This week I have listed the LAST COPY of my Ramona the Gypsy doll pattern at $10.
This pattern will be redone and published with more choices at some point in the future.
Musings of an upcoming pattern line and other projects.
Monday, December 10, 2012
Etsy Monday for December 10th Ramona
Oops, I had taken a break during a November and had forgotten to do an Etsy Monday last week!
This week I have listed the LAST COPY of my Ramona the Gypsy doll pattern at $10.
This pattern will be redone and published with more choices at some point in the future.
She has a VERY shapely figure with well rounded bust and hips and a small waist.
This week I have listed the LAST COPY of my Ramona the Gypsy doll pattern at $10.
This pattern will be redone and published with more choices at some point in the future.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
SPP 2009 starting from the skin out
While I was still undecided on the dress fabric and trimming, I was working on the undies.
First I had to determine WHAT the under layers were going to be before I looked for patterns. Anyone who knows anything about Victorian clothing knows a corset was worn, but there are other layers as well. The corset was worn over the chemise. Drawers were often worn as well. there is some debate on where the waistband of the drawers was worn in relation to all the layers.
In the end the list of under layers was from skin out: Chemise, Drawers, Corset, Hoopskirt, Petticoat, Corset Cover. The Corset Cover was a necessity since the waist/blouse is sheer.
Fist step is measurements
It is difficult to measure a doll as their waists are too narrow to get a tape measure around so I cut a strip of 1/4" twill tape and marked the half inch on it.
The
total side length of the corset can not be over 2 1/2, or else it interfers with the
hip joint, the front can't be longer than 3, same for the back..
I jumped right into making the corset first, after all corsets are my favorite! I made the pattern to fit closed so that there would be a bit of a gap when worn over the chemise.
I choose this 1868 pattern by Lavinia Foy even though it was a bit late for the dress style.
US Patent 79647
The chimes and drawers were made from Mrs. Clark of the Sewing Academy's free instructions, with some alterations for use on a doll.
Next post will cover the patterning and making of the corset.
First I had to determine WHAT the under layers were going to be before I looked for patterns. Anyone who knows anything about Victorian clothing knows a corset was worn, but there are other layers as well. The corset was worn over the chemise. Drawers were often worn as well. there is some debate on where the waistband of the drawers was worn in relation to all the layers.
In the end the list of under layers was from skin out: Chemise, Drawers, Corset, Hoopskirt, Petticoat, Corset Cover. The Corset Cover was a necessity since the waist/blouse is sheer.
Fist step is measurements
It is difficult to measure a doll as their waists are too narrow to get a tape measure around so I cut a strip of 1/4" twill tape and marked the half inch on it.
| Full | Front | Back | |
| Bust | 7 1/2 | 4 1/4 | 3 1/4 |
| Under Bust | 5 3/4 | 3 | 2 3/4 |
| Waist | 4 1/2 | 2 1/4 | 2 1/4 |
| Hip | 5 3/4 | 2 3/4 | 3 |
| Front | Side | Back | |
| B-UB | 3/4 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| UB-W | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| B-W | 1 3/4 | 1 1/2 | 1 1/2 |
| W-H | 1 | 1 | 1 |
I jumped right into making the corset first, after all corsets are my favorite! I made the pattern to fit closed so that there would be a bit of a gap when worn over the chemise.
I choose this 1868 pattern by Lavinia Foy even though it was a bit late for the dress style.
US Patent 79647
The chimes and drawers were made from Mrs. Clark of the Sewing Academy's free instructions, with some alterations for use on a doll.
Next post will cover the patterning and making of the corset.
Tuesday, December 4, 2012
Computers, sewing, and the Holidays
I spent the last week without MY computer. I used my husbands Linix machine for basic internet, but since RhinoCAD doesn't work in Linix, I had to draft my patterns by hand, which meant I made some mistakes.
My computer is now up and running better, I didn't loose any data, and I even have MY color printer now on my desktop! But I am sure my computer is up for a clean sweep and reinstall of Windows soon.
So I spent my time sewing instead. I mentioned making a pattern above, yes I am making gifts for the various winter holidays that those around me celebrate. I can't talk about many of them, in case a recipient reads about their gift ahead of time, but I can share that I have been making a doll bassinet/basket for my daughter. She has a Baby Stella by Manhattan toy and I wanted a SOFT bed for Stella, but couldn't afford the one Manhattan toy sells, as nice as it is. I wanted a soft bed for a couple of reasons, 1. I am afraid my children would break a nice wood or wicker one, 2. Stella's bed will likely end up IN my daughters bed, 3. washabilitiy, 4. I MAKE something for her.
