beautiful, and should be spectacular when the flowers are all out!
Thanks Charlotte,
I think the bonnet looks much better now too! and to think it was because of her hair! I tried the bonnet on several other girls and it looked great on them…
I know the AG girls are supposed to be 10 but sometimes they “have” to be older in order to wear certain styles… :o)
A jacket just might be in order… you guessed it!
My Amaryllis is so slow at blooming that I think the one stalk is going to be wilting by the time the second stalk blooms… maybe not… but it looks like it might.
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Charlotte,
I saw your comment yesterday, and yes, the girls (dolls were nine in their first to books and then in “Happy Birthday (insert doll name)’ they turned ten. I know that is true for the PC girls- Kirsten, Samantha, Molly, Felicity, Addy, and Josefina. It’s also true for AG Kit. After Kit, the book titles changed and there wasn’t one titled Happy Birthday. I haven’t read all of the newer historical books, so I don’t know if a birthday is mentioned in passing in any of them.
Oh yes, Jeanne, Addy’s hat looks much better than yesterday’s version. I did notice, but hesitated to say so. I guess I shold have said something! You know, maybe whoever buys the dress might not have Addy, so that problem of her hairdo would be solved. None of the early AG dolls had poufy hair on top, unless you count Samantha, with her half pony hairdo, but Addy’s new hairdo is the perfect fix. Hairdresser Jeanne to the rescue!
Poppy is looking better and better every day! Her new dress is just adorable and I think maybe a little jacket is in the works. I don’t think she is going to want to leave your house! When she first came, I don’t think I would recognize her compared to today! She is really a cute little doll!
Hi Linda,
Maybe everyone was seeing the same thing, but no one wanted to say anything…no worries…it’s fixed now and Addy is happy…. me too! I tried it on Samantha and she looked adorable in it… :o)
I think that jacket might be what is needed… her arms are longer than Navi’s so I’m trying to decide if I want to make it longer and ONLY Poppy can wear it or do I make it 3/4 length sleeves and Navi dolls can wear it too… The dress may be a little long but anyone could hem it if they wanted to…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Barbara, I’m so sorry your husbands procedure turned up additional issues. What a shock. I’ll keep you both in my prayers.
I got the 2 half of my shingles shot yesterday. My arm is sore and made sleeping on one side all night necessary. I usually sleep on my left side and that is the sore side. My first one was the same but I had forgotten. It doesn’t last long, thank goodness.
Poppy is a little dare devil! Good thing she has you for back up, Jeanne. I’m guessing jacket and shoes to go with the dress.
HI Julia,
I hope your arm is better today… and you got some sleep…
I must be predictable… everyone so far has guessed a jacket for Poppy… and they are right! :o)
Thanks Julia,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love Addy’s new and improved hairstyle because now the bonnet sits just right. Not sure how you made that video with only one hand. Another special Jeanne feat! 🙂
I’ve only made one Chibbi outfit and that one went along with Chibbi Coco. I did cut out another though for the Chibbi here, and remembered after that I was supposed to leave off the shoulder seam and make it one piece. Like your pattern. So, I will at least have a seamless lining on the outfit to be sitting here. Now, I just need to get it together and actually do some sewing. A tiny little jacket will be a great addition for the spring weather. Maybe that will be the surprise?
Looks like we are in for spring weather here. Think it will hit the 70’s later this week. I actually saw a blooming bearded iris yesterday on our walk and a shrub with tiny little flowers. Lovely. 🙂
HI Joy,
I’m not sure how I made that video either… I need one of those “finger holders” for the back of my phone. I’m sure they have a name, but I really should think about getting one. It would be a lot easier (and safer) to hold my phone…
Yes, and 4 out of 4 of comments thinks it’s a jacket… so I better get on that… as I had planned! I was looking up some jackets I made for Navi to see if I did anything special to make them so tiny…
We are supposed to have a warm up in a few days too, but certainly not in the 70’s… It’s 32 degrees right now with the wind chill at 23 degrees. Yep, it’s pretty cold outside today…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
You are so amazing with hair. I’ve always been all thumbs when it came to hairstyling. When my daughter was in dance competition the girls had to have their hair in French braids. My daughter is a blonde but she has the thickest hair (probably due to her Viking heritage) and I could not do the braids myself so we were off to the hair salon to get it done. Addy’s hat does look very nice on her now.
