I haven’t had any time to sew, but you know I HAVE sewn in the past so I thought maybe I could continue the “showing of the aprons” on my dolls. I had shown some of Kirsten’s dresses already but here are a few more for her…but not all… :o)
Kathie sent me this lace and I LOVE it… I think I have enough to do one more apron like this. Isn’t it gorgeous?
I loved this blue dress with just touch of pink, but I think I got carried away with her bonnet… I think all of Rapunzel’s hair might fit under that bonnet! :o)
This is a real oldie… I think from 2007…
This is another earlier dress for Kirsten… It’s not an apron but a pinafore… I had forgotten about it…
This prairie dress had 2 bonnets…
It’s time for me to go to bed… so I hope these will hold you over till tomorrow… :o) Maybe you’ll see something new!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your Beautiful Kirsten clothes confuse me. I would like to sew at least one such set. However, I lack patience and skills. best regards
HI Alina,
Oh, you are very talented… you could come up with something pretty I’m sure! Just find a few coordinating prints and go for it!
Blessings, Jeanne
Hello, Alina,
I share your lack of patience and skills for making doll clothes with a sewing machine, but you are a champion at knitting and crocheting wonderful things.
When did you say you expect your Siblie doll? Which one was it that you chose? I share your excitement!
Have a wonderful day, Alina.
❤️
I like my Kirsten in pink-and-blue, and I see some outfits with that color scheme. Since Molly is my “red girl”, I had never thought to put my Kirsten in red; however, I am just loving that red and white outfit (just above the dress with two bonnets)!! It’s very Swedish-looking, in my opinion, and something I will have to think about the next time I sew for her. I also love the dress immediately above it (with the pinafore), and the red/white/blue outfit with the lacy white apron over a blue skirt.
I like seeing how you’ve used the hankies for some of her aprons, but I am not yet ready to cut into my hankie stash!! So I guess she will have to do with regular fabric aprons for now!!
HI Charlotte,
I have a few really intricate hankies that I might have trouble cutting into too! It will have to be a really special fabric that causes me to cut one in half… some of the ones I have are truly works of art! :o)
Thanks for liking all my Kirsten dresses. She thanks you too!
Blessings, Jeanne
How perfect for me today! I am havng a good time with my new Kirsten and just seeing all the wonderful ways she can be dressed is amazing! How I wish I had your sewing skills, Jeanne! I love, love, love the navy dress with the apron made from antique lace that Kathie sent!
The red, white and blue dirndl outfit with the eyelet lace apron is also a stunner! All of them are just perfect for Kirsten, and would’t it be heaven to have them all?
I managed to change my Kirsten ywsterday to the work dress she has, but also involved changing her blue ribbons that she came in to creme colored ones. My goodness, what a long time to get her braid loops right! I managed, but they do tie ribbons tight at the factory!
It is so exciting to hear about the wedding plans as they come along. Enjoy this time with Rebecca, it will be over in a blip, and then you will have all those wonderful memories forever!
Linda, I think you should look for some similar fabric and make Kirsten a dark blue print dress. Then scout around for some special lace. There must be someplace in St. Louis that carries old lace? I think it would be fun. 🙂
HI Joy,
I think Linda should make a blue dress too! As far as fabric stores in St. Louis, there are plenty I’m sure… or it could be lace from an antique store… Let’s root for her to make a new blue dress for her Kirsten!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, Linda! Joy is absolutely right. Get some blue fabric you love and hit the vintage shops or go online for the lace. Give it your best shot. Why, Joy has even urged me to try making some simple shirts and pull on shorts for my Luca. Have to say, I keep thinking about that, but there is a LOT of dust on my sewing machine carry case.
Just do it and surprise yourself. Tell you what. If YOU do one and show us a picture, thanks to Jeanne, I will blast off the dust and do SOMETHING for a RRFF. That is really going out on a skinny limb for me, just so you know! 😁
HI Sally,
I think you just made a “challenge” to Linda… and I love it! I’m hoping to see 2 new doll dresses! ;o)
Thanks Sally!
Blessings, Jeanne
HI Linda,
You could make something like I do… I know you have the sewing skills… you just lack the confidence… just take it step by step and you’d have a masterpiece for your new Kirsten. I’m glad you are enjoying her.
