Meet Laura Peterson, Louise Godey's Best Friend

November, to me, is one of the gentlest months of the year.  Oh, I know.  So many people are thinking ahead to the holidays, the madness, the dinners with family and decisions of gift giving in the upcoming season of Christmas.  But, for me, the early morning sun, darkness by five o'clock pm, the leaves changing from reds and golds to rusts and browns as they loose the trees and drift to ground - this is a quiet and soft, dreamy time of year.  I can't think of anywhere I'd rather be than creating in my studio with colors and styles representing the season, for some special little doll. 

Meet Laura Peterson.  She is Louise Godey's best friend.  She is the same size and Lawton body as Louise.  Fourteen inches, wood and porcelain.  Laura is yet another Lawton rescue reborn and I've so many design plans for her. 

Laura's family are the Peterson's of Peterson's Magazine, or  Peterson's Ladies' National Magazine, founded in January 1842. Charles Jacobs Peterson and George Rex were partners at the Saturday Evening Post when they decided that a new women's journal was needed to compete with Godey's Lady's Book.  It was issued at a lesser price as an alternative to Godey's, and featured just as lovely fashion plates from France. 

Both American publishers claimed to be the first to present the latest styles from France, and to be in direct communication with Paris via its own correspondent, all the while blatantly issuing unauthorized engravings of French fashion plates.  This is why you see French writing on the engravings.  I found it very interesting that the engravings issued by Godey's had such a different look to them than those of Peterson's.  Different artists perhaps, but when researching Laura's background, I found Peterson's to be quite beautiful and softer in appearance.  The settings are quite different, and below you'll find three examples of them.

I wanted Laura's first gown to be quite different than anything I'd done for Louise.  It was my intention, after making two little fall fashions for Petite Chiffonette and Lily (see below at bottom of page), to make a large one like Lily's for Laura.  It was also my intent that Louise would share her dolls with Laura, and Lily would become Laura's doll.  But, you know how girls are with their dolls.  Of course they can play dolls together, but Laura would need an accessory with her debut gown, and so a doll was procured from the pile for her.

Laura's gown is silk taffeta in wine and gold stripes.  It has bias piping on the neckline, shoulders at the sleeve, and piping at the waist.  It also boasts lappets (new for me) with piping all around them.  The skirt is finished with a bias stripe, and the bodice with bows at the shoulders.

Let us begin with the blouse, or chemise.  I wanted to make her something she could wear beneath many of her gowns or skirts, so I put a little more effort into this.  The chemise is pleated across the entire front to the end of the shoulders.  The high neck band is trimmed in delicate lace.  The full sleeves have wrist bands that are trimmed in the same sweet lace as the collar.  While you cannot see the back, tiny mother of pearl shank buttons close it with thread loops. 

Laura is wearing the Lawton wig that once belonged to the original doll Louise is from.  However, I tied it up and back with a black ribbon like the children in the illustrations of La Mode Illustree.  I was wondering how I would be able to share the details of the bodice with those long sausage curls falling down over her shoulders, and this style took care of that.

I like piping.  I think the first time I really enlisted it as a decorative trim was with Sterling and Amethyst's light blue sailor outfits.  The piping itself is not difficult to make, but takes up an extraordinary amount of fabric since you have to cut it from the bias of the cloth.  If you wish to have a long uninterrupted piece, you have to take it further from the edge of the fabric, rendering that section just about unusable for anything else.  Then there's the tedium of pinning it to the section you wish to apply it to - like six little squares.  Pin it, turn it, pin it, sew it, lay the other square to the back, pin it and sew over the stitching on the reverse side as close to the piping as possible.  Then turn the little square inside out.  Six times.  Lappets.  Lappets can also end in points, which is lovely.  Often they are edged, but I had to try using the piping this way.

As to their origin, its only my guess.  They "feel" Renaissance to me.  Spain?  Italy?  France?  I've no idea, but fashions of yesteryears repeated themselves in historical fashion design as they do today.  They are not a design I would employ often, but I will do them again.  They have a royal feel to them. 

