Hi everyone,
I saw where a few of you said the new yellow with roses dress might look nice on Kit too. Well, I don’t have Kit anymore, but I do have Kate, (she’s my look alike Kit) and she said she’d like to try it on.
Just showing you how blondes look in the dress… I think she’s pretty sweet in it..
Who wears it best? Molly or Kate?
I also received this email from Joy… and thought I’d share it.
Hi Jeanne,
So, this is Kelly wearing the jacket that was almost impossible to unbutton. I’ve now used my hemostat to stretch the holes a bit, but do not want to try the buttoning again. Anyway, the other pics are of another way to attach snaps and velcro boots. The snaps they sew on the RR garments look normal to me, however, they do not sew them as I was taught. Like I think you do. To the outside four times. They simply attach them across, up and down a couple of times and then to the next up and down. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks so much easier than what I’ve always done. The cute boots have velcro down the inside so it is simple to put them on. No need to mess with the tiny ties down the front at all. And the tights, which I didn’t want to take off are made the way I mentioned a long time ago. So when they go on, the seam is to the inside of the leg and not up the back so it doesn’t show at all.
So much for my latest girl. You don’t have to show this, but I found it interesting.
Joy
I found it darling, Joy! Those chocolate brown boots are absolutely stunning! The whole outfit is so adorable…and Kelly is just as sweet as can be!
From Joy again…
So, I took another pic of the button holes. My phone doesn’t like to do closeups or I don’t know how. Maybe both. Anyway, the button hole measurements are as follows:
5/16″ button or 7mm
I was surprised, but the button hole is approx. 1/2″ from the beginning stitching to the end. The interior opening area is approx. 5/16″ If going by centimeters: 1 centimeter in length and 8mm interior
Don’t know if this pic is any better, but I tried.
I’ve never seen snaps sewn that way before. You’re the master! Anyway, I might try it if my supply of pins gives out. 🙂
Joy, I thought they would be smaller than that… my sewing machine makes some buttonholes that are probably 1/4″ long… I’ll have to take a look and see for sure. Thanks for the many pictures of Kelly and her pretty wardrobe!
Well, that’s it for me today!
See you tomorrow!
Blessings, Jeanne
Kate looks very pretty in that dress, Jeanne, but I do think I prefer it on Molly–more contrast with her hair color.
Joy, thanks for sharing pictures of your new Kelly and her wonderful clothes. I do have some doll boots (very possibly for other RRFF, but I think a couple of pair that fit the AG dolls, too) with velcro openings like those chocolate brown boots. Makes life So much easier!!
I imagine the reason they sew the snaps on that way is because they are sewn by machine, and it’s just faster that way. However, I think the traditional way of sewing them, where the thread goes over the outside edge of the snap by each hole, is the more secure way to do it. Yes, you Can sew them on by machine that way, too, but it’s tedious because you have to raise the presser foot and move the snap around so you can stitch thru each separate hole.
I am happy to tell you that I am all registered for our annual Sewing Expo now! I got the three classes I wanted (a knitting one with wire involved somehow and you end up with a bracelet; one on different kinds/shapes of darts; and one where I will learn drawn thread hemming. I always try to take at least one hands-on class during expo, and hopefully one each day I’m going to be there. I will be there two full days this year, so I have two hands-on classes and one (on darts) a lecture class. My friend Tonya got that knitting/bracelet class, too, so we’ll be in at least one together! Only 6 more weeks!! I guess I’d better get busy on my “twinsie challenge” now!!
I am excited for you taking 3 classes. That should be fun, really fun!
Thank you, Rosemary! I’m looking forward to it!
The classes you’re taking sound very interesting. I’d love to see a few pics along the way while you’re making things. And the twins outfits you are wearing this year too.
I know that my sewing machine is probably capable of sewing snaps, but with the great thickness of the jacket fabric, I can’t see how it would work. But, maybe I should read that instruction book. 🙂
Thanks, Joy. We are doing something different for our twinsie challenge this year–instead of a garment, we are making a little purse (crossbody bag, waistpack, that sort of thing) I will try to remember to take some pictures to share.
When I got my very first Viking sewing machine, back in 1974, it came with a series of classes, and one of the classes taught us how to sew buttons and snaps on by machine. Interestingly, no matter how big your button is, the holes are always about the same distance apart! And with the snaps, they had us sew the snaps in the same stitch pattern as we do by hand–where each hole is sewn thru independently of the others–rather than thru pairs of holes, like on the snaps on that little skirt.
Good news Charlotte! Looking forward to seeing your creations for this year’s Sewing Expo.
Thank you, Debbie! I’ll be sure to take pictures.
So glad you got the classes you want at Expo. Can’t wait o see what the twinsie challenge is this year.
Thank you, Barbara! The “big reveal” will probably be after I get back (Expo is the last weekend in Feb.)
I like Molly better for the same reason as Charlotte, more contrast. Jeanne that is a very cute dress,of coarse love the material. Joy, I had written you on Sunday when you had told another doll caper, love those stories! If you don’t mind telling, how many dolls do you have? If you have told before, I missed it! And where do you keep all these dolls? You must keep the room locked so the other person is not surprised. He might faint!!!
agree! Joy’s stories keep me on the edge of my seat!
Yes, please Joy perhaps you could send us a sneak peek at all of your sweeties enjoying themselves together, happy and safe in their secret room.
I like Kate in the yellow dress. Really cute! She looks like a ray of sunshine and warm breezes. I miss those warm breezes. It is cold here and the wind is going to be brutal.
