Peggy Sue's Gypsy Costume for Halloween

At this time of year, there's a certain energy in the air.  With the first of October, comes an excitement for decorating with autumn leaves and pumpkins, Halloween decorations old and new, perhaps plans for a party for the children.  The energy zips through the air with the cooling temperatures and the scent of leaves turning while breezes carry them about the land.  I love autumn.  There's no better time of year for me.  All my fondest memories are wrapped up in the 'bers from yesteryears.

If you were reading my blog last October,  you might recall that I'd been sewing for the UFDC's Peggy Sue for a couple of months, and made her a Halloween costume from a 1950's Woolworth advertisement.  I had such a good time making it, as it reminded me of the costumes my mother never bought me, but ones that I would yearn for in those colorful boxes.  They came with cellophane windows showing the costume beneath, with, often, a mask in the 

center of the window.  We made our own costumes.  My mother had a "costume box" out in the garage, which was pretty much full of her old skirts and heels, and any other clothing discards.  At the bottom of the box might be strands of Mardi Gras beads sent to us from the relatives in New Orleans.  We put on circuses in the garage on rainy days dressed up in whatever we could scrounge up in that box.  

I think I was in love with "dress up" from the time I can remember, so Halloween was particularly special as I got to be someone different than a little girl growing up on Grape Avenue.  While my childhood was in the early 1960's, Peggy Sue's been a doll I delight in because the styles she wore were still in fashion  then and television hosted a series of rerun shows like I Love Lucy, where the fashions were feminine, with large skirts and pretty high heels - hats, gloves, purses to match - oh, heaven!

We were not poor, but we had just enough, and while my parents did their best, we never got subscriptions to magazines like Jack and Jill, which were only enjoyed at the dentist's office.  I would have gone nuts for them back then, but today, I can collect them as I do vintage and antiquarian children's books.  I began collecting Jack and Jill's from the 50's when I started sewing for Peggy Sue, and soon began to collect just the October issues going into the early 1960's.  While this era may seem like ancient history to some of you, for me, its only yesterday.

So when I found the center pull-out of the Jack and Jill October 1960 issue last fall, I was excited and thrilled to have something wonderful to look forward to this year.  Costumes!  And, the page was titled Who Will You Be?  

As most of you know, I love sewing gypsy costumes, so this one was definitely getting made for Peggy Sue.  I found out something interesting doing a Pinterest search recently.  If you type in "gypsy costumes", a gray bar pops up and states that "Pinterest isn't a place for

hateful images, contents or activities."  Well, wow.  My ancestry on my father's side was Bohemian, so I was taken a bit back, but if you type in "fortune teller", you can browse gypsy images, and beautiful ones.  Its  here where I found a couple of darling vintage pattern covers for costume (see below).  However, as a paper doll lover, I enjoy most creating from illustrations for children.  Which also brings to mind the artists that illustrate for patterns!  Why do we never think of them?

So Peggy Sue was going to dress up as a gypsy this year.  Like scrounging through the old "costume box" in the garage, I rummaged through my stash for fabrics and notions for her costume.  I didn't have a print with large roses on it for the scarf, but I did have a Lecien cotton that I'd intended for a dress for Lettie Lane long ago.  I had the polished cotton in green from Kitty Hudson's travel outfit (my favorite), some red velveteen (the same used for her Christmas coat last year), a ton of this gold silk dupioni for the sash, and was lucky to find (I knew I had some), pin dot vintage cotton for her 

blouse.  I may have made a dress for tiny Chiffonette from it since it is light and thin.  There was a time when I could count how many doll costumes/outfits I had made,  but that time is long gone now.  

Last year I'd decorated a pink gingham dress with red rick-rack for Peggy Sue, and hated the rick-rack.  It was polyester and thick and strange.  So I went on Etsy and found a card of unused "vintage" red rick-rack from 1979.  Seriously.  The Wright's card had the date on it.  It was perfect.  So now I had to opportunity to use it.  What became of the pink gingham dress is a good question, but I rarely keep outfits that aren't "good enough" for my dolls.  Out they go!

I did have to dye the rose print cotton a bright yellow, and this was a long and tedious task. A darker dye may have given me better results, but again, I used what I had on hand.  Michael's provided me Peggy Sue's beads, and large gold sequins with a hole punched in them became the faux earrings, or scarf embellishments. I had red cotton knit jersey for the socks, and I'd bought the slip-ons last year.

Honestly, the hardest thing I made for this costume was the paper trick-or-treat bag.  No, I take that back.  Sewing that narrow rick-rack on was quite a task!  Trying to sew down the center of it was something else entirely.  But, yes, the paper bag took several tries and its still not perfect, and I'm okay with that.  I looked up several Youtubes on this, and they all gave the same instruction - and you know how I am with instructions.  Can't follow them to save my life!  The key was accurate measurements, but they were all of large bags, not miniature ones, so with my passable math skills, I did my best to miniaturize one.  