The final design to the gown was in the bias strip along the hem of the skirt.  It was an afterthought at best.  I design as I go along and when something needs a bit more, I just try things.  The bias strip was just that.  It is hand sewn on with the ladder stitch, top and bottom.  It echoes the slants in the piping and pulls the look together.  Two bows are fashioned over the narrow shoulders to dress the bodice up a bit. 

At last we come to Laura's little doll.  Laura's doll is a family heirloom from the mid 18th century.  These wooden dolls were used as fashion mannequins sent from Europe to show ladies in the states what the latest fashions were.  Wooden dolls could also have been Queen Anne dolls.  I am not an expert on these dolls by any stretch, but wooden dolls have been around for a very long time.  I'll be on the hunt for an appropriate porcelain doll, and until then, the heirloom doll will be her favorite.

As for Laura's doll, this one started out as Elizabeth's "fashion" doll from the Revolutionary War time period.  Elizabeth was Felicity's English, and best friend, from American Girl when it was Pleasant Company.  I simply undressed her and made her a gown from the scraps of Laura's.  Or should I say that Laura's seamstress made the family heirloom doll a new dress at Laura's request?

It is doubtful that I will make more gowns like this for Laura's doll, but you never know.  It was no piece of cake.  I'm watching Season Two Outlander right now on Blu-Ray, and Claire's gowns in France are so inspiring.

While writing this journal, I thought of a name for Laura's doll.  Isabelle.  I'll probably be sewing for Laura through the end of the year to establish a minimal wardrobe for her.  The funny thing is, now that Louise has a friend and so does Petite Chiffonette, I'll have to make four coordinating costumes at a time.  Why do I do this to myself?  At least this seamstress is busily employed by the Godey's and Peterson's.  Rival publishing families, but the girls don't mind a bit. 

One last note.  Finally, after all this time, I found and signed up for a class in needle felting.  There are some techniques I need to observe in order to do it myself, and needle felting was one of them.  November 18th.  The class is for a piece of pumpkin pie.  How apropos!  Won't they be surprised when I make a doll sized one instead?

Love,
Miss E. Mouse

 

 

An Edwardian Safari

When I take on a commission, I don't do it lightly.  Its not often that I'll even accept one nowadays.  My reasons are personal, but primarily have to do with how I spend my time.  If something appeals to me, or I find the subject of interest, after careful consideration and the belief that I can provide what is asked, I'll accept.

Following this, my days and thoughts concentrate only upon the task, and untold hours of research are put into the costume, if I've not done something similar before.  Hours are also put into selecting top quality, specialty fabrics, and expense is put out.  While designing the patterns and tailoring them for a perfect fit for the doll, I continue to research each piece for historical accuracy.

Taking on something like an Edwardian Safari collection may not initially seem like an issue, but there are literally no photographs of women on Safari during this era.  There are countless images of men with their "prizes" in safari settings and near encampments.  It is only a guess why women didn't go on Safari, or at best were not included in photographs.  I only found one where the woman clearly was holding camp and not actually beating the brush, and hiking with her rifle, camera equipment, etc. in appropriate wear.

What would a woman wear for such an adventure in the Edwardian era?  Practical, but utterly feminine.  Covered, but light weight enough for the climate.  And, when it came to what she wore on her feet, feminine, but sturdy boots so that she could enjoy what a man could without twisting her ankles or falling behind the game in little heels.

With these factors in mind I chose linens in white and moss green.  For the veil to shield her face or wrap the sun hat on her head, I chose Illusion netting, or fine bridal netting.  Illusion is also used for ballet tutus, something I was introduced to about 17 years ago by Janna Joseph when she made little Degas dancer outfits for two doll house dolls for me.

I was asked to make a high necked blouse, jacket, belt, skirt, jodhpurs, a hat with veil and tall black boots.  I began with the blouse choosing to dress the doll from the bottom up.  All these pieces would fit over Wendy Lawton's Haute Couture's undergarments consisting of an ankle length chemise, bloomers beneath, and a laced up corset.  Haute Couture has the same 14" lady doll body as Gay Event.  However, none of Gay Event's patterns even came close to "Edwardian Safari", so I began afresh.

