Monday, January 17, 2011

The Convention Dress

I made a dress to take to the UFDC convention this past summer for My Favorite Things. This took 2 ½ months to make. I selected a fashion plate from a period I wanted to try, 1877 and researched to make things as authentically as I possibly could. As we go through these garments, please understand that “authentic” to me is, as a woman of the day would have worn her clothes. I try to sew as authentically to the period as I can. When sewing for antique dolls, “authentic” is a technical term for sewing of the period. I try to do both, but sometimes I miss.
The doll model is my Ultimate Fashion Doll by Alice Leverett Henderson, www.justalice.com. She is a Portrait Jumeau reproduction with green eyes. (Not authentic, but I wanted it that way.)
As I went through my processes I decided remake every pattern as I dressed the figure. What a lot of work. The split drawers trimmed with French beaded edging at the knees and the waist. Using a multipurpose trim aided the gathering of the edges to fit much easier.
The stockings are silk knit cut into a stocking shape and sewn with very close stitches along the back of the leg. The garters for this doll are simply tied ribbons.
I selected an antique shoe design, which consisted of ribbon stripes across the toe. As I sewed the stripes of 2mm silk ribbon, I realized I was not going to make those shoes a success. The scale was just off. I then tried to locate a small blue striped fabric, to no avail. Plan two, (or three or four), make the shoes of the same silk as the dress, and add a piping and bow. How boring. They are pretty, however!
The final addition is the chemise. I should have written down the book I researched that showed a full-length chemise. Generally, we see them hemmed at the knee. The chemise looks a tiny bit long, but when the corset goes on the chemise raises from the floor.
Stay tuned for the corset and formal slip. You just cannot beat a good foundation!
Kathi

4 comments:

DollZandThingZ said...

Your work is GORGEOUS! Beautiful, beautiful shoes!

moti said...

Amazing work!!!!!!!,
congratulations!!!!!

Eli

Morena Ciambra Dreamartdolls said...

I love seeing your work! xxx Morena

Kathi Mendenhall said...

Thank you for your kind comments. The work in this particular outfit was very rewarding. Stay tuned as we enter all the stages of this creation. I hope you will like it. Kathi