I’m also glad you were able to get her blue ribbons off and changed to cream ones. Now that you know how it’s done, you can do it again and again…
I think Rebecca has some big plans for us this weekend… she’s wanting to get lots done… and figure out what she wants for decorations… I think it will be simple, but who knows when she actually gets out there and sees what’s available…
I’m still having a hard time not crying… when I’m with her and we are doing something I’m all in… but then when I get home and am by myself, I seem to fall apart. I guess that just means I love her a whole lot! ;o)
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
One great thing about digital photography! They are ‘in there’ somewhere! Nice pics
Hi Joy,
When I was at Claudine’s house in TN, and she was helping with my blog, she clicked on something on my Media Library and it said I had 26,000+ (I forgot the exact number) pictures in it. That was just for my blog.. I would like to find out how many pictures I have on my desktop… I’m guessing 100,000, if not more! Yikes!
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Delighted to click in and see my beautiful Kirsten outfit! It is my favorite dress (sadly the only one of yours that I own) on my favorite doll. I have dedicated one Kirsten to wear that dress always because it makes me so happy to see her wearing it. I love the lace you used for that apron, it is so delicate. I would be thrilled to own any of these dresses, all charming, all beautiful.
Rebecca’s choice of flowers for her bouquet are just right for an early September wedding. She is so pretty and will be a beautiful bride.
How wonderful that you own that special dress. Lucky you and Kirsten too. 🙂
Debbie, good for you! Of all the pictures posted here, that is hands down my favorite, although I have to say, I really admire all of Jeanne’s Kirsten outfits. They show a lot of her love for this doll. Congratulations on a great catch!
HI Debbie,
I’m so glad you like Kirsten’s dress so much that it will forever be seen on one of your dolls! That makes my day!
Thanks for the compliments on the flowers and the bride! I’m a little partial to her too! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Kirsten is a great model! I like the different looks you created for her.
Kathie’s lace material is very pretty.
Aprons are interesting items. A few years ago, my favorite tearoom hosted a program about aprons. The presenter talked about the various historic utilitarian uses of them. For example, to use as a mitt to take something out of the oven, to wipe away a child’s tears, to carry things (as you show with the apples).
Believe it or not, I’ve collected vintage aprons for years. Can’t find them though much anymore. It is amazing to see how lovingly each one was made and many by hand.
Joy! I would love to see your apron collection! Since this is a blog about aprons and sewing…way back in my early AG days, there was a woman on Etsy, Tallulah and Sophie, I think, who made the totally most adorable apron sets ala 30’s and 40’s. I did my best to get quite a few. She told me about two books her friend wrote about aprons and so I bought both. They are treasures and I just found them, to my everlasting amazement.
“The Apron Book: Making, Wearing, and Sharing a Bit of Cloth and Comfort” and also, “The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, Sharing, and Cherishing the Fabrics of Our Daily Lives.” Both are by EllynAnne Geisel. Lots of eye candy and ideas. Highly recommend if you love this stuff!
I’m with you Sally, I’d love to see Joy’s apron collection. If nothing else, it would be fun to just see the colors and prints of the fabrics…
Your books sound fun, Sally… I have one on turning hankies into doll clothing, but I’ve never looked at an apron book…
Thanks Sally,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I’d love to share, but have no idea how. One time, I took out a drawer and a friend and I started looking at each one. Well, we never finished that drawer and there is another as well. Not sure how I could photo so many?
Thank you for those book titles, Sally. I’m definitely going to look them up. I love vintage aprons and linens of all kinds. When we vacationed in Canada for the first time when I was a pre-teen, we went to a store that sold appliqued linens (tablecloths and hand towels). I spent my allowance on a few hand towels and asked my mom to buy me a tablecloth/napkin set to give to me for my next birthday. I still have and love those linens.
Hi Sally! I have several apron books, but not sure about those you mentioned. I’ll have to look them up. Thanks. 🙂
Dorothy…holy cow. I want to live next to you…you go to all the Dolly events and go to awesome tea rooms and love aprons…boy-oh-boy! You’re living large as far as I can tell. Way to go, Dorothy in PA.
Dear Sally, come to PA. I have been trying to talk Barbara into moving back (laugh).
I just do dolly and tea things. That’s all I can talk about since I don’t sew or craft or cook. It’s my teeny contribution to the conversation on the sofa.
It’s just me and the dolls here. They love taking Afternoon Tea with me and one of them always tags along (laugh).
I bet there’s a tearoom where you live. If not, you can host a tea at your house. I have done that.
And doll events and conventions are all over. UFDC posts information on its site.
I just checked the dollshowusa site. There is a show listed for Northglenn on Sunday, October 17. Here is the link:
http://www.az-ps.com/dollshowusa/Events-CO.html
HI Dorothy,
I have to agree with you, Kirsten IS a great model! My first Kirsten was special but when she started turning yellow, I thought I should get a different one… I’m happy with the one I have now, but my first one was my true love!
