Sorry, I just couldn’t resist… :o) I did a little “change up” on Addy’s dress and spent a big part of the evening ripping out what I had done yesterday and redoing it…
See if you can tell what I did…this will be like the pictures they used to have in Highlights children’s magazines. You know the ones where they had 2 pictures “almost” alike and you had to guess what was different in the second picture…
Here’s what Addy’s dress looked like yesterday when you last saw it…
…and here’s what it looks like now…
As I looked at the pictures of the dress and read all of your comments, I realized I needed to make a few changes. Sometimes taking pictures of things really helps you see them better. It’s not MY dolls dress; it’s going to be someone’s who buys it, so I want it to be “just right.”
Several ladies thought the bows were too big; too overpowering and as I looked at my pictures, I decided they were…so I took them off the ribbon and made a smaller bow. Just by having a smaller bow meant less blue showing, which a few ladies commented on… Here’s a picture of the bows but in the two different sizes…
I then moved the ribbon up into the waist line seam, gathered it up tighter,making it appear narrower, which some ladies wanted.
It’s sort of a different color red and not really a fire engine red or a deep blue red. I didn’t have any other red ribbon that would work so I had to stick with the blue ribbon. BUT… as I looked at my pictures, and then looked at the real dress, and then looked at the dress in the pictures, I realized, it is appearing much more blue than it actually is. It is a perfect match to the color of blue in the paisley print. In the end, I do believe the blue is the right color to have used.
Okay, so I made the bows smaller, moved them up, made the width where the ribbon comes out of the waistband narrower and then I shortened the first tiered ruffle about an inch. As I looked at the pictures from the other dresses I had made, the first tier came to just past their hands, but Addy’s dress was way past her hands. It was making the bottom ruffle look sort of squashed.
I also removed the bows at the sleeve ruffles. I think I knew when I put them on that it was overkill. I replaced them with 2 little seed beads and one of the blue beads like Rebecca used in the necklace.
SEW… I didn’t really make any “new” headway today, but I did get it “fixed” and now I feel pretty confident about moving on…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, this is way better, Jeanne! Before, the blue bows on the skirt were just too much, and I was thinking of telling you that they would look better if they weren’t so wide, but didn’t want to hurt your feelings. A few other ladies came out and did say that, and now it looks so much better! Sometimes it takes looking from another perspective to really see what others see. I know seeing in person is a bit different than a picture, from taking pictures of my dolls in their various outfits.
I totally agree, that the blue bows on the sleeves are much better off than on, and yes, the top ruffle looks much better too! I think you are done with this dress, but her bow/hat ??
HI Linda,
Oh, good, I’m so glad you liked it better this way! Me too! It was a long time getting to where I wanted it to be, but I think I’m done and ready for her head accessory… your guess is as good as mine as to what I’m going to do… I better get on it!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
It’s a designed masterpiece. 🙂 I like it alot!
Thank you so much Mary,
A masterpiece? Well, I’m not sure about that but you certainly put a smile on my face today! I’m glad you liked it…
Blessings, Jeanne
I think it looks great! Shortening the over skirt made a big difference in getting the “weight” off the bottom. The blue ribbons are definitely a good color with the red print and they help tie in the blue in the neck binding and sleeve ruffle. I think it’s perfect!
HI Carolyn,
Oh good… now I have one “way better,” one “masterpiece” and one “perfect!” What more could a seamstress ask for?
Thanks so much Carolyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
The dress is beautiful Jeanne and as always your workmanship is perfection. The seam ripper is my best friend in my sewing room! I use a brass seam ripper. It is sharp and does a great job. If anyone is unfamiliar with it just google brass seam ripper and you will find them. A must have tool for me.
God Bless
Marsha
HI Marsha,
So…. the seam ripper is “your” best friend…too? I thought I might be alone in that group… :o)
I use mine alot…just not as much in one day as I did yesterday! Oh well… some days are just like that. I just looked up the brass seam ripper…it’s pretty as well as practical…
Thanks Marsha,
Blessings, Jeanne
A sucessful retooling of the dress. A note on anything brass. Some of us have a skin reaction to brass. When new brass tipped lace knitting needles came out, I bought them and then found tiny grey residue on my light colored yarn. Other knitters reported this residue also. It took the needle company one year to confirm that some people could have a reaction to the brass. I use a seam ripper but know brass is not for me. It is good to learn about new tools. I do use a brass knitting needle gauge but being brass it needs to be polished often.
HI Jan,
It’s good that there are tools for everyone… brass, stainless steel, whatever works is fine for me. When my seam ripper breaks, I’ll check into the brass ones…
That’s interesting about the knitting needles leaving little marks on the yarns… who would have guessed?
Thanks for your compliments on Addy’s “remade” dress…
Blessings, Jeanne
Exquisite, Jeanne….you’ve done a marvelous, marvelous job. Your workmanship is tailor-made, your amendments are very pleasing to the eye and your ability to accept critiques is highly respected by me. It’s just glorious to see your work.
