Let me get my “unfinished” doll pattern out of the way… I’ve been trying… like 4 or 5 tries, and just tonight, I think I may have mastered it. Here are a couple of my “tries…” and fails, I might add…It was too tight like a dress…
Maybe I can show you a “finished coat” for the Little Darlings tomorrow…
Lorna sort of asked me why I didn’t use the pattern I used when I made Janie’s coat? Why? Because I had forgotten about it, but she remembered it was from January 2018, so I looked for that post and sure enough, just like she said, I had downloaded a pattern from House of Biscotti to make Janie’s coat. It was a leopard corduroy coat…
Here is the first post, where I was working on it… and yes, it looks like I was dealing with the “fuzzies” again…
Janie in leopard coat… part ONE
Here is the second post where the coat was finished…
Janie in “Winter Charm” Leopard Coat
Okay, now let’s move on to the dolly dresses…
I received a nice email from Sylvia in New Hampshire and she sent some wonderful pictures of her dolls in Christmas dresses. I’m not sure if she made all these this year, but they sure are fun to look at… and of course, scrutinize! :o)
Sylvia sent me this email…
“A couple of notes, Kit’s dress is copied from a 1960 McCall’s magazine, it measures 13×10 very large. And Kirsten’s dress is made from a napkin by Magnolia that I got at Target! Have a good day and a happy holidays!”
Thanks Sylvia… very pretty dresses!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
First of all, today is over! Ron had his angiogram–they tried going thru his wrist, but his arteries are as bad as his veins, so they went thru the groin. He was to come home tonight…but both sites started oozing, and, although they got it stopped (or mostly), they decided to keep him overnight. He can’t flex that wrist nor that hip joint (at least not much–when they do get him up, of course, he’ll have to!). I went home during the procedure, and then back up to see him during the supper hour, and I fed him his supper (he couldn’t sit up yet). It was meatloaf, one of his favorites! I headed back home about 6:30, and at 9 I got the word the he was for sure staying. We were both disappointed, but it’s the best place for him just now.
Good news: NO stents needed, and the doctor said his arteries were in “surprisingly good shape” for a man his age (almost 89)! Very thankful for that!
Thanks again, everyone, for all your prayers.
Jeanne, it was fun to see Janie’s coat set again; I do remember it! And congrats on FIVE bids on the pink coat set!! That’s wonderful!
Sylvia, thanks for sharing your pictures. I enjoyed seeing your girls, and also your Santas! I do love that “fabric” (napkin) that you used for Kirsten’s dress, and I love the style of Kit’s dress. Fun to see the inspiration pictures, too!!
I think it is good that Ron spent the night in the hospital. All of those procedures takes a tole on strength so getting inside may have been difficult. Today, though hopefully he’ll have gained spunk and be so glad to be home. Take it easy today and enjoy the season. š Any snow coming your way?
Maybe….a white Christmas is pretty rare up here in the Seattle area, though–last time was about 11-12 years ago, I think!
So glad to hear Ron is through with the procedure and can come home. Itās good the medical staff could watch over him during the night.
You and Ron can enjoy Christmas together. So happy to hear he is doing well.
Merry Christmas !
It probably was best to have Ron stay overnight so he could be “observed”. I always thought that was the craziest word. At least he had a dinner he liked since he couldn’t enjoy your cooking. Hopefully he comes home today and you can both relax. Merry Christmas!
Today’s post really takes me back, Jeanne! First, that leopard coat, the final version, is just completely appropriate for a Victorian scene! I love it! Yes, that fist try looked more like a coat dress, and she would more than likely not be able to wear anything underneath it! Shades of what I do now!!
Sylvia, your beautiful home is just like I would envision a home would be like in New Hampshire! I love it when people decorate in the style of their area. Love all the little panes of glass on your window and the little trinkets you put on each!
Those dresses yu made are just beautiful! Oh my goodness, that 1960 issue of McCall’s magazine must have been on our coffee table too! I was a senior in high school then, and McCall’s was a staple in our house, along with Good Housekeeping. You did a wonderful job on those reproductions! Thank you for sending in those pictures!
Charlotte, so sorry Ron could not come home last night, but for sure, it was for the best. He will get home soon. I’m so happy to hear that he came out of his procedure it as well as he did. Christmas at home is the best kind, and it looks like that’s where you both will be!
