How tiny is she?

Well, this was another one of those "I've got to dress that naked doll." I've had this tiny doll as long as the other French Fashion doll that started the costuming orgy. She had her own special problems when it came to dressing her. She was very, very, tiny. As you can see in the picture she is barely 3" tall. The usual way of doing things wasn't going to work with her, but just how does one dress a 3" tall doll.

  To start with, she was a kit. That means she needed a body. I made hers out of the finger of an old leather glove. She has a pipe cleaner skeleton to help keep her upright. Then she sat for years, and I didn't have a clue how I was going to dress her. In that time, I was collecting different miniature laces and trims.

  Last night I pulled some out and started sewing, by hand, and layering 3 different kinds of lace, and finished it off with a tiny trim, and a silk ribbon bow in the back. She is a gibson girl, and wears that style gown. Full upper sleeves and high collar.

  No the dress is not removable. There would have been no way to fasten it closed, and I wasn't going there more then once. It took to long to make this one gown, and I really think she looks beautiful in it. So, Mini Gibson {lol... a play on words, for her name} shall dance the night away in cream colored laces. All three inches of her.

When the cat is bored!

I had to share this with you, it's not doll clothes but.... if you have a cat, you may have seen this before. He's bored for sure!

Where do I go from here?

I can answer that. I will be working on a Tudor wardrobe for a one twelfth scale doll that I made some years ago, when I was doing porcelain.

  I had planned on making up a Tudor bedroom but the bed was two big for the room, so.... there will be a different setting but still Tudor. This promises to be difficult at best, because of the style and the size of the doll. Five and a half inches is not that big when one is putting big wing collars on that size of a doll.

  Do come back and see how it progresses. It might not happen, but then again.... it just may!

I hope you have enjoyed the ladies and their wardrobes so far. Leave me a comment to let me know how you like them.

  That's three so far, and I didn't plan on doing any of them.

Here Comes the Bride!

Our 1830's bridal gown is made of a soft cream colored brocade, with a lace overlay covering the whole skirt and the plastron and collar. A simple bow accents the waist. The lace also makes up the full length veil that trails on the ground as she walks down the isle. A simple gathered lace crown with a bow in the back holds the veil in place.

  Her bouquet of pink flowers is gathered in the old posy style, and tied with satin ribbons. The trailing ones having lovers knots.

  While some of these gowns look a bit like they are high waisted, they are not. The degree of fullness in the skirt and the type of stand holding this doll makes it look that way. There isn't much one can do about such things.

Cynthia in cream colored lace and brocade, is just as lovely a bride as her two sisters before her of different eras.

Out to Dinner

This green is called khaki green. But I think it's very pretty in this iridescent silk gown. Can you believe I found silk ribbon to match? And the tulle as well? Even that feather in her hat is the same hue. At the bottom of the skirt is a cream and green fringe trim.

  The bodice is trimmed in tulle, with short silk sleeves and longer full tulle over sleeves. Tiny little silk bows complete the look.

  Her hat is silk fabric the same as the gown, and is done up in an interesting fashion, with a self bow from the crown of the hat. It also is trimmed with a tiny silk bow on top.

Well no cherries, but lots of green.

  What is left for this little gal? Just one gown. The one I have always finished with.

Study in white

I made this basic white dress at the beginning, but never did make anything to go with it. Here it is, with a white straw hat, and a lace Pelerine. 

  When I asked Cynthia what she wanted on her white straw hat besides ribbons and flowers, she said "Fluff!" I asked her what fluff was, and she said feathers.

  Oh great, another bonnet that must stay in the box because a certain black cat, will not leave a feather alone until it's been malled to death. I'd hate to think of what her ridding hat and bonnet will look like once he is through with them. And he will go to great lengths to get at them.

  On to the next gown, and it's one for evening.

To Visit or not?

This gown can be worn at home or with the lovely bonnet, out visiting. Made of brilliant red brocade,it has a cream pleated ruffle around the bottom with a tiny cream braid accent. The gown has a double collar that dips down in center front and center back. Again, it spreads out wide over the shoulders. This gown leaves the neck deliciously bare.

  The red brocade is the reversible kind with the other side a gold, with red flowers. This side is red with gold flowers. The graceful bonnet has the same pleated cream ruffle around the inside, and double cream satin loops toward the back, outside. A bow centers in the back. Two green fronds and 3 cream colored roses, decorate the bonnet.

  Here Cynthia wears the bonnet tied under the chin, with the bow towards the side. She's ready to go visiting and gossiping with the girls.

