Actually, I do too! :o) This is my favorite-favorite-favorite Christmas plaid so I LOVE making anything from it… I hope you like it too!
I didn’t get the set finished today, but I’m hoping to get it ALL pulled together Thursday… My plan is the make a slip, a pair of white socks or maybe some white thigh highs and that velvet vest. I was looking for buttons today and was having a hard time. Most of the ones I liked best had a long shank on the back which makes them stick out too much and they tend to look a little wobbly… so I was mostly looking for flat buttons or ones that had a really low shank.
Okay, let’s see Molly with her new hairband on… I made an oversized bow, actually 2 of them and stacked them on top of each other… then made a pearl hairband on the memory wire to fit perfectly on an American Girl’s head. The fabric shows its best colors in the hair bow… so looking at it, gives you a good idea of just how shimmery this fabric is…
I also found another black ribbon that was more narrow than the one I previously had on there. I agreed with Joy, it was a bit too wide… When I saw it in my pictures I knew it was, but it was midnight and I had already sewn it on twice…trying to get it centered perfectly!
The corduroy vest had those big white buttons on the front and I knew I was going to change them too… When I saw “them” in my pictures, I knew they had to go. I think the right sized white button may have worked on there, but I tried all the ones I had and didn’t like any of them… I didn’t have any flat gold buttons, so I used some textured round beads and sewed them on in double breasted style… The vest is lined and closes in back with snaps.
…starting to look pretty Christmasy, isn’t she?
I finished the back of the skirt with a piece of Velcro and placed one snap on the inside back facing.
Molly is still standing on the cutting table in bare feet…
But she has picked out the shoes she wants to wear with this dress… black patent leather shoes… now to get her some new white socks made…
I’ll see if I can get this finished Thursday… that big surprise birthday party for a dear friend is Saturday and I still have lots to do since I’m in charge of the food… not cooking it all, but organizing it and making sure we have enough… so my time is limited, but I’m still going to try and get this finished…
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
First of all, for Linda–I made my Molly a western outfit for her first Halloween costume! I made a red gingham shirt and bloomers, and a black and white “pony” print knit suede skirt and vest. Had and boots were from the local doll store (gone now, I’m afraid). She was quite pleased with her “Dale Evans” look!
When I went to put it on her, though, I realized I’d done the snap cuffs on the sleeves the wrong way around! Instead of snapping top over the underside, I installed the snaps the other way! I don’t think anyone noticed, but *I* know it–and of course they are the kind that you put into the fabric with prongs, so not easy to change!! (The shirt front has the snaps, too.)
Okay, I have to ask–what is memory wire? I think it’s a pretty neat way to make a headband, but I have never heard of it before. Hm, I wonder if I need to go shopping!!
The smaller neck bow and the tiny gold beads/buttons are big improvements in the appearance of the outfit so far. I like the way you’ve done the skirt opening, too–adjustable where it needs to be, but the back still snaps closed lower down.
Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Charlotte, how fun that you made your Molly a Dale Evans cowgirl outfit! It sounds darling and wish we could see it!
Oooh, Molly looks wonderful, Jeanne! I absolutely LOVE her headband with her hair down! In her books, she wears her hair like that for special occasions, and mine does too! I love the perky bow standing up!
Oh, the gold beads are much better than those white buttons! They really stand out and show up on the black, corduroy? Which makes me wonder, are you also making a velveteen vest? I really like the corduroy, but others have said velveteen.
I agree, black patent shoes are the best kind of shoes for Molly in that outfit! What else would a 40’s girl wear, anyway? I vote for knee highs, so as not to look choppy in the leg part. This is going to really be a winner for a lot of us!
Also, thank all of you for your lovely comments about my dolls. They do appreciate it!!!
This version of the Christmas dress is much much nicer. The gold buttons add instead of taking over. Great choice. I’m voting for thigh highs or knee socks, as Linda says not as choppy looking. I really hated anklets when I was a kid and I guess it’s never changed! This will definitely be a success.
Charlotte, do you not remember the memory wire head bands Rebecca made on her last visit?? You need another cup of coffee this morning! Lol. There were plenty of pictures. Memory wire is usually used to make beaded bracelets but you know how crafters find other uses.
If you search in Jeanne’s search box “memory wire” it’ll bring up the cute headbands Rebecca made when she came for Jeanne’s eye surgery on Sept 2nd. Worth a review!
One more comment, after reviewing Rebecca’s headband’s the gold pearls and beads would have also been perfect.
Now that you mention it, Dorothy, yes, I do remember Rebecca’s headbands made from memory wire. However.. I don’t drink coffee ever–I had some once, in about 1966, when I was in college, and could taste it for three days afterwards. 🤢 I decided right then, coffee was not for me! Fortunately I married a man who doesn’t like it any more than I do!!
Jeanne, this outfit is evolving just wonderfully. I am so in love with my doll outfits that have lace at the neckline the way you did this one. It is so dainty and sweet. The vest with the gold beads, SO much better than those “blunt stick in the eye” white buttons. This is really becoming a very sweet “classic” for dear Molly who remains one of my favorite AG dolls. My poor, much neglected and relegated to the back of the shelves AG dolls. 😢😣
Lots of babies arriving in the next few months for sofa sisters; congratulations to all. 🎉
Charlotte, never mind about those snaps. Surely the outfit is still wonderful so I hope you don’t beat yourself up any longer. Just laugh it off. ☺️
I’m really liking the changes. Smaller ribbon and those gold beads work perfectly on the vest. That big bow isn’t working for me though. It’s a nice bow, but the way it sticks up reminds me of the flying nun sort of. I would like the pearl headband without the bow or maybe the bow needs a plaid band with it to sort of ground it and hold it down more? I noticed on the pattern that the head decorations are much smaller in scale such as were worn in the 50’s. 🙂
Woke up to the smell of smoke. After our 95 degree day yesterday, it immediately brought back memories of the horrible fires of 2017. We have fog today, so it may be holding in smoke from a grass fire yesterday. Not sure. Hope it goes away soon.
Still enjoying Linda’s pics from yesterday. Had to take another peek this morning. 🙂
I’m agreeing with Dorothy L again — I too hated anklets. Knee socks would be nicer. I’d really like thigh-highs, but don’t remember seeing tights except for ballet classes when I was growing up 10 years after Molly.
Those gold beads are perfect — a lovely inspiration.
I love the gold beads on the vest, looks so dressy and matches the gold in the skirt fabric!
Jeanne, it sounds like you have a fun and full life! I really enjoy reading about everything you do!
This is just coming together so well. It has so many plusses. A blouse that can be worn with anything….that adorable skirt and a multi use vest with now the perfect buttons or beads . I vote for thigh highs to keep her warm☺️. Again a beautiful set happening. Good luck!