The blouse is made from a woven Italian shirting cotton.  It is gathered above the bust and features the high neck, full long sleeves with wristbands, and closed in the back with thread loops and tiny buttons.

The skirt has six gores and is pleated at the waist in four places.  These pleats are seamed down for tailoring, and six tiny buttons embellish the pleats, as Edwardian skirts seemed to require such fancy.

The jacket is long and modest with two large patch pockets to hold maps, a compass, or any needs she may have out on the Serengeti. Three belt loops hold a stitched, leather belt in cognac leather to complement the buttons, with a shiny brass buckle.  Three holes allow for adjustment on the belt.   

The jodhpurs, my personal favorite, are made similarly to the skirt with four stitched down tiny pleats.  It was interesting creating this pattern for the proper fullness of the legs.  Wide bands end the jodhpurs just below the knee and tuck in nicely to the tall black boots.  All these factors play heavily into the design.  The foot of the doll must easily go through the ends of the pants, yet be small enough to fit snuggly when the boots are worn.  Four gold buckles strap the boots securely to the doll's legs, and can be cinched tighter should she wear them under her skirt.  Crazy as it seems, it took me three days alone to make the boots.

The hat, Swiss paglina straw, and the veil of Illusion as I earlier mentioned.  While designing and dressing the doll, I felt the costume needed a bit a dash, so I made a small silk neck tie and an amber, or topaz, necklace to give décor to the blouse. 

Haute Couture was photographed with Tonner's Ralphie's rifle for effect, but was not included in the collection.  I was informed by the customer that he was an accomplished miniaturist and would find joy in making her accessories.

Countless hours of design and hand stitching went into this collection, as well as dressing and photographing the doll.  When all was said and done, I was stiffed on the commission.  The details do not need to be discussed, but upset and disheartened by this, its taken me quite some time to recover from feeling violated.  I normally journal on my creations promptly following completion, but its taken me this long to feel good enough to write on this ensemble.  At the end of the day, its a fabulous creation and should be shared.

Below are some photos from the Edwardian period that I used for design inspiration.  The boots were designed from studying what men wore on Safari.

Currently I'm back with French Fashion, or Civil War era costuming from the 1860's.  I've a new doll I'm sewing for, and losing myself amongst silks and rufflings is wonderful therapy.  I will add that if anyone has a 14" lady Lawton doll and is interested in this ensemble, you can write to me at melissa_miata@yahoo.com

Its a new month!  November is a wonderful time of year for continuing to enjoy the autumnal changes and looking forward to the holidays.  Blessings to all of you who faithfully follow my journey on the creative process.

Love,
Miss E. Mouse

Alice Illustrated's Hallowe'en in Wonderland

Cooler weather, falling leaves and hooting owls.  Spooky stories, chilling tales, bags of miniature chocolate bars and excited children (and adults!) planning what to wear for the Hallowe'en parties and celebrations.  "These are a few of my favorite things."  So long raindrops on roses.  Fall is here and it truly is my favorite time of year.  While poets may wax on the dying of things, everything comes to life for me.  Gone is the wretched heat of summer.  Its time for holidays and merriment!

Last spring my dear friend, Jean Nordquist, who shares my love of "Alice Everything" and Hallowe'en, sent me a sampling from the new for 2016 line of Graphic 45 scrapbooking papers.  A set of Alice themed papers.  Hallowe'en in Wonderland!  The artist that conceived this idea and enhanced the illustrations so magically in Tenneil style, inspired me instantly to make a real Hallowe'en costume for Alice Illustrated.

I'm generally pretty picky about my Alice illustrators through time, in what I add to Alice Illustrated's growing wardrobe.  Who's to claim that a new illustrator is less desirable than those from the Golden Age?  For me, if it tickles my fancy and inspires me to recreate it, I'm off like a rabbit down the hole.

