Time for a Project

 

February 22, 2025

I started a new project, and I thought it might be fun to share how it is going with you and possibly some of my insights and mistakes.  I make plenty.   

I have become quite enamored of an 8” Bru doll created by Cathy Hansen for UFDC Convention in 2001.  And in honor of Mary Lewis, an avid doll collector and Founder of UFDC, the diminutive it was named Marie Louisette. 

I have two friends that are doll makers and costumers, and we are all so far apart in locations that we play through our internet connections.  Through their grace and friendship, I was able to buy a second hand and now third hand owned doll as I did not have an original.  They can be found on the secondary market and through auctions.  I do not have a complete set, however, I do believe I have as complete as I can get, as I have the accessories and the trunk they came in, plus others have shared the original documentation that also came with the doll. 

Fun, fun, fun! 

On of my internet friends mentioned she wanted to do an 1860s era fashion and in plaid.  I love plaids I have to say, and so it piqued my interest and ran with it. 

Here are some inspirational pictures and honestly, I want to make them all.  I have collected them all from Pinterest.  To that end I have a list, the skirt with a bit of a train from 1868 or so, and the coat, a blouse, an evening bodice, and a bolero style coat, (Spanish Coat, Zouave) and of course she will need a Paletot for Spring and Autumn.  Well, the list goes on and on.  I got so excited I did not think how long it would take me.  Letting you in on a secret, I am the WORST time estimator ever!  Come on this sewing adventure and I hope you enjoy the ride.  along for the ride. 

(Disclaimer: I tried to trace back on Pinterest to the original picture to give credit, but was unable to do so.)

As always,

Have Fun!

Kathi

Happy New Year and already off to a late start!

 

January 16, 2025 

Dear Friends, 

Can you believe it is January, and I am already behind!  Found myself a bit over committed with projects. I thought I would be done early December, then mid-December, then by New Years, you see how this is going.  And it appears I could be this irregular on posting this year, but I am trying not to be.  May I say I am grateful I do not do New Year’s resolutions!  My beginning would not bode well.    

What I do for myself, and friends is, however, not brain surgery, so some time in getting things right is not a bad thing.  I have been working diligently on an outfit for Tiny Kitty. (Robert Tonner, 10” reduction of Kitty Collier.)  She is my wonderful break from antique reproduction things.  And let me tell you it is hard to take those breaks as I love my little dolls so much.  Sometimes it is interesting to exercise contemporary sewing skills and to keep my hand in.  I have almost forgotten how to use a sewing machine.  (Not hardly likely!)

(Much of my delay is due to a lack of a sewing room, and organized sewing space. We still do not, after three months, have a roof fixed up there.   Helene did a job in the south, and we are in the que for things but not our turn yet. We are much better off than most as we have a home and live in the spaces downstairs. It seems ungrateful to complain.  I try not to get impatient, but truthfully, I want to get to the top of the list)   

I did spend a couple of weeks on crutches as I sprained my big toe, so walking was out of the question.  I am now all better and out and about and with new walking shoes.  They feel great. 

Anyway, back to Tiny Kitty.  I found an outfit on Pinterest and am not sure why, but it took all my attention.  This would be my first pattern draft for Tiny Kitty.  The first thing I learned, and should have known, is mind your measurements.  For some reason the gown was too large.  So, here we go with Papa and Mama bear routine.  Yes, it was too large.  (I had mistakenly added the seams twice.) 

The original Pattern was a Simplicity 7858, 1960s

Next it was too tight. No one likes that.  But the problem to solve here was where were the closures to go? The center back seam of this doll would have taken up the entire back panel.  So, I attempted to place the closure in the side seam, but that would stop me from slipping it either up her legs, a step in dress, or I would need an additional snap or hook at the shoulder.  That wasn’t working for me either. 

Finally, I decided to make the back side seam open, and added a hook and thread loop to hold the back seam closed.  I will be honest I am not great at getting those perfectly placed.  It really did not look well when put on a doll. 

Then, I remembered a skirt pattern I did that wanted to come open just a tad when the skirt was closed.  I decided I would put in what I call a “swing snap” and that would make the closure.  I think it was “Just Right.”

The last task was to make the cape I continued to make quite a few mistakes there, too.  Of course, I did.  I sewed the sleeves backwards, twice.  Then I sewed the front side to the back.  Naturally.  So, I put it down for a couple of days.  Then laid everything out as it should have gone and voila, I had a correctly made and fitting cape.  It’s line in China silk, too!

The backside of the cape made of a cotton twill

The inside of the cape with silk lining

Finished Cape

I hope you all are looking forward to a wonderful year of dollmaking and dressing. I am hoping as I catch up with things here, I will have made all my errors in January and the year will look great!  Wouldn’t that be wonderful?  And please don't forget, Have Fun!  Kathi