I did it! I got a Fourth of July dress made for one of my dolls! I’m thrilled and hope you will be too!
Every so often I do a set with one of my “mini” Minnie Mouses and I decided to put her with this very patriotic dress set for the Dianna Effner, 13″ Little Darling dolls. It was so much fun creating this one but it took me f-o-r-e-v-e-r to decide how to do the “flag” design on the bodice. I’m serious…we’re probably talking 2 1/2 hours trying different ways with the buttons… a firework exploding, a flag straight across, a conglomeration of the various sized stars, a star using the stars, a spray with the stars, random stars just dropped on the bodice. I even got Rebecca involved in helping me figure it out. I should have taken pictures of all the various ways I tried them. In the end, this is what I ended up with. 28 buttons…yes…count them…t-w-e-n-t-y e-i-g-h-t! I hope I got it right! I think I did!
When I finally decided to put the stars across the bodice in rows like a flag, I had to figure out some way to make them straight. It was too tedious to stitch them on freehand and get them even. I decided to run a row of basting stitches across the bodice in a wavy pattern parallel to each other…then I sewed them on just above the stitching line. When I was done I gently removed the basting stitches. I think it’s pretty cute.
The bodice is made from the vintage navy dotted Swiss fabric that I got at the yard sale. It’s nice and soft and is lined with white fabric on the inside. The buttons on the bodice were actually an afterthought, so the threads do show on the inside, if that matters to you. I tried to be as neat as possible though. Tiny red buttons close the back and are covering hidden snaps.
Lian’s skirt is made from a red and white striped cotton and white eyelet peeks out from underneath the hem.
A little tam was what Lian wanted to wear with this set…I like it cocked a little bit sideways, don’t you?
The tiniest little Minnie Mouse is being clutched very tightly by Lian…it’s my last red one and I’m SO sad!
Don’t you think YOUR doll needs this for her 4th of July dress?
Okay, so the plan is to get it listed on Ebay Friday evening…I really hope I make it.
It’s now 1:02 a.m. (Friday morning) so it’s time to call it a day!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, I love that little outfit! So perfect for Lian, and love the way you did the bodice with the buttons! That Minnie Mouse doll is adorable too, perhaps you will find another soon. I will keep on the lookout for one. How big is it? You never know when something like that will pop up.
HI Linda,
Thanks so much for your sweet comments.
I doubt that I find anymore… they were made by Disney a few years ago and I’ve even called the company…nothing in the works. Too bad, as they were the perfect size for a few of my dolls. Minnie is about 3″ tall… I have in a few pink and an old fashioned Minnie in peach and brown, but none were as cute as the red ones… Oh well… I’ll find something else…
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Adorable dress..love the flag made with buttons. Cute Minnie Mouse too!
Thank you Regina,
I’m glad everyone likes the way I ended up making the design…
Yes, isn’t Minnie sweet?
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Just tooooooo cute. I love the bodice. What a wonderful and creative dress and tam. The bodice is so clever.
Have a great day, Jeanne.
Blessings
HI Paula,
You’re going to have to get one of these dolls, Paula… See what you’re missing out on by not having one! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
Lian looks adorable in that dress. The flag on the bodice is the perfect design choice.
I’m glad you were able to get a 4th of july dress made after all.
So much work to do in the yard/garden this weekend and we are expecting rain again. Everything n is still soggy from the drenching yesterday, but the sun is out.
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
HI Laura,
I’m glad I was able to get a Patriotic dress made too! I’m already planning my next one.. I think I have time…
It’s rainy here too! My hubby said the grass “had” to be mowed at church, if he had to do it “in” the rain! Maybe it will quit long enough for him to get it done.
Blessings, Jeanne
The button flag is adorable! Sew creative! Your Little Darling is a darling.
Joy
Thank you Joy,
Yes, my little Lian is truly a Little Darling! I love her to pieces!
Glad you liked my flag…
Blessings, Jeanne
Just as I was thinking ..”How did she ever get those buttons on straight” I saw the clever trick! You think of everything!
So Cute on her!
Garage Sale Today…. it is a wonderful day to be out and about!
HI Kathie,
Glad I showed how I did it… now you know!
Have fun at the garage sales… I hope you find lots of goodies…
Blessings, Jeanne
For cute! An expression I had never heard until we lived in the northern central part of the US. I’ve been waiting to use it in a comment and this is the outfit for it.
Thanks so much Jan, for saving your newest expression for Lian’s fun little 4th of July dress! Blessings, Jeanne