What a neat thing to do… talk about aprons and their uses… I loved that…
Is that presentation that you asked me to do still on for November? I need to get busy…
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, yes it is still on. I need to get reminders out to folks. Thanks for reminding me.
I so enjoyed reading the first email blog page. Hope that doesn’t change. My favorite Kirsten outfit as always is #7 with the wonderful red traditional hat and crisp white cut out embroidered fabric apron. I believe that the use of the white’s makes that one so special.
No fog today and the sky is slightly orange meaning that the smoke is drifting down from the Sierra fires. So sad to see historic goldrush towns in ashes. 🙁
It would totally break my heart to see old goldrush towns in ashes. One of the things I’ve always loved about visiting Colorado was discovering all the old mining towns. In the early days of our travels there many of the towns, if active at all, were only accessible in the summer. But now with snowmobiles, etc., some are open year around. But it’s hard to imagine people living full time in some of these towns back when they were active mining towns. Talk about isolation.
Here in CA, the early gold hunting pioneers had a tough time. Standing in icy river water all day panning for gold and then trying to find food which was very expensive if available. That’s why so many returned home to the east empty handed. The work was so hard. They are showing more photos today of some of the burned out towns. It was so pretty and wooded before. 🙁
HI Joy,
I don’t plan on changing anything on my blog at the moment… it’s all working and one less thing I have to deal with right now…
I had to go back and take a second look at the outfit you liked best.. and I have to admit, when I first made it, I wasn’t too sure I liked it… I thought maybe everyone would think it was too patriotic, but I guess not… I’m glad you like it…
I bet you are constantly watching the weather and the skies and the water you use and can’t use, and all the other things that go along with where you live. It is sad to see things destroyed that are landmarks and historic sites… :o(
thank you, Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
Although there are a few folks who are still a bit unhappy with some of the changes, I think this is light years better than the first test blogs. Change is hard for a lot of us, especially as we get older…and older. Humph! And there is always the old saw that we can’t please everyone although we know you do your very best to try to do that. More deep breathing and enjoy this special time with Rebecca. (Is Kristoffer serious about anyone yet?)
As for the pictures, your Kirsten sets just make us all tingle all over with such lovely feelings. A true treat. My favorite posted today is that one Debbie won. Blows my socks off.
Have a glorious day. To quote Ziggy Marley, “Every little thing’s gonna be all right.”
Hugs from Old Sal Gal
HI Sally,
I am just thrilled that things on the blog are working as they are supposed too. I can’t imagine trying to figure this out if things were still a mess. I’m glad we switched to a totally new theme… it’s much better, and Claudine said it was much easier to change it to this than it was to try and rectify the one we tried to fix…
I don’t think Kristoffer has anyone special in his life… he’s my social butterfly though… so he might! Just hasn’t told mom yet! :o)
Thanks for your kind words, Sally! I can go through my day with a smile on my face, because everyone loves seeing Kirsten in all her pretty dresses! :o)
Thanks Sally,
Blessings, Jeanne
I just love seeing the fashion shows. I’m sure glad I’m not forced to pick just one of these dresses to be my favorite. I love them all. Maybe I could do seasonal picks.
Your blog seems fine now and I’m adjusting to the changes. I can’t remember who mentioned putting the name in first. I tried that and my e-mail was immediately filled in and I didn’t get the website I kept getting. Thanks somebody.
I have to spend my afternoon today sitting in Safelite window repair. Not looking forward to it but we have a lot of road construction around here and my windshield got nailed by a piece of debris. Traffic had slowed down and there was no escape when I saw a wooden block bouncing down the road. It missed the cars right in front of me and headed straight for my passenger side window. Skyy and Jaiden were in the back seat and didn’t see it coming but they sure heard it hit. I really expected more damage than just a long crack. I’ll be glad to get it fixed but this is the second time I’ve had to replace a windshield because of road construction. The last event occurred in Colorado while we were on vacation. I was hoping they could come to the house like last time, but my windshield will need recalibration and they can only do that in their shop. I do like all the new safety features, actually kept me from running into the back of someone who stopped suddenly yesterday, but it sure makes any repair work more complicated.
Hi Barbara,
I don’t even know If “I” could pick a favorite… I love them all when I’m making them and then I love them again when I get a sweet note from the winner that her doll loves the dress!
Well, it doesn’t sound like much fun sitting and waiting for window repair on your car, but maybe you can catch up on something on your phone… like looking for a new doll… or new dolly shoes, or maybe something for yourself! Whatever you do, have fun!
