You asked for mittens and a muff….

…so I tried to deliver! There wasn’t any snow coming our way, so taking pictures outside sort of got derailed. I had to be creative inside so I used some silky like white fur for my snow… I got out an evergreen tree, and we’ll call this a white out!

The next thing you need to know is BLACK IS VERY HARD to photograph. I tried setting my lights in all different places and that coal black fur just didn’t want to show its true colors. Some of my pictures I intentionally made a little washed out so you could see the details, otherwise, it would have just been a black blob.

I found a piece of black stretchy (almost like a boucle knit) fabric and stitched a piece of stretchy velvet ribbon with a ruffle at the top section and then sewed the mittens in “mitten shapes!”

Rory stole them once and was trying to bury them in the snow…

I found some small black pom poms in a package at Joann’s and stitched them to the ends of the shortened bow ties. It makes the neck area look more finished off, especially if the capelet isn’t worn.

The muff was made of the same fur fabric as the trim on the coat. It’s just padded and rolled and stitched up like a pillow case would be and then turned…hand stitched closed, and a cord attached that goes over her head and around her neck.

Again, it’s one of those outfits that only the winner and I will know just how sweet it really is. My camera just cannot do this one justice.

I didn’t get it listed, but hopefully I can ASAP.

Hope you like it,

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

27 thoughts on “You asked for mittens and a muff….”

  1. Agreed with Jane. This is the your first Ebay auction of the year. You’ll spend the rest of the year working on equaling this one. It will be fun to see how many times you do it. When we see “the best of 2018,” I’ll bet this will be one of the top contenders.

    I went back to look at Jane’s pictures too. That coat pattern is definitely a winner. Does it come in AG size?

    1. Thank you too, Marilyn,
      I didn’t know who would be first, but Janie won that title and I think she’s holding onto it pretty well! Now if I could find some sewing time to finish everything and get it listed…

      I’m not sure if the coat comes in an AG size, but I bet there is something similar… I might have to give it a whirl and see what I can come up with …
      Thank you,
      blessings, Jeanne

  2. Charlotte Trayer

    Oh, Janie’s accessories look just as cute as can be! So glad you figured out the mittens–and probably with a lot less stress and stewing than *I* went thru when I made them for the swap!! (FOUR prototypes! yes, a little obsessive!! LOL) I made mine out of ribbing (like for t-shirts) with foldover elastic for the cuffs, although I thought about using cotton interlock, too–the pattern I had for AG mittens called for polar fleece, and I knew that would probably be too thick for LDs. That said, I just Love that you used that sweatering for Janie’s mittens–they work so much better with the coat than ribbing or interlock would have. (If you didn’t line them, be sure to warn the new owner to not leave them on the doll’s hands for very long….)

    That little muff is to die for!! I had a navy blue velvet muff when I was a little girl, and I just Loved it!! In fact, I’m pretty sure I still have it–somewhere!! I loved it that much, I kept it.

    The pompoms are the perfect finishing touch on the ties!

    The whole outfit is “beyond gorgeous”, as Martha Pullen would say!

    1. HI Charlotte,
      Now you have me worried about the mittens and the black elastic rubbing off on the dolls wrist… yikes, I certainly don’t want to have another doll stained incident… I may have to redo them with a white lining.
      I’m thinking I had a muff when I was little, but can’t totally recall it.. I might have to look at some old pictures and see what I find! :o)
      Thanks so much Charlotte, (speaking of Martha Pullen, has her Sew Beautiful magazine been totally discontinued? I was looking for it yesterday…)
      Blessings, Jeanne

      1. Charlotte Trayer

        Hi Jeanne, yes, Martha’s magazine, Sew Beautiful, was discontinued several years ago. It was wonderful, and I have probably all from the last 15 years or so; I’m missing quite a few of the early ones, though.

        There is now a new magazine, Classic Sewing, that is really lovely, although somewhat pricey. However, it is really Thick, and comes with some kind of free patterns each time, as well as access to free downloads for other patterns and techniquess. I think it’s published quarterly, by Hoffman Media (who was the last publisher of Sew Beautiful) and the editor is Kathy McMakin, who is/was president of Martha Pullen Co. Martha isn’t directly associated with this particular magazine, but I do have to say, it’s very nice. You might want to check it out!

      2. Charlotte Trayer

        I meant to add, I’m sorry I made you worry!! Perhaps you could tuck a little white lining “mitten” inside the black one and just hand stitch it around?? (Of course, some things are just easier to start over!!)

  3. This outfit is truly a tour de force. Are there doll magazines where this could appear? I admit to thinking perhaps your readers were pushing it a bit far to suggest the mittens and muff, but you just put your head down and created them. It’s wonderful as are your techniques! Thanks for sharing your creativity with us. I’m sure it will set records for your auctions. There, I went ahead and said it.

