We are making progress on the baby-doll dress, one loving stitch at a time. I love puffed sleeves. Whenever I make them though, I start thinking about Anne (of Green Gables), begging Marilla for a gown with puffed sleeves. I believe at the turn of the century those enormous puffed sleeves were referred to as "mutton sleeves", because they looked like 'legs of mutton'. You know, the hind quarter of a lamb. (Ew!) Sorry, my sincere apologies. But it is true.
Anyway, these puff sleeves are tiny and sweet and not a smidgen of mutton anywhere in the vicinity. I'm edging them with lavender bias binding to match the piping on the bodice. I couldn't believe that I found a scrap left-over from another project that was just exactly the right length and color for this. I so *LOVE* when that happens.
OK. Before I duck back into my sewing corner and pick up my needle and thread, I need to announce the winner of the Blanket Statement give-away: The winner is Rebecca, who authors not one, but two blogs. (I'm amazed how some people can do this when I can barely keep up with one.) Her food blog, Kitchen Riches is amazing and has me drooling. I'm definitely going to have to try her recipe for Cappuccino Chocolate Chip Bread. (Congratulations Rebecca! Please email your address and I'll get a signed copy of my book in the mail to you pronto.)
Thank you everyone else for stopping by, and for your very lovely comments. I so enjoyed reading them and visiting your blogs too!
And now, we return to the puff sleeves...
The puffy sleeves reminds me of days long gone and how my mom use to dress me..hee hee.
I can tell a lot of details and time is going into them. It will beautiful when your done.
Posted by: Gina | May 06, 2009 at 09:43 AM
Your gathers look amazing! Puffed sleeves! What fun!
Lorrie
Posted by: Lorrie | May 06, 2009 at 10:14 AM
Congratulations to Rebecca.
My hat is off to you for making such a detailed dress for your sweet grand-daughter. I am sure there is a lot of love in every tiny stitch. It looks great so far. I can't wait to see it when you finish.
My how it brings back memories for me. I use to sew dresses for my girls when they were young, and a puffed sleeved formal for my youngest daughter's prom dress. Yes, she wanted me to make it for her. :o)
Posted by: Velma | May 06, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Oh my goodness. OH MY GOODNESS!
I just can't believe it! THANK you SO much! I am just so thrilled!
PS. My food blog feels left out often~that's how I do it! :-) Notice the last recipe I posted was in JANUARY. *blush* I've been MEANING to get to that.... :-)
Posted by: Rebecca | May 06, 2009 at 01:16 PM
That will be so sweet. Love the material too.
Posted by: lesthook | May 06, 2009 at 03:41 PM
Congratulations Rebecca, you are going to love the book.
I love that part about the puffed sleeves. I can't wait to see the finished dress.
Posted by: Judy | May 06, 2009 at 04:20 PM
I love that part of Anne girl! Puffed sleeves! Congrats to the winner! How neat!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | May 06, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Congrats to rebecca! Puffed sleevs have such a romantic air.
Posted by: Christy | May 07, 2009 at 04:17 AM
Can't wait to see how the dress turns out! I used that same fabric on an apron a few years ago. It will interesting to see it in a dress. And I love little girl dresses! I have two girls, who are all grown up now, so no more little dresses.
Posted by: Emily | May 07, 2009 at 06:59 AM
Congratulations Rebecca!!!
That material is so beautiful! I love the idea of Puffed Sleeves :)
Posted by: Sharon D. | May 07, 2009 at 08:46 AM