Vintage doll Clothes!

On a recent visit to my Aunt in Texas,..

I found these vintage doll clothes
in an antique shop. I would guess these 

clothes are mostly from the 1940s - 50s.

Here are the outfits:

This playset for an 17 - 18" doll

This sweet pink taffeta coat, I am hoping

it might fit Daisy.

Another playset.

A little sweater and bloomers.

Grey shirt and bloomers.

And this cute wrap sand suit.

Everything was seperated by

lights and darks and soaked in

cold water.

Yes, that water is brown and this

is after two rinses!

While these are soaking let me

describe how I generally seek out

vintage and antique doll clothes.

Firstly, I created this chart to help

me figure out what will fit

my dolls.  It lists their shoulder to hem

length and a flat side to side

waist measurement.

My usual go-to is eBay simply

because I can see a HUGE sample

of what's out there.

I type in the search bar 

"Antique vintage doll clothes".

I mostly look for 1930s era doll dresses

as they are becoming more and 

more difficult to find, so I'll

focus on this style today.

It was helpful to me to do a little research about 

the styles of clothes from different eras.

This is a pattern for 1930s Patsy style dolls.

Notice the high or non-existent waist and

broad round collars. Patterns were

often whimsical like this dress with

children playing with hoops.

Sample of 1930s fabrics.

Over time, I have learned to recognize 

fabric styles from this and other eras.

Two examples of 1930s doll outfits I found 

online. The dress with a round Peter pan

collar and no waist and my favorite,

Joan's Pallazzo beach pants!

Learn about Palazzo Pants!

While working on this post I bought

this little dress from the 1940s or early 50s.

I can't help myself.  Just look

at that cute fabric pattern!

Anyway!

Most sellers of doll dresses know to give

the length, shoulder to hem, and...

The waist, side to side. If not shown in

a photo like this, check the description.

I also ask the seller for measurements if

there are none shown.

I saw this dress and liked it!

I think it might fit my Alexander Elise, 

so I made a bid!

BACK TO MY DOLL CLOTHES.

 FIND.

After 2 days I laid most of the clothes

out on a towel to dry. A couple items

needed more time to soak.

SO WHAT HAVE I GOT TO SHOW YOU?

Here is one of the playsuits. 

I mixed and matched the top and 

bottom to add more interest.

 It is not very feminine, so, later

I may try to add some cute touches.

This navy and grey stripe playset.

Bloomers and top for the beach maybe?

The shirts are all made the same with

large arm holes and a bit oversized.

And this grey skirt.  I like this set.

I may do a makeover on these outfits.

I was hoping this taffeta swing coat

might fit Daisy, but it was too slim.

Sigh.

It does fit Maggie, just maybe a tad small.

Finally something for Daisy!

This little knit sweater is adorable!

AND, this cute sandsuit!

I will make a pattern from this to

share with you all.

I am very happy with my doll clothes find!

Speaking of finds, do you want to see what 

I found online while creating this post?!?

You already knew I got this dress.

I also won the bid for this dress, 

I hope it fits Elise!

I got this mostly for the quilt top made from

1930s era fabrics! The little dresses

might fit my Patsyettes, if not 

I'll do something with them.

This Miss Revlon pink stripe dress.

AND, this apron dress, by Madame Alexander,

bloomers and stockings for Elise!

It is the same style as Cissy's blue dress.

SO, it looks like there may be more dress

reveals in the near future!

A New Granny Doll

Awhile back I found this Miss Margie doll 

on a trip to visit family in Texas.

She became Julia and Viola's Grandma who...

Has a twin sister who left Texas for California

to become a singing star and ended up

in Portland, Oregon.

Trip to Texas to visit Granny Savage

Trip to Portland to visit Aunt Lillian 

WELL, I sold that doll.

WHY? I don't know, but I decided

to try and replace her.

I found this Circle P doll

who looks pretty similar.

Here is her trademark. Literally a 'P'

in a circle.  I love it.

Her hair is messy, but in pretty

good condition.

She got a spa day.

And I set her knit outfit to soak.

I think this must be an original outfit.

Both ears had green spots.

I dipped a needle in acne cream.

Inserted in earring holes and dabbed on the green spots.

I will leave her like this for a couple days.

Her outfit is dry.

The skirt needs a little work.

Removed the old elastic.

I zigzagged some binding lace to the top

of the skirt. Then the new elastic.

Here she is all dressed back in her

original outfit.

Next I made her some jewelry.

To make doll earrings you need

'loops' and 'pins'.

Using small beads slide one or two 

onto the pin. Then add the loop. 

Cut the pin short.

Using small needle nose pliers

bend the pin around the loop.

EARRINGS!!

You can see they are not perfect

but so small you never notice.

WANT TO SEE HER NOW??

HERE

SHE

IS!

I'm very happy with her.

I made her necklace as well as her earrings.

Her bandeau is new as well.

Welcome Granny/Aunt Lillian!