So I made a pattern, and didn't measure it correctly, so there is an added "design element" to it that an the whole actually makes it look more visually interesting. I will share pics after it is finished.
Do you know how hard it is to make something for someone when they are present? I know she is a small child and thus can be distracted with toys or the TV. I know some families are not so big on surprises, but to me that is part of the gift, the unveiling. At this point it is begining to look like something, so I have to work on it while she is not in the room, likely when she is sleeping.
Now to figure out what to make my Boys so that they get something from Mom too!
My computer is now up and running better, I didn't loose any data, and I even have MY color printer now on my desktop! But I am sure my computer is up for a clean sweep and reinstall of Windows soon.
So I spent my time sewing instead. I mentioned making a pattern above, yes I am making gifts for the various winter holidays that those around me celebrate. I can't talk about many of them, in case a recipient reads about their gift ahead of time, but I can share that I have been making a doll bassinet/basket for my daughter. She has a Baby Stella by Manhattan toy and I wanted a SOFT bed for Stella, but couldn't afford the one Manhattan toy sells, as nice as it is. I wanted a soft bed for a couple of reasons, 1. I am afraid my children would break a nice wood or wicker one, 2. Stella's bed will likely end up IN my daughters bed, 3. washabilitiy, 4. I MAKE something for her.
So I made a pattern, and didn't measure it correctly, so there is an added "design element" to it that an the whole actually makes it look more visually interesting. I will share pics after it is finished.
Do you know how hard it is to make something for someone when they are present? I know she is a small child and thus can be distracted with toys or the TV. I know some families are not so big on surprises, but to me that is part of the gift, the unveiling. At this point it is begining to look like something, so I have to work on it while she is not in the room, likely when she is sleeping.
Now to figure out what to make my Boys so that they get something from Mom too!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
SPP 2009 Triming Ideas
I wasn't thrilled with the trim on the original dress
National Museum of Denmark mus. nr. 6070/1977 to 6072/1977
My early ideas were to make the dress a bit more steampunk.
February 26th, 2009 post on ideas
"The dress will be in the red/brown, assuming I have enough of it. The bolero as well. I think I will skip the waistcoat and put the corset over the skirt and under the bolero. more steampunked that way. I still need to figure out how to make a mini hoop, I would like to do an uncovered one if possible.
And will need a riding hat or some other bonnet and boots.
I would like to change the trimming on the skirt to be a bit more steam punk, but I haven't figured that out yet."
So the first obvious place to start was the hem trim
March 18th, 2009
"While at the hardware store the other day I found #6 external locking (or tooth) washers that I will use for the "gear" decoration on Elphaba's dress for the Single Pattern Project over at Your Wardrobe Unlock'd.
Here we have a few drafted mock ups of trimming options for the skirt. the circles will be the gears and the lines will be couched cord. (I think the thinnest chain I could find would be too heavy.)
I think the purple and blue would end up being too heavy. the green is kind of meh. I was trying to imitate some of those fabulous soutach patterns that are so often found on mid 19th cent dresses, with gears at the corners and not crossing over any lines."
I also played with the bolero triming
March 28th, 2009
"his is how the #6 locking washers look as bodice triming. pattern is properly scaled for Elphaba."
"A mock up of the skirt triming, before I went and played in CAD."
I wasn't thrilled with it, so I decided to toss the steampunk idea and go for something more historically accurate which means back to the research. I spent some time looking for a different triming option, and finally settled on a combination of This bodice from August 1862 Peterson and a mutilation of May 1863 dress
I think it turned out well in the end
National Museum of Denmark mus. nr. 6070/1977 to 6072/1977
My early ideas were to make the dress a bit more steampunk.
February 26th, 2009 post on ideas
"The dress will be in the red/brown, assuming I have enough of it. The bolero as well. I think I will skip the waistcoat and put the corset over the skirt and under the bolero. more steampunked that way. I still need to figure out how to make a mini hoop, I would like to do an uncovered one if possible.
And will need a riding hat or some other bonnet and boots.
