I’ve been known to “tweak” things every now and then…

If you liked Addy’s dress yesterday, I hope you’ll still like it today…I’ve done a little change up on it…
The sleeves I had in the dress just weren’t working. A few of you made suggestions that were good, but it’s my lace I think. The sleeves are supposed to be fitted at the sleeve cap and that part I got right! Then they’re supposed to be this little bubble of a thing that hits just below the elbow and then the lace was supposed to fit tight against her forearm and down to her wrist… sort of like Samantha’s Victorian dresses are sometimes seen. Well, the bubble part wouldn’t stay put and so the lace sort of puddled around her wrist. It was going to be too much trouble for the buyer to constantly be fiddling with the sleeves, so I took them out… and went with something else… You can see what the sleeves look like when I pull them out a bit…

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I also noticed the dress just a wee bit short in the bodice, but we’ll talk about that in a minute…

Now’s the scary part… I show you the new sleeves and hope you don’t go, “Oh man, I liked the other sleeves better…why did she change them??”

Here goes…

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I wanted to use the ruffled sleeves and give the dress a really sweet Springtime feel and felt these were the best sleeves to use…

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The dress should hit at Addy’s waistline, but it was a bit short so I took off the skirt this time and added that little band you see there. It makes all the difference in the world as far as the fit goes. Her green sash will cover it up but it looks pretty cute with the band there I think…

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Since I added the little band at the waist, it dropped the skirt down just a bit so I could possibly put a shirt tail hem in the dress and it be long enough but I think I might like the shorter version with a pair of pantalettes showing…what do you think now?

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…or pinned up the length Addy’s age would wear their dresses…

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So I’m right back where I started yesterday…

I’ve been helping my mom with her taxes so my time has been limited… and last night I was up till… well, I better not say, or I’m sure I’ll get scolded… so I promised my hubby I would get to bed at a better time tonight, so I have to quit… I’ll get more done on the dress as soon as I can…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

24 thoughts on “I’ve been known to “tweak” things every now and then…”

  1. Hi Jeanne, I love the new sleeves, and the waist inset makes Addy’s waist look very narrow and dainty. I thought the previous sleeves were very unusual and pretty – but we couldn’t see much of them as they were hidden under the neckline lace. Maybe on a dress with a different neckline they will really look good (some hidden elastic on the seam under the elbow to keep them up, perhaps?) Well done.

    1. HI Louise,
      Thanks so much for your sweet compliments on Addy’s new dress. The band at her waist does make her look like she’s got quite a figure, doesn’t it?
      I’ll work on those sleeves and maybe use them another time…
      Thanks so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Thank you Becky,
      YAY… I’m glad you like the new look… now to get it finished…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Oh, I like the last version lots better. I thought the first sleeves were too heavy for the small space you were working with. Also, I like the shorter length with pantaloons showing underneath. I have always loved that look.

    Again, if it’s not working, just keep on till it works. (I keep telling myself that) I had a white linen shirt 95 % finished yesterday when I noticed a small hole in the sleeve fabric. It was definitely a fabric flaw, but I just didn’t notice it until it was almost done. So, to redo that sleeve today!!!!

    1. Thank you Anna,
      I like these new sleeves better too… and there’s no fussing with them.. they just stay in place and look pretty! I think I’ll make the dress the shorter length and have a pretty pair of white eyelet pantalettes showing…
      I hope you got your new sleeve replaced… don’t you just hate it when you find a flaw in the fabric… especially some place where you can’t hide it, with a pocket or a placket or a collar… Oh well… I hope it worked out okay…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Addy’s dress looks great so far. Love the lace and the look of the whole outfit.

    Blessings!

    1. Thank you Paula,
      I’m feeling much better about the dress now…and hopefully I can get moving along on getting it finished… it’s another one of those dresses that seems to be taking up more time than I figured it would…
      Thanks for your kind compliments…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. I didn’t get to read yesterday’s post until very late. In the picture the ladies arm is bare. These are the ball gown look in Civil War movies. The first version with the puffs and sleeves looked a bit busy to me. They would have been okay without the additional lace.
    The new version looks right for Addy because she is younger. I feel the dress should be the shorter version with sweet pantalettes peaking out from beneath it.
    Have a lovely day. We are expecting snow tonight, up to an inch, can you believe it??!!

    1. HI Laura,
      I thought the shorter sleeve with the fanned out ruffle looked more like what a young girl Addy’s age would wear too.
      I’m pretty sure I’m making the pantalettes.. the white fabric I’m going to use looks nice with the lace on the collar…
      Snow? Are you kidding? I can’t imagine us getting snow now… we’ve been spoiled with the warmer weather we’ve been having…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Marilyn Grotzky

    This is nearly a Felicity dress and very pretty. I think I’d like to keep it long, Felicity style, and add a big Williamsburg hat with red and pink flowers and that pretty green ribbon. Louise is right about the new waist looking narrow and dainty.

