Even Strong Leather Doll Bodies Break
We all know antique dolls are fragile. We all know that leather can, and will, separate along seam lines. What I learned yesterday is that this can happen even when a seam...
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Felicity’s Original Garments
When I purchased Felicity several years ago, she was wearing an antique dress and antique underthings. They're a little bit fragile, so I'll be packing them away for safekeeping in an archival...
Sylvia Mac Neil’s Stocking Pattern
Just looking at the photos of Chiffonnette, showing off her endless pairs of stockings, is enough to make me want to pull out a needle immediately (I would kill for a scrap...
Maddie’s Fancy Stockings
Several years ago, I was digging through a bin of odds and ends at a tradeshow and discovered a rare treasure: antique clocked stockings. They were child sized! And Lavender! With flowers...
The History of Clocked Stockings
One blog which is fun to visit is The Pragmatic Costumer. I recently discovered her post about the history of decorative stockings, which helped me narrow down how to use one of...
The Fabric Shopping Trap
Only one new packet of fabric arrived in the mail this week - a huge improvement for me. In the past I'd often text photos to a girlfriend showing heaps of little...
Understanding Fabric Grain
If your eyes glaze over as soon as “technical” things come up, you’re not alone. But you can't be a successful seamstress without understanding your materials. Grain is just a fussy word...
Indispensable French Fashion Reference
One book I turn to, over and over again, is Maree Tarnowska's book Fashion Dolls. In addition to the beautiful photographs, there's a detailed section in the back which shows all the...
Introducing Felicity
Felicity is 12” tall and marked with a single "0" on the back of her head. She was an economical purchase, due to a nearly invisible repaired hairline. She wasn’t at all...
Introducing Maddie
Maddie is 14.5” tall and unmarked. Most experts I’ve spoken with believe her head is probably Barrois. She has her original cork pate and wig. Her ears are pierced into her head,...