Kirsten’s Mid-Winter Dirndl is finished…so take a peek…

Sorry about the multiple posts on Kirsten’s dress the last few days. It seems lately I have been so busy I haven’t been able to get much done all at one time, and there were a LOT of pieces to this set that had to be completed. I hope you like it. Kirsten does…and I do too. It was a nice set to start the year off with.

I played around with her hair for about 2 hours last night; french braiding it, dampening it and making it sort of wavy all over by scrunching it, pulling it back on the sides, pulling a braid over the crown, putting it in two braids and pulling them up in typical Swedish fashion, and so forth. In the end, I decided to just make 2 small braids on the sides and leave the back sort of wavy. It looked better before I had to put all those pieces on her… She sort of has floppy legs and I was determined not to use a stand, so I had to lay her down to dress her and every time I did, there went a few of the waves… Oh well, that’s what Kirsten wanted…she whispered something to me about long flowing tresses and wanting to look like some girl in Braveheart… :o)

[If you click on any picture, it will enlarge.]

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I ended up making that apron out of a vintage hankie and it’s a nice touch if your doll wants to wear it.

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There are 8 pieces shown and as I mentioned in the Ebay listing, I forgot to add an “accessory” for this set. I said I would think of something and I will. That will make it 9 pieces… who doesn’t like 9 pieces???

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I did get that sleeve fixed but it does have a mind of its own. I think it’s just the way you position it. You can also scrunch the sleeves up sort of high on her biceps and they look cute.

So here are a few pictures to look at and you can also go to the Ebay listing by clicking HERE. You can also click on the picture at the right side bar and it will take you to the listing.

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Thanks for taking a peek…

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

24 thoughts on “Kirsten’s Mid-Winter Dirndl is finished…so take a peek…”

  1. Marilyn Grotzky

    I was afraid no one would bid on this outfit because they’d be contacting you to ask what you did to make Kirsten’s hair so shiny. At least one person had the sense to go for the essentials — you have your first bid.

    I liked the way you showed Kirsten getting dressed so that you could show off all the pieces and variations. I especially liked the shawl wrapped with the ends around her waist, and then I saw it arranged high around her neck so that she looked warm for winter and liked that even better.

    I think this is a lovely looking-toward-spring outfit — it’s pretty, different, and original. I hope you’ll take a day off, but I’ll bet tomorrow you’ll have a new set of fabrics and trim ready for your next project.

    I’m so pleased that you are walking without a limp. That’s great progress.

    You asked about my eyes. My sister, who has had the same surgery, said to be sure to get a good doctor. Lots of doctors do cataract surgery, but go for the best you can find, so I did. (His middle name is Alden, and I asked if he was related to John Alden, the Puritan colonist, and he is — so now I know what one Mayflower descendant is doing.) I am now a little more nearsighted than I was, but with glasses, my distance vision is better than ever. I can read easily without glasses. My neighbor Evie took me for a drive Tuesday night to check my night vision (many people are bothered by glare after this surgery) and my night vision is now better than it’s been ever in my life. On the whole, I’d say this was a very successful surgery. Some people say they need sunglasses for computer work after surgery. I don’t really, but if I were going to spend a lot of time at the computer, it would be worth considering to avoid eyestrain.

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      When I got this Kirsten doll, her hair was so messy and tangled up I wasn’t sure what I had bought, but after washing and conditioning it, it turned out very pretty…and shiny!

      I had so many pieces and thought it might be fun to show her getting dressed like she would in real life… It was like a puzzle being worked until it was finished…

      Yes, this shawl fabric is wonderful to drape and do lots of different things with… I should have taken one more shot of her with it wrapped around her head like a headscarf…but I forgot…

      They discharged me from PT…with several pages of exercises… I’ll keep doing them and hope it gets back to 100%… it’s not there yet, but maybe by Spring…

      I’m certainly glad your eye surgery went so well. Your eyes are nothing to mess around with. You are so right…find the very best doctor you can and do exactly what he says!
      I know a lady at church who just had cataract surgery and one of her eyes didn’t turn out so well…it’s still blurry and it’s been maybe 4 months since her surgery. She’s trying to stay positive, but it must be very scary…

      Marilyn, you’re practically a new woman now, aren’t you? I’m glad I know you!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Oh gosh, Jeanne, I just love this outfit! So many pieces to play with and it looks like you had fun doing just that! I especially love the hankie apron, just the perfect touch! I have one similar to that, or many a couple, from my mother-in-law, along with various lace pieces. No way am I going to use them as a hankie!

    I love the way the wreath looks on her hair–and her hair is just beautiful! If she doesn’t look like a storybook character, who does? I was just thinking, that she could also wear a braid-crown with her hair down in the back and flowers on the sides. Very German! I wore my hair like that when a little girl, well, not with flowers, but I guess you now know I am no spring chicken!! Nobody wears braid-crowns anymore! Kirsten’s hair looks just like Molly’s, except for the color.

    Everything is so special in this outfit, whoever gets it is going to have a lot of fun dressing their doll! So many looks, and everytime you look at it, there is something you see for the first time. Love the little bows on the sleeves!

