“Southern Charm” ~ Addy’s newest Civil War dress has been started!

I know you were expecting more…so was I, but I spent most of the weekend just vegging on the couch… no sewing, no drafting patterns, no thinking about dolls, just vegging…
…but this evening, I thought, “oh dear, what will I have for my peeps on Monday morning?” So I mustered up all my strength and went in my sewing room and thought and thought and drafted several patterns, but then decided on something real simple… just a scooped necked dress that will have the collar added. It wasn’t so hard, but I wasted all my time fussing over a pattern… and in the end, I only have a little bit to show you. I hope you can visualize what this might look like.

I’m not sure of which laces I’ll use, except for the loopy one… it will be used on the edge I think. The others I’m not exactly sure of.

I’m also not sure of the bows on the gathered up sections of the skirt… but I’ll decide that when the dress gets nearer to being finished. I tied up a piece of lace in a bow and then I had a perfect match on the rose ribbon, but would have liked it to be a little wider…

There’s going to be plenty of lace on the short puffy sleeves and I’m hoping for lots of lace details as well on the dress. I hope you’ll stay tuned until I get this one finished…

Well, another short post, but at least it has some “substance!”

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

26 thoughts on ““Southern Charm” ~ Addy’s newest Civil War dress has been started!”

  1. So glad to see that you are better, Jeanne! I had my own episode Saturday, a 34 hour thing, I guess, but by yesterday, I was fine! The joys of having grandchildren to babysit for!!!
    Oh, I love the dress so far! The pointed waist is so pretty, and with all the lace it is going to be very ethereal looking! The sleeves will really add to the dress, and I can’t wait to see what else you do! Always the suspense! She needs a lacy parasol now too, do you have the AG one? That would be perfect!

      1. Hi Linda,
        I’m so sorry you were sick too. It really is no fun!
        I’m thinking this dress is going to be a fun one to decoraye…Oh I hope I can make it look like a picture in my mind…I guess we’ll see…
        I’ll have to check out a parasol…
        Thanks Linda,
        Blessings, Jeanne

  2. This is so gorgeous, Jeanne. I always think what you make for Addy is super special. She must be a favorite with me no matter what!

    Glad you’re feeling a bit better and trust that this week will bring wholeness to your body.

    Blessings.

    1. Hi Becky,
      I always think the Civil War dresses come easier to me…and that’s probably because I like making them SO much.
      Thank you for your compliments, Becky,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. I really like the bottom lace on the bodice and the bright pink ribbon. They seem to make the dress pop. 😀

    1. Hi Christine,
      Thank you..I am better today and hope in a few days I’ll be back to my old self…
      Thank you for your kind words about Addy’s dress. She’s liking it very much!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. Congratulations on feeling better. They always say that health is first, and all it takes to know that’s true is to lose it, even just a little. And congratulations to you on another successful auction and to your buyer on having a beautiful new dress for one happy doll.

    Addy’s new dress is going to be lovely — it takes time to plan, but the results are worth the time. Isn’t it nice that we all appear to agree on the loopy lace. It’s already beautiful on Addy’s bodice. The pink ribbon is the perfect color — maybe you’ll be able to find some that matches but is wider. You used to have some beautiful wide green ribbon — I wonder what that would look like. I was hoping for a lace headpiece, but a wide straw bonnet might be nice instead — or in addition. What do you think?

    1. Hi Marilyn,
      Remember that saying,” When you have your health you have just about everything” ….well, it’s very true!!
      I’m glad everyone liked the loopy lace because I really wanted to use it.
      Most party or ball gowns had the shorter sleeves and most of them had the sweeter lacy caps…so I’m leaning toward one of them… :o)
      Thanks Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Glad you are feeling better. Head colds always take their time going away. Don’t push yourself too much right away.
    I am loving this gown already. Addy looks very happy with the design. I love the pointed waistline (?) and the lace and the pink bow are so pretty with the material. The pink bow makes the pink in the dress pop. It is just beautiful already and you aren’t even done !
    Thank you for the pictures of Lian. That helps a lot. I just love her little face.
    Have a great day and stay well!

