Edwardian Walking Outfit Completed

 The Edwardian walking outfit is done and it turned out just as I had envisioned it would look like. 

The bonus was finding the perfect matching buttons in the button stash. 

The back of the top fits over the pleats in the skirt perfectly. 

All that is needed is a parasol for when she goes for a walk/promenade in the park. 

So, I did some searching for that parasol. 

Umbrella - can be bought here at Amazon. I am going to get a couple for future use. 

Embroidery file - can be bought here. What a surprise to find this lovely file.  

Instructions - are here. This will be a big project as you have to do each panel separately and then soak in a tub of water, let dry, and sew each panel together.  

I'm adding this to my to do list for the summer. I can sew while the Diamond stitches out the panels. 

Happy Doll Sewing...............................................................

Edwardian Promenade Outfit Nearly Completed

 The Edwardian outfit is almost completed. Just snaps and buttons to put on the top. It has turned out very close to how I thought it would look. 

The skirt is a simple skirt with darts in a smooth front.

There are pleats in the back to give it a bit of fullness.

The back has a small train meaning it touches the ground where as the front doesn't. 

The Antheia top was a delight to sew the second time. I did insert the lace into the pleats as it was calling for it. I did a lot of pressing to make sure the pleats were flat and in place. 

 I was going to extend the pleats on the back to 2" but left them at 1.5". The top fits perfectly over the pleats on the skirt. 

I marked where the shoulder seam would be off by 1/4" so the yoke facing fit correctly. I also marked where the fronts folded back just above the lower portion of the skirt. The sleeves went in easily and I'm pleased with the look.

I need to look in the button stash and find flower buttons for the front. I know I have blue and clear ones. I also need to put 4 snaps on the front so it closes correctly. 

Happy Doll Sewing.................................................................

One Fabric Two Outfits

I have been working quietly in the sewing room when I have time. I'm pinning and cutting out items right now. It has been slow as I have had to do other things. 

I have 2 pieces of piping cut out which is an easy sew for me. I send it to our daughter so she can hoard it. Really, I send it to her for her western shirts. 

The Antheia top and Edwardian walking skirt are cut out. I have to cut out the interfacing for the top fronts. It is basically ready to sew. I have the serger threaded with white thread so I can start on the skirt. 

The top is still in the designing stage. I will be sewing the lace on the top and am wondering if I will sew clear beads over the stitching line to give it a more finished look and a bit of bling. I don't do a lot of bling on doll clothes so there will be a trial run to see if my idea works. 

When I did my research on Edwardian walking outfits, this pattern is not really historically correct. Edwardian walking outfits had a wool skirt that was more a-line, a plainer shirtwaist, and a jacket. My doll will wear this outfit for a walk around the park and then will go for tea with her friends. 

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There was enough fabric left to make another dress for the dolls. Tucked in with the Edwardian walking outfit was this Keepers Dolly Duds pattern. 

Keepers Dolly Duds 1914 Frock

I will do the cuffs and collar in white broadcloth and try to trim it with white lace. This will be the second time I've made the pattern as I tested it using a new collar pattern the first time. I still have 1 more version I can sew before I retire this pattern. One day I will make it. 

I am excited to be sewing two historical outfits. I may have enough Victorian/Edwardian outfits to dress all the dolls. Next up will be the Regency era with some modern outfits thrown in for the little girl I sew for. 

Happy Doll Sewing.......................................................................

Antheia Top - Modern Version

 The Antheia top is done and I think it is the cutest top ever. 

I didn't have royal blue buttons and the white ones were to stark. It was suggested I use mother of pears and they are perfect. 

The back of the top is really cute with the pleats sewn down 1.5" It adds a neat and almost old fashioned look to it. 

My advice for this pattern is to read the directions and follow them carefully. 

I love looking at what others make for their dolls. My favorite site is Keepers Dolly Duds. Another site I found is American Doll Outfits. And lastly MHD Doll Outfits. More designers in another post. 

Happy Doll Sewing..........................................

Progress On The Top

Love From Lola

The Antheia top is a fairly easy pattern to make once you figure out the front pleats. Yesterday, I read the instructions 3 times before it clicked but I was tired. If you make it, you might just whiz through that step. 

The bottom front bodice went on easily enough but I missed the mark at folding it back. I need to go back and correct that. I need to fold the front a little deeper than I did to get it looking like the picture. I am going to say I was exhausted and missed that part. 

I should have been drinking Coke rather than fizzy water. 

I worked on the back today and it turned out perfect. I didn't take a picture of it as I ran out of time. I have the shoulder seams sewn again perfectly and will now add the back yoke lining tomorrow. 

Tomorrow, I need to fix the front by folding back the bottom piece about 1/2-3/4" and add the back yoke lining. Once that is done, it is the sleeves. 

I am hoping that I can get some royal blue buttons for this top but it remains if I can get somewhere to buy them. If not, I will be using black buttons. 

As I really like this top, I am making it again with a different lace, and a long Edwardian walking skirt in a light blue fabric. I really think this top can be both modern and historical. I'm thinking outside the box or I hope I am. 

Happy Doll Sewing......................................................................

And the Luck Stopped At The Pleats

 I finally got to sew after a lot time out of the sewing room. I am dealing with the Spousal Unit and have run from good days to bad days and back to good days. Keeping him busy has meant my self care has been on the back burner. 

I got to sew today. I had time after lunch to cut out an outfit and start sewing the skirt. I chose the Liberty Jane pleated skirt which I love. I spent a lot of time getting the pleats in neatly and am thrilled with the results. 

I have to say that my good luck stopped shortly after that. I interfaced the upper top as per the instructions. I drew the fold lines on the interfacing as per the instructions and the lace line to the proper side. My luck stopped there. 

I pinned the lace on right side to right side of fabric but I put the edge of the lace facing the arm hole not towards the center front. I then proceeded to fold the pleats towards the arm hole and not towards the center front. It looks cute but is totally wrong. 

So, lucky me, gets to pick it all apart tomorrow and start again drawing lines, basting on the lace correctly and pressing it well before basting it down well. I will put a copy of the instructions on to the laptop in the sewing room. 

Happy Doll Sewing......................................................

Little Picot Sweater Outfit

 I finished the outfit and got it modeled on Jennie. 

The dress was easy to finish. When I hemmed the skirt, I pinned it in place on the wrong side, pressed it on the right side and stitched it down. I used Glide thread for the buttonholes and they turned out beautifully. 

It is a perfect basic dress if you don't want a tightly gather skirt. 

I put the Little Picot sweater set with it and it is a cute warm day outfit.

This was a fun outfit to make and I'm sure it will be well received by the little girl whom I give these outfits to. 

Happy Doll Sewing.............................................