    1. Sorry about that part where I wrote “many a couple”—I don’t know where the “many” came from!

    2. Thanks so much Linda,
      I’m pleased that it turned out like it did and that everyone likes it… that’s really what matters most when you sell things… :o)
      I was given some doilies and a few hankies from my mother in law too… I use the doilies in my house for a few things… but mostly keep her things in a bag… I should get them out and see what I’ve got again… I forget…

      I tried french braiding her hair around the crown of her head, but it didn’t look very good with her bangs… I’ve done that with Rebecca’s hair before…start behind one ear and go all the way around loosely leaving a few tendrils hanging down. It’s a very pretty and romantic looking do!

      Thank you so much Linda. I so appreciate your comments and thoughts…and I’m so glad you suggested the wreath!!

      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Beautiful! She looks so nice. I’m sure she is pleased! I love how you did her hair. You are so talented! There are quite a few different possible ways to make different looks. Lucky winner!

    1. Thank you Sylvia,
      I think she is pleased…she’s just standing on my cutting table, smiling at all the other girls…naked on the shelf… :o)
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Jeaneane,

    Kirsten’s ensemble has turned out so beautifully. Your skills and gifts have shown themselves once again in this striking grouping. I can just see Kirsten going out to a rustic setting and having a folk dance in that pretty outfit.

    1. HI Becky,
      Yes, a folk dance sounds like fun… I wish I had something like that for a backdrop…that would have been nice…
      I appreciate your sweet compliments…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Well done! I like all the pieces and different combinations possible wit this outfit.

    Good advice on cataract sugery as there were two knds when I had my eyes done. Two different Drs. and each left me with a problem I didn’t have before the surgery. Drat! This doesn’t often happen but finding the best surgeon is important. There are choices the surgeon makes and it is important to know the Drs. agenda and deciding if that is your goal too.

    1. Hi Jan,
      Thanks for your thoughts on Kirsten’s dress AND about the eye surgery. I think we’ve all learned from Marilyn that choosing a good eye doctor is key!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Jeannie Brandon

    Jeanne, a darling outfit for Kristin. Certainly wish I had a Kristin who could properly wear this ensemble. I love all the separate pieces that can work in combination with each other. Very, very nice.
    Have a great day!

    1. Thank you Jeannie,
      I was just thinking about you… I was in Walmart and saw the purple fabric that I made one of the Butterflies dress out of…I hope they are still enjoying playing with their dolls…

      Thank you for your very kind words about Kirsten’s dress. I’ve got to see who’s up next… and get cookin’ on that dress…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Perfect! Beautifully sewn. I got to wondering what an adult would have to pay for an outfit like this for herself? Only you would worry about the sleeve or even notice it. Altogether a wonderful ensemble.

    1. Thank you Susette,
      I appreciate your sweet compliments on Kirsten’s dress. Maybe if you looked on Etsy you might find an adult dirndl and see what one would go for… I have no idea…
      They used to call me Eagle Eye back when I was in high school. I could spot a flaw on a bolt of fabric like no one else… I guess I’ve still that Eagle eye vision… I can spot a mistake a mile away….at least if it’s mine…
      Thanks so much Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Kirsten’s new dress is just perfect and oh so pretty with her hair and eyes. Whoever wins this set will have lots of lovely pieces to enjoy. She looks as if she is heading off to a special folk dance. Each addition gives the dress a different look I really think AG made a BIG mistake archiving her and Felicity and now they seem fixated on the 20th century. I didn’t want Maryellen and I can’t see getting Melody ( German Addy anyday).
    I love period films. I’ve watched “Turn”, “Downton Abbey”,”When Calls the Heart” and “Poldark” last year. Now I’m going to try “Outlander”

    1. HI Laura,
      You are the second person to suggest a folk dance… I guess Kirsten’s dress is destined to be a dancing dress!
      Ever since you explained the difference in the Addy’s I’ve been stalking Ebay to see if I see one…When you described the eyebrows as sort of glowing, I looked back to see what my Addy was, and she was one of those…I guess I should have kept her. She had the nicest hair. I’ve missed out on 2 recently that had pretty nice hair… Oh well, there’ll be more…
      Thanks Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Your outfit is a great success. Know it will be a big seller.
    My Kirsten seems to have dull hair. Perhaps faded? Yours however, has shiny lovely hair. Hmmm.

    1. HI Joy,
      Have you ever washed your Kirsten’s hair before? My Kirsten had pretty ratty hair when I got her, but I washed it and then conditioned it and it is very shiny… I also heard if you take a small dab of Armour All and rub it on your hands and then on your dolls hair, it will make it shiny… I haven’t tried it yet, but I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t work…
      Thanks for the compliments on Kirsten’s dress.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Love your latest creation…the colors blend so well and the whole entire outfit makes one happy American Girl Doll… I swear she is smiling more!
    There was a “doll” category on Jeopardy today…and the contestants avoided it like the plague. The one girl who did answer the doll questions did well…one question described Addy…and the answer was “American Girl”….even my hubby knew that answer 🙂

    1. Thank you Kathie, oh how fun to have seen that on Jeopardy…we would have all been choosing that category…congrats to your hubby for knowing the right answer! What a guy!!!
      I think you’re right about Kirsten smiling more…although it might be a smirk because she is the only doll in my sewing room who has any clothes on…
      Thanks Kathie,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. Hi Jeanne,
    Your dress is very beautiful. I love all the different pieces’. I love all the different kinds of drindle designs. Especially, the winter outfits.
    Just a couple of years ago, I started collecting the historical AG Dolls. I finally won an auction on e-bay for Kristen. Her hair is dry. I see that you use shampoo on your doll. Would you mind telling me what brand you used? Thank you for sharing your beautiful creations. Janis Pepper

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