I bet it doesn’t take you 3 guesses to figure out which group I fall into…
I didn’t answer your comments yesterday because I was “thinking” about bits and pieces many of you shared (about Chrissa’s “outfit”) over the last couple of days…
Julia mentioned a few days ago… ” I’m very lukewarm on the outfit as is… It does not say I Dream of Jeanne Marie.”
Marilyn said, “The new outfit is cute but not spectacular, and we’ve grown accustomed to spectacular.”
Julia said another time…” Whoever said “we expect spectacular” expressed what I meant by, “it doesn’t look like an I Dream of Jeanne Marie!” I think I could look at a bunch of unlabeled doll outfits and pick out one of yours. They have that extra glow of specialness.”
…and another comment from Julia… (She was on my wavelength, I think!) “I sew for fun and relaxation. If something is neither, I’m not doing it. Jeanne, you don’t have to make modern outfits. Don’t fix it if it isn’t broke. Your audience has always been eager to buy the beautiful dresses you make. You do you!. No one can be all things to all people.”
Anne said, “Jeanne, I agree with Julia, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Your era is definitely older style dresses, so if trying to do modern is stressing you, why put yourself through it?”
Marilyn said, “it looks like you have pieces of several outfits instead of one.”
Mary Sue Hamlet said, “I love your dresses and all the accessories you use to make an outfit “complete.” I totally support you if you never try to make modern again! I don’t think you are enjoying it.”
Then there were all the comments where many of you were trying to help me out with what to put with what, what shoes to use for straight legged pants, what kind of accessories to use, and as Kathie mentioned… “I bet your head is spinning from all out comments.”
Actually it was and today I took time to figure out what I was doing… I took Chrissa in her “outfit” to Rebecca’s room and asked her what she thought…She immediately said, “what look are you going for? You’ve got several different era’s going on there mom… she said it looked like a combination of the 60’s, the 70’s and the 90’s all in one! I asked her what should I do…she said strip it down to just the jeans and start over with a fun top that went with the jeans… I went back to my sewing room and sulked… and almost cried…
I had tried so hard, looked at SO many teen outfits on the internet, looked up websites for fun kids clothes, looked at what shoes they wore with what, studied what kinds of tops they had on, what fabrics were used, how their hair was fixed, and on and on and on… I was sick of it…it was work!!! So I have made a decision about Chrissa’s outfit… but you’ll have to come back tomorrow to find out what that is…
Then I went to my happy place and put my new Sara doll on my cutting table and looked at her and asked her what she wanted… she didn’t answer… so I told her… We’re making you a dress! And a pretty one too!
I looked at her complexion, it’s peaches and cream… leaned over to my fabrics and the first one I pulled out was the one I cut out… no searching for what was going to go with it, no worries about shoes, no trying to figure out an era… just make a pretty little dress that any little girl would want to wear. I had sewn for Willa, a Wellie Wisher’s doll and had one basic bodice and sleeve pattern drafted… so I started with it… and made a few modifications to the sleeve and the armholes… and the rest was easy for me… just sit and sew and enjoy what I was doing…
This is what I do and what I’m going to keep doing… So thank you ALL for the comments you left, the encouragement, the constructive critiques, the suggestions, the ideas, and the liberty to do what I want in the end…
Let me officially introduce Sara to you in her debut DRESS! There are more things to come but this is what I worked on today…
You know that pink floral fabric that is my “favorite?” Well this is the yellow and blue version of it…
I used a light blue and white striped piping on the sleeves and around the waist… and then added some flowers for an accent.
Well, as much as I’d love to keep chatting, I HAVE to get to bed… it’s way late…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Ah….YES!!! Just perfect in every way.
I love the striped piping and the little bow in back, and the flowers at the waist. I may have to hide my credit card on this one, as I’m sure Hanna and Bella are discussing Right Now which one should have it!!
I’m sorry we all put you in such a quandary for a while, but if it helped clarify your goals, then I guess maybe it was worth it. Now I’m curious about what you did with the things you made for Chrissa!
You have a very smart daughter. She immediately got what all of us were not quite putting our fingers on.. The result is a perfectly charming dress for Sara. I like the way you incorporated the striped material. The sunny garden look is exactly right for Sara. The dress is also perfect for Valentine’s Day without being too obviously Valentines. I’ve named it My Sunny Valentine.
I do miss Poppy climbing all over everything. Sara is a whole different person and seems to have settled in happily and instantly. I think we’re all going to enjoy her.
Today is Candlemas, a Christian holiday since the 4th century, the presentation of Christ in the Temple 40 days after his birth, and the official end of the Christmas season. It’s also a cross day — halfway through a season, in this case, it’s halfway through winter. Pancakes and crepes are traditional for today since their round shape and golden color represent the returning sun — also, they are easy to make for a nice supper. This is a perfect day for showing off a new dress that celebrates almost spring.