I knew I'd be making Alice the costume conceived by this artist, and I only wish I could share with you the name of this talented person. Jean sent these pages to me late last spring, and I'd been waiting patiently for fall to arrive to begin it.  She has a marvelous professional scanner and printer, and was able to scan most of the 12" x 12" page for me on the 11" x 17" plate, so that I could share the image with you in this blog post.  The other pages are equally stunning in design, and all the proper characters are redone, dressed up in a Hallowe'en theme.  Graphic 45.  Hallowe'en in Wonderland. Google it and take a look!

For Alice's costume, I used silks I had on hand.  Her dress is a cerulean blue silk, and her apron and hat are black silk.  I was sorely tempted to use her notable Tenneil dress beneath a new apron, but the trimming on the sleeves was white lace.  This would not do.  So I made the edges as a ruffle in the same color to emulate the artist's idea.

Her hat does not seem to have a pointy top like many witch hats, so I rounded the edge and poked it down a little.  The brim base is not the stiff buckram I typically use, but iron on pellon.  It gives it just enough form to keep it from drooping.  A green silk ribbon wrapped and tacked on, in an interesting criss-cross fashion, decorates the crown and gives it a bit of a vine-like appearance.

Her stockings are red and white stripes.  I used an infant's Christmas snuggy as my fabric. 

The broomstick had a couple of go 'rounds.  Not having any straw on hand, I went out to the yard and pulled some yellowed, long dead weeds and tried to wrap them around a simple dowel.  The crumbling mess did not work at all.  Then Sunday rolled around and with it, a coupon for Michael's in the Sunday paper. 

I hopped into the car and drove down to Michael's to have a look around to see what might work for the broomstick.  I settled on raffia for the brush, and an ornamental branch for the stem, though you must purchase them in a bundle.  No problem.  I'll have them on hand for the next broomstick.  Wrapped jewelry cording secures the broom to the stick.

I saved the shoes for last since I'd need to make a fresh pattern for them.  I did have a pattern for elf shoes, and I also looked up Bleuette's jester shoes, but neither were quite what Alice was wearing.  There is more of shoe to this than a pull on, curly-toed slipper or boot.  I'm at a loss for words in how to describe the pieces of this shoe.  But, the piece that goes across the instep is a triangular shape that fits into the two sides near the beginning of the curly toes.  I had to take a few whacks at this pattern before I got it right.  They're fun though, and without these shoes, the outfit would not be complete.

The only piece I regret not presenting is the pumpkin teapot in the right bottom corner of the illustration.  How dearly I'd love to make this, and in needle felt.  If I have time to explore this, this month, I will.  It would be a good "first needle felt" for me, and a wonderful accessory to display her with.

October is going to be spent in the service of others.  I would normally play Hallowe'en all month, but I have two commitments on my plate and due to this, Alice Illustrated's Hallowe'en in Wonderland is my only contribution to this year's festivities.

For the last few weeks I've been reading John Connolly's two chiller thriller volumes of short stories.  Nocturnes and Night Music (Nocturnes Two).  Truly a marvelous author.  This Irish author has been compared to a rather "subtle" Stephen King.  I always put up a few Hallowe'en decorations around the house and my dolls that do have costumes, usually get dressed up for the big night. 

I hope you have a delightful month and find yourself a Trick-or-Treat to sweeten your days.

Love,
Miss E. Mouse

Louise Godey's Riding Habit For Autumn

Just two days ago, the weather took a delicious turn.  The heat of summer gentled its dry blaze of sun for a cooling breeze that shakes the branches of trees and rustles the limbs of shrubbery.  Our poplars have been shedding seeds on the patio for several weeks now.  This welcome breeze might finally bring down the last of seeds before the leaves begin to turn yellow and make their way south.  I do love autumn.  My favorite time of year begins September first, in my mind, and lasts until the wishbone is cracked at the Thanksgiving table. 

