I worked several hours on this dress today… oh yes, it’s for the Little Darlings, and Lian was chosen… BUT it’s a disaster and I’m being the first to admit it! Something has gone terribly wrong because it does NOT look like it did in my mind.
In my mind I saw this sweet three tiered dress with a pretty embroidered bodice and as I look at it “sort of finished” all I can do is laugh. I even called my hubby in my sewing room and asked him what he thought of it? He kind of looked at it and just kind of snarled up his nose and said, something wasn’t right! Well that’s all it took for me to call it quits on it. But I’ll tell you my reasoning for doing it the way I did.
I don’t care too much for bunchy tiered dresses…where all the layers of the dress are sewn into the waist but just at different lengths. I prefer them streamlined and more flattering. (this one is anything but that!) So when I was making it I took tulle and added my ruffled rows to it… you can see what I mean here…that makes it less bulky on the underside and “should have” made this one look better, but, uh… it didn’t!
…and here…
But I think the problem is NOW the tiered ruffles don’t touch each other, so it looks like she has 3 separate skirts on, instead of one flattering skirt.
It does help a little when I put my fingers underneath it and fluff it out, but not totally…
I also don’t like the bodice either. I have SO many patterns and I think I picked up the wrong one… this one just seems a bit sloppy to me… a bit baggy!
Anyway, I will take a second look at it tomorrow and see if this is salvageable or if it’s trash can worthy! :o)
It doesn’t happy very often but when it does, it makes me try even harder to get it right…
Here’s one last look for you to ponder on, or laugh at, or shoot darts at… I don’t care. It’s kind of like my stitching last night on DV’s suitcase… not my best work! :o)
Well, I guess I was due for a flub up…
Now for something REALLY PRETTY!! This is a colorized photograph from the Civil War…Love these dresses!! I took this screenshot from my phone. Wondering if seamstresses back in the 1860’s had bad sewing days??
Thanks everyone,
Blessings, Jeanne
While I love the idea, I see what you mean, Jeanne, about the layers being too separate (esp. that bottom one, it’s just “dropped” too low). And I think the blue is too “solid”-looking–in “quilt speak”, it “reads” as a solid–and doesn’t “connect to either of the other fabrics. To my eyes (and it may just be my monitor–I know how sometimes monitors show colors differently) the reds don’t quite match.
I think if I were doing this dress, I would choose a red/white/blue print for the middle layer, and do both top and bottom layers of the Same red print (either the gingham or the cute print). And instead of having three separate tiers, I would gather each tier and sew it to the bottom of the tier above, like this one: https://tinyurl.com/mryrt55r . It’s a little more work that way, but might make a difference in the overall look of the dress.
I have to say, Molly is disappointed this isn’t for her! She’s very much a red girl!!
Oh, that is a terrific picture of the Clark sisters (and I love that they “shan’t be accepting any nonsense or folly”, in the caption!), and what fantastic details in their gowns! I’m sure glad I don’t have to be all corseted like that, though! (Maybe that explains their grim expressions, but it’s more likely because they had to sit perfectly still for a lot longer than 1/10 of a second!)
Hi Charlotte,
I wanted to thank you for your kind comments and prayers. I really appreciate them. I will be taking my dad to see my eye specialist on the 20th, when I’m there I’ll get the nurse to write down what the doctor said is going on with my eye. I also like to research medical info. Mostly because I want to understand better what the doctor was talking about. Sometimes to figure out what might be going on with me, hubby, mom or dad… most of the time I scare myself when I do that. LOL
I loved your Azalea so big and beautiful. This year the deer found my 3 Azaleas and killed two and made the third a ground cover… seriously the only thing they left was the bottom branches which flowered but looked so sad I told hubby to take it out.
It seems to me that the two top layers work. Try taking a horizontal pleat to hike up the last tier to see if making that layer shorter will help.That skirt might be cute knee-length. Would a top with sleeves and a blue vest work or would that be too bulky? I wouldn’t give up yet. Another big hat might also be nice. Red boots would be nice, but I think everything would be nice with red boots.
Jeanne, I think a ruffled sleeve in one of the colored materials would solve the top part. The skirt is too long for me. I thought you would be sewing the ruffles together, not having them separate like they are here. I do like the first two ruffles , it’s that third one that looks slightly orange to me, at least on my monitor. I don’t want to say much about the skirt, because I really don’t want to confuse you, and make things worse. Plus I really don’t know what I am talking about!😊. But I do know the top needs a cute little ruffled sleeve.
Are you sure those “sisters” are women? They sure look like men to me, with their severe looking faces! Just think how long and how many times they had to go for fittings! But yes, the dresses are beautiful!
The bottom layer does seem to be the problem. I can see loosing the bottom layer, making this a two layer top (like ten ping’s) and using the blue fabric making cute shorts or capri pants. I’m sure you will salvage it and make it adorable.