Thank you so much Becky,
I appreciate all the kind things you’ve said about Addy’s dress. I aim to please and I hope it shows! I’m glad you enjoy the “process” of my dresses… sometimes it takes too many posts to get it all shown, but I can’t help that…
Blessings, Jeanne
So very pretty!!! Since so many had commented on the skirt bows, I, like Linda, didn’t want to be one of them since I commented on the sleeve ones. It is kind of you to ask for our input and between all the comments I think it is now executed perfectly. Now they look just perfect and blue really is the right color choice of ribbon for this dress. The coral red color and blue really look striking on Addy. The little seed beads on the sleeves add just the right bit of detail and sparkle without being over the top. I think this one is good to go except for her hair decoration- bow/ hat as well unless you do a Valentine extra like Kit’s. Civil War valentines combined love of receiver and love of country. I love to see how valentines have changed over the years.
If you didn’t see my response last night, I know Addy will have to come from eBay, but it will be a few months before I can justify another doll since MG was my Christmas gift to myself. I’m avoiding eBay until I have funds saved to avoid temptation. 🙂
HI Laura,
Just because I’m the seamstress, doesn’t mean I have all the answers. I LOVE to hear back from everyone what they think… it’s sort of like a game show where you use your “lifelines” and ask the “audience” for the correct answer. If everyone is saying something looks off or is too big or whatever, I better listen… :o)
I have to get cooking on her head accessory… I will be gone all day out of state for a root canal…ick! So I need to get something substantial done today on it.
I did see your comment about having to wait until later to get your Addy. I’ll be curious to see which one you eventually get… I’d like to know your “criteria” for your Addy doll.
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
The dress is perfect. I know what a difference even a 1/16″ makes in sewing, let alone 1/2″ on your bows and hem. Perfect! You always prove to be the expert and I learn so much from you. The necklace is beautiful and can’t wait to see what she wears on her head. Laughed out loud at the title of this post. I should have a plaque with that on it.
Laura, I got hooked on the dolls over Christmas, buying the Samantha bed to give to my granddaughter when my three-year-old grandson is older as he would sit right on it. So I’ll save it for later, considering it my present to myself for now. Then I read Jeanne’s comments about Felicity and thought I had to have one as she has red hair like me when I was younger. I think she is a pretty early one with the copper eyelashes and had two neat outfits and accessories, but I bought more and more things. Also found Abby while expecting it would take months. I am now going to go “cold turkey” as per your fine example and not visit eBay until I recover from what I’ve done already. Thanks for letting me know I am not alone. I do “credit” Jeanne’s Blog and not “blame” it for my new hobby that got me into sewing again.
Did you see the “How to Crochet Hearts” on Pinterest? They would make a neat quilt or hat or almost anything for dolls and children.
HI Susette,
Oh yay… another “perfect” from a reader! Just to set the record straight…that title isn’t an original of mine. I’ve seen it before, but never used it…
I have to make myself stay away from Ebay sometimes too…I just get too engrossed in looking at dolls and before you know it, one jumps into my cart and somehow appears in a box at my front door… I wonder how that happens??? I hope you can hold out better than I can…It’s hard!
No, I haven’t seen the crocheted hearts on Pinterest…I’ll have to look…
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Susette,
Felicity is my favorite and I agree her PC collection is stunning- the inkwell , silver sander,hornbook, tea lesson, bird bottle, signal whistle etc. the attention to detail was/is incredible.
IMO hers is THE best followed by a tie between Samantha and Addy’s. At least I’m not a completist or it would have been much worse. I had a list and when I could cross everything off I was finished. 🙂 I am so glad when others share my love of her. I am also glad you found an Addy. I am looking forward to getting mine sometime this year. I view doll collections as something you can enjoy each day, switching clothes or accessories to get a “new look”. So much more interactive than figurines and knick knacks on a shelf .
I wondered if someone else would comment on your title. Thank you, Susette. It certainly cheered up my snowy morning.
I’m looking forward to seeing what you choose for Addy’s hair, and what you choose for her feet. It’s only the first — plenty of time for Valentine’s Day.
Thanks Marilyn,
I should have been making Valentine dresses since January 1st… oh well… I can only do what I can do! When it becomes stressful, it’s not much fun…
I’m looking forward to seeing what I come up with Addy’s hair TOO!
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh Jeanne, Addy’s outfit is just lovely and perfect. Your tweaking it was just right. The colors are wonderful together. It’s most excellent. Can’t wait to see the rest.
Have a great day!
Thank you Paula,
I’m glad you think Addy’s dress looks wonderful now! It took awhile, but I like it now too.
I’ll do my best the make the rest of the set look as nice.
Blessings to you Paula,
~ Jeanne
Ta-dah! Just perfect, Jeanne. So sorry about all the ripping out, and yes, such a clever title, you fox!! But right now, you have achieved a really magnificent dress in fabric, trims and proportions. Sending a fat hug!!
HI Sally,
Thanks so much for your sweet comments. Oh yay… another adjective to add to the list… “magnificent!”
Here’s a big fat hug back to you!
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes…it is now perfect. I think it is so hard to “see” what to change…but you certainly got lots of suggestions LOL!
All the changes made a big difference. Love it!
Thank you Kathie,
I appreciate you taking time to tell me you like it much better now. me too!
I’m working on it right now…
Blessings, Jeanne
Can’t you just picture Addy sitting at a little table with a friend pouring her a cup of tea? And offering her a sweet from a decorated tray. Such a lovely dress for a very special girl.
Thank you so much Joy,
I think Addy loves her new debut dress, and I do too. She is very pretty in this color and I just now got finished… now to find an accessory…
Blessings, Jeanne