    1. Hi Paula,
      I’ll be glad when I’m completely back to normal…maybe a few more days!
      I’m glad you are liking Addy’s dress..so far…
      I love this fabric and it looks very pretty next to her dark skin. I can’t wait to figure out her sleeves.
      You are so welcome on the pictutes…Lian was flattered.
      Thank you Paula,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Still not receiving daily Jeanne Marie in my email. Why? Don’t know. However, I usually just go to idreamofjeannemarie.com to view. Always or most of the time anyway, it used to appear in my morning mail.
    Exciting to see a lovely new dress in the works. So happy the patient is greatly improved and hasn’t lost a speck of creativity.
    Beautiful day ahead in sunny CA. 🙂

    1. Hi Joy,
      Sorry that you’re having trouble getting the emails…I wish I could help you…
      Well, my creativity is still there…but a little bit of get up go and gotten up and gone! I’ll get it back soon.
      Thanks Joy,
      Blessings, Jeanne

    2. I somehow think my not receiving your blog may be your sending method not liking my aol. I tried updating but not sure if that is the problem. Because it has happened a lot lately, especially when you send something late. Never comes through to me at all. Wonder if others are having the same problem? And how can it be fixed? I miss not seeing your blog everyday. 🙂

      1. HI Joy,
        I have no idea how the technical side to this blog works.. I just type my post and hope for the best! I wonder if you unsubscribed and then subscribed again would help?
        I’m glad you miss me… :o)
        Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Charlotte A.

    Oh you are the silly one. We don’t come to visit just to see what you produce. We come to spend time with you. Please don’t feel you have to apologize for your progress.
    I love the dress! I want one in my size please! I am completely taken with the pointy waist. I think it is so slimming (not that Addy needs to worry about that). And the loopy lace!! It is so pretty.
    I’m glad you are feeling better. Have a good day.
    Take care.

    1. Awwww Charlotte,
      Thank you so much…how sweet! :o)
      So happy you and everyone else is liking the dress so far. It’s fun to keep going with such compliments on it at the start.
      Thank you Charlotte,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. It’s called a Basque waist. I didn’t know this but it was in a booklet with names of design styles that came with a little mannequin that I gave my then six-year-old granddaughter . She has designed some pretty complicated dresses for me to sew and remembers the names of the dress styles.

    Lace umbrellas for dolls can be found on eBay that are less expensive than the AG ones but the AG ones are really nice. Addy is going to be the height of style in that beautiful dress.

    1. Hi Susette,
      Yes, the basque waist. I’m trying to decide if I’m going to attach the bodice to the skirt or not. I was thinking of adding a little ruffle, like a mini bustle at the back and if I did I would probably make the pieces separate. I could get a better fit and it would be less bulky if I did….just thinking…I can go ahead and add the sleeves and then decide.
      I have seen some parasols that are made…hmmmm…
      Thank you Susette,
      Blessings, Jeanne

      1. I saw that parasol frame. I’ll wait for you to make one. Wouldn’t it be fun to have different covers for the frames. I gave Riya a lace umbrella with fan that was only about $8 or so on the first page after entering “Lace Umbrellas” on eBay. They were of good quality and going for up to $60+ on bridal supply websites.

  9. Anne Johnson

    An old proverb says that the body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy. It seems you have recovered all three in your sewing room, Jeanne! :0) So glad you are on the upswing! Addy’s gown is charming indeed. Can’t wait to see how you embellish it. Hugs for your Monday!

    1. HI Anne,
      I’m hoping to get some sewing done on it tomorrow… cause nothing happened today…sorry to say! :o(
      I can’t wait to see how I embellish it either!
      Thank you Anne,
      blessings, Jeanne

  10. Don’t worry about not get a bunch done….the important thing is that you are feeling better. The dress will get done in its own due time, and isn’t it going to be beautiful in that rose-print fabric? I like that loopy lace too.

    1. HI Carolyn,
      It’s a good thing my sewing isn’t like a book that has a chapter that needs to be written by a certain time… I’d be in big trouble if I had a deadline! Like you said, it will get done when it gets done! That’s the best I can do.
      Thanks so much Carolyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  11. OH yes, we will stay tuned…love all the trims and I think that fabric is even more perfect now that I see the parts you have done. This will be so much fun to watch come together!

    1. HI Kathie,
      I’m glad you’ll be waiting to see how it turns out. I will be too! I think it’s going to be a very pretty dress, and Addy does too.
      Thank you so much,
      Blessings, Jeanne

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