Its that time of year when the moss greens, golds, rusts, purples and browns come out of the fabric cabinet, as I begin planning a fall wardrobe for a doll or two.  This year, the forest green velveteen became the choice when planning a Riding Habit for Louise Godey.  The riding habits for autumn were generally made up in dark colors during the 1860's.  Deep blues, browns, and dark greys were popular, saving the off-whites for springtime.  However, I had this lovely fabric on hand from Marigold Greenaway's coat from last December, and it looked so lovely draped across Louise when selecting a color.

The riding habits from the Civil War era were as diverse in structure, and the many gowns the ladies and girls wore.  In researching the topic of riding habits from the mid 19th century, one style concept was clear.  The skirts were a good foot longer than the day dresses.  They puddled on the floor around the ladies' feet, but never did I read why they were designed longer.  Some riding habits from earlier times were so long that they'd cover the entire horse down to her "shins".  These were generally habits worn when riding through town or on roads.  My thoughts for the extra foot length was modesty.  Should a lady be on a hunt, or riding swiftly across the fields, her skirts would float up in the wind exposing the delicate ankle, so the extra length might theoretically eliminate that possibility.  I'm also fairly confident the women and girls climbed steps to sit the horse, or were helped up by "the help", so gathering up the skirts to mount a horse side saddle, would not have been such a complication. 

One of the other garments worn by the ladies was a pair of matching trousers beneath the skirt.  I have seen images of straight legged pants, but there was a  preference for Turkish pants, tucked in the high riding boots.  These blousy, voluminous pants were often made of the same fabric as the riding habit, but for the purpose of dressing Louise, I chose the "color" to match, and used this same fine cotton as the lining of her gown.

After a good amount of studying the various designs of the costume, I selected a simple design from a fashion plate (third photo from bottom).  The jacket's sides curve up to expose the hips for ease of sitting in the full skirt.  The front is cornered and pointed, and the back is squared.  I wanted a clean look for the child, Louise, to wear.  Louise Godey's Riding Habit is for the hunt. Not a hunt of game, but a hunt to seek and find the wonders of nature in the autumn woods.  The whisper of fox and foxglove. The spotting of birds flying south.  The enjoyment of chasing across the fields with her dog close at heel.

I began with the jacket, choosing the most difficult piece to make first.  A few patterns, a few changes, a few mock ups later, I constructed this velveteen jacket with a rounded neckline close to the neck with just enough room for a bit of lace to peep out from the chemise.  A long row of tiny shell buttons march down the front.  Four of the same buttons decorate the cuff ends of the sleeves.  The buttons are sewn back to back for a lovely detail, and cinch the sleeve end a bit tighter over her wrists.  The sleeves of the jackets worn in the 1860's riding habits, were looser than those of earlier decades, however a detail like this does not detract from the design concept. 

Her skirt, as mentioned before, is a good "foot" longer than her day gowns.  It is pleated as is the skirt from the design plate below.  This pleating, then a gentle gathering of all at the waist deals nicely with the volume of fabric required to make such a full skirt - especially in a fabric like velveteen, as opposed to silk.  The chemise is not separate, but was made like a doll's costume, attached to the skirt.  The lace collar is zigzag sewn on the neck edge.

Louise's Turkish trousers are made from the same cotton as the skirt's lining.  Due to the amount of fabric needed to give them the proper volume, it was best to chose something thin that would gather nicely.  The Turkish trousers are separate, with a waistband that closes in a hook and loop.

Louise needed a proper pair of riding boots.  The boots were tall and made from good sturdy leather.  I read that often the skirts of hunting habits were edged with a foot of leather panel to prevent nice fabrics from tearing in brush and tree.  Heavy.  Those poor horses!

While researching riding boots, I came across a blog on riding habits from this era and found this "poster" or book cover of Kate Tattersall Adventures in China.  Not having read this book by R.S. Fleming, I can only hope that the era was correct and Kate partook in some equestrian activities.  However, the boots looked correct.  For one thing, when you research riding habits you're not going to find the illustrations of ladies showing their boots.  Too indelicate, I suppose.  The only reason I know that straight leg pants were worn at time, is that there was a photograph of a woman showing 2" of the bottom of her trousers.  Regardless, I loved the straps on these boots Kate wears, and made up a pair of similar boots for Louise with less buckled straps.  All I had left of the smallest Dritz buckles were silver ones, and I added three to each boot on the areas that most needed tight closing.   The boots are made from mocha brown Italian goatskin hide.