Thanks Barbara,
Blessings, Jeanne
Funny you should say “looking for a new doll”. I ordered a Kruseling doll and she came today. Unfortunately Sean saw the package on the porch before I did and handed it to his dad. When David handed it to me he said, “another one” (he doesn’t know about Ruby or the new Maya that will be on the way in the fall). I told him I was in the doll of the month club. I think I saw fear in his eyes. The box was bigger than the doll because I had ordered a couple other things from Samantha’s so I just told him it was a new doll but she didn’t cost much. The Kruselings don’t cost a lot and they are cute. There are patterns and some cute ready made clothes for them. I got Sofia. I bought her because she was Ruby’s size and they can share clothes – and it was a BFF for Ruby that was the same size.
Congrats on your new Kruseling. I don’t have one, but do have some clothes which now belong to some of my Meadow kids. 🙂 They are very cute though. Sorry you got caught! Maybe I’ll have to use that Doll of the Month Club idea next time I get caught. Other person will have a cow I’m sure. 🙂
HI Barbara,
“Doll of the Month Club!” I love that… I got busted today too… we were doing bills and my credit card statement came in… He looked it over and said, what’s this first one here from Meadow something… I told him I had ordered a “sweet little Bailey doll and put her on layaway because if you don’t get in on the pre-order they are twice as high if you try to buy one from someone else…” He didn’t say a thing and just moved on… so I guess I was okay on her!
Loved your hubby’s response… “Another one?”
That made me laugh right before bed… :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, Barbara.
So sorry about that windshield scare, and also for the inconvenience of having to go and sit in the shop. Nobody enjoys that. I wasn’t surprised when you mentioned getting a crack in your window in CO. There is no shortage of cars residing in CO with cracked windshields. I got mine replaced last year and was so exultant to have a new windshield.The crack had kept getting bigger and bigger. Well, guess what? A week later, to the day, another little stone hit it and made a new chip that will become a crack. Good luck.
Are you coming to CO this year? (Drive and older car if you do!)
When I was driving home from the Safelite shop I worried all the way that it was going to happen again. The widening of I-10 from west of me to west Houston (Katy) is scheduled to go on another eighteen months. The crack we got in Colorado was going on Highway 50 from Gunnison to Montrose. As many years as we’ve done that it seems they are always doing road work. I’m not sure about Colorado this year again. We’re still trying to fit David’s knee surgery into our life but the man he just did the out-of-town job for may have a few more coming up. We were sort of out of the tennis court preparation business but looks like we’re back in for awhile. It pays well and we need to strike while the iron is hot as they say. Sean’s A/C business is not doing too well at the moment. The A/C business has been hit with new government restrictions that will be difficult for those needing A/C and those providing it. Having a back-up plan is necessary at the moment and he likes working with his dad even though he doesn’t like running the equipment all that much..
How nice to see all the lovely Kirsten outfits, each with their own special apron. I think I’ve seen the creation of a little more than half of them.
The navy with the lace apron is lovely. The red, white, and blue dress is stunning and set her off to perfection. The darling light blue and white one standing in her school room holding a bird’s nest.is super sweet as well.
I hope to see more of Linda’s creations also. Our antique store always has some sort of antique/ vintage lace as well as a supply of vintage hankies and my town isn’t anywhere as large as St. Louis.
Vintage aprons are beautiful. I love the ones I have that my grandmother made, mostly from feed sacks.
HI Laura,
Thanks for your sweet compliments on the many Kirsten dresses I have made… I like the bonnet on the one with the pinafore… I only made it like that one time I think.
I’m rooting for Linda AND Sally to break out their sewing skills and see what they come up with.
I have some feed sack material in my stash and maybe I should make some simple dresses for Kit… even though I don’t have her any more… I could find someone to stand in for her… Nellie maybe!
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Laura, you want to see more of my “creations”? Good grief! I don’t have many at all, and I am not the perfect seamstress like Jeanne is! I DID at one time make all my clothes when I was working,(teaching), and did make many for my children, especially, when they were small. I did do my daughter’s First Communion dress, and high school prom dress, made a few bridesmaids dresses, but I really am rusty now! You ladies are stressing me out!🙂
Linda, please don’t stress. Just take a look at fabric on Etsy or Ebay or your favorite place. Most everything is online with a ruler to see the print size next to the photo. Then, look for lace too. I love browsing fabric. If you find something that would work, that would be great. I know there are some free Kirsten dress patterns out there, I believe put out early on in the AG parade. I think just looking for things would be fun. You don’t have to make anything if you don’t want to. Don’t want to pressure you at all. 🙂
Linda, I am NOT the perfect seamstress! You just think I am! I’d like to see some of your things too!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I would love some depression era outfits for Kit and a new dress for Nellie. I got Kit out in honor of my mother’s birthday on August 4, 1934. She wears a blue school dress that I could imagine my mother wearing as a child. Nellie represents a photograph I have of my Irish grandmother in a white Victorian dress. I am regretting selling my sewing machine when we moved to Tennessee but I lost a couple of extra rooms. I hate downsizing, it makes it hard to have hobbies. I am hanging on to my doll/guest room. The guests will just have to share : ).
