Cecile & Marie Grace 1853

American Girl came out with 2 new historic dolls right before Christmas in 2011. So I of course had to make a dresses for them!

I'm curious, would you all like seeing every doll dress I make or would you rather I pick out the "best" ones/newest style?

Intverview with Keepers Dolly Duds!

For a few years I have followed this amazing seamstress on ebay who makes utterly stunning doll clothes. Her work has inspired me to work harder at perfecting my doll clothes. She recently opened up an etsy shop and I asked her if she would be interested in an interview, to which she replied that she would.

                                              Who or what got you interested sewing? 

 When I was very young I used to watch in awe as my mother sewed for me and my siblings on her Imperial sewing machine.  I loved my Mom's button box..it was magical to me!

 Where did you learn to sew or who taught you? 

I learned to sew by watching my mother and experimenting with a scissors, fabric, needles and thread.   My Mom truly didn't have the time to actually teach me or my sisters to sew. She sewed out of necessity and it was just one of many chores she did in raising nine children.

                          

                                    How old were you when you made your first project?

                                     When I was four years old I made my first doll dress.

                                                   What was your first project?

I can remember laying my doll on the floor, cutting out fabric around the doll then sewing it one her. My mother was very proud of my accomplishment. I can remember being embarrassed as she showed everyone who came to visit what I had made.

                                     What are the most beneficial resources to you?

 Presently I search the internet for historical pictures and photos, vintage pattern jackets, vintage catologues, movies etc. I am always on the look out for ideas to make realistic looking garments for dolls.

                                     What are some of your favorite sewing books?

 I have two books from Dover, one titled "Everyday Fashions 1909-1920" As pictured in the Sears Catalogs" and the other titled Children's Fashions 1900-1950 As pictured in Sears Catalogs. Another great book I enjoy is titled The Collector's Book of Dolls' Clothes, Costumes in Miniature 1700-1929...Authors Dorothy S., Elizabeth A., and Evelyn Coleman ( no relation to me, even though we have the same name).

                                       What are some of your favorite patterns?

Although I usually design and make my own patterns,I recently purchased a pattern from a fellow seamstress for an 1850's Day Dress by Thimbles and Acorns, designer Shari Fuller. Its  a wonderful pattern. I have a few of Lincoln Mold 18" doll patterns which I use from time to time.

  
                                               Where do you get your inspiration from?

 I've always loved historical fashion and love trying to create it in doll size outfits..maybe I was born in the wrong era...:o) I' d say the resources themselves are very inspirational.  I do my best to capture the particular style and era of every garment I make. It can be difficult at times given the scale of the doll clothes.

                                      What are some of your other hobbies/interests?

 Over the years I have enjoyed designing and creating jointed mohair teddy bears.  I love to cycle and work in the garden.

                               What would be your ultimate/dream sewing project?

 Hmmm, I kind of feel like I am doing it now... thinking up designs in my head then seeing them made up in completion on a doll is my dream job. I find it very satisfying. Someday soon, if all goes well, I may have patterns available for sale.

Winter Photo Shoot

I only got a few pictures of the red riding hood dress I made last fall, so when the snow came and I had the chance I grabbed my sister (she was my model:), my camera, and snap some fun pictures. It was a good thing we went out when we did too, because the snow flakes really started coming down later, like a rain drops in a down pour!

This one is my favorite!

Crochet Flower Hair Clip Tutorial

My older sister has 2 little girls that got a crochet flower clip each for Christmas from a relative and they liked them so much that she asked me if I could make each girl 2 more. One pink and another purple. So I hunted up this YouTube tutorial on how to make the flower and I figured out how to attach the clip myself.

Attaching a clip.

If you click on the pictures and open them up in a new tab or window, the pictures will be bigger, if you need to see them up closer.

First stick the needle like so....

(on the back) 

Step 2

Then stick it back through part way, starting on the same end that you just pulled the needle through, and wrap one strand of yarn over the needle then pull the needle through.

Step 3

Next, stick the needle through the clip, then stick it under a piece of the flower and back through under the clip, then over clip again. Repeat this four times, moving toward the front of the clip.

Step 4

Once you have reached the front pass the needle under a few strands of the flower to the other side of the clip and repeat step 3 over again only this time work toward the back of the clip.

Step 5

When you have reached the back of the clip pass the needle under the clip, like you did at the front of the clip, and do 2 stitches around the side of the clip. Then stick the needle through the stitches you made (like pictured below) 

Step 6

Tie a slip knot and clip the excess yarn.

These are the ones that I made

The three little ones are for my nieces

and the two larger ones I made for myself. I decided to do just 2 layers instead of 3 since it was getting quite large:)

Colonial Christmas Dress

I tried to make this dress as period correct as I possibly could (well within reason). The bodice is lined with linen and the dress is made out of 100% silk dupioni. I hand sewed a blind hem on the over skirt, the trim was also done by hand. As well as some eyelets in the back.
Making this a doll dress was the next best thing to making a full size costume:)

What I would wear if I could...

Live in the 1830s.......Well I probably wouldn't wear the gloves or use the paraosl today, but you get the idea:)
I created this collection with polyvore and all these items I found on pinterest.

Bleak House

I watched it for the first time, over the course of a couple of days with my mom and my dad sat down with us the first night, he still has a few more episodes to finish. I don't really like Charles Dickens stories to much, but after seeing Bleak House I must say that I like it the best and I love the dresses of course :)
There was one important detail that didn't make sense to me though. How did everyone who read Lady Dedlocks letters know that she had a child when Nemo didn't even know? I if he didn't know then it couldn't have been written in them! I'm going to have to read the book to figure this part out, unless one else can explain to me/knows the answer?:)


I  think I like this one out of all Esthers dresses the best.

My mom and I liked Lady Dedlocks main green dress best.