Sylvia.. your photos are so beautiful, and I especially liked your rendition of the Christmas dress! Of course ALL the AGs look gorgeous:)
Charlotte.. thank goodness Ron is getting the help and care he needs! Heās in very good shape for a youngster of 89! Seems every year we get new health challenges as we age.. heās handling them well. .. and then thereās meatloaf! Yum!
Jeannne.. Janieās leopard coat jogged my memory of a faux leopard swing coat I made for myself back in 1964. Money was so precious and I was raising 4 little ones on my own, so I splurged for this beautiful leopard āfurāas I couldnāt afford a ready made coat . I kept every scrap and much of it ended up as doll coats and jackets over the yearsā¦ Barbie and beyond. I had cut out a coat for Tiffany Taylor( anyone remember her?)
but never sewed it. I still have the pieces (pattern too, of course..lol) and will make it up soon next year .. Maybe for Big Stella Lowe or one of the Kaye Wiggs girls..Sienna would look amazing in leopard. I never would have remembered this āWIPā without your photo:)
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year every!ā¤ļøššš„
Oh, I hope you do sew that TT coat. Hope you can share it with us someday soon. š
My daughter had a Tiffany Taylor toošā¦.she was a bit bigger than Barbie..and did have dark hair. She was quite the fashion queen
Shara, I had a Tiffany Taylor! I had forgotten she even existed until you mentioned her! I forget if she was merely a new Barbie type doll or did she have a story? Mine was blond but I thought their was a brunette also.
Funny how we forget certain dolls we once had. Not like the Barbieās though. They were my most collected once upon a time.
Merry Christmas!
The Christmas pictures this year have been wonderful. It’s good to see traditional trees and decorations. They help to make up for no snow here — in fact, rain is predicted for Christmas Eve — rain in December? A wet Christmas?
Janie’s coat was lovely — this is the time of year for Victorian styles. That’s appropriate because our celebration style was apparently brought to England by Prince Albert, so our tradition is Victorian.
That wig was perfect for Janie. And Sylvia’s collection of (it looks like all PC) dolls in Victorian dresses is lovely. They look beautifully cared for as well as beautifully dressed.
Who would have thought it? It’s almost Christmas Eve.
Jeanne, congratulations on the pink coat auction! That leopard coat is fun too! There are some warm and cozy dolls out there. Thanks for sharing Christmas cheer from your readers.
Charlotte, relieved to hear the good news. I hope Ron will be recovering at home for Christmas.
Thank you sofa sisters for your photos of Christmas trees and dolls dressed in holiday finery. I have loved each and every one. I want to comment on each one but I will be on the naughty list if I don’t get ready for our Christmas gathering tomorrow.
Season’s Greetings!
Debbie
Sylvia rocks New Hampshire! What a lovely home and even a spinning wheel. š All of he outfits that the dolls are wearing are so special. And to think that a Target napkin could turn into a wonderful outfit for Kristen. Amazing. I also enjoyed seeing that McCall’s magazine. The styles shown are wowsers. I do have a few “17” Magazine copies from the 60’s. Wish I had some McCall’s. Funny, but a couple of days ago, I gathered my Mary Engelbreit magazines and moved them to a new location. I think I have almost all of them. Guess I should put them in order should I ever find a minute. š
That House of Biscotti pattern and Janie’s leopard coat are pretty cute. I’d like to see a camel coat in that pattern. That size might work for the RRFF Siblies. š
We actually had heavy rain all night. Really need it north to fill up the reservoirs, but we’ll take it to refill aquafers.
My RRFF northern lights girl arrived yesterday, early. Failed to hide her quickly enough from the prying eyes of other person though. Got her dressed late in her very cute blue ski jacket, pants, sweater, hat, and boots. She is now warm and happy. Love her big blue eyes.
The sleigh around here, aka Honda CRV, is ready to roll on Saturday to whisk away gifts to the grands. Ho, ho, ho! š
Glad Ron has gotten through his tests and the results were pretty good! Now to get him home and you both rested up !
Sylvia…your AG dolls and their dresses are wonderful. Such a clever use of fabric and napkins. You did a beautiful job! The windows of Santas is so perfect…wintery, Christmassy and just plain cute.