Poppy is getting more adorable by the minute. I can’t believe she was sent out with such a poorly fitting wig. It’s nice that Bailey will share her wig for the pictures. Poppy looks so cute in her new dress. It goes great with her pink shoes. I’m thinking she might be getting a little jacket for her dress, since we still have a few months of cold/cool weather. Got down to 32 last night here and there was frost on the grass. It was supposed to get down to 30 but didn’t quite make it. But the wind has stopped so it’s not too bad.
I forgot to mention your beautiful Amaryllis yesterday. It is really blooming nicely now with more to come. And I really do love the color. I thought they only came in white.
Dear Barbara,
So very sorry that your husband surgery didn’t go as planned or hoped for. Hopefully that can be scheduled soon and he will be as good as new. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, so soon is definitely the best move.
We froze last night at 24 degrees.
Thank you Barbara,
I’m glad you approve of Addy’s new hairdo and bonnet sitting! It’s much better!
You are right about the jacket… yes, that’s what I made her… it’s done “except for the embellishing! ” She looks very sweet in it…
I hope to get it finished tonight…
Thanks Barbara…
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, I think Poppy is really enjoying her time with you. I don’t think she is going to want to move on (laugh). You two have certainly bonded. I am loving this story.
I love Poppy’s “troll” dress. That is something I could make. Take a square piece of fabric and cut out two armholes. Voila! An outfit to make by the non-sewer (laugh). I may try this, uh, except I don’t have any fabric.
Addy’s bonnet pairs well with her dress.
HI Dorothy,
I guess if I ever gave “online” sewing lessons, we could start out with a “troll” dress and once that is mastered, we could move to something else… equally as easy… :o)
Glad you are enjoying the stories… my hubby opened the door for the coop where the baby chicks are now… maybe if it warms up tomorrow, Poppy could go see them…
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Addy’s outfit looks really elegant. I like the bonnet but I can see how Addy’s hair had to be remade. I would say, this is definitely a fancy dress. The detail is perfect for it.
It looks like Poppy is really enjoying the attention you’re giving her. She looks adorable in a better fitting wig for sure. I love her sweet spring looking dress and her little pink shoes. She looks well cared for. She certainly is happy about her new outfit!
Thank you Paula,
It does seem rather fancy to me too… I love the colors in it and haven’t gotten a decent picture of it yet… it’s really nice in person.
Poppy is ready for me to be finished with her dress… I think she’s tired of trying things on…
Maybe something new tomorrow…
Blessings, Jeanne
Dorothy: I’m with you on the dress Poppy came in!! That would be about my best try at making a dress!! Seriously!
I have no talent whatsoever in the sewing department. That’s why I love Jeanne’s sewing talent. Perfect outfits in every way!
Thanks Paula…
I can just see it… “Come do a Sew-Along with Jeanne!” We’ll be making a troll dress… all you need is a pair of scissors, a 4″ square of fabric and one straight pin… I wonder how many takers I’d get?
Thanks Paula,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Paula, oh I am so glad to hear this. I thought I was the only one.
I love to see pretty clothes. I just know that I cannot create them.
I don’t even want to tell you about my “adventures” in sewing in Home Economics class in Junior High (laugh).
Let’s sit together on the sofa (laugh).
Somehow I forgot to even mention Addy’s bonnet yesterday. Sorry about the. The change in hairstyle makes it look so much better now. Addy has certainly acquired an elegant church dress or some special occasion dress.
Poppy’s new little dress is just darling and what a good dolly host you are to give her panties. LOL
Can’t wait to see the sweet little jacket she will get. She will look so pretty when she travels to the next house to visit.