I keep looking at the regency dress which is so pretty. I would however love it for another look. Keep the pantalettes, pearl necklace gloves and bonnet for another or different historical outfit. The large coral ribbon is just perfect, from the front it can be seen peeking out on each side of her face, so demure. The little bonnet seemed more civil war era. A basket for gathering summer flowers is my dream scenario for this dress. But these are just my thoughts. I just keep thinking of this dress, it’s so pretty.
The idea was brilliant. Love the tri colors in the skirt. However, I have a pet peeve about the ragged edges unfinished look. I know it is kind of boho, but it doesn’t do it for me. I like finished edges always and not serged either. I’d call it the tiered Christmas tree dress I guess. It looks like the last layer isn’t fitting in with the rest. Maybe the underpart where the layers are sewn on is too narrow at that point causing the last layer to look like it doesn’t belong. That last layer doesn’t snug in like the first two. As a save, I’d ditch both bottom layers and add a cute pair of non baggy shorts in the blue. It would be a cute summer play outfit. As to the layers, I would prefer them sewn together as one skirt not tiered, and maybe less full. Perhaps a top that was at the waist instead of the high waist. I know the buttons are fun, but I think they are too big for an LD. Now that I’ve ripped apart your great idea and work, it will be fun to see what you end up doing. Please don’t trash it as there are so many options left. 🙂
My Lisa is out of the box and dressed. She had a very long trip, ending up in LA and then was sent north to Portland, before finally coming south to her new home. I think that she spent more days in the U.S. than she did traveling to get here. You can find her in the Ruby Red Fashion Friends Archive.
Really going to heat up in the next couple of days, so will have to keep my newly sprouted seeds damp. The zinnia’s are apparent and some cucumbers. Hope my netting keeps large critters at bay. 🙂
I forgot to comment on the Clark sisters. Those stiff corsets make them all look like they have elongated bodies. How very uncomfortable. I wonder if any of them were twins? I’d pick the one in the middle and the one on the right. 🙂
Dear Jeanne, you will figure this out. You always do. You will fashion this into something incredible.
Today is Best Friends Day.
https://nationaltoday.com/national-best-friends-day/
I want to say a special thank you to the Sofa Sisters who provide a wonderful friendship network which bolsters each of us and carries us through our days no matter how daunting they may seem.
Dear Dorothy,
How very sweet! We are all best friends in the Sofa Sister Club. I hope you have a lovely day.
Dear Laura, hello. Thank you! You have a lovely day also. The sun is shining here so I am happy.
Hi Dorothy
Happy BF day to you as well! You are so sweet… I too love to read the goings on of all the SS. I may not comment to often but certainly enjoy my daily visit here.
Dear Ingrid, Happy Best Friends Day to you. I had a great day. I sent emails to my doll friends and my tea friends and thanked them for being there for me. I got lovely emails in return.
We are certainly happy that you are here with us on the sofa, whether or not you comment often. Jeanne has truly created a special place for us to meet. We all treasure that and her.
I really like the idea of the tiered dress. Those are making a comeback now. The first two layers look great. To me, it appears that the blue should be cut narrower or the red wider to flow together better. I’m sure you will find the solution. Personally, I would have only thought to sew it the way Charlotte mentioned. My mom made me a tiered skirt in seventh grade that exact way. I have to agree with joy that I’m not fond of the frayed unfinished look. Linda is right. The top needs butterfly sleeves to balance the tiers.
The Civil War sisters look elegant in their silk dresses. I also agree with Dorothy L that on second glance the Watercolor Regency may be more of a Civil War except those have more of a bateau neckline rather than square.
I do believe the dress has redeeming value. I’m probably one of the few who actually likes it as it is. It does look Boho and I’m okay with that. Bare feet or flip flops would definitely be appropriate for that look. I’ve never been a fan of the “ragged edge” look but I’ve bought so many patterns lately that called for that look that I’ve kind of gotten used to seeing it. One of my favorite pattern ladies from Russia tends to use her serger in place of a regular hem. She sets it so perfectly that it actually contributes to the look of the dress, even a dressy dress. That’s why I need a better serger than I have. Mine does not do that as well.
Maybe a coordinating jacket with cute sleeves would “balance” (as some have said) the look. Also, if you really want to get rid of the effect that several find displeasing you could take off the tiers and sew them together. I always love that look. Then your bodice would not need to be changed – I think. All of this is of course imho..
Right now I’m in the midst of trying to figure out my next project and who it will be for. So many need so much. What’s a mother to do?
Hi Jeanne,
I like the look… I certainly wouldn’t scrap the entire outfit. What about removing the bottom ruffle, making cute capri pants and some flip flops with a solid band over the foot. Maybe a fun hat that uses the red and blue fabric. Just a thought, I know you’ll figure it out… you always do!
I wanted to add my best wishes for Georges knee surgery… I certainly will be keeping you, George and the surgeon in my prayers!
The Clark sisters certainly are dressed in some lovely dresses.. They look to be made of silk. Pricey even back then. I love looking back at the fashions but no way would want to wear the under garments, long sleeves and high necks in the heat of summer!
hugs
Ingrid