    But definitely keep the first sleeves as a pattern for another Victorian dress. I did love those sleeves, but it’s true that I wouldn’t want to fuss with them endlessly, so I suppose you’d have to keep working on the pattern. In fact, if you turn this one into a Felicity dress, you could make a Victorian one next. For me, that would be a double win situation. Those two styles may be my favorites.

    I hope this has finished off all your tax work.

    1. HI Marilyn,
      Well, as much as I’d like to keep it long, I think I will make it shorter and use the pantalettes. It does look like a Felicity dress and probably could be used for one… but even Felicity had the shorter version dresses too…so I’ll have to see if it looks Colonial when I’m done…

      I will keep this sleeve in mind… I just need to “tweak” it a bit and see if I can get it to do what I want it to do before I use it next.

      I got my mom taken to the tax guy and thank goodness, the tax season is over for us until next year. I do need to help my mom with some paperwork though…
      Thank you Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Clever girl. Lengthening the waist makes the skirt longer. Personally, I would hem it at the longer length and be done, but know you want it more authentic and add pantaloons. New day, new sleeve eh? Love this dress. Keep up the good work.

    1. HI Joy,
      I actually thought about just hemming the dress and being done with it, but when I look at how pretty this fabric is and how sweet a pair of pantalettes would be peeking out from underneath the dress, I think I’ll make it short after all.
      Thank you Joy, I hope you’ll keep watching for the finished dress…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Oh..the new sleeves are great. It amazes me how you can rip and replace and you can’t even tell! Taking off that skirt and adding the extra in would have driven me bonkers….that fabric looks like it would ravel easily too.
    You have the patience of a Saint! I like the shorter length with pantalettes
    Have a great sewing day!

    1. HI Kathie,
      I’m glad you can’t tell the dress was ripped apart and put back together again… that’s a compliment to me…! One of these days I need to get my patterns all in order so I don’t spend so much time “redoing” things… but then again… it does give me something to blog about! :o)

      Thank you so much for your kind thoughts…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Where has the day gone? I thought I would have written something by now, but it looks like I haven’t! While I did like the older sleeves a lot, I think the new ones are more appropriate for a younger girl. I don’t think Addy would want to be fussing at her sleeves all day either!

    I kind of miss the green ribbon around her waist. I thought it looked good and broke up the bodice and skirt, giving a bit of accent. I do think the shorter version with the pantalettes will be extra cute!

    Wouldn’t she look pretty with a new necklace around her neck? Rebecca would be just who you would need for that!!

    1. HI Linda,
      I read my 2 comments early this morning before I took my mom to get her taxes done, and actually thought Louise was you… I read it as Linda… oops!
      I’m glad everyone has approved of the new shorter ruffled sleeves instead of the other ones…
      Right… Addy isn’t a fussy type girl… :o)
      Oh, I’m planning on putting the green ribbon back on there… I just didn’t show it when I was showing the band insert. I should have taken a picture of the ribbon back on the dress. The little bit of extension in the bodice makes it much easier to put the ribbon in place. Before, when I added the ribbon, it was almost like it was practically at her armpits and now it’s much lower and more at her waistline.
      Oh and I’m sure I’ll be asking Miss Rebecca for a necklace. With the pretty colors in this fabric, I bet she can come up with something gorgeous!
      Thanks Linda,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Hi Jeanne,
    Love the dress! The new sleeves are so cute. A Miss Rebecca necklace would be lovely.
    My vote is short and pantalettes.
    PS me no likie the tax man : (
    Hope all is good in that department
    Take care
    Ingrid

    1. Thank you Ingrid,
      I’m glad you like the new sleeves…and yes, I’m sure there will be a necklace!
      All IS well withe the taxes…if you can call “paying” a good thing.
      Thank you Ingrid,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. You always know best! The dress is lovely, the sleeves, the waist, the length with pantalets. It really is difficult to rip things, but sometimes it is really necessary. It’s not “misery loves company,” but close and reassuring to know that I’m not the only one who has to do it sometimes.

    1. Thank you Susette,
      Just like Father knows best? Not always… but I do try hard! :o)
      Yes, sometimes it’s REALLY necessary and this was one of those times..unfortunately!
      No, you are never alone when it comes to sewing and repairing mistakes… there are LOTS of us out there…
      Thank you Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Jean, if you feel the need to talk about your mother, feel free to email me. My husband and I have spent the last few years dealing with dementia and it’s effects with each of our aged parents, now deceased. Fortunately, you have sisters and a brother to share responsibilities. It can become a real burden alone. Care homes, in home care, prescription drugs :(, diagnosis, doctor appointments (someone needs to go along), and lots more, be happy to share my experiences. Know you have a wonderful community of friends/family but if you need another take, let me know.
    Thinking of you,
    Joy

    1. HI Joy,
      Thank you for your very kind and compassionate words… I’m guessing my saw my comment on Cindy’s blog post. My brother and sisters are very committed to helping with whatever needs to be done, when that time comes… we aren’t quite there yet, but getting close, I think…
      Thank you very much!
      Blessings, Jeanne

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