In one of the illustrations of a spring riding habit, I spotted this lovely Travel Reticule, and knew Louise had to have one.  I'd intended a belt for her at the waist of the jacket, but this was better.  In the illustration, the travel reticule is very small.  It was not my intention to make Louise's so much larger, but there are several factors at play here.  Louise is a child wearing the "same" reticule the adult woman is.  Also, the travel reticule was sewn on the machine, and constructed of good glove leather, and needed to be turned inside out at the small opening.  You'll notice the reticule's design is similar to the edge of her jacket.  A Leit Motif.

Another happy find (I do love Google images!), was the design I chose for her hat, and next to it, a riding crop with a crocheted wrist band.  A girl would wear the wristband and tie the straps to her crop, so should it slip out of her hand, it would not be lost behind.  It would simply dangle from the wristband, easy to catch up again. 

So I began the hat.  Clearly the most difficult piece of the costume.  Again, I chose black velveteen to cover the frame.  The hat is designed similarly to the illustration, with the exception of two feathers, rather than one.  Some riding hats did sport two feathers, one on each side, so I followed suit.  The base of the hat is buckram with hat wire sewn onto the edge to shape it.  It is lined with black silk taffeta to protect her hair.  Two long silk ribbons tie the hat to her head, and the same silk makes a band and pretty bow in front.  The feathers came from a pheasant, I suppose.  These were tightly bound in a "bunch" in the floral section of Michaels.  I chose the smallest ones and they nestle beneath the ribbon band around the crown.  I envisioned Louise riding through the fields with these feathers fluttering out behind her.

Next was her riding crop and wristlet.  Speaking of size (the reticule), the crop in the illustration seemed a bit "twiggy" and thin.  I think it was drawn to illustrate the use of the wristband rather than express a proper riding crop.  You could poke someone in the eye with it (sorry for my sense of humor), but a horse wouldn't notice the whack much. 

I carved the little dog head out of basswood and stained the stem and head with golden oak stain.  I wrapped leather around it for a secure hold, but I probably should have left the wood bare, and make carvings of crossways lines in it.  Like the one in the illustration.  This was an afterthought, and should I make another sometime, I'll explore this.  Funny, but the dog's head looks more like my Lab's, Dover's head, than the hunting dog illustrated.  I used him as my model.  Its only 1/2" tall.  I think I was ready to wrap the project up. 

I don't crochet.  And, no, it is not like my "not sewing".  I truly believe crochet and knitting is better done in the hands of some with more patience and skill than I have.  So, to emulate the wristband, I used the boot leather, but the sueded side.  I used pinking sheers to cut the rick rack design, and applied all to a thin piece of netting with hat glue.  It closes around the wrist with a metal button and loop.  The straps wrap around the crop permanently.  Two little tassels of embroidery thread make it dainty and decorative.

Lastly, I chose to make her a pair of gloves.  It was my intention to make long gauntlets, but they'd have been the size of oven mitts to go over the sleeve ends of the jacket.  I also did not have any antique glove leather on hand.  However, stuffed in the back of a cabinet, I found the ultra micro suede I used for Lettie Lane's autumn leaf costume!  It was perfect.  Thin.  I could easily hand stitch the gloves through the two layers.  The thumb and edges are sewn with a blanket or button hole stitch.  Itty bitty stitches.  I'm glad I was able to pull the gloves together, for I think they put the finishing touch to the costume.

I have seen beautiful gloves with all the fingers, hand sewn by talented seamstress, in trousseau trunks time and again.  What you never see, are the gloves actually worn by the doll.  This is because they are for looks only.  Louise's hands are little round puffs of porcelain.  I like accessories that work.  Accessories you can play with.  So the pattern for these gloves only sport a little finger, a thumb, and the illusion of the fingers, which on the doll are fused. 

