I always love it when things go together smoothly… don’t you? This set seems to be doing just that! The coat is looking pretty charming to me… feminine AND charming, I might add. I’ve had a thing for appliques and a “bigger” thing for double breasted buttons for as long as I can remember! There’s quite a few appliques AND buttons in my sewing room! :o) I’ve always loved capelets and things that show off the girlie side of doll clothes… without being too fussy. I’m hoping this one turns out pretty, but on the simple side.
I debated about putting fur on the edges of the coat or adding a trim but I decided to go a different route… a sweet venise applique tucked just under the collar and stitched down. That gave way to use some cream buttons I just found at the thrift store. I “knew” I’d find a use for them!
They are stitched on and snaps are hidden underneath.
I could have hemmed the sleeves and the bottom of the coat but decided to wait until the dress was done to make sure I had both the right lengths.
Years ago I bought a stained Samantha dress and cut it up for the pattern. I undid half of the dress and kept the other half intact so I could try it on dolls to make sure it fit their bodies. I’ve used it a few times as a pattern and decided this was the right dress to work under the coat.
I needed to see if I had enough fabric to cut out the dress and YAY… I did. I even had a scrap about the size of a potholder left over!
I managed to get the tucks pressed and then the shoulder seams sewn together… Here are my girls side by side showing off what looks to be a really pretty dress and coat set! I hope you like! :o)
Well, let’s see what I can get accomplished today!
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
And look who’s back! It’s Nellie, and it’s lovely to see her again. You needed Nellie in your collection.
This is a great choice for your dress pattern too. The stand up neckline under the coat should be perfect. This outfit is really working out nicely. Today’s blog heading says it — success. Now all you have to do is stay warm and keep sewing. And maybe put something good in the crockpot.
HI Marilyn,
Yes, Nellie’s back in my collection… again! She’s one of those dolls that can be a 1900’s, a1930’s, a 50’s, or a modern doll… I love her versatility!
I didn’t have enough fabric for a gathered skirt, but the way my scrap was left, I could cut the dress out with the pleats… I’m glad it worked…
It would have been nice to have sewn all day, but we spent it going through momma’s files again… but I’m going to sew as soon as I finish with these comments!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh, that’s all I keep saying, Jeanne, oh, oh, oh! Just perfect in every which way! This will be just the thing for Easter this year, since it is early (April 1st)! This is really a vision on this VERY cold day! The coat is just adorable with the lace, the buttons so perfectly placed, and the cute tam perched on Nellie’s head!
What a great idea to purchase a stained AG dress and us it for a pattern! This one will be perfect for the coat. Are you having sleeves or leaving it sleeveless? Of course, a Victorian girl would never wear sleeveless dresses, but a more modern girl would. Sleeves under a coat are a bear to put on, but if anyone can get that right, it’s Jeanne Marie!
I second what Marilyn said about keeping warm and putting something good in the crockpot, and I’m going to do just that!
HI Linda,
Yes, it WILL make a nice dress set for Easter… and it reminds me of a few I had.. the tweed coat and a dress underneath.. memories! :o)
The dress actually has long sleeves.. somehow I managed that… and they’ll have cuffs that snap so they should stay down when she puts her coat on.
Well, the crock pot idea sounded wonderful but we had chops tonight… what did you make in the crock pot?
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hawaiian Chicken! Trying to think warm!!!
Lovely! I love the additions to the coat! And the beginnings of the dress are a perfect match with the coat. I think you chose a wonderful style. The two will look great together. I’m looking forward to seeing the outfit as it progresses.
Hope you have a good day.
Take care.
Thanks so much Charlotte,
I’m glad you are liking the looks of the dress and coat so far… now to get it finished… :o)
My day was busy, but good… the best part… sewing…will come in a little bit!
Thanks again,
Blessings, Jeanne
Love when fabrics and design come together just as if they were meant to be… and this is one of those sweet times!
Looking soooooooo good!