“Jeanne Marie Originals” is BACK! Oh how lovely it is to see a sweet, smiling doll in a pretty dress again! Sara looks absolutely thrilled to be out of her jeans she came in, and into a beautiful dress! It gives her a whole new look, even though she was darling in her jeans outfit. This is way better! And too, after looking at what RRFF has for clothes for their dolls, there is nothing is like this! THIS is what we like and want for our dolls!
I love the fabric, with the delicate white lace along the bottom of the dress, and the blue and white piping, along with the sweet flowers at the waist! Sara alone provides the sunshine we need to see! All good, Jeanne!
Candlemas Day reminds me of when we would go to church and get our throuats blessed. We sure need that again in this day and age of Covid, if only virtually! Pancakes for breakfast today! Good thing, I have some ready to go from the freezer! Hopefully, the groundhog won’t see his shadow!
I stayed out of this last controversy. All I could see was the fuzzy coat with black stretch jeans and turtleneck sweater, and thigh-high leather boots with 6” heels! What! I think you may have been giving yourself a case of “seam stress” instead of being a seamstress.
On to Sara’s darling dress on such a beautiful doll. Perfect, but I wonder why the dresses are always left quite so long? What would it look like with the skirt pinned up a half inch or so shorter? Just another thought. Maybe ask Rebecca.
I have often wondered the same thing about the length of doll dresses, why so longish? Maybe a couple of growth tucks would do the job and you wouldn’t have to take out the hem and lace. Just a thought, but others might not go along with this.
Love it! The little sleeves are not huge and overpowering, but dainty, and the sleeve band is tiny like it should be for these cuties. Perfect combo of floral and stripes. I know you like the longer length for dresses, but I’m with Susette. Hike the dress length to bring Sara into modern times a bit if you can. Her cute shoes are hardly showing. 🙂
The Sara here is pointing at the dress and calling out, “Me, me!” She loves it.
The separates you made for Chrissa would certainly sell in your Etsy store. Maybe you can list them?
I heard from Connie Lowe, and my girls are being worked on now. So exciting. 🙂
I can see Sarah is going to be fun sewing for. I wonder if you saw the outfit Maya wears on the website Happily ever after? She has a pink fuzzy sweater and jean skirt with leggings! I’d like to hear your thoughts. Have a great day
HI Dorothy,
I did see that outfit, but after I had started the pink furry coat of mine… maybe I wasn’t too far off… just a little bit…
It’s adorable…and Maya wears it very well…
Blessings, Jeanne
Since I am a person of eclectic tastes, I didn’t involve myself in the give and take of the jeans situation. I liked it all. When I was growing up we never had the luxury of worrying about “fashion”. My wardrobe consisted of whatever my aunts and cousins donated and it was usually handed down because it was out-of-style. Did I sometimes receive criticism for my wearing attire? Sure did, and maybe that’s why I’m not very good at even constructive criticism of others so I bowed out of the Jeans conversation. Not to mention my mind was already in overload.
As I said previously, sewing for the Fashion Friends is always a delight. No matter what I’ve made them they always look cute/lovely in it. This dress is really sweet looking and I love the striped piping with the floral fabric. I never quite understood the longer lengths for doll clothing either. So many of my dolls have really pretty legs and it seems a shame to hide them. If I think about it I do shorten hems, but sometimes I forget and once the trim is on I don’t want to take it off simply to shorten the dress.
David was moved out of ICU last evening. He was hoping they couldn’t find a room (at first they couldn’t) and they’d just let him leave, but his doctor wasn’t sure just yet even though David has met and exceeded his parameters. He still has some of his “attachments” on. Some of my sofa sisters mentioned about making sure he does his “walk” therapy. So far that has not been a problem. He’s supposed to walk three times a day and he usually walks that before lunch. He’s on pain killers so his knees aren’t hurting. I’m waiting now to see if he will be discharged or whether I can go visit him, since he was told yesterday I could. I was told before I left that protocols change daily. So today is a limbo day. The kind I least like. Maybe I’ll spend it in my sewing room. A place I haven’t been to much lately.
Hope you get to make a visit today, Barbara. And hopefully, the patient will be headed home soon.
Dear Barbara,
I missed your update. So glad that your husband’s surgery went well and I hope he is home very soon.
Dear Barbara, thanks for the updates. I am so happy that David is doing so well.
Thank you for the update on David, Barbara. I hope you were able to go up and see him today!! Prayers continue.
Yay! A DRESS! And a pretty one, too 🙂
And — ta da — just like that, you have a winner! I think this fabric looks like a Monet painting, it’s so pretty. And I LOVE your new doll. I want her.