Lastly, I went on Fenderskirts on Etsy, and bought a new download for a mini costume box to keep the costume in when Halloween is over.  I love making these, and do add cellophane to the center window for authenticity.  

I'll be making one more costume for her this month and I'll let it be a surprise.  Can you guess which one it will be?  The full pages of Who Will You Be? are shown below.  And, while I was at it, I did some digging and found the photo my mother took of me at 4 years old, in the gypsy costume she made me.  I thought I was so dressed up in this simple skirt and vest.  What on earth was I wearing on my head?  Some kind of crown or band?  I guess this was my mother's version of "gypsy".  The funniest thing about these old photos was that we were always squinting because my mother took them with the sun to her back - and the sun in our faces!

Since I photographed Peggy Sue with a contemporary honeycomb pumpkin, I did some more digging and found the truly vintage mini honeycombs I purchased for doll displays years ago.  Such a difference in creative effort they were.  Precious treasures.  As I mentioned, I included a couple of vintage pattern fronts that I found this morning.  I just love gypsy costumes!

Enjoy the autumn days, and if you're like me, a Halloween Hound, get those decorations up!

Love, Melissa

Me at 4 years old?

 

Yu Ping's Mid-Autumn Festival

A third posting in one month?!  It has been done before.  Well, I make no excuses.  Its Mid-Autumn Festival time in China and today is Moon Day.  

The three day festival began on Sunday, and I've been having such a good time sharing Mid-Autumn posters and images on Facebook, and nibbling on red bean mooncakes, which I guess, should be eaten on Moon Day, but they were there and you know how that is.

Mid-Autumn Festival, or Mid-Autumn Day, is the second grandest festival in China after Chinese New Year.  It is celebrated on the on 15th day of the 8th lunar month, and this year, fell on September 21rst.  It is always in the autumn season of China.

As with all Chinese festivals, Mid-Autumn has its share of legends and history.  This one goes back 3,000 years to the time the Chinese regained China from the Mongols.

There is a wonderful legend called The Rabbit in the Moon, which tells the story of one noble little bunny who sacrificed his life so three hungry gods that came down to earth could eat.  The three immortables disguised themselves as old people and begged food from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit.

The fox and monkey shared their food, but the rabbit hadn't any, so he said, "You can eat me," and threw himself on the fire.  The immortals were so moved that they sent it to the moon to become the immortal jade rabbit.

The rabbit is honored today and the story told at festivals.  There is another popular story of the wife of Hou Yi, Chang E, who tried to protect an elixir that would make a mortal into a god.  Her husband asked her to keep it safe, but the secret was out and a villain came to steel it, so she drank the elixir and tried to fly to fly to the moon.  Hou Yi, missing his wife, began to place his wife's favorite foods on the table each full moon.  This tradition became the basis for the Mid-Autumn Festival.

So while I was celebrating these three days in my own quiet way, I decided to dress Ten Ping in her Mid-Autumn outfit, and scrambled to make Yu Ping something to wear.  I chose a feather weight navy corduroy to make an apron from and piped and lined it in a floral Lawn.  I then appliqued a moon and rabbit to the apron's front.

Last night I made her a moon standard and a rabbit puppet to tell the story of The Rabbit in the Moon in her own way.

In these photos you will see a real mini mooncake sitting on the table, which is made from sweet red bean paste, wrapped in pastry, and stamped with symbols such as longevity and health.  I've never tried the more traditional mooncake that boasts a salted duck egg yolk in the center to represent the moon.  Someday.  When I don't have to buy in quantity!

Below are some stock photos from Ruby Red Galleria of Gigi and Ten Ping in the costumes that were made for them just for this occasion.  Sadly, I do not have Gigi's.  And, some other charming and beautiful images found on Pinterest.  Happy Mid-Autumn Festival, and Happy Autumn Equinox!  Tomorrow is our first day of fall.  Might be a good day for take out Chinese food!

Love,

Melissa

Chang E

A family celebrating with Cheng E

Cheng E and the Rabbit

Wonderful little book!

Celebrating with friend, Belinda

 

Mignonette as Little Red Riding Hood

It was not my intention to write a second blog posting this month, but sometimes its a go.  And, there's not much more to add to what I've learned on the history of Little Red Riding Hood, but extensive research might prove fruitful...if I was writing a thesis.  Which I'm not.  I'm just having fun sharing.

After making over the Iacono doll, I wanted to do just a bit more.  I hadn't made anything new for my favorite Wendy Lawton doll, Mignonette, in ages, and it struck me that she needed a new costume.  She's been displayed for a few years in the Bo-Peep costume I'd made her, so it felt natural to make her a Red Riding Hood one as well.   And, of course, the color theme would need to be pink - or at least have a lot of pink in it.

