Bridal Challenge - The Undergarments

 

While working on a smaller scale a few changes of fabrics must be thought out.  After many substitutions of the fabrics and trims, I ordered what I needed from Michelle Mahler of The Doll Artist's Workshop.  (www.minidolls.com)

The Panties

I chose to make a basic set of panties in a French nickers style.  Considering the hose and garters I had to have room for the stand that is fitted into the doll at the crotch area.  So, each item had to be loose or well be non-existent for that accommodation.  Beginning with the panties I chose Thai silk.  The silk was challenging, and if you try this size, some charmeuse would be pretty, too.  The nickers are French seamed at the center front, center back, and crotch.  The top of the pant gathered with lingerie elastic for simplicity.  The leg openings edged with vintage lace. 

Hose and Garter

 What a dilemma!  I wanted to make pantyhose as I thought they were the contemporary fashion thing to do.  But I decided I would make some thigh-high patterned hose.  This fabric came from a pair of personal knee highs I had saved for the purpose.   (I also made a pair of knitted silk fabric, not having the skills to knit and/or crochet a pair.)  The garter, made of ruched blue silk ribbon is not pictured.  (Not unpacked or photographed at this writing.)

 

I must digress as I want to know if princes pull up the skirts of their princesses grab garters to fling to their groomsmen?  Is this a tacky tradition?  Who started it?  I’ve been married for 48 years and we have one of those crazy pictures, too!  No need to share.  But I wonder, we never see the reception parties. 

Shoes

The shoes in the photo are borrowed from another gown.  I have not yet, after all these years, made a pair for this project.  

   

 Slip

With the slip, there were many adjustments to be made.  though drafting the pattern for this sized doll, I had also considered also the breadth and fit of the bodice area.  My doll is 1/3rd the size of Mr. Burbidge's mannequin and scale wise she has less bosom and more "cheek".  Based on the original design, drawings, and article, I chose again to use Thai silk for the slip. I started with a more antique ivory color, almost ecru, but changed at the last minute for an ivory color.  The coloring was better for the dol porcelain.  The draft of the slip bodice went well, but during fitting, I found it was better to remove an entire panel.  I removed the side back.  

The trimming used on the top and bottom of the slip bodice is lace edging to lessen the bulk a lining or bias trim would cause.  The pressed seams are all facing to the back, topstitched, and trimmed.  This creates a boned effect and for firmness and reduce any bulk multiple layers might create.  I did also use some small plastic strips for “boning” and hold the slip bodice firm and up.  The under slip and over-slip were treated the same, raw edges trimmed with lace, folded toward the right side, stitched.  One and a quarter-inch lace was ruffled and sewn to the bottom of both slips.  As the slip is ivory and the lace is white, not a usual pair up for me, I added a white and ivory “buds-n-bows” silk ribbon trim to the top slip over the ruffle.  A little more handwork and three snaps later, voila! 

What would I do differently?  Perhaps use Swiss cotton for the slip, and darts in her tap panties with a back opening.  The elastic in the waistband creates bulk I had not thought about in advance when drafting the slip bodice.  Ah, don’t you love 20/20 hindsight? 

Have Fun!

Kathi

Bridal Challenge

 

I have a project I would like to tell you about, but it is anachronistic and I do not want my purist friends to go crazy.  I mean I would not do this unless there was a real reason for the project and there is a reason.  This is a story of six degrees of separation.  A friend of mine, Nancy, is a friend of someone I idolize, the late Mr. John Burbidge.  (Les Petites Dames des Modes see previous post:

http://creativedoll.blogspot.com/2008/02/who-is-john-burbidge.html)  

I talked and talked about him when we had a chance.  One day she let the bomb drop.  I know him, you know.  My jaw dropped.  I asked her a billion questions.   My friend Nancy was the hairdresser for his Little Ladies.  She wigged and styled each one.  I was flabbergasted but fascinated as well.  How had I not known about this?  We had known each other for years.  

      One day I answered the phone and Mr. Burbidge was on the other line.  He said, “Hi, Kathi, this is John Burbidge, I understand you like my work!”  My response?  “Oh! Hi!  Uh, wait a minute, I have to sit down!”  Well, we had the best conversation in the whole world.  It was wonderful.  We talked about pattern making, methods of making them, design and interpretation and so many other things.  30 minutes later, I was out of the house on my way to an appointment and calling my husband.  I think I was hyperventilating.     

