HI everyone,
Making Rebecca’s red ruffled tulle petticoat for her Civil War dress, brought back some memories of “another” red ruffled tulle petticoat I made back in 2019.
It makes me smile every time I see it! A few years ago… back in 2019, Susette was the winner of a Giveaway I had. Instead of being a slip or a necklace for the dolls, I included a red tulle petticoat, (similar to the one I made for Rebecca that is on Ebay right now) and some various trims, laces, fabrics, and embellishments for the winner to make something out of them. Susette got busy and in no time had a wonderful outfit for TWO dolls… She chose Molly and Kit as her models… I found the two posts where the outfits she created from what she was sent, were featured.
Here are the links to both posts… the first one and then more of what she made from the pieces in the second post… I hope you’ll take a peek… Here’s one picture to entice you to check the posts out…
Then here is a follow up post with more pictures…
Now it’s my turn to show you what I’ve been working on. I had Lavender try her sweater on with the gray sparkly lame skirt JUST TO SEE how it would look “style wise!”
I know… I know… this sweater is GOLD… not silver like EVERYONE seemed to like best. This is my prototype and will be used for something else. I had to use another sweater to practice and see if I could make this happen… it just so happens the gold sweater turned out. I have tweaked my pattern and will make the next sweater 1/4″ longer, the front was a smidgen too wide, so I worked on that, and I’ve raised the fold down “collar” about 1/4″ as well.
The process was pretty much the same as the pattern I used of Marsha Trent’s for Mae…
I figured out how I wanted my pattern to be cut out… CAREFULLY cut the pieces out of the gold sweater… and CAREFULLY laid them on a piece of vinyl… Then I used some watered down fabric stiffner and using a paint brush went around the cut edges trying NOT to disturb the cut yarn. Remember this is a knitted sweater and when cut, it will likely unravel if handled too much. I let the stiffner sit for probably an hour. It was slightly stiff but I stitched the pieces together using a piece of paper underneath each seam. That stabilized it. Then I did a zig zag stitch along each edge I stitched…
I did some basting to hold the edges together and it really helped. I could see the sweater start to take shape pretty quickly…and then before I knew it, it was try on time. I was pretty happy. I wanted it to be a shorter “junior” like sweater, and come just past the waistband but not on top of the skirt gathers…
You can see I did a little handwork with some cream pearls… I needed to do “something” to hold the collar down as it was sort of springy.
Now that this one turned out okay, I’ll work on the light silver one next… The sleeves of the adult sweater are lacy-like and the body of the sweater is sort of ribbed. I’ll have to see which looks best. I have to use a “finished” edge on the ends of the sleeves AND the bottom of the sweater and also on the edge of the collar that is folded down… so I’ll have to see how much “finished” edges are on the silver one.
Here are a few more pictures of Lavender in her new gold sweater…
I didn’t finish the back of the sweater as it was just my pattern proof, but I’ll get that done. It seems to be a nice fit in the back.
Maybe a pair of winter white corduroy pants would be nice with this sweater… just an idea…
I don’t know how much time I’ll have to sew on Tuesday… I’m doing quite a bit of cooking for the Staff Christmas Party at church… but I’ll do my best to have something to show you…
Thanks everyone, for all your votes on the silver sweater… it was the ONE I WANTED to use… so we are ALL on the same page! YAY!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the style of that beige sweater–it’s so flattering on Lavender! I think it’ll be pretty done out of most any other sweater fabric you might have on hand. Definitely something to keep in mind for future outfits! And it’s a style that will look equally nice dressed “down” (jeans/slacks) or “up” (sparkly or velvet skirt).
Using the fabric stiffener seems to work well controlling the edges. Machine basting might work, too (which is what is usually recommended when you are cutting into a sweater knit) but I think it depends on the knit. I made a cardigan out of some very fine sweater knit, and I just cut and sewed it! No fabric stiffener or seam sealant. It worked just fine for me, but, as I said, it was a very fine (and thus tightly knit) sweater fabric. I’ve used another sweater knit that just wanted to fall apart when you looked at it funny! Not quite so fun to sew!
Susette’s pictures are always so interesting to look at! I love what she did with the scraps she won, and that beautiful red, ruffled formal! Thanks for sending that in, Susette!
At first, when I saw the sweater you made in beige, I thought oh no, not a problem with color on the computer again! But then I see that you made a trial run with another sweater, so that solved that! I really do love the beige sweater too, and hope you use it for an other RRFF doll to wear with something else. Yes, winter white corduroy slacks would be wonderful!
The gray/silver sweater will be perfect for this outfit! Don’t worry about getting a lot done today, Jeanne! First things first, and I still need to learn that! Because I have been doing too much at one time, I now have a whopper of a cold, and if that doesn’t slow a person down, nothing will!
So sorry you have gotten a cold. Did you test for Covid? It’s still out there, unfortunately. Keep warm and listen to Christmas carols. That always helps me. 🙂
I usually get a cold every year at this time from overdoing things. I am already feeling better, and hope to be over it by the end of the week. I am taking it easy today, no worries about Covid! Thank you for your concern, Joy!
Dear Jeanne, what a great idea to sew a sweater! That is amazing. Lavender looks very happy to be participating in your sewing experiment. I think she wants to become your number one model.
Well Gosh, Jeanne, this is the cutest little sweater! I am happy you came up with a successful product! all of your techniques are very good, especially the glue reinforcement on the edges. well done.
Enjoy the Church Staff luncheon. I am sure it will be a perfect gathering with your preparations.
it is foggy and very overcast here, looks like rain. This is okay, I have some inside duties to address.
Enjoy your day dear friends
Suzette, those outfits are, as Jeanne said in her original post, stunning. I love the style of Molly’s top, and Kit’s sparkly hair clip and boa are the perfect accessories for her elegant column “dress.”
Jeanne, I love the style of this sweater. The beads are a lovely touch. The fabric stiffener idea is clever. I’m looking forward to the silver version. : )
Suzette, I remember those fabulous red dresses. It is nice to see them again, I as still impressed!
Jeanne, I don’t know what your church would do with out you. I do send cookies every week for our church’s weekly lunch for the county, but that is easy.
I love the sweater and will try your ideas sometime! A silver one and gold one, really nice to have, and to use so beautifully!
Have a happy day, everyone, our very cold last week has turned into a much warmer one this week, 76 today after in the 30’s and 40’s, nice!
How about dressy cigarette pants in brown for a 50’s feel? Or a brown tweed or plaid?
I was so disappointed upon first seeing the brown, in my monitor, sweater. I thought the silver sweater was on outsville. Glad this is a sample and that the silver is going to be tried next. I’m not a fan of roll over necklines. What is that called? Cowl? Just not me. I prefer regular flat demure necklines on sweaters so that a pretty necklace on a chain can be worn with it, something like a snowflake that dangles. Or a lace collar. I’m wondering if soft iron on interfacing works on sweaters? Like that used on the sweater ornaments seen everywhere? Having not tried it yet myself, maybe there is a reason? That would certainly save the wet stuff and drying time. I don’t think it would have to be used all over the pattern pieces, but only on the edges to allow the sweater pattern to show through. Has anyone had success with iron on facing/lining? Maybe the heat from an iron wouldn’t work? Don’t know. I do like the trial sweater though for another look. Just not with that pretty skirt. Maybe the one shown today could be worn with a pair of dark jeans. I’d love that. I’m not a fan of white corduroy. I don’t think young girls would wear something like that. Just my opinion.
The mail people are busy around here. We have a few things that are due to arrive today. Hope they make it. Yesterday, with a substitute mail driver, we ended up with some mail for a neighbor. Hope our packages don’t go awry.
Glad to see you chose the silver sweater, Jeanne. I think it’ll look perfect with the skirt. Lavender is a very pretty model and I’m sure she’s excited to get this chance to show how well she looks in it.
Suzette, I love this picture! It looks so natural with your dolls’ posed the way they are and the incidental items in the bedroom. And the doggie on the bed! Too cute. The girls also look so pretty in their finery! Great picture!
Things are getting busy with Christmas around the corner. Hope everyone enjoys their day and plans.
I remember Susette’s wonderful outfits from the “scraps” you sent her. Her girls look amazing and the interpretation of the items and the creativity that went into making the dresses is very special.
Awhile back I bought a fat quarter bundle of fabric that sparkles. I have made my girls several items out of the pieces. The colors are wonderful. One of the pieces is white with gold sparkles. It would make wonderful dressy slacks to go with the gold sweater. Clever way to hold down the collar. Especially on small doll clothes the collars always want to flip up and I have to tack them down. Maybe next time I’ll use an embellishment to do the job. Hadn’t thought of that. Delighted you are going to use the silver sweater!
I finished decorating my tree this morning. Now on to building a village. Since I’m not pushing it this week with my choral concert on Friday, it could take me into the weekend to finish the job. Last year I started decorating earlier in December. The Chorale was singing at the bank for their open house a few days later. I managed to mess my back up lifting and toting boxes so standing to sing was a real problem. This year I’m making sure to use Sean’s strong back to handle the boxes while they are full. Once empty I can get them back in the garage myself. David is planning to build a new, much-needed storage building. He has managed to tear down most of my previous storage facilities due to age or renovation, The new one should be great and I’ll actually be able to move some of the rarely used containers out of my sewing room. But I told him the Christmas stuff stays in the garage since it is attached to the house. We used to store them in one of the outbuildings but as I got older – not to mention the fact I was usually the only one around to do it – it became more difficult to get them into the house, so we decided the garage was a better location. It’s easier to get them into the house and the weather is never an issue.
I enjoyed seeing your pictures again, Susette. Both Molly and Kit look so elegant and have Chris de Burgh’s “Lady in Red” running through my head. One of my favorites from my high school years.
The silver sweater which I thought was light gray with lurex in it will be lovely with that skirt.
Dreary day with rain here, but the kitties are enjoying their kitty tv of the birds at the feeder and Squiffy (my name for squirrels from one of my childhood books) taking away the mixed nuts one by one from the platform feeder. Highly entertaining.
Hi Susette, I forgot to say you’re welcome for the RR mold descriptions. On FB there’s a great file that has the list of mold and each doll that has it. When you click on the doll’s name it shows their picture. Tatiana did it and it’s wonderful. I have it downloaded on my laptop.
I just heard from my daughter, Andrea, that her mother-in-law has been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of liver and bone cancer and only has months to live. Prayers for strength would be most appreciated for all the Rabold family.
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I’m very sorry to hear this. My thoughts are with you and family.
I’m so sorry to hear this, Barbara. The family will be in my prayers.
Thanks, Jeanne, for reprising what was done with the Giveaway winnings. It was probably the peak of my sewing career, ha, ha. I mentioned it to encourage another Giveaway some time to see what another blog follower can come up with. It was fun.
The sweater is great, really stying! The cowl neckline is perfect! Looking forward to seeing what the silver one will look like. You have a wonderful imagination!
Sorry to hear about Andrea’s mother-in-law, Barbara. Prayers for the family 🙏.
Finally had time to respond as I forgot earlier. Those dresses you made are amazing. I’d never even attempt something like that. You are a wizard of dresses. 🙂
Thanks, Joy!🥰
Thanks, Joy!🥰