HI Shara,
I can hardly believe how well that cotton fabric went with the tweed coat fabric. It’s not an average blue… but somehow I had the exact same color… I was very happy!
Thank you sooooooo much! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I’m in agreement with the ladies “above”, Jeanne. You’ve chosen lovely fabrics to co-ordinate together in what’s looking to be another very charming outfit! It’s so very satisfying to “watch” you work and create. You’re a blessing to me!
Awwww Becky,
Thank you so much for your kind compliments… I’m glad you love seeing me put together something every time and still enjoy it. I was thinking today, I need to do something besides sew and show, but everyone seems to like it… so for now, I’ll keep doing it.
You’re a blessing to me, too!
Blessings, Jeanne
Love the pattern choice and fabric color. Will look perfect with the coat. You have been busy. It might be fun to have the girls share the modeling and photos. One with the dress and one with the coat as above. And have them flip a coin as to who will model both. 🙂
How’s your snow and cold weather? We only had a light sprinkling, but more rain expected later this week. Need lots more.
Marilyn’s crock pot idea sounds wonderful.
HI Joy,
I think I will have 2 models for this dress and coat set… at least for some of the pictures… then pick one to do the main modeling… :o)
The snow is still on the ground, but it’s the super frigid temps that are getting to us.. It’s 12 degrees right now but it feels like 1 degrees. It was -7 when I got up this morning! Spring oh, Spring, where ARE you???
Did you crock something? We had pork chops…
Thanks Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a sweet and adorable set. I am loving that coat even more. The buttons are a perfect match with the cream and light blue tweed. I like how you placed them. And the dress…love the pleat on the side. The whole outfit is simply divine! If I were still a little girl, I would have loved to wear this outfit.
Yes…a crock pot going in the kitchen sounds perfect too!
HI Paula,
I’m glad you like what you are seeing, so far… The dress was the original meet dress for Samantha and I always liked that dress… mine will be a little different, but still sort of the same.
Ok, just checking to see if you made something in the crock pot?
Blessings, Jeanne
Right on! That is going to be a knockout dress and coat….love the lace at the collar.
Such a pretty blue and the pleated front is full but won’t interfere with the way the coat lays.
There is a Bleuette dress that is similar to this dress too. This Easter is the perfect time to have a coat and dress…yikes…April1 will probably be “ very chilly”.
Stay warm!
HI Kathie,
Thank you so much for your sweet compliments on the dress and coat set. I can’t wait to get it all finished to see it together. :o)
I might have to give this an “Eastery” name to entice those Easter dress buyers to it! :o)
Yes, I bet April 1st will be very chilly indeed!
Thanks so much Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne
Yes, you got Nellie again. I saw her and did a double take. Did you get her for Christmas? You’ll need to update your dolly page again.
She and Rebecca are perfect models for this sweet, sweet outfit. Easter is early, so this would be ideal. The flowered dress and the plaid tweed coat are a nice study in contrasts. The little appliques are a great choice.
Is very cheering to see on this very cold day. Do you have any white kid boots? They would be the perfect shoe choice IMO.
HI Laura,
Yes, I have Nellie again! She was really an impulse buy… I was looking at “Samantha’s” and she happened along… I opened up the listing and lo and behold she was very pretty… had the slightly shorter hair length (better for doll dressing), she came from a smoke free home and had perfectly straight eyes! So I did the By It Now thing and just received her. She’s almost a sunkissed looking doll, but she photographs very well… so I think she’s staying.
I don’t have any white boots, but I might have to see if Hobby Lobby has any doll boots… or I guess I could always download a pattern and make some… probably not, though… :o)
Thanks so much Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Success, oh yes! Love, love, love the lace appliqué! It highlights the collar so nicely. You make everything look effortless, Jeanne. Your coat and dress are a match made in heaven. Thank you for the lovely glimpse of spring. Looking forward to the final presentation!
Hi Anne, I just saw,this comment and wanted to thank you for your sweet comments!!
Blessings to you, Anne,
~ Jeanne