Hi everyone,
I had another busy day but I got something done that makes me happy! Something on Rebecca’s Civil War dress!
First I added snaps down the back of the dress and then I hemmed it. It has a nice flare to it already without a petticoat… but she’ll probably get one anyway.
I was having a hard time loving those sleeves. I’ve used the pattern many many times, but for some reason, this time it wasn’t working for me. So, I changed it a bit. I looked at a few pictures of actual Civil War dresses and saw how many of them were shirred at the upper arm area, so I undid the sleeves up the underarm seam and turned it from this…
To this…
When I had the seam taken out, I used a piece of rayon ribbon and made a casing across the top of the sleeve and then ran a piece of 1/8″ elastic through it. I drew it up enough to lay next to Rebecca’s arm and give the sleeve a better shape…
I had some little black bows and added them right on the gathered up area.
I think they look so much better now… not so “puffy” looking…
I was trying to get her belt/sash finished, but ran out of time… It’s bedtime now…
So I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Well, I did my usual Sunday night thing, and forgot to look for Monday’s blog before I went to bed last night, which I why I hadn’t posted this morning. I read thru the comments, and did reply to Sissy’s comment, but that was it.
I have to say, Jeanne, those sleeves are much improved. I find that some prints seem to be denser than others, which gives the fabric a slightly different hand, and that might be why they were looking just too puffy to you. You came up with a wonderful solution, though, and one that looks intentional, not just “a fix”. Fantastic job matching the backs, by the way. It means you were very careful when you cut them out in the first place!
Oh yes, Jeanne, the sleeves look a lot better now, and like a real Civil War dress should look! I love the little bows too, they just give it the “perfect” touch! So far this dress is a winner in my department!
I was also glad to see that Elizabeth from Texas wrote and she gave us a nice background of what she has been doing and news about her family. Glad to see you here, Elizabeth! I hope you comment more often and please do send pictures! It lets us get to know you, and we all grow closer together!
Well, the dress is certainly coming a long and fast too. When I look at the before photo, it almost looks like the sleeves were too long for Rebecca. With the gathering in the middle, it appears to take up the slack and looks much nicer. The black bows are a nice touch considering the era. Not sure I like that lace thing for the belt from the photo the other day though. Maybe Jeanne is making a black satin pleated sash? Guess we’ll find out.
Beautiful sunny day here today. Must get back to work around here after our trip to Costco yesterday. We managed to pick up a new deep lidded skillet there which will also work on the new stoves when we get one as it is magnetic. 🙂
I really like the way the sleeves are now. Very elegant. The little bows are the perfect touch.
Dear Jeanne, I like how the green in the dress highlights her green eyes. I missed that before. I like the black sash.
I like Rebecca’s bows 🙂
I am so sorry to hear about your precious cat, Laura!! I can’t imagine how hard it must be to lose three in one year. I still miss Espania, my faithful Cocker Spaniel, who passed this past summer. You are in my prayers.
In case anyone was wondering, my mother has an echocardiogram and a stress test on Dec. 13th. The two week monitor showed that the bottom of her heart isn’t working in sync with the top part all the time which seems to be worse when she exercises or does physical activity. She thanks everyone for praying for her. ❤️
Thank you for your kind words, Karen. I appreciate your prayers.
I’ll be praying for your mom. I went back and found the post where you commented. I hope her doctor can make her feel better very soon.
Thanks so much, Laura.
Interesting what the monitor picked up for your mom. Other person here, had the required stress test, that they give everyone before they will go on to the next test. He passed with flying colors, but it is pretty strenuous and they stick the monitors on you all over the place. They get you running on a treadmill so tell her to wear sweats. They do stop it very soon if there is any indication of a problem though. Sure hope they can figure out what’s going wrong. Thinking of you and family.
Thank you, Joy!
Oh this dress is stunning. I love the sleeves now. Well done Jeanne
This fabric is so lovely!
I hope everyone is doing well and happy. All of a sudden it is December, I just can’t believe this year! I am going to cut out a bunch of doll clothes patterns, just do all of the cutting, then I can start straightening up my piles of fabric.
Tomorrow is going to be a little bit warmer (40º) so I might put some lights on the bushes. — nothing fancy this year.
Oh I really like what you did with the sleeves. It really enhances the dress. This is a lovely dress.
So glad to hear everyone had a great Thanksgiving and lots of family time in most cases. I took a sabbatical from the blog yesterday because I needed to get my clothes switched around. I’ve been living out of two closets for a couple weeks and wanted to get the dreaded job done so I could get on with Christmas things. I knew I needed to start early because I had no idea how many breaks I would need before I got it done. I was amazed that I had it mostly done before lunch and finished up soon after. All except for switching the shirts around. That’s a job in itself because of the “design” of my closet so I devoted a day to just that. I finished up in time to do some sewing this afternoon. Living in an older home the closets are not up to snuff for all the clothes I need to get through the winter. Here you have spring/fall/winter in the closet at one time because you never know what winter will be like here. What may be comfortable for a cold day one day will be too hot for the next day when it will be more like spring. My closet started out large for the time the house was built but is still inadequate for my needs, so David redesigned it. But that left the bar that holds my tops above my head. Since it holds t-shirts, 3/4 sleeve shirts, long-sleeved shirts and turtlenecks (and some fleece) all at once it’s a job in itself switching most of my summer tops out for the winter tops. I used to be able to do it all in one day but no more. I am, thankfully, finished with the task until sometime in May when I will have to move out all the truly winter stuff to make room for the truly summer stuff – summer being much more predictable and I only need pants of one weight rather than three.
Once I finished with my closet switching yesterday I had the opportunity to finish an outfit I had promised Siblie Callie weeks ago. I do admire her patience. It is a simple skirt and blouse and came out really cute. It only took me a couple days to make it but several weeks to get around to it. Now on to some Christmas/holiday couture.
Good for you on getting an outfit done for Callie. I’d love to see a pic of her outfit. I’m so far behind on sewing. Definitely need to get back to it. And your closet moving around is also needed here. I only need to switch the short sleeved tees from the bottom rack to the top, but I need the step ladder to do it. And there are a lot. Still can’t figure out how to store all of the shoes. I may have to fill another box with shoes for the Pick of the Litter cat thrift store. Way too many and many only worn a couple of times. At this point the only shoes I seem to wear are tennis shoes and sandals in the summer sometimes. Guess I can get rid of the clogs. Ha ha
Are you putting up your little houses this year? Love to see pics of those too.
Sounds like you have some of the same “shirt” problems I have here. Once I retired and needed more casual clothes I seemed to not see a pretty t-shirt I couldn’t pass up. I think it falls under my fabric addiction. Each time I go through the change of season ritual I think I’m going to give up some of them but in truth I do wear them all and I’ve started buying some pretty Henley tops and added them to my collection. Every time I think I’m finished buying them they come out with another one that’s even prettier that I must have. I have absolutely no will power when it comes to some things. As for shoes, well like you it’s my Romy walking shoes most of the time or sandals in the summer for dress. I got rid of a ton of shoes that just don’t feel good anymore but I still have plenty left. I was passing some of them off to granddaughter Jaiden but then her feet got bigger than mine. As for willpower. I just ordered another doll. They came out with a 13″ articulated Mini Maru that is just beautiful. She is actually Hispanic Maru and I’ve been wanting a Maru for ages. I have three other Mini Marus (Savannah, Chloe and Joy). She won’t join the family until sometime in June. A late Mother’s Day gift perhaps?