I would like to change the trimming on the skirt to be a bit more steam punk, but I haven't figured that out yet."
So the first obvious place to start was the hem trim
March 18th, 2009
"While at the hardware store the other day I found #6 external locking (or tooth) washers that I will use for the "gear" decoration on Elphaba's dress for the Single Pattern Project over at Your Wardrobe Unlock'd.
Here we have a few drafted mock ups of trimming options for the skirt. the circles will be the gears and the lines will be couched cord. (I think the thinnest chain I could find would be too heavy.)
I think the purple and blue would end up being too heavy. the green is kind of meh. I was trying to imitate some of those fabulous soutach patterns that are so often found on mid 19th cent dresses, with gears at the corners and not crossing over any lines."
I also played with the bolero triming
March 28th, 2009
"his is how the #6 locking washers look as bodice triming. pattern is properly scaled for Elphaba."
I think it turned out well in the end
Monday, November 19, 2012
Etsy Monday November 19th Beaded Dragon
It has been some time since I did an Etsy Monday since I am celebrating my Birthmonth by running a month long special. 50% off by using the code
BIRTHDAYMONTH
Today is a new listing.
Meet DragonBert
Now on my etsy shop.
He stands on his own at about 1 3/4" tall. Green beads and green wire make up his figure.
He goes very nicely with the beaded fairy.
BIRTHDAYMONTH
Today is a new listing.
Now on my etsy shop.
He stands on his own at about 1 3/4" tall. Green beads and green wire make up his figure.
He goes very nicely with the beaded fairy.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
SPP 2009 Color choices
I knew that the dress would be made in silk, so the first thing I did was go through my small stash.
Elphaba's green skin tone would prove challenging, but that is part of why I love her so much. all these photos were taken in natural light.
The first choice was a red/black and is actually more brown than these photos. It was just scraps left over from another project.
My issue with it was it is very close to the color of her hair.
The second choice was black, the standard Wicked Witch of the West color.
and she will get a black outfit some day, I decided that I didn't want to make the dress in black. This is also scrap fabric (was going to be an
elizabethan shirt, but I learned better.)
The third choice was teal/purple. I had some prewashed scraps (left) and 2 yard of it that were not washed (right)
So of the three colors I had in my stash, the red was the top contender, but my husband (who has a better sense of design and color than I) didn't care for it, so we went shopping. We found
a gold haboti. I put her up against it and it looked good on her, so did the pumpkin below the gold. So I decided to get a yard of each which is enough for the dress, believe it or not. There ended up being two yards of the pumpkin so I took it all.
Now the next day I pull out my silk ribbons, the gold I had is really close to the gold haboti!
AND the gold is really close in color to the actuall SPP dress as seen in Moden!
So now to decide on what color to trim it?
Pumkin with the gold and a gold waistcoat?
Pumkin with black? (too jack-o-lantern?)
Gold with white?
I had a quick look through my books and the only really orange dress was rather plain.
I had some 4mm black silk ribbon on hand for this picture
I picked up some other colors of ribbon at Lacis
These are the 2mm ribbons and the design called for three rows of trim.
In the end I went with the gold and black.
Elphaba's green skin tone would prove challenging, but that is part of why I love her so much. all these photos were taken in natural light.
My issue with it was it is very close to the color of her hair.
The third choice was teal/purple. I had some prewashed scraps (left) and 2 yard of it that were not washed (right)
So of the three colors I had in my stash, the red was the top contender, but my husband (who has a better sense of design and color than I) didn't care for it, so we went shopping. We found
a gold haboti. I put her up against it and it looked good on her, so did the pumpkin below the gold. So I decided to get a yard of each which is enough for the dress, believe it or not. There ended up being two yards of the pumpkin so I took it all.
Now the next day I pull out my silk ribbons, the gold I had is really close to the gold haboti!
AND the gold is really close in color to the actuall SPP dress as seen in Moden!
So now to decide on what color to trim it?
Pumkin with the gold and a gold waistcoat?
Pumkin with black? (too jack-o-lantern?)
Gold with white?
I had a quick look through my books and the only really orange dress was rather plain.
I had some 4mm black silk ribbon on hand for this picture
I picked up some other colors of ribbon at Lacis
In the end I went with the gold and black.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
SPP 2009 Gathering up ideas.
One of the first things I did was look up similar dresses.