      Well a few days later, a package arrived in the mail and he had sent me a kind note and a copy of a pattern he created for Doll Reader magazine in 1987.  He made a replica of Sarah Ferguson’s wedding gown worn for her marriage to Prince Andrew.  In our conversation, I wondered if I could execute one of his patterns knowing adjustments for size and scale could be difficult.  That was my challenge; make the dress, anyway I wanted on a smaller scale than his 30” mannequins, and to make it not the same, that is to say, to use the basics and create something different.  

I chose three dolls that were in miniature scales and from those three I would choose one for which to make this dress.  

      Dear purist friends this is where we might part ways, but I will go back to era-correct soon.  I promise.  The figure is an antique reproduction created by Alice Leverett called the Ultimate Fashion Doll™, (www.justalice.com) my favorite doll and my “play doll”.  She is the doll for which I create just for me. 

(Note: Ultimate Fashion Dolls are no longer in production) 

      I am following the patterns (there are no construction directions) and creating a different “modern” wedding gown based on the pattern, but having to think about things such as pattern design, fitting, scale, fabrics, etc.  My hope is to share this project with you as I go along.  

      Please forgive me using my wonderful antique reproduction as a modern gown mannequin, but I have not another doll this size.  (Emilie Claire is off with Ian, doing who knows what, but never mind she is a reproduction, too.)  

My three choices were a Franklin Mint wedding doll.  (At least I think it was Franklin Mint.  She is quite pretty, and I play with her a bit.) She is however meant to be either a 1980s doll when the Peter Fox wedding boot was popular or more of a Belle Epoch bride doll.  She has a pretty face and body, lots of potential with her.  The middle doll is the Alice Leverette Ultimate Fashion doll.  And the far right is a Robert Tonner Tiny Kitty.  Though she is more contemporary in style and appearance I felt I could better use the size and scale of the 12” Ultimate Fashion Doll.  I may yet make one for Tiny Kitty as well.  I do not know. 

Coming up:  We will see her contemporary undergarments, progression on the dress, and maybe an accessory or two.  

As always, 

Have Fun!

Kathi

1/12th Scale Patterns for Static Display

Good Morning!  The entry today is to discuss a static display in your room box or vignette.  Oftentimes, the patterns and dresses that fit dolls are not suitable for fro room displays.  They do not always hang well on a hanger, though some do, nor do they manipulate well for laying across a bed or scrunched into a chair. 

The 2000 category of La Petite Belle Patterns is made just for this purpose.  The design of the garments is there without all the girth of the dress to fit a doll.  These patterns for you today do NOT fit onto a doll.  But if you wanted them too, you would have to do some extra fabric cut on the sides to make them work.  If you like the pattern for a project, do give it a try, you never know what you will achieve. 

Before I moved, I wrote a bit for AIM magazine.  It is a FREE e-zine completed by the Artisans that are shown in the periodical.  This is their blog address, and it is a great resource.  http://www.artisansinminiature.com/  Do visit the archives.  The magazines are through SCRIBD, which is also a Free to join enterprise for publishing books and periodicals.  This link will take you to the most recent issue, but there is plenty to see there.  https://www.scribd.com/document/423776008/AIM-IMag-Issue-71

I did a monthly for a jet setting woman of the 1950s and completed 12 articles for them.  Today I am providing you three of those patterns.  They are large PDF’s and printing is laden with color, so if you want to save them it is fine, be warned about printing them.

Today I have included some undergarments, always pretty to display.  I understand one of the products I used, Fairy Lace, has been discontinued, but I have some suggestions for if you would like to make this set.  If you cannot get the Fairy Lace, you can use any 2mm ribbon, or even cut the header off of heirloom lace and use it.  Thin pieces of fabric and even braided thread will work as well.  For Fairly Lace, please visit:

http://www.dragonflyintl.com/shop/contents/en-us/d56.html

The links for the patterns are under the picture, they are clickable. 

The dress and hat are meant to go together, pick some fun and contrasting fabrics to make a perfect ensemble.  The fabrics in the 1950s were colorful and fun.  Also, can be made in a sheer fabric a la Grace Kelly. 

Courtesy- https://www.theweddingsecret.co.uk/magazine/iconic-wedding-dresses-in-film-high-society/

I hope you use these patterns and have great fun with the fabric interpretations.   

