Tuesday 11 June 2013

Finished!

 Prepare to be surprised - in fact, are you sitting down?  I have finally finished the rabbit I was making! It feels like I have been working on her for years, even though it is about two months or so.  At last, her face has been added and she is done.  Hoorah!
As you know, I found the 'Tilda' pattern quite fiddly and I also needed to do some judicious amending to the dress pattern.  The hat finally fits her and took me five attempts to get right, but I am pleased with the end result.
 I added some vintage lace around the bottom of her dress and it does lift the whole outfit I think.
 I hope she has a serene and pleasant expression - that was the plan when I was sewing!  Now she needs a friend who is going to be wearing a dress made from the left over pink silk from my wedding dress bodice.  I am going to use the 'Sugar Bunny' pattern by Helen Philipps, which is a little larger and see how I get on with that.  What do you think - will I be any quicker with the next one?  (Somehow, I doubt it.)
I was looking through Mum's photo albums and found the only colour picture (from 1972) of me in my puffed sleeve dress - the material of which started this rabbit construction project in the first place.  Granny is behind me and my eldest sister is sitting on the grass with Tina, the Yorkshire Terrier.  It was a bright and sunny day which is why the details are a little washed out, but I do look incredibly pleased with myself, don't I?  (I may have a go with Photoshop and see whether adjusting the brightness/contrast/colours will help.  If so, I'll post the updated version too.)

16 comments:

  1. Ellie, she is gorgeous, and the lace edging looks fab.
    Joy xx

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    1. Dear Joy
      Thank you. I am really pleased with how she has turned out. Putting the lace edging on the dress was Chris' idea (credit where it is due!) and it does just finish the dress off nicely.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  2. Its gorgeous Ellie. Well worth the wait! I have made a Tilda rabbit too and it is definitely very fiddly but worth taking time over.

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    1. Dear Anne
      Thank you. She did take me rather a long time but I completed a bit more when I felt like it, so it was a labour of love. I wonder whether the Helen Philipps bunny pattern will be easier, being a little bigger (but I am going to use the Tilda ears). I'll let you know how it goes.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  3. Ellie, she's gorgeous! Absolutely gorgeous! Well done you! She looks not only serene and pleasant but as though you have really enjoyed making her too which is quite important! What a lovely pic of you in the dress with your sister and Granny and Tina! E x

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    1. Dear E
      Thank you. I must admit to feeling a bit pleased with myself. I have enjoyed the making process, using machine and hand sewing, because I have sewn when I felt like it, rather than working to a deadline. It may have taken a little longer, but that didn't matter on this occasion. Looking through the photo albums brought back lots of memories, as it does. I did love that dress so much!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  4. Hi Ellie

    You did a fantastic job. She looks brillant.

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    1. Dear Cookie
      Thank you. I am so pleased with how she has turned out, despite the few little challenges I faced along the way. Now I just need to make her friend!
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  5. She is absolutely gorgeous well done! I can't wait to see the next one xx

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    1. Dear Tracy
      Thank you. Coming from such a sewing expert as yourself, that is praise indeed! The next one will be a little bigger I think, but I hope they will go together. I am going to use the puffed sleeve dress material (assuming there is enough) for the inside of her ears.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  6. Oh, such a pretty thing! And a lovely idea. Well done for finishing it :)

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    1. Dear Chaelen
      Thank you. It was a bit touch and go as to whether it would ever be finished, but I got there in the end! Now for the next one...
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  7. She is perfect. All the time and effort and care you've put in really shows. I love her little outfit and the expression on her face is just right. x

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    1. Dear Gillian
      Thank you. I was really worried about the face and left it to last and kept putting it off, but in the end, I am pleased with how it all turned out. I am going to start on her friend next week.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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  8. She is certainly a sweetie - and I love the fact that you have used your childhood dress! I made one of Helen Phillips Sugar Bunnies a while ago and was quite pleased with the result - if I can do it you'll find it a doddle. I do always pause before putting the face on though - it's a fine line between merry and manic! Thanks for commenting on my post - it's nice to meet you x Jane

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    1. Dear Jane
      Thank you and welcome. I am going to start the Sugar Bunny pattern this evening/tomorrow, so will see how it goes. I was definitely worried about the face and it took quite some time to pluck up the courage to do it! I kept telling myself that I could always unpick it if it wasn't right (which I did once or twice!)
      Lovely to meet you too.
      Best wishes
      Ellie

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