Hi everyone,
Another busy day around here… and I DID keep that date with my sewing machine! I’m sure you were all wondering if I did! Actually it turned into an all day date… not consistently ALL day, but I was in my sewing room a big part of the day… and do I have some glorious things to show you!
Yesterday when I left you, I had just started on the Civil War dress that Rebecca graciously was modeling for me. It was looking pretty and I know lots of you could see that it was going to be nice… but just hold on…
I decided to make some tiny piping to the inset piece at the waist… and decided solid black would be the best bet…
That made it defined at the waist area but the sleeves looked a bit droopy and so I did something I’ve never done before… that I can remember. This was the picture from yesterday…
I took about an inch long piece of stretch lace and stitched it to the seam of the inside of the sleeve… attaching it at the upper area where the sleeve is gathered and then at the cuff area where it is gathered too… It just keeps the sleeve from sagging down and keeps them both exactly the same in fullness… I hope you can tell from my pictures what I mean…
That really helped it look much better… at least in person it does… but then it was time to “finish” embellishing the dress so I dug into my antique buttons I got last summer at an estate sale and found this shiny black one with a bit of gold sort of engraved in it… I added a rayon ribbon and viola… it was done!
It was looking very nice from the waist up and Rebecca was loving it…
Are you liking it so far? Don’t forget, it’s just slightly minty green…
Well, after I got the top section finished to my taste… I looked at it and decided it needed something spectacular at the bottom… and I remembered a black lace that Kathie had sent me on time. I think it’s called Eyelash lace… and it looked like this…
It’s SUPER delicate and when I tried to put it on top of the print in Rebecca’s dress, it just got lost…
…and it’s too pretty to use on a print like this… It really needs to be on a solid color dress so it will stand out…
So the search continued… and I found something I was hoping might work… I can’t remember where this came from, my sister, Cindy? I believe a lady who was getting rid of some laces as she was getting too old to sew anymore, sent this to me, but I’m not positive. If you sent it to me… please let me know… I’d love to thank you again…
I stitched it to the bottom of the dress and while it was delicate, it was thick enough to get away with it… It is a fabulous… and I do mean FABULOUS lace trim and I am in love with how it changed this dress from ordinary to extraordinary! I hope you agree and if you don’t, don’t tell me…
The back closes with hidden snaps and is open all the way to the hem… to make it easier to handle that delicate lace…
I just put one of my “AG Patriotic” half slips underneath the dress for now, but doesn’t it stand out lovely?
…and one last picture!
I have things to add to it, but the dress is completely finished… all the handwork, all the snaps sewn on, pressed, and hemmed! :o)
I’ll see what happens when I go on “another date” with my sewing machine! :o)
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
WOW, is all I can say, Jeanne! You certainly did find a way to add to the dress to make it truly one of a kind! The black piping is just perfect, I also like the little bow with the black button, but that lace is just spectacular! I have never seen anythng like that anywhere, and with the fringe at the bottom too! Even if there is nothing else with this set, you have completely knocked it out of the box! I’m wondering if there might be some black fingerless lace gloves and a sweet bonnet to go with the set? I can’t imagine it getting any better, but I certainly can leave it up to you to to find the perfect finish for this spectacular set!
I have to echo the “wow” on the dress–it’s gorgeous! Love the piping, the button/bow trim, and that lace–it’s just fantastic. (I wonder if that’s some that my friend Kathy in California sent you some time ago? She’s still sewing, but pretty much mostly quilts these days, and I remember she sent you some laces as she wasn’t doing heirloom sewing any more. Of course, I do know you get things from other people, too, so who knows?!)
Well, wherever it came from, it’s gorgeous, as is the one that Kathie from this list sent you, but I agree, it’s too delicate to make an impression on this fabric–it needs a solid color behind it. I’d love to see what you’ll do with that one, when the time comes?
Can’t wait to see what else is in store.
Make that 3 wows in a row. This is a knockout dress. It was pretty before you added the lace — a nice morning dress, but now it for afternoon or a party. I agree with Linda on the gloves. Also, the sleeves done this way are perfect with that lovely full skirt. I’d like to see some sort of a pretty headpiece instead of a bonnet — flowers and ribbons or something like that. Whatever, it will be good.
Have another WOW, Jeanne! I don’t answer often, just so busy, but that black lace just has to be answered. She is right out of “Gone With the Wind”! Scarlett would be green with envy!
It’s a wow kind of day! I was impressed with the first black lace. What a lovely piece to use on another dress, and then, the piece chosen for the bottom of the dress is well, something I’ve never seen before. What an amazing work of art. It is perfect for this dress. I wonder if adding a tiny bit of black something to the sleeve bottoms would tie them in more? Black beads and stitching? A tiny accent? Just a thought. Does she need a black shawl? I’m not a fan of fingerless gloves, but maybe short gloves? Love the dress, and I’m sure it will be a big winner. 🙂
Hope everyone stays cool out there. Paris and London are sizzling.
Jeanne, I am another Wow, it is beautiful. I can see why you love to make civil war dresses. They look so pretty. The color on this dress is gorgeous, and that lace you added is lovely.
I can’t wait to see the finish.
It’s warm here in Oregon, but not as bad as other places. I hope everyone stays cool and be safe.
Count another WOW! How about a nosegay or wrist corsage?
Wow from here, too. I’m not weighing in on accessories, but I, too, think black piping on the sleeve bands would be a perfect tie in. It’s gorgeous, and that lace is just incredible. You surely made the right choice!
Have a lovely day.
WOW of course😉 I’m in love with the piping and that lace is fantastic
Whatever you do for her hair will be fun. Maybe she should have a fan for this heat wave😳?
I agree with your fan idea. Maybe in black? 🙂
Another WOW! here. This dress is breathtaking. When I scrolled down to see the entire skirt I was totally amazed. I know there will be a bidding war on this one. All the accessories mentioned would be great but I do see some kind of hat with it.
Add me to the WOW column! So nice to see an historic dress on a beautiful doll. The fashion friends are fun to dress and pose but there is something about the classic AG dolls and the historic eras they were designed to represent.
The fringed lace on the skirt ties in beautifully with that vintage button. It is so great to see you having some time on your hands to get creative and crafty. I am so glad that George is coming along in his recovery.
Dear Jeanne, I join the Wow chorus! I love the color of the dress. The lace just sets it off. I can’t wait to see what you will pair with the dress.
I am going to be different and shout out an AMAZING here! I love that dress and would love to be it’s owner! Marie-Grace is looking at the screen and she is drooling saying “Oooh Momma I would look so pretty in that!” “Ah no Marie-Grace you have MANY beautiful clothes! Gives momma’s pocket book a rest!”
Anyway, I do have to echo the other ladies on how wonderful that lace is! I wouldn’t mind seeing a bonnet and full length black gloves since that can now be an evening dress to go to a gala, to an opera, or to the theater 🎭
It’s a beautiful dress! I’m a little confused with the white collar though?
Hi Marla
I thought I’d respond to your comment…most collars on Civil War period dresses were white…and generally basted on, so they could be removed for laundering…. the same for the white undersleeves…easily removed to be laundered…
Just a tidbit to share…
Blessings, Jeanne
Thanks Jeanne, I didn’t know that. I’m sure glad we don’t dress like that now or we would melt., lol.
I’m laughing at all the “Wows” because as soon as I saw it with that lace on the bottom, all I said was Wow! I wish I had an AG doll🤣🤣. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful dress.