You’ll REALLY have to use your imagination on this dress…

I had a really busy Father’s Day and it got busier as the day went on. My mom, my hubby and I had a late lunch together and then Kristoffer joined us about 5:30. He left and when he did, I took my mom home. Then Rebecca got home from work and we had a little Father’s Day time with just her. The day seemed to slide right into the evening hours and I realized nothing was getting sewn on Felicity’s dress.

I’m not kidding this time when I tell you you’ll have to use your imagination for this dress. It is TOTALLY held onto Felicity’s body with nothing but pins. Not a stitch has been made, not a piece has been pressed, no laces have been decided on, but I’m still going to show you a few pictures of what I’m thinking of. There will be a lace fichu around her neck, but not necessarily the lace I have shown… it was just handy, so I used it. The same thing with the tiny piece I have wrapped around her sleeve… maybe, maybe not…

Anyway, here goes…

If you click on any picture it will enlarge.

Okay, got it figured out what it’s going to look like? :o)

On Saturday, after we finished mowing the grass, I did tackle a project I have been wanting to do for a long time. The back inside panels of our car were deteriorating terribly…I suppose from age??? It looked like a wild animal had been trapped in our car and was clawing at the panels to try and get out. I was embarrassed by the way they looked and was ready for the challenge. The fabric that was up there was so dry, if you just barely touched it, it would flake off. I had been looking for some kind of fabric to replace it with, and finally settled on some light gray polar fleece and used the wrong side of it. It was a pretty good match with the carpeting and leather seats… it was also stretchy, which was a blessing…

I actually used the little plastic tool from our George Foreman grill to stuff it behind the panel. The panels wouldn’t come loose, because they were attached with some clips, so I had to fit it in place. I just left the piece long enough to tuck behind and then used a long needle to do a little stitching at the corners and pull them up so they’d stay in place… Here are a couple pictures of that job…

On a sad note, we got a call from my sister in law and my husband’s brother passed away earlier this afternoon. He left on this Father’s Day to go meet his Heavenly Father.

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

11 thoughts on “You’ll REALLY have to use your imagination on this dress…”

  1. I’m so sorry about George’s brother. I keep hearing that it’s typical of many people to wait until they’ve seen the person they need to see before they leave — I’m glad George got to see him and he got to see George, one more reason to feel that George’s decisions have been right.
    The car picture made me laugh — I could hardly believe that you could make that part of the car look that different. You’ll feel like you are in a new car. How did you get the black mark out?
    I was looking through one of the magazines that Colonial Williamsburg sends out and noticed that some of the women were wearing printed fichus, so I looked up printed textile history on Google, which sent me to Wikipedia, which said that printed textiles were sent from India to Britain in the early 1600s and by 1660 the British were printing single colors on white == not too far off from your handkerchief. So if you wanted to, instead of using the kerchief for an apron, you could use it as a fichu. I am especially fond of that lace, which has graced one of Caroline’s dresses, so it may have to stay where it is. So many decisions, and all of them would result in a pretty outfit.

  2. Oh Jeanne, I am so sorry to hear about George’s brother’s passing. It was meant to be that he was able to visit yhat one last time. Please give George my condolences.

    That car job!! Wow, it looks like a new car after you got done with it! I don’t even understand how you could think you could do anything with it….I know I sure couldn’t!!! Here’s a thought: how many people who work on cars, could also make beautiful doll clothes??? For sure, Jeanne Marie!

    I love the idea of the dress, and the colors are just so pretty on Felicity! It’s fun to see how you go from cutting, pinning, and experimenting to get to a finished outfit. It all comes together so well. I love that lace fichu, it gives the dress a special look. Maybe like Marilyn mentioned with the printed one, you could give the dress two fichus, one more formal and one more casual, depending on where she is going in the dress. And the headpiece? So many things to think about!

  3. I am seconding all of the comments above. So sorry to hear about George’s brother. I am thinking that the trip to see him may have sparred George the worst week of the year to be hospitalized had he chosen to have the surgery. It was the week of medical school graduation and the changeover in residents who assist and attend during hospitalizations and surgeries means half of them are inexperienced as it is a two-year program.

    I can’t believe what you did with the car panels! That may be the small equivalent in ingenuity that the water slide was on the huge side. How many people would tackle that project? Jeanne Marie to the rescue. Just wedging yourself into the car in a position to do that task must have been challenging.

    The dress will be another amazing creation. Love the handkerchief and the lace. Can’t wait to see it all sewn together. You are an amazing talent! Sounds like George had a wonderful Father’s Day with Rebecca and Kristoffer’s visits.

    1. There is a wonderful video showing lace being made on Facebook. Enter “You’ll Never Wear Lace” and it is the first entry. It’s not the one entitled “You’ll Never Wear LaceY.” I don’t know how she keeps the bobbins straight in her mind, let alone moves so fast. Enjoy.

  4. Jeanne and George, I am so sorry to hear about George’s brother but yet rejoicing that he is with our Heavenly Father. What a comfort to know that one day we will be reunited with our loved ones. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
    Felicity’s dress is off to a beautiful start! The peach colored fabric is so pretty next to her peaches and cream complexion and red hair. I’m confident that she will be stunning in her gown because of your expertise.
    And, I am so impressed with your car panel repair. You are one multi-talented lady!

  5. Who would have thought of polar fleece? Great idea. Looks like Jeanne’s Automotive Upholstery Shoppe is open for business. I once covered a pair or heels with fabric in the same tuck in fabric way, more years ago than I care to remember.
    Love seeing the new dress and hearing the history (Marilyn)(Susette) and possibilities (Linda). And Dr. Susette’s take on hospitals. Must remember that.
    Glad you both were able to visit with George’s brother and sis in law. My thoughts are with you and family.

  6. My sympathies to you and your family. I’m glad you and George were able to spend the time with him and his family. I’m sure it brought pleasure and comfort.
    I love where you are going with Felicity’s dress! The fabrics are beautiful! The design has a simple elegance to it. I would love to have a full-size edition for myself.
    Your car repair was great! We’ve had that same problem with the liner fabric. Your idea of using fleece was great.
    Hope you have a good day.
    Take care.

  7. My sympathies to you, George, and the family on his brother’s passing. Sad, indeed. **Hugs**

  8. So very sorry to hear about George’s brother. May George feel comfort. I am so glad you were able to visit with him though.
    Felicity is going to look lovely in her new dress. Peach is definitely the perfect color for her and I like the hanky you chose. the lace is very pretty as well. Interesting comments by you, Marilyn. I like to see information of historical things to see that the fashion is accurate. This was shared on PT, but for those not on the forum I thought you might find it interesting on how Felicity would have gotten dressed when she was a bit older. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpnwWP3fOSA
    Wonderful solution to the car repair. Our Camry has the screen that you can raise in the back window and that helps protect the leather seats and sides.
    So glad George had a wonderful Father’s Day with Kristoffer and Rebecca.

  9. Hi everyone,
    My sister Deb and her hubby came for a few days,…and so Felicity waits! I’ll still try to post something but probably nothing about sewing…although I did do a little hand sewing for Deb…maybe I’ll share…
    Thank you for all your kind comments… what sweet friends you all are.
    Blessings, Jeanne

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