    I have an appointment in Downtown Los Angeles this morning, 32 miles by freeways. I just heard that it’s true: We have not seen measurable rain since last February. Wish me luck on the oily roads that haven’t seen rain to wash them down in forever. I’ll leave very early for the appointment but won’t be going to the American Girl Store which is only five more miles farther but takes 30 minutes to navigate in dry weather with the stop lights on city streets. Seeing the listing will be my reward for the day when I get back.

    1. Oh my Susette,
      Wouldn’t that be fun to have something of mine in a magazine.. I better look out… for the “big head” I’d probably have! :o)
      I’m glad you like Janie’s coat and thanks so much for your compliments!
      Well, I’m not sure I’ll get the coat listed for this evening. I’m going to redo the mittens with a white lining so they don’t stain doll fingers… can’t have that! and I have to take my mom to the doctor again this afternoon… it’s a 3:45 appointment, but being later in the day always means a later time to see the doctor as everything gets pushed back.
      But we’ll see…
      Thanks Susette… I hope you made it on your trip safely!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. I had a muff when I was little but I never had a coat so grand. Love the poms!
    Have a great day!
    Take care –

  5. Like it? I LOVE it! This one seemed to come out of nowhere, Jeanne! Everything seemed to click and before you know it, this masterpiece was created! The little muff looks so elegant, and gloves so warm, and the pom poms just add to the cuteness of the whole outfit. I like the way you placed Rory down on the snow, so he doesn’t look so out of place against the coat colors. I can see just fine, the black muff, fur and mittens. I know that’ hard to photograph, but on my end, at least, it comes out perfectly!
    This is just the thing to have for sale at this time of the year! Perfect timing, although we have warmed up a bit, it’s still cold out!

    1. Thank you Linda,
      I appreciate all your kind words about Janie’s coat set. It did sort of come up unexpectedly, but somehow it all pulled together and I love it! Glad you like it too!
      By the time I get it listed and it runs for a few days, maybe that cold spell will be back and it will sell even better! :o)
      Thanks so much,
      blessings, Jeanne

  6. All I can say is WOW! Sure wish I had a LD, she would look fantastic in this beautiful outfit.
    I don’t know how you sew with such detail for these small beautiful dolls. Very talented Jeanne.

    1. Thank you Leigh,
      EVERYONE should have one of these little cuties… they are so fun to dress and they take up so little space! I love my 4 dolls!
      I love to sew for the big dolls AND the little dolls… I hardly ever notice any difference when I’m sewing for them… I just love to sew! :o)
      Thanks Leigh,
      blessings, Jeanne

    2. A couple of people on the blog have Betsy McCall dolls, which can be found in the same size. Jeanne does too. If you don’t want to wait for a Little Darling, consider Betsy.

      1. Thanks Marilyn, I hadn’t thought about that. I am on a couple “wait” lists, I guess I just have to have more patience, which really isn’t in my nature (ha!)
        Thanks,
        Leigh

  7. You’ve created a little masterpiece, Jeanne. The winner’s doll will be so comfy and confident in such splendor. I’ve enjoyed seeing your process so much. Looking forward to the fun at the auction.

    Blessings.

    1. Thank you Becky,
      It truly was fun bringing this set to life… I enjoyed the process too! Thank you for your sweet comments.
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Nothing on this one has been forgotten. It is striking and so perfect for those cold winter days. Sweet mittens, and the tiny bow on the muff adds the perfect finishing touch. Love pup burying her mittens in the snow, and the background with the snow and winter tree is perfect. What a great idea to use fleece. It drapes just like snow. Never would have thought of that. Hope listing isn’t a problem on the new computer.
    And, like Susette, it’s pouring rain here today, but fortunately for us, we don’t have to travel anywhere. The rain is much needed.
    I’m seeing more coats in the future. Picture one in spring colors, without fur, for the Easter parade.

    1. HI Joy,
      I forgot that I had this silky sort of fake fur and it worked perfectly as it was pretty easy to drape on the ground and I just pinned it up on the gray that I usually use.
      This new Windows 10 computer is quite challenging, but I’m determined not to let it win! I WILL learn how to use it! :o)
      Yes, I definitely see more coats in the future and definitely an Easter one… just because you said to!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  9. Dear Jeanne, this is a show stopper! I think Janie is beaming even more than last time and Rory looks very proud to be part of the ensemble. Bravo!

    1. Hi Dorothy,
      I didn’t have the heart to take Rory out of the picture when I had already included him in some of the pictures. I think he’ll be a nice little addition to the whole set when I’m totally done.
      Thanks so much for your sweet thoughts!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  10. Simply sublime, Jeanne! From the pom-poms on the bow tie, to the lace on the mittens, to the little velvet bow on the muff, no detail was overlooked. I LOVE it, and I agree with Joy that an Easter coat and bonnet set would be divine! Rory was a bit mischievous to hide the mittens, but the little pup is a sweet addition to this winning listing. Brava, Jeanne!

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