Some of you might recall that Mignonette was designed by Wendy after an antique Simon and Halbig mignonette with trunk and trousseau.  Boneka, then, beautifully recreated the  

costuming with all the details in the antique trousseau.  They were all pink.  Included were reproductions of all the little accessories, which included two little lamb figurines.  This is where I got the idea to create the Bo-Peep costume for her.  At any rate, it was time to play with her again.

I don't know why my Iacono Red Riding Hood fell flat with the audience on Facebook, but my guess is that many people like the Iaconos just as they are.  For when I shared a photo of Tales of Red Riding Hood with her marionette theater, I received lots of comments.  Undoubtedly the theater is the focus, and its why I love the doll, too.  Still and all, I sew for myself, and if I'm pleased with the outcome, I'll share it.  And, let's face it, my vision is personal.  I don't expect others to share it, or feel the same way I do when a project is complete, but its all part of the creative process, which again, is what this blog is all about.

Speaking of vision...and personal...I continue to be awed at the vast and varied illustrated renditions of this story.  I haven't shared any of the DeviantArt images I've found on Pinterest, as they might offend people.  DeviantArt is an official site, a community of artists sharing uncommon art.

By definition, deviant means departing from the usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior.  Now if you clip off the "especially..." part, some of my work might be considered...at least a departure.  So undressing a used doll, giving her a new wig, eyes, costuming...identity, might bother some folks.  I make no apologies.  Dolls are to be played with, especially damaged dolls that would love a new chance at grace.  I digress.  But my point is that even I will often pass over something that is different.  What I do enjoy sharing is a love of childhood imagery, and Mignonette is the perfect little doll for fanciful antique costuming.

When I first saw this die cut bookmark, most likely taken from an antique fairytale book, I became interested in making one for a doll.  There was only one 

doll in my collection that would look darling in it, so I undressed Mignonette and began designing with the paper towels.

I love everything about this costume from the pink apron to the yellow cloth in her basket.  And, because she's a special Lawton doll, I chose to make her costume in silks and velvet.  

I began with a pair of white tights.  Again, there is no doubt that they are the perfect solution to simple undergarments.  

Next I tackled the shoes.  I struggled with these little black shoes with the silver-centered buckle.  These should have been pretty straight forward, but I'm making them over the tights.  If you make them directly on the feet (as lasts), the bulk of the tights on the foot would not fit within the shoe.  Its tricky, but worth it.

Mignonette wears a white batiste chemise with puffed sleeves and a fully gathered neck edged with a band.  The band is on the straight, not the bias, so it has a bit of stand.

A red silk skirt goes beneath the pink panier or apron and both are sewn into the one pink waistband to reduce bulk.  I think these aprons had pull strings sewn into them so that the apron could be worn long, or cinched up the sides when the girl was working.  Its a lovely look, but it was equally functional.  What they were actually called is unknown to me.  If you know, please share this with me.

Her vest is also silk and fully lined.  Its was a tedious time turning this thing inside out through the shoulders, but I did it.  

Her Little Red Cap is velveteen.  This is such a sweet costume.

I wasn't up to making another bottle and bread loaf out of Paperclay, as I wasn't too pleased the way the bottle came out, AND it takes a long time to air dry.  Also, I noted that in this illustration, the bottle was brown and it was accompanied by some kind of round red tin.  I think there's a brown pop top or spout on the top of the tin.  I studied it under a magnifying lamp and its only my guess that tinned biscuits or bread could have been the idea for this artist

Big sigh later, I remembered why I learned needle felting in the first place.  To make accessories easily.  So that is what I did.  You can sculpt with needle felting like no other medium.  Why not create the bottle and tin this way?

I included a small bouquet of daisies to pick up the yellow in the silk basket cloth.  Mignonette is a royal little doll.  She deserves the best.

Tomorrow is my birthday and having this costume done for it was my intention.  I've had so much fun this month with the Red Riding Hood theme and will follow it through for at least another week.  

I treated myself to a MIB Jonal teapot, and the very sweet, child's tin litho tea set seen in the following photographs.  I found an adorable "back and front" birthday card, printed it, cut it out, and set it up on my bedside table.  Its been a joy to have these treasures decorating spaces here and there.  And, now Mignonette is gaily dressed and will be in this costume until the next time I play with her.

I included a "sandstone" wolf to display with her.  I was tempted to needle felt the wolf in the die cut book mark, but keeping authentic to her trousseau and provenance, I chose a figurine, much as the sheep were.  To me this was more fitting.

I hope you'll enjoy the light and fanciful images below. 

For those unfamiliar with Wendy Lawton's Mignonette and Her Malle du Voyage, she's a 9" wood body and porcelain doll.  She was made in 1999, and the mahogany body on this doll was the last time Wendy would use these bodies.  She went with another vendor for a lesser wood at this time, so the dolls from 1999 back, are very dear.

Wishing you all a lovely rest of this September.  We're just around the corner from the fall equinox and to date, Christmas is 99 days away.

Love, Melissa