“Pretty on the Prairie” dress set for Kirsten…

I worked and worked so I’d have something good to show you today! I think you’ll be pleased. I’m still not finished, but I’m getting there! The dress is all finished now, but I don’t have any of those pictures to show you… just a few of the steps along the way getting there.

Here is the dress laying flat. I thought I had my light on, but I’m beginning to think maybe I didn’t.

…and the back… ( no snaps on it in this picture)

Usually when I make this pattern, I don’t line the bodice. I don’t want the fabric to look stiff or too thick. The gathers just look better with it unlined and it has a softer look to me.

Here is the dress “almost” finished…

… the growth tucks…

When I got ready to make the apron, I had about 5 or 6 hankies that I could have chosen…this was my newest hankie and it could have worked, but I kept looking…

Here are a few more…

In the end, I decided on this one, because it sort of mimicked the tiny little flowers in the dress fabric…

…see how nicely it matches?

I saved a sneak peek picture for last… it’s almost finished in this picture…

I hope you’re liking Kirsten’s dress so far… did you “imagine” it looking like this?

See you on Monday,
Blessings, Jeanne

18 thoughts on ““Pretty on the Prairie” dress set for Kirsten…”

  1. Now I think I see why your collars look so flat because there is no enclosed seam allowance to make it look bulky as it is serged, right? The rose color ruffles are really nice. I liked the first and fourth hankies best as they bring out the color of the ruffles so well, but I see why you chose the smaller scale print. Always pretty surprises for your dresses.

    A tree and pots of flowers are blowing over on the patio this morning as the wind is gusting fiercely. Hang on here in Southern California!

    1. Hi Susette,
      Any of the hankies probably would have worked but in person I think I picked the right one. The fabric is a nice pretty blue and it goes very well.
      Carbondale was flooded today in many places. We have a leak in our dining room cwiling so I have a lovely bucket for decoration! Ugh!
      I’ve never seen such a sustained rain, thunder and lightning storm…it poured from 8:00 last night till 8:00 this morning!
      …and more is coming…
      Thanks Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. Oh, Kirsten is just so pretty in the prairie pretty dress you’ve made her and that lovely apron goes so well with it. Jeanne, you’re a wonder and a great seamstress. Thanks once again for the stroll through the makings and delivery of another wonderful creation via your hands and mind.

    Blessings.

    1. Thank YOU, Becky,
      I’m glad you like Kirsten’s new dress…well at least the start of her dress.
      It’s fun for me to shate the process I go through to make a dress.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Very pretty as always. The fabric appears gray on the first few pictures, but I saw it was in blue in the rest of the pictures, and Kirsten always looks good in blue. It’s pretty amazing how many of the handkerchiefs could have been used. They all seemed to coordinate with the fabric. Have a good day!

    1. Hi Carolyn,
      I probably should have taken better pictures of the dress, I guess. It is a pretty blue and I hope you’ll see in the end why I picked the hankie I did.
      Thanks Carolyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. I think it looks darling. I agree about the hanky. You picked the perfect one. Kirsten looks really happy in it, but I can bet she won’t want to take it off when you sell it. 😀

    1. Hi Christine,
      None of my girls ever want to take their dresses off…but they always do in the end.
      I’m glad you like her new dress.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Charlotte Amaro

    Oh, I think it is so much prettier than I imagined. The hankie you chose is perfect. Your work is always prettier than I imagine.
    Hope you have a good day. It’s a little chilly here.
    Take care.

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      Thanks for your compliments on Kirsten’s dress set. I hope the real colors show through in the listing for Ebay.
      I hear thunder and see dark clouds moving in…we don’t need ANY more rain…
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Love “Pretty on the Prairie!” Kirsten looks lovely in blue. The little apron looks so perfect. Can’t you just imagine, little Kirsten putting on a beautiful fresh apron and heading off to the church picnic? We are having picnic weather here in Northern CA. No wind today like Susette. Going to get very warm this coming week.

    1. Hi Joy,
      Thank you for the nice comments on Kirsten’s dress. It is very pretty in person…wish you could see it!
      We got way too much rain last night and more is coming….please go away…and come back in…maybe July!
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. What a pretty little outfit for Kirsten, Jeanne! I’m really not sure what color the dress is, because, like Carolyn says, the fist couple of pictures make it appear to be gray, but I also got several shades of blue farther down. But oh, that hankie is just perfect for that dress! I like the smaller, more delicate flowers on it and the pretty scalloped edging.

    Kirsten needs to have her braids in loops with a pretty bow or some kind of flower wreath, don’t you think? I just love Kirsten like that, and it gives her more of a Swedish look. She could be carrying a basket of flowers too. Oh, I know YOU will come up with the best ways to display her, and you are quite the hairstylist for dolls, too, Jeanne!

    Hope you are staying inside today, watching the raindrops fall!!

    1. Hi Linda,
      I was playing with Kirsten’s hair last night…still not sure how I’m fixing her hair…or what kind of hat, bonnet or cap she’ll be wearing…
      Raindrops??? More like buckets around here. Carbondale was flooded like crazy today…I have never ever seen this much rain come down for such a long period of time.
      I had a friend trying to get to the church today for a bridal shower, and instead of the normal 10 minutes it takes, it took her 45 minutes…
      No more rain….please…I have a bucket in my dining room…catching drops …
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. I was quite fond of the second handkerchief, but the one you chose is better. The pink goes nicely with the pink ruffles. I think Kirsten’s original daisy wreath might go well with this dress — the ribbon is pink, but I don’t know how closely it matches. Pantalettes? The ones with the pink dresses were so fresh and pretty that I’m hoping for some with this outfit. I love the growth tucks in so many of Kirsten’s skirts.

    If Kirsten lived in Boulder today, she’d have to demand a warm shawl and boots. It looks like Christmas here but the snow should turn to rain later today and then back to snow, with temperatures in the low 30’s all day. Tomorrow spring will be back. I love the weather reports from all over — it’s nice to know what it’s like where everyone is.

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      I was playing around with hairstyles last night, trying to figure out what I wanted to do…but haven’t decided on anything yet.
      I did make a pair of pretty white pantalettes last night so I have that piece done.
      I’ve got to figure out her storyline and then maybe her pieces will come to me.

      If Kirsten lived in Carbondale, she’d have to have her rubber boots on, and it’d be pretty handy to own a boat!!
      Thanks Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Charlotte Trayer

    Once again, you have chosen fabrics/trims well. I do like that hankie as an apron for Kirsten, except…..

    Except….I like to use hankies as Hankies!! I know, I know, No One needs 150 hankies (which is about what I have)….but I love them, and love using them! They are great for cleaning my glasses, and for wiping tears (today was the memorial for one of my best friends).

    Looking forward to my package from you this coming week!!

    1. Hi Charlotte,
      Thanks for your comments… I appreciate them…
      I just saw a young girl in front of me at church today pull out a real, honest to goodness cotton hankie… I thought of you immediately!
      I’m very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. May you find comfort in the arms of the Lord!
      I hope Ten Ping’s dress makes you smile!
      Blessings, Jeanne

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