From My Little Hole in the Wall: "I Do Believe In Fairies! I Do! I Do!"

Sometimes it all begins with the most innocent and unexpected bit of inspiration! And when it strikes, there's no stopping the process.

Yes, I zipped through creating Anne's kite flying dress, but only because a very special idea, a costume, had sprinkled its pixie dust in my eyes. Tinker Bell.

Having opened another small box of Zuru Disney animation dolls for Anne, one in particular caught my interest. Dressed in a green strapless dress with her blonde hair formed in a bun was a tiny Tinker Bell. My first thought was, "Oh my gosh! That Cinderella wig would be perfect for this!" And it really took off from there.

The story of Peter Pan has long been a favorite of mine. I have the gorgeously illustrated book by Maraja, Wendy Lawton's Peter and Wendy from her Lifetime Achievement Award

ceremony, and just a few years ago, found that Robert Tonner had made a Peter Pan from his Michael doll, and I didn't hesitate to hit the BIN. I made him a tiny needle felt Tink to sit on his shoulder.

Like all the fairytales, they've morphed over time to suit the temperature and climate of the day they are written or retold. Walt Disney was the king of gentling every fairytale he put his animation to. And in doing so, made the stories palatable and iconic for the youngest most innocent members of our society since their inception.

I bring this up because my mother hated Walt Disney. She claimed he ruined every wonderful fairytale ever written and refused to take us to see the movies. I would have to find them later as an adult, but as a reader and purveyor of beautifully illustrated children's books, I read the stories as they were originally intended, warts and all, as they say. Still, there is a sweetness and charm that cannot be denied to these fabulously animated Disney tales.

The Zuru Tink.

(And while I'm thinking about it, I saw the musical with Sandy Duncan, in San Francisco, back in the 90's. That was my old life. Ballets and musicals and art museums.)

Anne as Tinker Bell with her little doll.

You cannot talk about the iconic Tinker Bell without a serious nod to Margaret Kerry. A talented actress and dancer, Disney hired her to be his Tinker Bell for the animated film version.

On a stage with huge sets, Kerry flitted about the stage simulating the famous pixie providing the animators the physical actions to bring Tinker Bell to life.

Kerry would exaggerate her facial expressions in every mood and spirit, to further inspire the talented animators.

It is said that upon viewing the first six seconds of the film, with tears in her eyes, she exclaimed, "That's me!" And the Tinker Bell we know and love today was born.

Tricky little costume here. How do you go about studying a costume like Tink's on Disney's pixie and bring it to life on a doll? Imagination.

I could have chosen a green knit and made a tight fitting all in one pattern dress. But Anne is a child with no feminine curves, so it would have come out looking like a tube. Hmmm...

I really wanted to make this costume from a lovely thin, green velveteen that I have, but the points and lining them would have been impossible to achieve. I tried. If you've ever tried to line velveteen, you know how impossible this task would be. So, I went to my trusty silk cabinet for the fabric and began drawing the pattern on paper towels,

I gave the hip area a slightly generous curve to give the impression of hips, or more importantly, the look of the animated costume.

Lucky me that I've made many bustier bodices for Cissy gowns, so creating a small one for Anne's child figure wasn't too far a stretch,

The skirted part is fully lined with the same silk, as is the bodice. Points like this can be difficult to turn inside out, but I wasn't going to be too serious or picky with this little costume. I wanted a look. I was not creating a French Fashion costume for Louise Godey. Just a cute little Tinker Bell costume for Anne. I try not to take my sewing too seriously, and often have to force myself to simply play.

Two little hooks and thread loops close the bodice in the back at the top and waist.

While dressing Anne and posing her, I found she can kneel beautifully can create many Tinker Bell poses!

This doll's articulation is impressive. Play with her!

Here's a pose similar to the hand placement in one of the images below.

Her wings are made from thin cotton covered wire found in artificial flower making, and a light blue sparkle netting.

Her shoes! I couldn't wait to make her shoes. Those huge pom poms would make the costume. The slippers are lined silk with green leather bottoms. The pom poms, to create the right size, were needle felted.

I don't know. This was so very much fun to make. I haven't felt this inspired in a long time. It was the tiny Zuru doll. The Cinderella wig! And it all just came together as if Tink herself, came along and sprinkled her pixie dust on my table.

Anne has become one of my favorite dolls to dress. I think this happens the more familiar you become with dressing the body of a new doll.

I'm thrilled to have been able to sign up for Anne's Clubhouse subscription, but I'm also a little hesitant now to sew for her. Rachel posted a sneak preview of some of the outfits the boxes will feature, and the dress I just finished was among them! Lucky for the people who don't sew, because this dress is adorable! I'm so glad they did this. But which other paper doll dresses will be represented?

Well, guess what? I'm going to sew for her anyway. No two are alike in anything. Similar, but we all have our own signature to what we do. And everything I create is practical experience for the next project.

I love child dolls. For me there's more gleeful play to them. Fashion dolls, lady dolls take on the elegance and beauty of the