I am hiding in the house today.
Okay, I might drive to the old house and pick up an old Samsonite suitcase (brown leather!) that I stuffed with art work and paper. I removed a few things from a box to give to charity and then just stuffed everything in that suitcase. it weighs a ton. Mostly drawing/sketching. I used to like to draw models like they had on the front of clothing patterns. Also attempts at landscape. Not very good, but I will go through it all.
I hope everyone has a cozy happy day. I will tidy a bit, do some laundry and for the most part, you can find me upstairs sewing my new quilt. I am still working on the 4 patches, then going to group them into cute sets to make 8 patches. I am using an assortment of fabric scraps but found a charm pack of April Rosenthal, and also some Brenda Riddle stuff. Both really adorable designs.
Love to all of you 🥰❤️
Well, that old Samsonite might contain some jewels. I picture some of your artwork nicely framed and on the wall of your sewing room. That would be perfect. 🙂 Even others might want some of your artwork. You might be surprised. 🙂
I am thinking some type of archival album or box for your artwork for future generations. I agree with Joy, there might be a real gem in there that will sell for 1,000’s when you are famous : )
I think Kate looks lovely in the special dress too. Now, there will be two unhappy girls when the dress disappears as it has sold. Maybe Jeanne, will have to make them some cookies. 🙂
Funny, but when you see that pic of my Kelly, the jacket button holes look plenty big. Of course, now they are pretty stretched out after my finagling with unbuttoning the buttons. Since it is cold again this morning, I should probably try to button up Kelly’s jacket again. Or not. We’ll see.
Haven’t done any sewing around here in a very long time. Guess that I need some inspiration or something. Still feeling the effects of Joann’s closing and not being able to see fabrics in person.
As to the number of dolls here? I lost count long ago. And the secret hiding place will remain a secret. 🙂
Dear Joy, thanks for sharing the photos. I don’t sew (as everyone knows) but I love to see sewing things. I have had many dresses made for my dolls and I appreciate good work.
I don’t cook either but I love to watch Beat Bobby Flay! (True confession I always cheer when someone actually does beat him, which is rarely.) I really do think he is an amazing chef. I also like to watch his show Triple Threat.
I can see why those buttons gave you fits. I have had a few challenges with outfits on rrff. Once undone, always undone. There have been some tempting offerings lately. Is Kelly a siblie?
Kelly is the 141/2″ regular size. 🙂
Thanks for sharing the pictures of your new dolly family member, Kelly. Sorry about the annoying buttonholes. I like the way they did the snaps and I think I’m going to do that for doll clothes since they don’t get a lot of wear and tear.
I’m going to try the snaps that way too. Seems like they wouldn’t be slipping around as much and some outfits would actually have real closures on them instead of pins. 🙂
I forgot. I ended up buying a radio like Jeanne’s, yesterday from Ebay. Supposed to be here Monday. It is so cute. 🙂
Dear Jeanne, I think the dress looks lovey on Kate. I was wondering how it would look on Addy or Melody.
I am fascinated by the tiny radio. I certainly remember transistor radios.
I’ll bet it would be really cute on either one of those dolls, but especially Melody, as it’s closer to her era.
Speaking of appreciating good work, Molly’s dress is perfect for her, also for Kate/Kit. I do have a vintage Kit, I believe one of the first year of her production before everything went mattel. I remember a yellow dress in her collection that looks great on her despite her blonde hair and blue eyes.
Three bids already!
I keep seeing my emails disappear, so this is a test.
I like your title, Dancing for Spring, and I like the dress equally well on both dolls.
That worked, though the name fill-ins didn’t.
I like looking things up, and I thought I’d share what I learned about what made Bing Crosby so successful. As he started his career, singers had to be loud because of the lack of amplification. Crosby was the first to recognize what a microphone could do for musical style — that’s why he was “the crooner.” With a microphone, you had choices — you could still belt “God Bless America” or you could be more subtle for “White Christmas.”
Later, Crosby realized what film could do for performers. You could film a song 3 times and choose the best version, or even splice together the best parts of all 3. Some people called it lazy, but Crosby saw that it offered less pressure on the performer, and a better product for the audience. You could film different parts of a show on different days and waste no one’s time. Talent plus technology = big win for talent.
His USO performances didn’t hurt either. Polls showed that some people thought Bing Crosby’s contribution to the war effort were greater than those of FDR.
I love the dress on Kate, then again I love Kit. It looks so pretty with her blonde hair.
Your new girl, Kelly is super cute, Joy. What an odd way to sew on snaps. Certainly not the way I was taught or do it. I’m trying to think which RRFF I have that has snaps on her clothing so I can look. The first thing that comes to mind is Charming Dorothy’s coat, so I will look at that.
I think the dress is lovely on Kate I really must make something for Sarah, she has spent the very hot days of summer in her jeans that she came in and her Aran sweater!
Joy your new RRFF is gorgeous, I love her boots. I would have trouble fastening those buttons, I don’t have the dexterity in my fingers any more. I have never seen snaps done that way before but I think Charlotte? is right, they are done on the machine. I think it would take way longer to do that than to hand sew lol.
Next time I make an outfit, I’m going to try hand sewing snaps across like on Kelly’s clothes. Perhaps, the garment will actually have real closures rather than pins. 🙂
I think I like the dress most on Molly. It is pretty on Kate but her hair and the color of the dress are so alike there is not a lot of contrast.