I was thinking you might enjoy making a dress for the new Courtney doll from the 80’s. Remember those maxi dresses that had all the lace? I can’t remember the designer’s name for the life me, but they were so feminine.
Jessica McClintock was the designer.
Debi, do you mean Gunne Sax dresses?
Yep, Gunne Sax. I wish those and Laura Ashley dresses would come back. I loved both of those.
Jessica McClintock I loved her too!!!
*Stands up and cheers* YAY!! A dress, a dress. Doesn’t fit my dolls as many of them don’t, but so pretty to look at. I love seeing the dresses you make for any doll, not just AG’s.
See, Sara’s a girly girl, too. She looks soooo much better in this than those ripped jeans and denim jacket. If she came in this, I think resisting would be much more difficult. I believe she’s smiling more than when she came. Dolls NEED dresses, I don’t even have a pair of shorts or pants for my dolls.
The yellow and blue version of the fabric is MY favorite. I love the piping you did on the sleeves and waist and the little bow in back is just too cute. The eyelet edging is perfect.
Yes, I tried to make positive comments on Chrissa’s outfit, but I really wasn’t enjoying seeing it and I couldn’t imagine you were having any enjoyment making it. Plus, look how fast you put together this dress compared to the days you’ve spent on Chrissa’s outfit.
I’m going to guess you will sell all the pieces separately in your etsy shop or perhaps pair the jeans with the pink tee.
Sara’s dress is so sweet and dainty. Very feminine. The stripe blue and white trim and the bows in the back are just darling and the perfect trim. The print of the dress is just lovely and like Debi said, it’s like a Monet painting.
Jeanne, I think you’ll enjoy sewing for Sara. She is also a beautiful doll and you are right, she has a peaches and cream complexion. You’ll enjoy finding materials that look good on her.
You also sound confident in your thoughts on Chrissa’s outfit. That’s half the battle.
You’re back in the Jeanne Zone! Gorgeous fabric and the striped piping is a beautifully subtle touch. Totally says, “I Dream of Jeanne Marie”. Spectacular! 💙💗💛
Sara’s dress is tea length — very suitable for Valentine’s and looking forward to spring.
Here are images for Jessica McClintock and Gunne Sax https://www.google.com/search?source=univ&tbm=isch&q=gunne+sax+jessica+mcclintock&client=firefox-b-1-d&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiH4re03cvuAhWFhJ4KHTCXDEMQjJkEegQIARAB&biw=1716&bih=966
This is the Jeanne we know and love. The fact that you did this dress in such a short time says a lot. And what a pretty dress, I love it. The fabric is gorgeous and I love the piping. So glad you are back in your happy place.
Speaking of Gunne Sax, I’ve picked up a few at thrift stores. 🙂 Love the look. 🙂
You have, Joy? Oh, wow, I will have to search them out next time I can get to our thrift store.
It’s kind of like when you least expect it. Stuck in with a bunch of blouses and there it is, a lace Gunne Sax. But, haven’t been shopping at all for a year now. Maybe soon I can get back to it. 🙂 Other person will not be happy.
ahh, yes, Jeanne, You do what you do…. You are a wonderful designer/dress maker and I agree you do “Spectacular” so well.. Because you love what you do. I get off on other things as well, and have to stop and realize, I’m not happy doing this, and that is why it is unappealing to me. Maybe you are feeling the same way. You are so good at what you do, you can make anything, but when you make something you love making, we can all see the glow of that love you put into it!!!
Put the jeans, tee, and print blouse on Molly and see how they look.
I loved Susette’s idea of 5″ heels on an AG. Maybe they’d finally learn to point their toes.
I do think that fuzzy coat has Valentine’s Day possibilities. Maybe shorter over a flower garden print dress.
I agree with you Marilyn especially with the coat being made shorter. Definitely would be cute then with a spring dress. 🙂
Geez Jeanne…you are still getting lots of change ideas :0)
That dress is of course just perfect. Do you have the fabric Manufacturers name? It would be worth trying to find more. It is a knockout!
Don’t totally give up on the jeans etc….once you are away from it there may be a time when you want to try it again or you may see something that you like that would complete it.
In the meantime you can make lots of “happy” dresses.
Dear Jeanne, I like the new dress. I love that material.
I echo Kathie. I like the jeans also. I bet you will find a way to make them work.
I think Courtney has a Laura Ashley dress in one of her books. Here’s Laura https://www.google.com/search?q=laura+ashley+dresses&client=firefox-b-1-d&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiZla2O28zuAhVNXc0KHZJrAf4Q_AUoAnoECBAQBA&biw=1716&bih=966
Mary Ellen would be a fine stand-in for Courtney and people are looking for a LA dress.
She looks great!
Thanks Joy!