Kirsten’s Christmas dress revealed…

Just a little tidbit…Today starts my 5th month of blogging. I started on August 1st and haven’t missed a day yet. If you’re not a subscriber, I would love to have you join in on the fun.

If you like red and green mixed with a little vintage, you’ll surely like Kirsten’s new Christmas dress. I always enjoy sewing for her and this dress was certainly fun for me. I had everything I needed for this dress except for the plaid used for the skirt. I guess I could have used something from my stash, but it’s SO much more fun to buy something new than to use “last years plaids…” The green in the plaid went very well with the green I already had for the vest fabric.

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I always have buttons on hand… you know that… and I just bought snaps…

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The fabric for Kirsten’s blouse is actually a re-purposed cotton jacket that I used. I wish I could find fabric like this. I’d probably buy the whole bolt. It makes a lovely blouse with all the raised and textured details in the fabric.

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I could have done a number of things to the neck area but in the end, I decided this dress being the colors that it is, was most likely always going to be considered a Christmas dress, so I went ahead and added the poinsettia and green leaves for the accent piece. I had them as well in my stash and decided they looked very sweet…

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I’ve had this vintage hankie for quite a while and have almost been afraid to use it. When I say it’s pretty, that is an understatement. I don’t think I have ever seen such an intricate and delicate hankie…E-V-E-R! It was in almost perfect condition and I paid $12 for it. I decided with Kirsten’s special Christmas dress, it was time to get out the scissors and cut it. I really gave it the “once over” making sure I was cutting the section I needed and making sure the tiny hole in the one section wasn’t in the piece I was going to use. Once it was snipped apart from the rest of it, I handled it like it was tissue paper… being very careful when I gathered up the top edge.

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I almost used this vintage hankie…now I’m glad I didn’t…

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Her bonnet is fun. The ruffle at the back can be easily lifted up with your hand and it stays put, because it’s sewn to a wool felt. It gives a totally different look when it’s up as opposed to when it’s laying flat on the head. It’s sort of hard to tell, but in person it looks much different than in my pictures. I think it’s a sort of 3-D thing. You just can’t get the same effect as I see with my own eyes… sorry I’m not able to capture that with my camera.

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The dress can be worn 3 different ways… plain, with a piece of red cluny lace trim slipped over the bottom buttons and then with the apron. Here is the final reveal of the dress… Hope you like it!

If you want to see Kirsten’s dress on Ebay, you can click on her picture at the right sidebar. If you want to see the listing of my Christmas dress on Isabelle, my Dianna Effner Little Darling, click on the Ebay icon at the right side bar, just under “connect with me” and both listings will come up.

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Thanks for taking a peek…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

14 thoughts on “Kirsten’s Christmas dress revealed…”

  1. Well Jeanne, I am just drooling over this darling outfit! You did a fantastic job—as usual–but you really outdid yourself with this one! I love the pretty hankie apron, which makes it unique. And the hat—-just adorable! What I like about this outfit is, there is so much to look at. It isn’t just a bodice and skirt put together, which is what a lot of outfits seem to be now. It is just a perfect piece of eye candy!

    1. Good morning Linda,
      Thank you so much for your kind words about Kirsten’s new Christmas dress. She loves it, I love it and I hope “someone” else loves it…if you know what I mean…
      It was a really fun one to make, especially since I decided to use my “special” hankie with it. I know I won’t be sorry and hopefully the winner will enjoy it just as much!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Jeannie B. in TX

    Beautiful !! Totally a complete outfit. I am going to bid on this for one of my “butterflies”. Then again I might have to keep it for my own AG dolls.
    Jeanne, you are an amazing designer and seamstress. This Christmas dress is truly thoughtful to Kristen’s heritage. And I do agree that having a “new” piece of plaid is more fun to work with even if last year’s stash is still wonderous!

    1. Hi Jeannie,
      Are your “butterflies” granddaughters? Just guessing…
      Thank you very much for your compliments on my sewing. I try very hard to make pretty things and I hope it shows.
      Isn’t that funny…. a new piece of fabric is more fun than an old one… that’s kind of silly, but it’s silly, really.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Happy Monday, Jeanne. Kirsten looks so pretty in her new Christmas outfit. Thanks for pointing out the ruffle on the bonnet. I can get a feel as to how it stands up since you mentioned it. That apron is gorgeous. I cannot imagine how many hours went into making that and you gave it a new life. Hope you get lots of sewing done today.

    1. HI Cindy,
      Well, I was supposed to get a mammogram this morning, but it’s sleeting pretty bad out so my hubby talked me into calling and changing my appointment. What’s a girl to do??? This girl is going to take advantage of her time and SEW…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Kirsten looks wonderful in the new dress. I like the simplicity of the poinsettia at her neck. It just gives enough to make it look very special. 🙂

    1. Thank you Christine,
      I’m happy that you like Kirsten’s new dress. I tried lots of things at the neck and the poinsettia just looked the most festive, so I’m glad I used it.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Good morning Jeanne, I couldn’t wait to see this dress after the pictures yesterday. Kirsten’s dress is gorgeous! What lovely vivid colors and the detail is amazing and perfect in every way. I don’t have a Kirsten or an Isabelle but their dresses are so tempting…?!*# Oh my! Control time, control time!
    I can’t imagine how your mind works when putting these beautiful dresses and accessories together because they are all so unique and perfect. Beautiful job, Jeanne.

    1. Thank you Paula,
      I’m really happy that everyone likes what I did with Kirsten’s Christmas dress. She looks so pretty in these bright colors… I just was hoping it would turn out as sweet as I imagined in my mind.
      Glad you liked it…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. This is such a nice ensemble, beautiful work Jeanne. I couldn’t wait to see it.
    You must not get very much sleep…..
    Have a wonderful day.
    Judi

    1. HI Judi,
      Thanks for taking time to look at Kirsten’s new dress. I like the way it turned out and so happy everyone seems to “approve” of it! Too bad Kirsten can’t keep it… but so it goes…
      Thanks again,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Well…my dear…you did a spectacular job! I’m not a fan of the lime green with Christmas but I absolutely LOVE that dress! She looks adorable! Yes, she had to have a plaid with the matching green in it. Perfect!

    1. HI Kathie,
      I’m glad you liked the lime green after all… See why I just HAD to buy a new plaid??? Only another seamstress would understand!!
      Blessings, Jeanne

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