When I ponder Louise's trunk of clothing, her trousseau, I am always seeking to round out the colors selected for her garments.  Its likely that most costumes from the 1860's were made from the hues of only four or five colors, but we can play here and allow her to dazzle with a "muted rainbow". 

In several days I'll be leaving for our annual sojourn to hike the red rock canyons of Utah, and climb through gold aspen forests.  I fully expect Louise to take advantage of her beloved pony and make the most of her riding habit. 

Love,
Miss E. Mouse

Twiggy in Mary Quant, and In the News

 August has been an unusual month for me.  While it began with me hot in pursuit of creating a wardrobe for my Franklin Mint Twiggy, that old tug and pull for autumn riding habits and the swish of silks in golds, reds and forets greens, have been niggling at me.  Now this is not to say that I won't continue to create for our Twigs, but I must follow my passion where it leads me.  I certainly have a nice stash of fabrics to work from to create some exciting Mod fashions for our girl, but these two may be it for a couple of months.

In between the valiant pursuit of building a fine collection for a Mod Twist 'n Turn Skipper (I adore vintage Skipper!), I created two fun outfits for Twiggy.  One I'll call Mary Quant, and the other, Twiggy in the News.

Mary Quant was the London designer that most often has been accredited to introducing the mini skirt.  When challenged by this claim, Quant would say, "It was the girls on the King's Road who invented the mini. I was making easy, youthful, simple clothes, in which you could move, in which you could run and jump and we would make them the length the customer wanted. I wore them very short and the customers would say, 'Shorter, shorter.'"  She gave the miniskirt its name, after her favourite make of car, the Mini, and said of its wearers, "They are curiously feminine, but their femininity lies in their attitude rather than in their appearance.  She enjoys being noticed, but wittily. She is lively, positive, opinionated."

A very feminine choice for Twiggy was this pink and silver dance or cocktail dress by Mary Quant.  I was certain I would never find a suitable fabric for this dress, but just happened upon it while searching dance knits.  It is actually labeled swimsuit fabric and was certainly a challenge in sewing little pieces together.  The trim is silver four-way stretch "vinyl".  I was surprised to find such an array of choices in prints and colors while scrolling through the selections.  I didn't hesitate to purchase a yard of it, which was the only measurement available to purchase.  What on earth will I do with the rest of it?!

The challenge was all in the bodice and getting the stripes to go in the direction Quant designed them.  You might think this an easy task, but for some reason, it was not.  Not a bit.  I'm positive the original was not made from swimsuit fabric, but for a little doll dress, it seemed to work fine.

The second dress, which I actually made first, was also frustrating.  Newsprint fabric.  How do you make a page from the London Times, with 007 in the news, out of newsprint that features sacks of grain sold in the 50's or 60's?  I had to settle, and I don't like doing that.  Two key factors in the placement of the patterns was fun illustrations and the placement of news columns.  Instead of a fabulous "Tenniel like lizard", I had to choose a bread baker.  And, I didn't want any ads that spoke clearly of "farmer's values" or un-Mod hair styles.  Given the challenges of these two outfits, I think my best bet is to stick to paper doll illustrations for Twiggy.  I very much wanted to create her Union Jack dress, but in designing the pattern, I realized I would have to piece all the flag sections together.  I have not given up entirely on this one, but for the time being, its on the back burner.

Another consideration is shoes.  I've never designed shoes for a fashion doll, and I've thoroughly thought this through.  You need a mold for the base, and each shoe would need its own mold.  I might try making the silver shoes the photo of Twiggy sitting in the Mary Quant dress.  However, this would take an extraordinary amount of time and effort, and I'm pining to get back into something for Louise Godey, and possibly Alice Illustrated. 

I hope you enjoy viewing these two dresses, but more importantly, I hope you take the time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer.  We had a gorgeous full moon the last two nights, and that always makes me feel "lively, positive and (cautiously) opinionate!"  Maybe I have a little Mod in me, yet!

Love,
Miss E. Mouse