Jeanne your leopard print makes an awfully good looking coat! Were you trying to avoid any more seams by making the sleeve all one piece with the rest of the coat? The dark longer fur trim really sets it off. How about a coat for the AG dolls…they might be stamping their feet for a coat and hat too :0)
Almost finished Wrapping… table is set for tomorrow night
Jeanne, the coat you made awhile back for Janie is really adorable. I hope on occasion you can make more coats for all the girls. I missed out on
the RRFF coats and outfits but look forward to seeing more in the future.
Congratulations on the pretty pink coat!
Sylvia, loved your doll pictures! The picture of your American Girls almost looks like they are in a doll size room. Itās a trick of the eye. The fireplace, chairs and spinning wheel look perfect in size for the background even though they arenāt doll size!
All the outfits are lovely and well done. I especially like Felicity and Addyās dresses. The girls look ready for Christmas. Itās a nice picture you shared with us!
Your window panes filled with Santaās and other items looks so Christmacy! And perfectly New England styled. Cozy inside with the candle burning looking out through the panes into the evening. Itās a beautiful window and picture.
Loved your old McCall magazine. We too had those coming in our mailbox. I loved the Betsy McCall paper dolls. That little girl modeling is too cute and sassy!
Merry Christmas to Jeanne and all the Sofa Sisters!
Dear Jeanne, the coat is coming along nicely. I am sure that some Little Darling is going to be surprised.
Sylvia’s photos are lovely. I enjoyed seeing the old magazine. My mother used to get McCall’s. I was always on the lookout for the Betsy McCall paper dolls.
Centering on royalty, the little girl in the magazine photos makes me think Kate’s Charlotte and Meghan’s Lili.
Janie’s Victorian coat set was so cute. I love that style with the muff. Looking forward to seeing what Janie gets this time around.
Dear Sylvia, Your home is just beautiful. I reminds me of a Tasha Tudor picture. It looks just as other New England homes I’ve seen in magazines. Love all the little homey touches you have everywhere. All your dolls are dress gorgeously. I especially like the dress on the first one on the left, Lindsey (I think that’s her in the white apron with the shoulder buttons) Kirsten’s, and Felicity’s. How sweet each one wears a holly crown.
The vintage McCall’s is neat. My mom remembers getting the Besty McCall paper dolls from her aunt. McCall’s was in our house as well as Woman’s Day.
Another wonderful post by a very accomplished seamstress. You are spot on with all the little details. When I sew, I imagine things and go from there by adapting a pattern. I consider it far more difficult to see something and duplicate it perfectly. Your home is also beautiful in every detail, Sylvia. I especially like the shelves at the window. What fun choosing what to display.
It was fun to read āFashions by order of the princess.ā My granddaughter has some beautiful dresses but my favorite is the black velvet cape with (faux) fur trim. Iām sure she feels exactly like a princess in it. Great description of the Princess Effect.
This is for your sister who plays piano so beautifully, Jeanne. My granddaughter Riya is 12 now but started piano lessons when she was five. A few years ago she asked her dad if she could quit piano lessons. He said, āSure . . . when youāre 18.ā I think sheās finally glad she continued because sheās now able to play along with the latest Taylor Swift song! I got started with collecting dolls when she received her first AG doll when she was five, not four as I mentioned before.
Love the fur-trimmed coat, Jeanne.
Dear Jeanne,
We always love watching your wizardry unfold in your sewing room. Itās really perfect that you are in ācoat modeā for the dollies for winter.
Charlotte, I hope Ron is home and comfortable. The extra precaution was smart, I think.
Sylvia, how I loved your pictures. Your dolls are in exceptionally lovely dresses, and I loved your window. Your home is so like the home I left in NH. How I miss that house and all the space to play with dolls, to do holiday decorating to the max with our votive candles in every window and lovely little German whimsies in the windows like yours. While I do live in a very, very nice house, I miss the colonial warmth and the river. Thank you, with all my heart, for sharing a little of back home.
We are going on a drive to get a Covid test for my hubby later this afternoon. He had sniffles this morning but he had been outside for three hours and often gets sniffles when he gets back inside. Our son and DIL have already canceled being with us for dinner on Christmas. We are supposed to have dinner with two friends at their house tomorrow so we want to be sure, But now he says he has a sore throat and is getting achy. Utterly jolly. Stollen is in the oven. Yum!
We are supposed to get rain which I will take. It doesnāt need shoveling, but some white would be perfect.
Merry Christmas, ladies. Be well and content.
Covid-free! Hurrah!