Cynthia, wears Victoria..

This gown was simply called Victoria. The style and the look to it denotes Victorian and the then princess Victoria way of dressing.

  Her gown is a reversible satin with turquoise on one side and gold on the other, The same design motif is on both sides. There is an overlay of net over the whole dress. There is an overlapping of net decoration on the bodice. She wears lace at bodice neckline, and over the shoulders in lappets.

  Tiny little hand croched lillys adorn the shoulders and one on the side of the belt.

Cynthia is the picture of sweet young womanhood.

The lady rides!

  Cynthia wears her green riding gown, with the long train suited to cover her ankles on a side saddle. A cream colored lace at neck and sleeve adds just the right touch. The best of this outfit is her riding hat. One side of the brim curves upward at a jaunty angle. The white plumbs trail over the edge of the hat like a preening birds tail. A light green bow accents the tall crown.

  She carries her ridding crop.

It looks like her two little puppies can't wait to go either, as they love to run as well.

A Visiting dress

                                             

This era is the one with the big bonnets. And here Cynthia wears her first one visiting. Her dress is a fine lawn print of blue and purple. The wide collar is trimmed with two tones of purple and green silk ribbon embroidery, as is the bodice of her gown. These big 'wing' like collars were very common in the designs of the 1830s.

 

 Her bonnet is lined on the inside of the brim with a cream taffeta ruching. Material to match her dress covers the outside, with the same silk ribbon embroidery and iridescent purple ribbon ties.

  A small bow of the same purple ribbon is tucked neatly at the center front of her collar.

  Everyone will envy this bonnet, and one can see why.

Afternoon or Dinner?

This silk gown can be worn for the afternoon or for Dinner. It's made of a greenish-yellow silk,with one layer of a royal blue net over the silk. It gives it a lovely shade similar to something you would see on a peacock. The bodice drape and the apron are trimmed with a vintage lace. The apron has lovely silk ribbon embroidery. Tiny gross grain ribbon bows of a matching hue to the silk are used to finish the trimming. Just a little on the fancy side for afternoon tea, but why not?

We have a name!

  The little ladies name is Cynthia Haywood. I think she looks like a Cynthia. She has agreed, so I guess it's for real. Now for the next gown.

  This was called a Home Dress. Is this the forerunner of our modern house dress? It is very elaborate with ruching of the peach lining fabric around the outer edge of the skirt, with lace gather behind it. The collar has a silk ribbon ruching over lace. Full sleeves gathered at the wrists and a perky bow set center front completes the outfit. The gown is made of iridescent olive green taffeta and peach silk lining. She wears her petticoat underneath.

  Well Cynthia, on to the next gown. But isn't she pretty in this one?

A morning gown

As in good morning, not deep mourning black. This is a magenta silk gown over a white batista under gown. The magenta gown has lapels of a darker magenta lining. The front overlaps and closes on the left side. There is a belt of the same material as the gown. She also wears a Perelrine collar trimmed with lace and lace lappets hanging down the front. This collar is removable and can be worn with other gowns.

  The under gown of batista is also trimmed with lace at the neckline and hem. It also can be worn with other gowns.

  I still don't have a name for this little lady, but will keep searching.

Her first gown.

This is made up of rust colored iridescent taffeta {yes I know, but I like that kind of fabric}

  Did you know Taffeta talks when you walk. It has this 'voice' that whispers in a kind low voice. Ladies walking about in a ball room would all have a different kind of fabric voice. Satin sounds different then taffeta. It's a quieter sound. Now a days, we don't have that lovely fabric voice, as ladies don't wear long dresses. Sad.

  This first dress is just a simple dress with a bertha collar decorated with tiny bows. The collar is removable, and something else could be worn with it. A different collar, an apron, etc. She also has a belt from the same as the bows on the collar. This was the era of the wide collars and big puffy sleeves at the shoulders and narrow at the wrists. 

Well, on to the next one.

Nighty night...

 She now has a simple neck to floor night gown, with a lace yoke,trimmed with yellow lace. Also trimmed with the yellow lace are the collar, and wrists, of the night gown.

  The wrapper, is cut and sewn the same as the nightgown, but no lace was added. She also wears a nightcap of the yellow lace. Simple and to the point, after all, it's for sleeping in.

Starting with underthings.

Like a petticoat, a chemise, and a pair of pantalets. She holds her corset in her hand.