The Museum at FIT
Object Number: P90.22.2
Metropolitan Museum C.I.60.6.11a,b
Which was the inspiration for Simplicity 3791
Grace and Favour: Victorian and Edwardian Fashion in America Cincinnati Art Museum ISBN 0-931537-16-9
Page 43 plate 12 1826-64 walking dress with jacket, vest, and sleeve ends, page 89 has the text and accession number 1989.39 a-e, this does not show up on their website, so here is a picture
August 1862 Peterson from New York Public Library
Le Petit Messager. Journal de Modes.May 16, 1863 from UW
1863 Madam Demorest Pattern for a Ladies vest from New York Public Library
July 1864 Peterson from NYPL
The Museum at FIT
Object Number: P90.22.2
Metropolitan Museum C.I.60.6.11a,b
Which was the inspiration for Simplicity 3791
Grace and Favour: Victorian and Edwardian Fashion in America Cincinnati Art Museum ISBN 0-931537-16-9
Page 43 plate 12 1826-64 walking dress with jacket, vest, and sleeve ends, page 89 has the text and accession number 1989.39 a-e, this does not show up on their website, so here is a picture
August 1862 Peterson from New York Public Library
Le Petit Messager. Journal de Modes.May 16, 1863 from UW
1863 Madam Demorest Pattern for a Ladies vest from New York Public Library
July 1864 Peterson from NYPL
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Single Pattern Project 2009
Back in 2009 Your Wardrobe Unlock'd had the Single Pattern Project. The challenge was to make something using the pattern for this dress
National Museum of Denmark mus. nr. 6070/1977 to 6072/1977
At the time of the challenge, the Danish Museum's website was done differently and the patterns were freely on their website.
Do not fret, the patterns were originally published in a series of books, this one was in Moden 1840-1890, which I own. The books are hard to find these days, especially in America, but they are very nice, and the website did not post all the patterns when they were up, so it was worth it to me to buy the books. even though I can not read much of it, though some of it is in English
I was pregnant at the time of the challenge, so I decided to make the dress in miniature for my doll
Tonner 2007 Basic Wicked Witch of the West (left) My first Tonner doll, my husband picked her out at a doll show.
In the end I made her the entire outfit, much of it sewn by hand, due to the small size. The outfit includes all period correct undergarments.
I will slowly port over the dress diaries for each piece.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Etsy Monday for November 5th
Today's Etsy Special for the next 2 weeks is 50% off anything in my shop through November!
Why?
November is my birth month!
Use this code
BIRTHDAYMONTH
So there will be no more etsy monday posts for the month except for NEW listings.
Time to start thinking of Christmas!
Panda cake by Струјајое on Wikimedia
Why?
November is my birth month!
Use this code
BIRTHDAYMONTH
So there will be no more etsy monday posts for the month except for NEW listings.
Time to start thinking of Christmas!
Panda cake by Струјајое on Wikimedia
Friday, November 2, 2012
Funding Research
Put your Money where your Heart is
Yesterday was the first of November and I donated my October Etsy Sales to Sarah Lorraine of Mode Historique for her research into the "chemise a la reine."
It wasn't much as my etsy sales are sparce, but it was the best I could do, seeing as the Etsy sales are the only income I have.
Sara has returned from her research trip and appears to have enjoyed herself very much, sh has posted some information already on her blog Scandalous Liberty but don't expect to see everything there as this is her Thesis! She has, of course, promised to share her research with the larger world in some undetermined format at a later date. Possibly as a book, in which case, she will likely need more donations. so I urge you to consider funding her project.
The original blog post I made about donating the sales, is here
I wish to thank anyone who helped Sara.
Yesterday was the first of November and I donated my October Etsy Sales to Sarah Lorraine of Mode Historique for her research into the "chemise a la reine."
It wasn't much as my etsy sales are sparce, but it was the best I could do, seeing as the Etsy sales are the only income I have.
Sara has returned from her research trip and appears to have enjoyed herself very much, sh has posted some information already on her blog Scandalous Liberty but don't expect to see everything there as this is her Thesis! She has, of course, promised to share her research with the larger world in some undetermined format at a later date. Possibly as a book, in which case, she will likely need more donations. so I urge you to consider funding her project.
The original blog post I made about donating the sales, is here
I wish to thank anyone who helped Sara.
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