I don’t exactly know how long I have been making little wool felt jackets for my dolls, but I found a picture in the 2005 “archives” of Tulah wearing a simple one, so at least for the last 9 years or so. They are super fun to make as you (well “I”) never know how they are going to turn out. I do the silk ribbon embroidery free hand and just keep going until I think it’s enough. Sometimes they are simply decorated and sometimes I really get into it and add lots of extras.
I make the jacket and finish off the edges with my machine. I used to do it by hand but it took F-O-R-E-V-E-R so I found a quicker way. You have to be very careful and make sure you don’t run off the edge, so it takes extreme concentration, especially when you are on a curve. There is nothing worse than getting one side perfect and then coming around the neck on the other side, and running off the edge… UGH! I take it all out and start over.
I collect all the colors of silk ribbon I think I’ll need to match the print in the dress and just start adding flowers, stems, beads, buttons, etc. I know when I’m finished…it just looks like it’s done.
So, I thought I’d share a few of my past jackets with you. Hope you enjoy them… If you click on the pictures, they should enlarge somewhat.
(Just a quick note… for some reason, I am OUT of data available to me from my satellite company. That’s what allows me to post pictures. I have put all my pictures together for this post using HTML, but when I click on “view post” I can only see about half of them. I hope you will be able to see them all, even if I can’t. I just hope I got them in the right order. My internet data will be refilled on the 16th, so bear with me as I try to do this blindly, and sorry, but the pictures will probably be a little sparse until the 16th…)
This was probably my very favorite picture of Bitty Bethany. I think she looked adorable in this shot.
These next 3 pictures are of little 7 1/2″ Tulah, by Helen Kish. She has moved on to a new mommy and I hadn’t seen this picture in years. Isn’t she just the cutest thing?
Okay, that’s it for me and embroidered jackets this time. Why don’t you scroll back up to the “comments” (under the title) and let me know which one was your favorite.
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
My favs are the royal blue one and the Bitty Bethany pink.
Very pretty and lots of gorgeous work.
Rita
Thanks Rita,
I’m pretty partial to the Bitty Bethany one. Wasn’t she cute in this set?
Can’t wait for tomorrow…
Blessings, Jeanne
I do like these little jackets, I made a couple back in the day for one of my bigger dolls, a Janicke Skille girl if I remember rightly! I find the nicer wool felt harder to get here though and when I bought some on line, found it was horrible stretchy stuff that made my teeth go on edge when I touched it! Binned it!
I too had that little Tulah, she was so cute but like yours, mine moved to pastures new too!
Hugs Sharon in Spain x
HI Sharon,
Poor little Tulah… always being shuffled around to new mommies!
I know what you mean about the stretchy wool felt. It’s crummy to work with. It’s harder to find the stiffer kind. Do you have a source for some really good wool felt?
Blessings, Jeanne
Such pretty jackets & outfits too! Very hard to choose a favorite, but I have to say I loved Riley’s outfit. I have a thing for corduroy, especially when it’s in perfect scale to the doll wearing it. You do such lovely work! Truly a treat for the eyes. :o)
Thank you Carolyn,
When I found that sweet corduroy I knew it was perfect for Riley. I think she looks pretty cute in that set, if I do say so myself.
Thank you for the compliments on my work. I love what I do!
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne: All the pictures could be seen beautifully….Gosh,I just love silk embroidery work and yours is certainly exceptional. Because they are all so lovely, I don’t think I have a real favorite (except maybe Lian’s) BUT I love the edging on Riley’s jacket. I have used that on knits but NOW will try it on some felt…..
Thanks once again for starting my day on such a happy note.
Hi Trish, and welcome back to the “comments” section. It has been a while since you commented on anything and I was hoping I hadn’t offended you. I was hoping you were just busy.
I loved Lian’s light blue jacket too. Her’s was the first pastel wool felt I had embroidered on and it showed up so well. I usually use the edging shown on Riley’s jacket on my hats. Hope you like it when you try it.
Thanks for being a faithful reader. I appreciate it!
Blessings, Jeanne
I don’t comment often, Jeanne, but I look forward to reading this every day. Thank you for taking the time to do it! I love your felt jackets and have admired them before. Your silk ribbon embroidery is exquisite. I love my sewing machine but she’s old and doesn’t know how to do buttonhole stitch. Hard to teach an old dog new tricks. LOL
Thanks Jevne,
I’m glad so many people are enjoying my blog posts. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just what I’m interested in or if others would really like to hear and see it. You can do the buttonhole stitch by hand but it sure does take a lot longer. Maybe someday you’ll get a new machine and be able to do it. If not, I’ll post pictures and you can enjoy them!
Thank you for writing Jevne,
Blessings, Jeanne
All of your jackets and embroidery are so beautiful. I think my favorite is Bitty Bethany. I love pink.
HI Regina,
I think Bitty Bethany’s jacket might be the winner. Several people commented and sent me emails that they liked it the best. I’m pretty partial to pink too!
Thanks for reading, Regina.
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne you are an inspiration. I love to look at what you do . Wish I could find a source for ribbon embroidery ribbon. I love hand stitching and want to learn more.
You inspired me to dress my American Girl now it’s almost done need to find the right buttons.
I loved them all, Jeanne! I think my favorites, though, were the first one (on the Effner girl) and the next-to-last outfit–I loved how you appliqued a heart from the dress fabric onto the jacket on that one.
Do you felt your own wool, or is this wool felt you have purchased?
HI Charlotte,
Thanks for looking Charolotte! Yay! Wren’s jacket got a vote! I remember calling that Bavarian something…
Glad you liked it. No I don’t felt my own wool… I buy it.
Blessings, Jeanne
I meant to add, all the pictures came thru beautifully!