 

https://www.minidolls.com/images/03SewRetroMarch.pdf

https://www.minidolls.com/images/04SewRetroDress.pdf

https://www.minidolls.com/images/PurpleHat.pdf

Have Fun!

Kathi

Dior Room Complete

 

Last week we looked at a basic room box and basics to complete a fun vignette.  A simple box like that can be the jumping-off point for many a miniature collection.  And this was for us as well.  

Let’s jump right into the details.  After completing the room, we wanted to press home that it was a collector’s room, so we added some finishing details to the room.  Many things can be done with a basic box.  Our collector collected vintage clothing.  We borrowed a picture from the internet (picture was not sold) and made a frame for it.  Under that, a Demilune table of my design and added a (sold out) floral arrangement.  Debbie made a mirror to fit the vanity space, and a pouf was added for sitting.  A lady must have a place for her make-up and perfumes.  Plus, a beautiful box that comes in many colors is carried by Debbie at Minikitz.com to keep treasures locked away.  I chose black.  We had special shoes and hat boxes cut, as well as shopping bags.

The room with the basics is really starting to say something and we are getting a picture that this is really a closet or dressing room. 

Now all we need is to add the fancy things. 

Her we find our lady has saved her cake topper and shoes from her wedding.  I am sure there are other keepsakes inside the box.  As her veil tails along the top shelf she has added other special boxes and keepsakes.  Her shoes, hats and purses peek out on the shelves. 

What fancy and sparkly boxes and bags for mementos.  Wow those have to be special shoes to come in a shoe box that is glittered. 

 

Candy has received a box of roses.  What a special day!  And more shopping bags to be filled.  Lingerie, perhaps?

And finally, a completed room.  So much added.  Enjoy the details.  Click on the pictures and they enlarge.  Coco, the poodle, is as excited as Candy. 

I hope you have enjoyed this look at a long-term project.  It was so much fun bringing this idea to fruition. 

Have Fun!

Kathi

The Dior Project or Candy's Room

 

Late last year my friends Debbie Jones of Kitz! and Dana Burton and I got together on the MiniDollList forum and created a project for our group. 

https://groups.io/g/minidollLIST (Click to join the forum.)

https://www.danaburton.com/  Dana made the doll named Candy, there are no more kits available. She is our inhabitant.  Dressed for a special night on the town. 

https://www.minikitz.com/ Debbie sells many miniature kits at great prices for the DIY crowd.  Also, if you want a miniature doll she has contacts for some really talented miniature doll makers. 

It was great fun and wonderful confab! 

We started with the idea of a 50’s Closet, Dior, Chanel, and other designers of the 50s.  We wanted something that could be contemporary but perhaps a woman who collected period clothing and the ideas flowed freely from there.  We had a lot of fun doing it and our group participated in all the best ways, and like Japan month, everyone contributed. 

Each of us had our function; Dana created the doll and doll kits; I did the design and Debbie did everything else.  She did a lot! LOL!   

Today I am going to show you the room I designed, and Debbie’s husband Charles cut for us on a laser.  We spent some time on the design, fitting, and building of the closet.  building designing and building the closet.  We all decided on a black and white base theme as it was to be a closet or dressing room, and we wanted all our participants to be able to put their own personalities into them. 

The entire closet fits into an 8” X 10” picture frame and fits together using foam core board walls and floor.  The closet structure fits within the walls of the frame.  This closet is so expertly cut, it just slides into the space once it is assembled and painted.  The white color allows for all the accessories to pop. 

The Closet.

We looked for this closet to function as any real dressing area might, concentrating on display.  There is plenty of space for hanging clothes, a vanity, and cute little pouf for a tuffet (every girl needs one) finally drawers and shelves.  Filling and imagining what all will go into it is such fun! 

The Basics

We planned for the demilune table with a picture and accessories such as a perfume tray, nail polish, a floral display, or whatever someone wanted there.  Kitz! Got it all together in one place for people to pick and choose what they wanted.  No small feat!  The picture borrowed from the internet reinforced the display theme. (the picture was not sold it is a copyrighted item) however a set of frames were developed, and one could use anything available or their imagination.   

If you would like to take on this project, please see what is available here:

https://www.minikitz.com/ZenStoreP1/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=134_236

There are two pages.  Click through if you would like to make some of these items or have ideas of your own. 

In the next two weeks, we will look at more of the items prepared for this project, free tutorials, and some free patterns as well. 

Until more surprises next week,

Have Fun! 

Kathi