  There is also a 'pocket' on the opposite side. These were accessed though a slit in the skirt. One would keep things in their pocket, so as not to lose them or not to have to hold them all day, like a handkerchief. That is where our modern day pockets come from.

  Her petticoat is of a fancy eyelet fabric. Other items are trimmed in lace and a yellow satin bow.

Here she is....

This is the new little lady I will be dressing over the next few days, or week. She stands about 8 1/4" high. She had no body, as I had never done anything with her. She had gray hair, and no color to her eyes. I think that's why I never dressed her.

  So first order of business was to make a body for her. That's when I discovered whoever had put that kit together, had put in mens boots. Her feet were mens boots, and that just wouldn't do.

So I looked though some of my porcelain doll feet and found her a pair of ladies boots. The rest of her is white china, painted a skin tone, but you would never know these feet didn't come with her, as they match so nicely.

  Then I started the repaint on her hair and face. The close up will show you how dainty looking she is now. A blue eyed blond, with a white bow in the back {it's molded in to the head}, not a dark brown one. White goes with everything.

  I am working on her underthings and nightgown, wrapper, nightcap. When I am done I will post pictures. So, from now on when I'm done with something I'll post a picture. It will take me a little longer between pictures now. Her style of gowns, are 1830s era. Her hairstyle kind of decided that.

  Now we just need to decide what to call her. We have opened a discussion on that subject.

Back to the needle and thread, come again, to see what is new.

What's next???

Well, I'm not telling. lol. You will have to wait and see. I wanted to get all the posts caught up, and post pictures and descriptions of all the gowns for the two little dolls I had been making them for. Frances and Charlotte each have a wardrobe in their era, that would have been to die for. I had not planned on doing this, but it just kind of happened. I had so much fun making each gown, that I just couldn't quit.

  I have a Tudor bedroom planned with an equally impressive wardrobe for a 1/12th scale doll that I made and painted back when I was doing porcelain dolls. She also has a room box made up of a set of wooden books. She will have a chandelier and a wall sconce to light her way to the bed.

All in Tudor style.

  I have other miniature things planned, and so I shall be busy. The old dollhouse will be repaired, and the new one built. A street of shops complete with lamp street lights that light individually, and outdoor landscaping, is also on my list.

  I have larger dolls to dress and presentation boxes to make up. And of course, a ton of things to sort though and the need to clean out the old addition, still.

  We shall see where I am come this winter.

Do stop back and see what is new, there will be more dolls and clothes and different eras. Leave me a comment or two, I would always like to hear what you think.

  Until next time, take care and happy dolling.

Deirdre

And the last one

Of course, it has to be her wedding gown. Very different from the later years, but just as beautiful. A white silk skirt, with two rows of wide lace ruffles. There are 6 panels, trimmed out with a smaller lace that drapes around the waist.

  Her bodice is trimmed out with a wide lace and pearl trim, forming a collar at the neckline. It also trims  the sleeves. Beneath the bodice is a fine lace blouse, with full sleeves. Her veil is sewn at the back of a tiny silk cap, that is decorated with the same lace as on her bodice. The tulle veil is strewn with pearls and draps to the bottom of her skirt and a little beyound. She carries a bouquet of blue and white flowers, and is tied with love knot streamers. Old fashion to our eyes, but beautiful, Charlotte will be the center of attention on her wedding day.

A court gown

In this era, making an appearance at court was often mandatory. A prescribed gown was called for and it remained the same for many years. Charlotte's court gown follows all the rules. A heavy ivory satin with {for her} two rows of wide lace ruffles. The same lace graces the neckline and the puffy short sleeves. She also wears a red velveteen train that is lined with the satin of her gown and has a thin gold trim around the edge. Across her chest and  one shoulder is a red and white ribbon that dangles an 'order' badge at the waist.

  Doesn't Charlotte look regal?

A golden evening gown

This dramatic gown is made of an iridescent taffeta in a rich golden hue. A wide ruffle of a paler yellow tulle frills the bottom of the skirt. The top edge of that ruffle is trimmed with a yellow/gold ruched embroidered ribbon. Atop that is a golden ruched ribbon. The bodice is trimmed out at the neckline and sleeve edge with the ribbon.

  Simple, but oh so dramatic. Heads will turn at the ball, when she enters the room. More then one lady will be green with jealousy, proving simple may be the best way to go.