HI Laura,
Addy’s bonnet fits SO much better now and her head looks better in it with this new hair style…
It’s been fun getting to know Poppy… she’s pretty cute and since she wears the same size dress (except a bit longer) as Navi, that’s a win win… They even wear the same size shoes… with is another plus!
I just finished the “bones” of the jacket and now need to “embellish” it… yippee! :o)
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
I can’t believe that Poppy has been travelling in just that little troll dress! She looks so much nicer and cared for in her new dress and the wig looks lovely on her, it makes her so much prettier. It doesn’t sound to me that your weather is conducive to taking her out and about to see the sights. I am sure Poppy is enjoying herself in your sewing room and I bet she had something to say about your painting as well, just keep her away from the paint.
Barbara I am sorry that David’s procedure didn’t go the way you hoped. It doesn’t sound as though Houston hospitals are having the problems of other parts of your country. My nephew and his family live there so that is good news. My brother lives nearer San Antonio but out in the country so I think they feel they are pretty safe. I will keep praying, we always pray at church for the covid situation in the world.
Our government is tightening up the border restrictions even more. We currently have 35 cases in managed isolation, some of those have this new strain. People from every country, except Australia, and some Pacific Islands now have to have a negative test before they board a plane and are tested as soon as they arrive (previously they had a first test on day 3). Some people want the borders closed completely but the Minister explained that currently we are still getting goods in and out. To halt that would destroy our economy, which is doing alright at the moment but wouldn’t survive something as drastic as that. I think the worrying thing about this new strain is that it is affecting everyone regardless of age. Because the first strain seemed to affect only older people and those with underlying conditions younger people tend to think themselves safe but that isn’t the case now or so we are hearing from our overseas reporters. Because life is so nearly normal here we forget sometimes how awful it is in some places. We get a bit complacent which can lead to problems! Stay safe everyone.
Addy’s bonnet does seem to sit better now. I think leaving the length as long as possible and giving the buyer the opportunity to have it shorter if they want is a good idea. I understand that the AG dolls are meant to be 10 yrs old but it seems to me that modern little girls often wear clothes that are a copy of adult or at least teenage clothes. Having had my children when they wore nighties till they were three months old and babygro’s were only just coming out I was flabbergasted when I saw jeans for newborns!!!!!
Actually I have a studio portrait of my Dad, who was born in 1917, it was taken when he was 18 months old and he is wearing a dress. Fashion has certainly changed.
HI Anne,
Oh, Poppy didn’t come in that Troll dress… I made that because she came in a little pink romper… but it wasn’t quite to my liking either… The Troll dress was just to keep her from being in the nude while I took a few pictures of her.
She has a whole box of goodies… some dresses, some jeans, shoes, bears, even some fairy wings…Maybe I’ll show her stuff one of these days before she leaves…
I hope we make it outside one of these days too…
It will be wonderful when this Covid thing is a thing of the past, won’t it? It’s about the only thing people talk about any more… Not me… there’s always dolly talk! :o)
Maybe I can get Addy’s dress hemmed tonight… maybe… my day has been another busy one… don’t know what it is… but I seem to be a magnet for busyness!
Thanks Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh yes, do show all the goodies that Poppy came with! I for one would love to see it all!!
Addy looks even better in her bonnet now. This whole ensemble is a top 10 for sure. The fabric with the pattern you made is a perfect match.
Poppy is a hoot. The way you have her photographed and the thoughts and poses you have assigned to her are just hilarious! You could make a story book about her visit.
Those wig catchers on her little bald head are super clever. I’m always trying to keep wigs on my little darlings so I may try to add something similar to their heads with some epoxy putty. I’ll let you know if it works.
Looking forward to the jacket.
HI Kathie,
Thanks for your kind compliments on Addy’s new bonnet and dress. I have enjoyed making this one and hope it get it finished soon… (in between taking pictures and making things for Poppy, painting my cabinets, life, today I got a Policeman’s jacket that needs to have the letters POLICE ironed on the back… yikes.. .I don’t want to mess this up.)
I received something from you today! :o) :o) :o) I’ll write more later…
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne