Hi everyone,
I wasn’t sure making swimsuits for dolls was going to be my forte, but apparently it has become just that! Well, at least for this week. I LOVED all your swimsuit stories too! I guess just about everyone has a horrific swimsuit story from their past. Thanks for sharing them. Even though some were “awful” I still had to smile to myself! :o)
Actually, truth be told, I’m in the same boat as Sissy, and Barbara and maybe someone I’ve forgotten… talking back problems here! Yep, it’s nabbed me! I worked at the Food Pantry Friday and not sure if I lifted something too heavy or what, but I’ve wrenched my lower back and have been miserable. But (FORTUNATELY) I’ve discovered if I sit up straight and very carefully on my sewing chair (which is nice and cushy), and don’t make any sudden moves, I can sew! :o) I wouldn’t have thought so, but I can. I can be upright and walk, (once I get started) but laying in bed is the worst for me. I can’t move without hurting. I’m hoping tomorrow is a better day than today… although when you see what I accomplished, you might think, I’m A-OK!
Well, I decided to take the pattern that I made the blue swimsuit from and sort of combine the pieces to make a one piece suit. I’ve made adjustments to every suit I made today and still plan to make it slightly higher in front the next time. I also discovered you DON’T have to use that fold over elastic… you’ll see how I made them today…
Oh, Joy, the fabrics I’ve used are nice and clean… some of them weren’t swimsuits at all… but ladies dresses, and one was a child’s swim top!
So lets see what I made!
First up is Sara modeling a blue and white tie dye cotton knit 4 way stretch fabric. It’s very soft and comfy!
The back is low enough that the swimsuit just slides up her legs and onto her shoulders.
Anyway, I only had one major casualty today… the first blue tie-dye swimsuit was too wide in the shoulders so I had to scrap it.
The second swimsuit I made was another 4 way stretch fabric… and Lavender decided she wanted to model it. It’s a fun red floral print that was actually a border print, so the bottom part of the dress I cut up was the busiest part of the print and the back section was less and was on the back. I love how it turned out…
This fabric was a bit more stretchy than the blue tie dye, so the shoulders were a bit long. I decided I could fold over the shoulders and add a couple buttons and save it.
The next swimsuit was a very pretty spandex child’s top and is LOADED with those silver sparkles! I tweaked the shoulder straps and made them slightly wider on this suit.
Violette wanted to model this one…
Look at ALL those sparkles!
I added a little bow at the back of this suit!
The last suit I made today was a bright striped swimsuit and Rozen volunteered to model it because she has aqua blue colored eyes.
I added a belt to this one… it’s sewn in the side seams. It’s actually much prettier in person…the colors look a little dull in my pictures.
Bright and colorful, isn’t it?
So I still had that blue suit with the pink ruffled elastic laying on the table and Freida said she’d be happy to show it on her tanned skin! THIS SUIT HAS BEEN SOLD!
So there you have it! FIVE swimsuits made for the Ruby Red Fashion Friends. The blue and pink suit on Freida has been SOLD!
I’ve searched to see what the going price for a RRFF swimsuit might be selling for, but on Ebay, I only found one and it sold for $32.00, including shipping. I looked on Etsy and found a few but mostly patterns. The few I did see were $8.00 -$18.00 plus shipping.
I’ve decided to sell just my swimsuits for $24.00, including the shipping. (Just in the U.S. please!) As I get faster, I will add things to the sets and charge more, but for now just the swimsuit by itself will be $24.00, as the shipping will probably be $3.00-$4.00 or so.
Now, for another surprise! Linda sent me a few pictures of her girls in their swimsuits! I don’t know how she gets all her girls dressed so nicely. I was having quite the time getting 5 of my beauties in their swimsuits and they are barefoot and have no accessories… Nice work Linda!
(From Linda:)
Jeanne, here is the swimsuit I got for Sara off EBay. It was the ONLY one I could find with a ruffle, so it is what it is. I would have preferred a lower neckline, but that’s is how it came. The white prongs from the doll stand kind of obscure the red rick rack right above it. However it works and she likes it! It is made from some kind of stretchy material that could actually be used for real swimsuits.
Jeanne, here is the swimsuit that Sara is wearing in the picture I sent earlier. This might be better to show what I mean about the ruffle.
Jeanne, since the “theme” for this week seems to be swimsuits, here are the rest of my dolls in their swimsuits. More variety! All of them are AG suits, so nothing homemade.
Love to you,
Linda💕
Thanks Linda! Your pictures are great and your girls look so cool!
See everyone tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Wow, all the girls look so cute in their new swimsuits, Jeanne!! I like how you made some variations in them–the belt on the last one, for instance. Really great. You’re on a roll now!
Linda, I enjoyed the pictures of your girls in their swimsuits. I seem to remember having a swimsuit similar to the blue one on your girl in the big hat (next to Betsy), only mine was red and white. In those days (late 50s, most likely) we didn’t have the nylon/lycra that we do now, so our swimsuits were usually made of a woven fabric, with lots of shirring with elastic thread across the back for shaping and fit. Elastic in the leg edges, too, as I recall.
