Colonial Dress in Miniture

After a few weeks I am finally sharing the little doll dress I made for Miss Brenna's American Girl doll, Elizabeth. Brenna turned 6 on the 19th of October and she really wanted a new dress for her doll. Originally I was going to purchase one, but in the end I couldn't afford it. Fortunately, earlier in the year I'd purchased some fabric and trim to make a dress for the doll out of a pattern my MIL had bought for me. So out came the fabric and the sewing machine.

Seriously, it would have been a really simple thing to do if my machine didn't decide to act up and cause a headache...but, alas, my sewing machine did give me trouble and a simple project became slightly frustrating. But, after fixing the feed dogs and making my thread work for me...I completed most of the dress in time for Brenna's birthday:-) All I left unfinished was the hem and the closure in back.

I would have finished the back, but I didn't have the velcro and for some reason the closure did not meet all the way when the dress was on the doll:-/ So, yesterday I added some fabric for what I think you'd call a placket and tonight I will sew the velcro on. As for the hem, I opted to add lace(like what is on the neck and ruffles) and really like the way it turned out(sorry no pic with that right now). In the original pattern, lace was not added to the sleeve ruffles, but I liked the way it looked and it made hemming them much simpler:-)



The picture above shows the dress almost complete, minus the hem being done. I really was pleased with how this dress turned out. The only thing I'd do different would be to make sure I have matching thread(so as to hide my sometimes crooked seams ;-p) and give myself more time.



Above is the pattern I used(sorry, it is a touch blurry). It has fairly clear instructions and was pretty easy to put together. I will gladly use this again when making dresses for Christmas! I would give more info but my MIL gave it to me and I am not quite sure where she found it.

Now that this dress is done, I am looking forward to doing more sewing for Christmas and getting ready for the wee bairn that is coming in the Spring:-)

Blessings,
Sommer

My Daybook

Peggy, over at The Simple Woman's Daybook is sharing her Daybook and has invited folks to join in. Won’t you join us? Just pop on over to Peggy’s blog for the details!

For Today November 10th

Outside my window...the sun is shining and there is a crispness in the air.

I am thinking...that simply removing a little clutter from a corner can really refresh one’s spirit.

I am thankful for...a husband that loves me, children that hug me and a baby growing that I do not know yet.

From the learning rooms…we will be reading about the Pilgrims, learning about Seals and Sea Cows and enjoying numbers.

From the kitchen...leftovers and simple stuff. The cookie jar needs refilling too!

I am wearing...fleecy pink pj’s and a sweater…not sure what will be on for the day yet.

I am creating...well, needing to complete the back closure and hem of a doll dress, t-shirt dresses for the girls and little cord pants for Liam(boy is he getting tall!).

I am going...grocery shopping this afternoon.

I am reading...The Excellent Wife by Martha Peace

I am hoping...to feel the little baby soon. Maybe already have, just not sure.

I am hearing...the loud but happy voice of Liam insisting I read a book.

Around the house...I need to de-clutter a little more off of my table and organize my sewing area. I have Christmas sewing to do soon and I want everything to be easily accessible.

One of my favorite things...is the sweet kiss of a little boy that loves his mama :-)

A few plans for the rest of the week…Laundry, continued decluttering, craft plans, grocery shopping and a library run.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing…I'm afraid I don't have one today, blogger is

being weird!

Things of Note

I've made a few updates to the sidebar of my blog and thought I'd just let you all know:-)

First of all, I wanted to let you all know that Mrs. Chancey over at Sense and Sensibility has transferred several of her patterns over to e-patterns. So now you have the option to purchase the pattern and download it immediately(as well as order paper patterns)! This is just wonderful, as you can inexpensively replace patterns you may have lost and also have them in an easy, access format! All the Regency Patterns have been transferred to this and she will(as time permits) transfer all her others. I hope you will take the time to stop by and see for yourself Mrs. Chancey's selection of lovely patterns and enjoy the ease of downloading them:-) I am also pleased to be an Affiliate as I just LOVE her patterns! Please take a peek at my sidebar and visit the site:-)

Secondly, I have changed the poem in my Poetry Corner. I do hope you will enjoy it and let me know what you think. Let me know too, if this is something you enjoy on my blog. I try to update with a new poem every couple of months or so, but would like to do it monthly if time permits and if my lovely readers would enjoy it. This particular poem is by William Cullen Bryant and it is a lovely poem about mothers. I hope you enjoy.

This coming week I hope to share with you a doll dress I made for my Brenna's 6th birthday, as well as some simple Thanksgiving decorations I've made in the house. I also will share plans with you for Christmas and perhaps you all will be willing to share some of your ideas and plans for the coming holidays:-)

May you all have a blessed Lord's Day tomorrow!

Blessings,
Sommer

Lovely Post on Contentment

A friend of mine shared a link to a lovely post on contentment. Being that I sometimes struggle with this, I thought it was a really wonderful and convicting read. I hope you will enjoy it as well and be encouraged in your efforts to become more content as a keeper of the home.

Blessings,
Sommer

Week In Feminine Dress-Day 4

Well, I missed Monday and Tuesday's WIFD...but I'm here today:-) I apologize for the very out of focus picture. My dear little Brenna took the pic and it just didn't come out quite like we wanted. Oh well:-)

Today is pretty much a stay at home day. We've been doing lessons(which are just about finished), and I will be doing some ever present decluttering, dishes and laundry(fold and wash). So today I donned a black t-shirt that I bought from Target a while back and a tiered burgandy skirt. The tiers have three different fabrics and it is one my parents bought for me way back...I love it! I also have been wearing a cardigan throughout the day as it is a tad chilly today. I was hoping my socks and sandals would be missed...but alas, Brenna seemed to think that they needed to be included:-o



Hopefully, I will participate for the rest of the week...but no promises! Have a lovely day!

Blessings,
Sommer