DON'T MISS:
Until the mid 1900s, most dolls, except for the most luxurious, came dressed in a
very basic chemise or simple, inexpensive dress, since it was expected that the
"little mother" of a doll (and her mother!) would make clothes for the
doll. Many of the elaborate and most cherished outfits for classic French and German
antique dolls, for instance, were actually homemade, often of fine, natural fabrics, and
beautiful cotton laces.
Even as late as the 60s, many outfits for dolls were homemade. Anyone who searches for vintage Barbie clothes at garage sales and flea markets knows of the large amount of homemade garments for Barbies and other fashion dolls which still survive today, despite the multitude of store-bought outfits that were available. One of my favorite memories of my childhood dolls in the 60's are of the doll outfits that my mother sewed for my Barbies, Tammys and Grow-hair Crissys. These outfits joined my "store-bought" ones, and were much loved and proudly worn by my dollies.
Then came the 70s--and more and more working moms,and many young girls (the baby boomers!) did not learn to sew at the knee of their mother. Most doll clothes throughout the 70s and 80s were store-bought, and polyester, with synthetic laces, trims, etc.
Well, today I believe that a small renaissance is
underway in sewing for dolls (and, sewing in general, for that matter!). Multitudes
of moms are sewing for American Girl Dolls. Many collectors who never before picked
up needle and thread are sewing outfits for, and "customizing" their Barbies and
Genes. And, the talent of doll
artisans who sew beautiful reproduction antique outfits (from the finest silks, cottons,
and trims) is remarkable.
NEW, NEW NEW!! Please see Sewing for Dolls for my new VINTAGE TRIMS AND LACES sample cards!!
These pages explore Sewing for Dolls, and the
wonderful vintage fabrics, buttons
(in their own section), and vintage trims
that are so lovely and appropriate for these endeavors.
Do you love computerized embroidery work, or just sewing in general? then don't miss my Sewing Links, featuring freebies for computerized embroidery machines!
Oh, and a note about buttons--I LOVE vintage and antique buttons--all sizes and shapes. The "Vintage Buttons" area includes information on buttons of ALL sizes, not just as they relate to doll sewing.
Denise
Oh!!--don't leave without visiting my Victorian Ribbonwork section; click on the rosettes!
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