A purple silk jacket

This one is like the previous outfit, but has three rows of lace ruffles on a ivory silk skirt. And the purple silk jacket has tiny deep purple trim around the sleeves and bodice. She wears a chemisette of ivory silk with tucks and lace ruffles. Also ivory silk false sleeves with lace and fabric that matches the chemisette, giving the ensemble a more finished and matched look.

  She finishes off with an ivory straw bonnet, trimmed with ivory lace and ribbons. The tiny green flowers on the bonnet match the corsage she wears on her jacket. Isn't she the picture of a fashionable lady?

A Jacket and the 2 tier skirt.

  One of the items that was worn a lot was a jacket, over a tier white skirt The ruffles could be one two or three rows. The more rows the better. Charlotte wears a two tiered white lace skirt with her green iridescent taffeta jacket. It has a vintage lace ruffle around the sleeves and around the neckline making it look like a collar. The jacket closes completely in the front eliminating the need for a blouse or a chemisette. The false sleeves are plain, with no trim.

  She also wears a green straw bonnet, with only a lace ruffle and one ribbon to tie under the chin. This outfit looks simple but appears equally elegant.

A cloak for evening

This was called a gypsy cloak. Not sure why but that was what they called it. Charlotte's gypsy cloak is made of a medium weight tan satiny fabric. It's lined with a lighter tan colored lining. The cloak is trimmed with a white tasseled fringe, as is the muff and hat.

The cloak has a small collar, and is closed at the neck with a hidden hook and eye.

 The hat is pure confection, made of tan straw, and trimmed with the tassel fringe and loads of silk ribbon loops. It looks like a pretty little package.

The cloak could be made longer, and out of   

something heavier to wear on colder evenings.

Or out of black velvet with jet bead fringe trim.

Time for more visiting...

Charlotte will look stunning in this Primrose pink tiny stripe and buttercup yellow taffeta visiting dress. The skirt is a circle style {still very full} with an embroidered ribbon trim around the pink stripe layer. The bottom buttercup yellow is trimmed with a pale pink trim. The bodice is pink stripe over a vest of buttercup yellow. The yellow vest being trimmed like the skirt. The stripe is trimmed with a deeper buttercup yellow gross grain ribbon. The sleeves are trimmed with the same embroidered ribbon. She wears false ivory silk sleeves. The last piece of her attire, while not the least, is her pretty buttercup yellow straw bonnet. It's trimmed with the same embroidered ribbon and pink silk ribbon. There is also a tiny pink lace around the front brim. Pretty and spring like, she's off to Primrose Hill Gardens, to smell the blooms and visit with friends.

Time for an evening gown

Charlotte is wearing an evening gown of Nile green silk. Don't you just love the sound the that color? Nile green.... brings to mind pyramids, and sand dunes.  It is surely the right color for our Charlotte.

  The skirt has 2 ruffles of Nile green lace {and don't think that was easy finding a matching lace for that silk fabric.} The highest ruffle is topped with a Nile green silky braid trim. {Another special find.} The bodice has short puffy sleeves that are trimmed with the same trim as the top ruffle. The neckline of the bodice has been trimmed with a gather of the same lace as on the skirt. It forms a V shape in the front. On her head she wears a filet of trim and silk ribbon that matches her gown. Can't you just see Charlotte dancing the waltz in this confection of Nile green silk and lace?

 

This one is for Dinner

A pink and gray stripe silk Dinner gown. The skirt has a ruched ribbon ruffle. As does the sleeves and bodice that dips to a dimi bustle in the back. There are little ruched ribbon 'tabs' intermittently around the skirt topped with a pink silk ribbon bow. She wears an ivory silk blouse that is gathered across the front into an ivory satin ribbon. It takes the fullness in but allows for an interesting treatment for the blouse.

  She also wears a filet of the ribbon ruching and pink silk bow over her hair. it's a little hard to 'pin' something to a china head doll so one must

adjust for it.

Although this gown is fancy, I think it could be worn out visiting as well. But we'll leave that up to Charlotte to decide where and when she wears her new wardrobe.

Is she getting fancy and fashionable yet?

Another one for visiting...

 This is a pretty royal blue silk with a tiny cotton print. It's a blouse {blue silk} with a separate skirt, and a short sleeve bodice with trim over the shoulders. There is a small bustle in the back. This is all trimmed out with blue lace and blue satin ribbon{the bows}. The darker royal blue is a self ribbon made of the blouse silk. This one is like the green one only this one has a full blouse and no vest. It also has a short tab connecting the front, to keep it together instead of the vest. Bright and cheerful, it would make for a nice round of tea and gossip with the girls.