Hattie has been with me for about a year, and even though sewing time has been sparse, it’s safe to say we’ve made the most of it.
I began with “whites” which I like to get over with right away. When a doll is new and exciting, I’m generally fussier and most importantly – still willing to suffer.
Being fussy and willing to suffer is exactly the mindset one needs to sew teeny tiny tucks, and buttonholes, and fiddle with bits of lace you can barely see. But I digress.
First came underthings. They’re a bit worse for the wear after dressing and undressing her so many times, so try and imagine them fresh and new (and please don’t say anything if you can’t. She’s been sulking about the wrinkles all day and does NOT need more reasons to pout).
Next came a tiny cross stitched sampler. I’d never done counted cross stitch before and was surprised by how much I loved it. And then not surprised AT ALL by the subsequent time I wasted drooling over hand dyed threads, and patterns, and in the midst of all that I found the most beautiful handmade dollhouse frame, which fitted the sampler perfectly:
Finally, we stitched something for her head. The underthings and sampler were fun to make in such a tiny size. But nothing compares to how satisfying it was to sew a miniature lace breakfast cap from antique netting, ribbon, and scraps of crocheted edging:
Of course, these aren’t all her things. She’s been spoiled with a small antique trunk, and bits and pieces of furniture, as well as some clothes you’ll see later (chemisettes, for example, once their matching jumpers are finished. And some nightgowns, once the robe is stitched). With any luck I’ll be adding updates soon, so if you’d like to follow along as Hattie’s wardrobe grows click HERE.
And just in case you love cross stitched samplers as much as I do, you can read more about their history over HERE.