Your wedding adventure with Rebecca is bringing back sweet memories of sharing that time with my children. They both waited until their mid 30’s to marry then decided to have weddings 4 months apart! Both had short engagements; it was a hectic time. Wishing you the best as you and your family prepare for the celebration.
Debbie
Hi Debbie,
My sister, Cindy, in PA, had a lady give her some feed sack fabrics because she told her I made doll clothes and one was from the Depression… I really should use them…
My mom was born in 1934 too!
Smart move on keeping the doll room… guests will come and go but the dolls will be there FOREVER! Won’t they?
I just have a feeling my Saturday is going to be booked from morning till the stores close… she was telling me her ideas and mentioned Hobby Lobby for starters… and the Dollar Tree… she said they had all kinds of things…
We’ll see…
Thanks Debbie,
Blessings, Jeanne
There is not one of Kirsten’s dress/apron combos that isn’t awesome. She just looks adorable in every one. I’ll check to see if there is any more of that lace…but I think I sent the whole piece. The hankies are so cute too though. Will be fun to see what Rebecca has in mind for you this weekend. How fun to keep it a mystery😉
Love the new website!
I remember the first thing we made in Home Ec class was an apron, probably like everyone else. I made aprons for dolls a couple of years ago for myself and two friends. They are reversible with gingerbread people on one side and Valentines Day ♥️ on the other with rickrack in the side seams like the one from Home Ec class.
My favorite is the red, white and blue with the beautiful puffy sleeves. I think we’ve put the lie to Linda’s claim that she’s not a very accomplished seamstress. What else would you call someone who’s made such a variety of items? Love the pictures. Thanks for sharing once again.
Interesting Susette. You’ve reminded me that some years back I too made a bunch of aprons. Those aren’t included in my collection. They’re hanging in the doll room closet. Forgot completely about them. 🙂
Oh Joy, You better get those aprons out and show us…
Blessings, Jeanne
My first sewing class project when I was in 7th grade was an apron. I still have it!
You know, I think I also made an apron in sewing class now that I think about it. I wonder what happened to it?
HI Joy,
I bet you have it somewhere…
Good for you Barbara!
My first sewing project in 4-H was an apron, followed by a full skirt and simple blouse. I remember both items. I used both a lot and was pretty proud of them. Bringing back lots of good memories here, ladies.
HI Sally,
I do remember my first 4-H sewing project was a fully gathered skirt…It probably went from selvage to selvage and then it had a tuned down casing with elastic run through it. I remember making a little tie for my blouse to go with it… I didn’t like it…it was too full and looked like a bell on me…
Blessings, Jeanne
HI Susette,
I’m trying to remember what was the first thing we made in Home Ec… I just can’t remember…and I should… it was my favorite class. When I got to college, I decided to major in Apparel Design and when I saw the requirements for the basic sewing construction class, I took a proficiency test, passed it and they asked me to help teach the class. I was thrilled!
I don’t know if I’ve ever made an apron for a doll. I mean besides the ones Kirsten and my other girls have on… I’m thinking of the kind you use in the kitchen when you are baking cookies…
Yep, I hope Linda shares some of her outfits… I’ve seen some of them and they aren’t just “troll” outfits like I used to make with 2 holes cut out for the arms and wrapped to the back with a safety pin…
I’m glad you enjoyed the Kirsten show! She certainly earns her money modeling for me! She’s a keeper!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Thank you Kathie,
I am so happy you like the new layout of my blog and also thrilled that you like the dresses I showed on Kirsten… wouldn’t it be fun to have all of them on a table and see them all together… I’d have to do photo shop, but it would be neat to see them all at one time. I’m guessing I may have made her more dresses than any of my dolls… she’s been with me a long time, so it might be true…
You don’t have to search for any more of that lace… I was thrilled with the piece (and maybe another piece) that you sent. It was just wonderful to use as an apron.
I think I might have a busy weekend… ;o)
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne