Well, I’m ready to reveal what happened to Rozen’s shortalls… I didn’t like those little brown buttons so I spiced it up a bit with some different ones… you’ll see in a minute…
But first Kathie gets the “Eagle Eye Award” for noticing and mentioning first that the seam that comes down from the bib front probably needed to be at a bit of an angle… and she was right…after looking closely (for the one hundredth time!) at that picture of what I was trying to mimic, I too, realized if I angled that seam to the right and the left just a little bit it would probably hang a little better. It was the first thing I did when I went in my sewing room this morning… here’s how I changed it…
If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.
I kept on going with the shortalls the way I had them but the next time I make them I will use my revised pattern piece and see if it makes a difference in the way they lay in the front. I think it will… pattern making is ALL trial and error… (dare I say LOTS of errors on these!) I think it’s a pretty good pattern now… but you can’t judge me by this first pair…especially on the insides… they are fairly neat on the inside with nothing going to come apart, but there are things I could have made better… I will the next time… But what really counts is how they look on the outside…
They have a little wrap front on the inside… it opens up so they can be slide up the dolls legs, and then they are closed with a piece of Velcro…
When it’s lapped over, it looks like this…
I changed the straps just a little bit so they would hug her back a little better… I like the looks of them in the back…skinny and going over her shoulder in perfect symmetry… :o)
Theirs…
Mine…
Okay, so I told you I wasn’t crazy about those little brown buttons on the front… they were kind of boring. So I tried a few different things… I didn’t take any pictures, but I tried some purple felt flowers on the front with lavender buttons… I was going to make a lavender top with them… nope…
I tried a puppy dog applique with some black buttons… nope…
I tried orange and yellow felt flowers with orange buttons… nope…
Then I tried red buttons and liked them… even with the gold stitching… Yep!
…and as you can see… I found a fun floral iron on applique and (I) personally liked it the best… It was different, kind of 4th of July-ish…and I didn’t ask for any opinions… I just ironed that baby on…
The very top of my bib was just a hair uneven… one side was just a fraction higher than the other side and this applique drew your eye away from that and made it less noticeable…
Rozen loved the look and gave me the biggest smile.
I had the brown button at the bottom sewn down, but when I took them off and added the red buttons, I just sewed that bottom button to the yoke part of the shortalls and didn’t go all the way through… It took away that puckery look. Then I added snaps at the top of the yoke and added a red button there too…
It looks like it would be very comfortable to wear and now I’m working on the rest of the set…
So is anyone upset that I changed out the brown buttons for red?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Rozen’s shortalls turned out SO Cute!! I love the red buttons, and the floral applique is a really nice accent. (And, yes, does pull the eye away from that tiny discrepancy in the top edge of the bib, which probably only you and I would spot!). I did like the way the “original” did the back straps, but that is a Lot of extra work, and most of the time no one is even going to see it, so save the “cute” for where it’ll be noticed! The way you did the straps is just fine, and they lay nicely, too.
I noticed yesterday Kathie mentioned jewelry trees. That was a very big thing in the 1960s; my great-aunt made one for each mom and me, using quite a bit of our own costume jewelry. She started with a canvas-covered board (like you’d use for oil paints), outlined a tree shape with glued-on chain or whatever, put a layer of ordinary beads, etc. on the bottom and the “special” pieces on top of that. Mine has my h.s. grad. ring and the spoon pin of mom’s folks’ sterling pattern on it. I don’t remember what all mom had on hers; after daddy died and we went thru the house, we let it go at the estate sale. Just couldn’t keep Everything, you know?! It’s on the wall of my sewing room, above a big chest of drawers where I can no longer reach it! I guess I’ll have to get it down and clean it one of these days!! It really did turn out nice. (And after Ron’s mother saw mine and mom’s, she made her own, copying the basic directions just from what she saw! I think her daughter has hers.)
Yup…I got in my sewing room tonight, and worked on Maya’s dress!
Oh gosh, Jeanne, that is just adorable! I love the applique, and RED buttons, yes, I do! Brown buttons, would be too blah! What a great save you did with the applique. I barely noticed any discrepancy at all, and now am wondering about a blouse? Afrer seeing the applique, I do think a white eyelet blouse would be the cutest thing! Maybe even two different tops if they were simple enough to make!
Congrats Jeanne, Rosen looks wonderful in her new shortfalls! The embroidery on the front brings a feminine look. For another RR Fashion Friend I can imagine an embroidered anchor on the bib with a red and white striped tee shirt…topped with a white sailors cap. You may have just started a new trend with your design. đ
Good morning!
Jeanne, your shortall has come a long way and HUGE applause! Very cute appliquĂ© and the red buttons are sweet. I also think yellow might work, too. I read your notes a few times, so am I correct this is a trial run to go all the way through, and then make another? I didnât mention it myself, but I also saw the top of the bib wasnât âJeanne-perfectâ. Charlotte says about the straps in back that most folks wonât see the back. While that is true, I know that I see the back and if the backs are interesting, I like to pose my dolls so it can see seen. After seeing the pictures of the template model strap situation, I fell in love with that lookâŠthe loop from the bottom with the shoulder pieces going through it and anchored there with top stitching. To me, this strap situation you have makes the bib sort of blouse out with a gap, which I donât know if a shirt underneath would help. Perhaps, though, when you do this next time, your new pattern for the front with the a-line flare at the bottom might help this. But the template is definitely flared, and that loop coming up in back for the straps to go through, would bring those straps up higher on her back, and that would bring that front in a little closer to the body. Gosh, I donât know if Iâm making myself clear. I know I donât sew anymore, but I have a very critical eye about construction, matching, cutting fabric out paying attention to the fabric pattern, etc. I got a fair amount of training, though, from my mom and 4-H. So forgive me for speaking up, but I see others do it all the time, and I guess you like getting other thoughts?
As for a top, I like Lindaâs idea of a small eyelet or maybe a white dotted Swiss?
CHARLOTTE, I am so happy you wrote about making the jewelry tree. Here I was envisioning making a standing tree to hold jewelry, a branch for bracelets, one for earrings, one for rings, a few for necklaces, etc. What you described is wall art. I like this even more! I once knew a woman who made wreaths from old costume jewelry and they were sure conversation pieces. Hope you are sleeping better. I donât know if you saw my comments yesterday or the day before about how we cool our house down without AC. Maybe you already do the same thing.
Jeanne, you really have done incredible work on this shortall, and again, please forgive me for âspeaking my mind.â I so love this blog and glad I got to write early today.
Have a wonderful day, ladies, and Joy, I cracked up reading about your delivery stealth. Iâm doing the same today. We are going to be away all morning while the mail comes, and my Bex, preordered last NOVEMBER, thank you very much, is being delivered while we are away. My pal across the street comes home for an early lunch and will come get it off our porch and put it on hers until I have a âclear coast!â
I really like your clever idea of getting your neighbor involved in package hiding. We must publish a book on the subject! đ
Wow, this is really cute and shows off Jeanne’s great talent for creating from scratch. It is a really fun piece and not something seen at every crook in the road. I think it would be perfect with short red socks and little white tennies. A white, red, or flowered tee would finish it off. Something that can be worn all summer too. I’ve so enjoyed seeing the construction.
July Joy arrived yesterday, and I was able to somehow get her inside unbeknownst to other person. đ However, she was immediately stripped of her outfit and boots to check for dye transfer from her outfit. Fortunately, there was none, so now the poor thing is standing around in her undies. The dress is very well made and lined, so I think she can put it on again for July 4th as long as she is posed without her arms touching the red/blue. Not taking any chances here. đ
On another note, a slightly used Eira will be arriving soon. She has had her braid combed out, but that can always be redone. Or so I think. Not a hair person here at all. Wish Jeanne lived closer so Eira could have a salon visit at Jeanne’s Hair Palace. đ
My dad broke a bone in his foot. He gets a cast today. I am really busy as he needs a great deal of help. I may not comment for awhile.
I’m so sorry to hear this Julia. I know he is very thankful for your help. You are a wonderful daughter. You know your seat on the sofa is always there for you when ready.
So sorry about your Dad’s broken foot. Hopefully, he can have a walking cast, but still not easy to handle. Maybe he can get one of those knee scooter things? Know you will be very busy, but please take care of yourself too.
Dear Julia, I hope your father is quickly on the mend. We will save your seat on the sofa.
Oh, this is sad news for your dad and hard on you both. My heart goes out to you. I remember all of this and it isnât easy at all, but it is truly love.
Rozen’s romper is turning out to be an adorable piece of wearing attire. I can’t wait to see what you put with it. I love the embroidery and the buttons are perfect. I like the idea of a white eyelet or dotted swiss blouse too.
I love hearing “stealth” stories. I’ve been caught a couple times when I forgot something was due to arrive and hubby found it on the porch when he took Chelsy out for her walk at lunch. I try to not let this happen but I get busy and forget to check. The best thing about having a lot of dolls is that David usually can’t tell when one is new. My most laughable “catch” here was when I tried to hide the box from a bike I got one of the girls from eBay. I quickly opened the package and ran the box out to recycling. But I should have taken the kitchen recycling out too. David took it out came back in and said I see one of the girls ordered a new bike. Really?? I guess I need to find out who and see it doesn’t happen again, says I. He just smiles.
People are mentioning dye transfer on their dolls. I had no trouble with this until I got my RRFF Hanna. I took her leggings off and there are dye strains on her one leg. It showed with her Easter dress so she just told people it was a black and blue mark from falling while roller skating. Is there a way to fix this? It’s no big deal but I know she would like to have it fixed so people stop asking.
Still laughing about the recycling. Other person here thinks recycling belongs to him. Very difficult to deposit anything in there without a question. đ
I have not personally tried it, but using 10% Clearasil on the stains, covering with plastic wrap and putting it in the sun or under a lamp is supposed to gradually reduce the coloration to zero. I believe it is supposed to be reapplied until the stains are gone.
I’m laughing, too!!
In the past I’ve used Oxy10 (the white kind, NOT “flesh tone”) on stains on vinyl dolls such as Cabbage Patch heads and such, and it’s worked very well. I leave it for a day or two, wash it off and check, then reapply as needed. I one time got a Cabbage Patch baby at the thrift store, and someone had outlined all her features (and added decorative elements to the back of her bald head, too) with ball point pen. It took a number of applications, but Every. Single. Bit. came out, and you would never have know. *I* knew where the marks had been, and I couldn’t see them!! (I think I sometimes would wet a Q-tip with peroxide before dipping it into the Oxy-10, too, but the Oxy-10 by itself worked just fine.)
Hi Jeanne, I love Rowen’s short overalls. Now she just needs a red and white gingham top of some kind. It looks very Bavarian to me with all these lovely colors on the blue. So pretty. I love watching you with your pictures in the process the best. I love the fact that you use paper towels to make patterns off the top of your head. Do you have a step by step tutorial on how you do that for us? Not sure if you had one in the past or not? I would love to learn how to do that. I always wanted to learn how to make my own patterns from paper towels or muslin. It intrigues me very much the process and then the final outcome is so amazing as well. I believe her smile has gotten wider since you changed the colors on her outfit. So cute. Happy 4th of July Everyone! God Bless America!
Hurray for the red buttons! Lots of pizzaz.
Dear Jeanne, I like the changes you made to the outfit. I will be just the thing to wear for a July stroll on the beach.
I am ready for lemonade and peanut butter cookies. Someone please pass the plate (smile).
Rosen looks cute as a bug in her bibbies. Glad my suggestion was a help. I thought about it a long timeâŠhate to criticize because everything you do is so perfectâŠ.Iâm glad you were OK with itđ Love the iron onâŠgreat size and so cute and yes, the red buttons rock!
Thanks for nailing down the time line on the Jewelry tree Charlotte. So 60âs is probably right for ours too. Sorry to not explain better Sallyđ„Ž you probably did wonder what heck I was talking about! We still had my Momâs box of costume jewelry and I had so much jewelry from when I was workingâŠwe all actually dressed upâŠ.just about the time I retired things were getting a bit more casual. Also thru the Covid time did anyone wear earrings? One more thing on my ear besides glasses and the mask was too much!
My sister arranged her pieces on the tree shape then marked where the lights should goâŠthat was a good idea because I marked and hubby drilled the holes first so now I have to fit the pieces around the lightsâŠ.đ€ not as easy but lots of fun!
Mississippi State whomped Vanderbilt in the CWS so SEC ruled again! Congrats!
Yes I wore earrings to church during COVID. I wore a regular mask to church and changed into my silly looking singer’s mask once I got in the choir loft. Somewhere in taking off and putting on different masks I lost one of my favorite earrings. I can’t find it at church but it may have come off in the restaurant went I took my mask off to eat lunch after church. So glad I no longer need to wear a mask but I still keep checking my earrings to make sure they are still there.
Julia, it’s lovely to be able to do parent care, but it’s not easy — I wish you luck.
Jeanne — this outfit is going to be another winner. I do like the original loop in back, but I also like your cute double x pattern.
I think Linda’s eyelet idea is a good one, or if eyelet that tiny isn’t available, you do seem to have thin, textured white fabric, preferably something flowery, If you also made a long sleeved tee and a matching headband, you’d have a cute fall outfit.
The only sure thing is that you are going to end up with another really cute outfit and a nice new pattern that you might be able to enlarge for the AGs.
Itâs just absolutely adorable! I canât see that the top is uneven at all, it looks perfect to me. You make such beautiful things.