In the Interim

My first semester at college has been absolutely amazing; however, I haven't had enough time to post anything regarding what I've made since last summer! The first photo is Aphra, a 17th century rag doll I made over my winter break. She's OOAK, hand-stitched and stuffed with natural wool roving. The second photo is Emeline, an 18th century rag doll who is OOAK and stuffed with natural wool roving. The next four photos are of my Queen Anne doll, Charity, for whom I made my first genuine attempt at an 18th century Polonaise gown. I hand-stitched this OOAK, original gown. The last photo is a pig stuffed with natural wool roving and sewn from a Gail Wilson pattern. I also made a Gail Wilson Raggedy Andy, and haven't gotten around to making Raggedy Ann yet. I'll post photos of them once they're finished!

An Exciting Week for Dollmaking!

This week has certainly been a memorable one! I submitted three dolls to a local fair, and each one a first place blue ribbon! I submitted Clara, Lottie, and Civility and her trousseau. I'm especially excited for next year's fair, though; I'll finally get to enter in the 19 and over category! I've already got ideas -- I found a kit for Gail Wilson's Raggedy Andy at a garage sale, and have ordered the kit for Raggedy Ann. I'll post plenty of pictures once the pair is complete! Also, my Jane Eyre doll was published in the fall issue of Prims magazine as a part of MAIDA's storybook challenge. The challenge was to create antique-inspired dolls based on storybooks, so I had to submit Jane!

Wee Accessories

When I'm bored, I tend to make tiny things that often serve no purpose. For instance, once I figured out the basics of needle felting, I began felting tiny balls and cake-shaped things. For one tiny doll-cake, I took it upon myself to felt some pink embroidery floss on top of it as icing:

I also have many small scraps of lovely fabric that I can't seem to incorporate into a doll's dress...

So, I turn them into tiny doll pockets, like this one!

A Nameless Rag Doll

I have yet to name this doll, but I imagine it being something befitting of a girl of the mid-nineteenth century. As a girl of that era, she wears a pink calico frock, muslin pantalettes, and a muslin apron. Her hair is one plait made of the type of yarn intended for washcloths and the like. I quite like it in this context -- it's endearing, but without the frizzy wisps that acrylic yarn unwinds into!

I've actually gone and hemmed everything quite neatly this time...

And the French knots I used for her eyes have stayed!

She's such an endearing creature; yet I cannot think of a name!

Hello, Mr. Rabbit!

This is Mr. Rabbit -- I have yet to think of a better name for him... He enjoys taking tea in the garden at two o'clock sharp with his other friends, which include the dolls and a few animals. The most recent of these new acquaintances is a little pink calico pig I finished yesterday, and I'll post about him soon! Mr. Rabbit was made from one of Gail Wilson's animal patterns from muslin, calico, and wool roving.

The calico made up very well for his little jacket -- he so reminds me of Peter Rabbit!

He quite likes exploring the gardens after tea!

A Springtime Gown for Charity

In light of the new warm weather, I thought that my reproduction Queen Anne doll, Charity, could use a new gown. She was a gift for a past birthday -- she's from the 1995 UFDC convention! She came with clothes of her own, but I wanted so badly to dress her myself in 18th century garb! She wears a shift, pannier hoops, a petticoat, and a pocket as underthings. I have yet to figure out how to construct a pair of 18th century stays. She also wears a mobcap.

The new gown is a pink print with a modesty piece, ruffled sleeves, and gathers in the back to simulate the tapes of a robe anglaise.

Brown ribbon laces down the front of her bodice.

And here's some sleeve details!

I think Charity finds true solace in the gardens.

Spring is Finally Here!

I've been away for a while, sorting out all things college-related, but it's all been decided, and with the end of senior year in sight, I have time to get back to blogging! For Christmas, I received my very first reproduction mid-nineteenth century china head doll! Her name is Civility, and she was purchased from the Elizabeth Stewart Clark Sewing Academy. She's impeccably crafted, and by far one of the most beautiful dolls in my collection. She was such a delight to dress in historically-accurate mid-nineteenth century garb!

What a charming visage!

This dress was made from red calico and has cuffed bishop sleeves and a front-fastening bodice. It is lined with muslin, and the "buttons" are decorative French knots of crochet thread. This was my first time making a front-fastening dress with a placket. I just love the full sleeves!

Her tiny feet are just precious! This was also my first time making period-correct undergarments. Civility wears muslin underthings, which include split drawers, a petticoat, a chemise, and stays.

Here are her stays and chemise.

And her tiny hands!

I love her hairstyle -- it's elegant, but not too fancy for everyday wear, which enables me to dress her in a variety of styles.

Her bonnet was made from an online tutorial, and the summer sontag pattern came with the rest of her clothing patterns. I feel that this would be a lovely ensemble for a springtime stroll!

I really love this bonnet!

This is the first dress that I made for Civility. I'm not a huge fan of the open coat sleeve, but I do so love the look of undersleeves! This one also has faux buttons down the front. The only difference between the two dresses, really, is the fabric and sleeve style.

I made this valise by altering the scale from another one of Elizabeth Stewart Clark's doll patterns -- it's the perfect size for aprons, shawls and the like.

I also received this reproduction of Godey's "How to Dress a Doll," which contains instructions, but no patterns. I have yet to complete a project outlined in it, but it's a fascinating example of a text from that era.