If you missed Part 1, you might want to read it here first.
I bet you think in this post you’re going to see a vast improvement in my sewing, right? Well, don’t hold your breath. What I’ve saved for today are some pictures of how my sewing became more focused on the details. Now, don’t laugh when you see my pictures, but just remember I was 8 to 10 years old when these were made and they are nearly 50 years old. I was positive I had some pictures of my Barbie and Midge modeling these outfits, but I’ve searched for hours in my photos and finally have given up. I only have one of my Barbie in the blue “Regency” dress. (That’s what I’m calling it… when I made it, it was probably a nightgown.)
If you click on my pictures they will enlarge… that way you can see those crooked stitches even better! :o)
Let’s start off with Barbie in that blue dress. My mom found me in cut up pajamas one day because I wanted the shirring from the elastic in the waistband of my pants for my Barbie dress. I was pretty little when I did this but not exactly sure of my age.
Now, let’s move on to this “lovely white” robe! White? That’s not white! Well, it was, and believe it or not, it was one of my very favorites I ever made. I don’t know why, but I think it was the way it “skimmed” over Barbie’s curves! Must have been….because that stitching isn’t doing anything for me! Ladies, just take a close up look at the way that lace is sewn on. See, there’s hope for ANYONE to learn to sew!
I think this was going to be a party dress for Skipper. Notice the lovely black velvet ribbon sewn around the hips….pretty crummy, isn’t it? Oh well, if you can overlook the stains and the way the back is much too narrow, you can see how I was starting to think a little more about the design of the dresses… not that my sewing had improved terribly, but if you use your imagination, maybe it was!
Oh, and how about this lovely number….a little color blocking going on. I remember making this one. I used the inside and the outside to create this look. The pockets were supposed to be the feature of the dress. Notice too, how crooked it is… that’s just the way it turned out. Oh well, do you think I’m getting better? Obviously this was WAY before I realized the inside needed to be as neat as the outside.
This one was pretty creative too… I quilted my own fabric and made this “adorable” robe for Skipper. Again, I added the patch pockets, only this time with lace.
…and finally, my grand finale! I thought this was my best Barbie outfit ever… I can’t seem to figure out why I thought that though. I made it over at my Aunt Evelyn’s house and still remember the day. I thought it looked exquisite on my Barbie, but I must have needed glasses back then, because there is a lot to be desired with it. Oh well, at the time, it was perfect!
So, those few pieces are the remnants of my past… my sewing past, that is. I went on to major in Clothing and Textiles and specialize in Apparel Design. I’ve come a long way, but it’s always good to visit where you came from occasionally. It helps you see how far you’ve come.
Hope you enjoyed this trip down memory lane with me.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne,
Oh, I really do see improvement!! Did you start sewing on a machine? Am I right? What kind did you start on?
That first outfit is really good! Now, Skipper’s lovely number,– so funny! I do see where you learned how to do darts, in that last outfit, and that was really a nice set you made.
I started sewing on my grandmother’s treadle sewing machine, because she taught me at her house, and it was more my “speed”—slow! My mother had a Sears Kenmore, but that was too advanced for me. I still have the old sewing machine I learned on, but it is now “retired”!!
I really enjoyed seeing how you started out and how far you have come!
HI Linda,
Yes, my mom let me start using her Singer machine when I was probably 10. That was the beginning of my obsession with sewing. When I went away to Bible College I bought myself an old Singer…one of those turquoise machines. It was the kind that had all metal parts and was as heavy as a tank. I used it to do alterations at school to make some spending money and even made a patchwork quilt while I was there. Me and sewing go WAY back.
Thanks Linda, Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I can’t believe you still have these! Thanks for sharing a blast from the past!
Cindy,
Pretty pathetic, aren’t they? Oh well, still glad I saved them.
Love you, Jeanne
I DO see a lot of improvement! I think you did very well to be so young. I can’t sew that good today! LOL! What a cute story about you cutting up your jammies to make the blue “Regency” dress. Too sweet! :o)
Carolyn,
Thanks for reading about my “early” days. It seems like I’ve been sewing all my life and when I look back at my past, I guess I have been. Wonder how many miles of thread I’ve used?
Thanks for reading,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne – I so thoroughly enjoyed reading both of your posts on your fledgling sewing efforts – I think your early sewing was wonderful for your age! My favorite is the shirring you stole from your pajamas – it really was just the right touch for that dress 😉 And I most definitely saw the beginnings of attention to detail in your second post. It’s so exceptional that you kept these pieces all these years, that’s quite rare, and poignant to see your attempts as such a young girl. Thanks for sharing.
Tomi Jane
Tomi Jane,
As I’ve read over everyone’s comments, I’m second guessing myself for selling my Barbie… maybe I should have sold everything BUT Barbie.
It’s too late now, but just wondering. I just threw away some couches that I had made when I was little and have kept them for 40 something
years. Just recently I got in a cleaning mood and pitched them. Rats! They would have been perfect for my blog! Oh well…
Thanks Tomi… I think the seamstresses of the group probably like this post better than someone who doesn’t sew.
Blessings to you, Jeanne