New Item: Cute Hand Stiched Spider Roses

So cute I have to share them. Just added them to my site. Hand Stitched Spider roses. Find them HERE

I though this was kind of interesting

Having a website I get lots of junk mail from all over the world. I usually go right to mark as junk and delete. But something made me stop and click on this one. The title was: "Doll Face Machine". Wouldn't you have to click on that one? So I clicked hoping and deadly virus would not envelop my computer. But I do see some possibilities. Cute Christmas ornaments of your kids and grand kids? Funny convention souvenir maybe? If you have your own little body to pop it into instead of those strange little cloth ones...Maybe? What do you think? The smallest head is 6cm which is a little over 2", largest 45cm or 17-1/2". Ok, maybe it is a little strange and odd...and maybe tacky?

Happy Forth of July!

Happy Birthday America!!
I could NOT resist this ever so cute hand crafted Patriotic Donkey lovingly made by MaryAnn Wills. You can find more of her creations on her blog: maryannwillsteddybears.blogspotAnd for those who have never read it here is a copy of the declaration of Independence signed 235 years ago:

Click to Enlarge

Mary Kathleen Part 5 - The Finishing Touches

Finally! The dress is complete. So much sewing, figuring, drafting and cutting and sewing again and it was complete. That felt great! I had no idea what I was getting into when I began this ball gown.

Alas, there was more to do. I created the wig of mohair diligently trying to copy the style of the fashion plate. I think that was a success. The floral headpiece seemed quite easy after all the embroidery on the skirt. I did punch a comb of brass with a punch and attach the silk ribbons and leaves to a florists wire to make the accent complete.

The earrings simple creations made with an “S” hook to hang on her ear wires. I did have a problem with the necklace however. This might be interesting. I made the necklace originally on a gold chain. It looked beautiful. I do not know what doll’s do while I am sleeping, but that little chain went down into her neck! What? Each time her head turned or I shifted something it would get lost. Really! It took a week for me to figure out to add those pearls and resting that necklace. It NEVER occurred to me that the necklace would work its way into the neck join and the breast plate. The finished look is pretty and the pearls do add some richness to the “look”.

She now needed only to grab her dance card and fan. The carriage was waiting. One last look in the mirror….

Kathi

The Dance Card

Mary Kathleen Part 4 - The Bodice

It was time to fit the bodice and I thought it would be much easier than anything I had done on the skirt. Au Contraire! The bodice on this dress also went through many variations. I wanted a nice tight fit and slim waistline, (who of us does not?), but found myself juggling seams and remaking constantly. I wanted the bodice to be authentic, but could not find the best way to achieve the result of the lining showing on the turn back. I looked at a Louise Hedrick example and the construction was not even similar. What lesson was I missing? I read “Costumes in Detail” and the Janet Arnold books and could not find the answers there. It was up to me to create everything I could see in the fashion plate and make the garment as correctly as possible. The neckline turned out beautiful. The chemise lace shows ever so little and matches the rounding wonderfully. The hooks in back alternate so there is no specific pulling in any one are. While there, I spoke with several experts and have learned that I should not have lined this bodice the way I did, as that is what is causing some bunching. This was the best lesson I learned. In speaking with those who know, that best way might have been to snip the lining at the center and finish off the edges of the cut area. This would have released any pressure and pulling from the inside. The linings would also have been apparent in the turn back and I would not have forfeited the style. Having completed this costume, I do believe I can take on other challenges with more success. I intend to try it. To date, however, this is the most complicated thing I have made.
I think it is time to get her accessories and a wig on, don’t you?

Kathi Mendenhall