I definitely remember all the shirred elastic on the back, but I didn’t know how to do that when I made the couple suits I did and my pattern called for a zipper in the back so I never learned how to do it.
Basically, you hand-wind elastic thread on your bobbin, use regular thread on top, and straight stitch across. Make as many rows as needed, 1/4-1/2″ or so apart. Some experimenting is needed so you can adjust top tension, etc.
Or you could zigzag across elastic thread and pull it up, but the other way is quicker and less fiddly.
Oh Jeanne, your swimsuits are adorable! Who would ever think you could get so many different looks from one pattern? There is something for everyone, and who could pick just one?
Sara looks like she is on a professional swim team in that blue suit! The red one, how I love the back, so different! That extra sparkly one would have my dolls fighting over! The horizontal striped one would also work for the 40’s, in my opinion.
Thank you Jeanne for showing my pictures! It is a job to dress everyone and find props for them, but you have to remember, that I don’t do all the things that you do, so I have the time.
Thank you Charlotte, for the kind words. Yes, Ruthie is wearing a cotton swimsuit, that also has a button opening front skirt to wear with it. All those outfits are swimsuits, but Molly’s looks like it could also be a shorts outfit too. We didn’t have all those stretch fabrics like they do now back I the 40’s.
Jeanne, I forgot to say. I am sorry to hear about your back. I get that too, sometimes, and know it is not fun. It is so hard to figure out which way to sit, move or just do anything when you have a sore back, or any sore thing! Here’s hoping today goes better for you!
Wow, Here is swimsuit day and I am going to attempt going back to the pool today.
Jeanne, you are definitely on a roll in spite of a hurt back! Your suits are so unique , each one so cute. I am glad you found a way to sit to sew. I have stiff
back pillows for sitting here at my MAC and in the car and at the table. At night I slip a thick bed pillow under my back and it helps. I hope yours heals soon.
Linda, what fun to see your dolls ready for the beach or pool! And the ice cream! Yum! I love the hats, especially the big straw one. The littles are so sweet in theirs, too. The AG ones are lovely, too. I have a photo I should send today If I can find it, since this is swimsuit week for sure!
Thank you, Sissy! That big straw hat was too big to have for a regular hat, so I kept it tied together while I store it and it turned out like this, perfect for a big sun hat!
I like the ice cream cart too, for posing with my dolls. It gives more interest than just dolls standing around. However, getting them to hold ice cream cones takes quite awhile, and many tries before they are actually holding them!
Please do send your pictures!
Hope the pool activity treated your back well. Take care.
I hope your back continues to improve with time, Sissy. Looking forward to your picture.
Jeanne, your back!! I am so so sorry. Ugh, if it does not let up, see if the doc can put you on a short dose of steroids to get the swelling down and maintain your movement. Keep moving 🥰 and do not get stiff.
These suits are so cute! Now I want to try to make bathing suits. I will probably not make good ones, so I guess it is best to practice with something similar like old t-shirts?
Here I am thinking of more things to do. haha, I think we will be moving and sorting forever. That is okay. I will try a swim suit. I love all of your samples here!! Oh my goodness ALL of them!
Linda, this is a beautiful scene with all of the girls. I love the suits and all of the props.
Wonderful photography skills!
I hope everyone is enjoying “summer” inside or outside, which ever you can tolerate.
All of you please protect your backs and extremities 😄 I mildly crushed a rib loading the cat tree into the back of my acura rdx. I can’t explain the maneuver but I heard the light snap. I am not in massive pain but certain movements make me wince. haha
I am moving the two shelves today, in the back of my car, that is easy enough but hubby will need to help when we need to bring them up stairs.
This morning hubbs and I are going to the CPA to read over the tax statement for my dad’s estate and will, then rush back home to our only kitty, Princess. She is a very loving and needy kitty.
It is Wednesday already. Enjoy this beautiful day
Oh, dear, Rosemary. Yes, those cat trees can be awkward. I hope your rib is okay. It must be the week to do things to you back or other parts. My mom did something to her back when we were doing yard work the other day. She’s made it stiff and sore and certain moves aren’t comfortable.
Thank you, Rosemary! Photography skills? I just snap a picture wherever my dolls are, but the lighting could always be better. They just aren’t in the best places for taking a picture, but work in the room I have them in. I do have fun fixing them up!
Lots of swim/dance suits here. With some of the prints, the dance thing just popped into my head. A little snap on tutu would be a perfect addition. 🙂 I’m a fan of the first one Jeanne made. I like that style and with the contrast foldover. I believe Jeanne mentioned making the neckline higher on the new models? I like a higher neckline for my dolls. 🙂 I know, picky picky. The ice cream print one with the bow on the back is sweet. I like the detail.
So sorry to hear about Jeanne’s back problem. Sure hope that it is improving daily because if it isn’t, I suggest checking in with her doctor. Sure hope that it isn’t a sciatica problem. That can be misery.
Loved seeing all of Linda’s girls in their cute suits. The ruffles are so sweet. I think I’m stuck on the 40’s look and really like those outfits and styles. And Sara’s suit is perfect. Well, actually, Betsy’s is cute too and all of the others. 🙂 So many fun details in the scenes too. Thanks for sharing, Linda and Jeanne.
Finally got in a walk yesterday. Had to drag other person, but we did get back to the routine. Still debating the hole in the backyard and the sewer pipe problem. Hopefully, today, we can get back on it. Other person doesn’t want to mess with one of the deck posts, so not sure what we’ll do if the bad place is actually under a post. I personally don’t think that is a problem except more work. Jacking up the area and temporarily removing the post while we replace the bad piece. Ha ha. Not going to be easy though.
Thank you Joy! I like the 40’s swimsuit looks too, since there is more variation in them. Sara would probably want one of Jeanne’s suits compared to what I got her, since she loves sparkles. Oh well. Betsy’s suit is actually a Wellie Wisher swimsuit, but it is so cute on her, and it has a terry coverup, not in the picture. Actually, Emmy’s purple swimsuit does come with a pink/purple tutu.
Very sorry about your back problems. Cute set of swimsuits, Jeanne. My favorites are the one on Violette and Freida.
Such cute photos of your girls, Linda. I think I like Ruthie best standing there in Maryellen’s playsuit and that wonderful big sun hat. Sara’s suit is very sweet. I always preferred little girls suits with hip ruffles or a skirt.
I’m sure they are enjoy a cool treat on a hot day. Perhaps the pups get a small serving of vanilla.
Thank you, Laura! Yes, Ruthie somewhat seals the show with that big sun hat! I love that sunsuit on her that also doubles as a swimsuit. I too like hip ruffles on little girls suits. That was practically the only one I could find on EBay or Etsy, that was a one piece suit.
Would you believe there is a place here Iin St. Louis that does sell ice cream treats in a little cup for dogs, in addition to people?
Steals, not seals! Sorry!
LOL There are two ice cream shops here in town that do the same thing except the dogs or presumably kitties also eat free! It’s just a mini scoop of vanilla in a small saucer.
Many people bring their pets downtown as they are allowed in the outdoor eating areas. Even the small downtown shops don’t object to small pets in carriers or arms. We took the dogs to the garden store/gift shop and I’ve taken a kitty along with me more times than I can count.
Jeanne, so sorry about your back problem. I can totally relate to that. These days it seems I manage to mess something up daily. This morning I was doing great just a bit stiff. Don’t remember which way I turned while dressing but darned if I didn’t pinch my sciatic nerve on my right side. Problem is even when it becomes unpinched it still is quite sore. Right now I’m sitting here commenting on the blog after taking some Doan’s and hoping that when I go to stand up I can do it fully rather than walk around like an old crone all day. Hopefully your back will settle down quickly but I do find Doan’s to be helpful. I don’t know if it has something in it that relaxes the muscles but it seems if I can do that the nerve will unpinch. Time will tell.
I love your boutique of swimsuits. The save with the buttons on the shoulders looks really cute. I love all of the swimsuits and the girls look great in them. Will you be selling swimsuits in your Etsy store? I have a few RRFF girls that sure could use one.
Linda as always I really love your displays. Emmie’s “kitty” suit is really cute and with the tutu you mentioned would make for a great recital dance costume. The sunhat is perfect and I love the ice cream cart prop. I’ve been looking at getting one of those. I have a popcorn cart but definitely need to add to my bigger props. All your AG girls look great in their period swimsuits. I definitely remember some of those styles.
I’ve been trying to take pictures for days but we had so many days of rain and cloudy skies that my kitchen where I take the pictures was so gloomy and they don’t turn out well in the gloom no matter how I light the area. But this afternoon should be perfect, and I have no grandkid visitors today so I might get it done. I’m trying to get my summer pictures taken before it’s time for back-to-school, which seems just around the corner.
Thank you, Barbara! That is a part of Emmy’s Meet outfit, and she also has pink Wellie boots, but I have yet to find a use for those. Maybe I’ll get her a raincoat someday. I too, love the ice cream cart, since I can use it a lot of times, for summer scenes, when all I do is change the dolls clothes. Makes a cute scene with interest, I can also repurpose it into a flower Stan’s, vegetable stand, etc. with a few signs covering the ice cream sign.
Shh, don’t mention back to school yet! I still have summer scenes to do!
Barbara, I have to say I know just how it feels when you turn wrong or, for me, bend over. I am so sorry it is happening to you. I recommend a back brace while you are walking around. I hope your back it better soon.
That goes for you, too, Jeanne. You can buy a simple back brace on Amazon.
I do hope your back feels better.
Joy, my time in the Y pool was ok but not as good as before the shot. I did get some of my workout, just not all. Gently swimming on my back was very soothing. Just hoping from day to day it will get better.