My newest doll, Little Miss Revlon
came with several outfits.
There are four dresses and 2 wool coats.
I also found this dress and coat during my
search for this doll.
I am focusing mostly on the dresses today.
This first dress is a knit sheath.
You may barely be able to see a row of tiny
buttons going down the front.
Overall, I was not too impressed with this dress.
I decided this dress needed a hat!
This first hat is SO easy.
It is mostly just netting.
I cut 3 pieces each 9" long.
Then I just braided these together.
I left some length at each end.
Then I stitched the 2 sides together.
So now I have this little wreath.
I took the 2 longest ends and folded them over the top.
I trimmed the pieces in the back and
tacked the front veil with needle and thread.
I added the same gem button to the
hat and the dress.
This next dress I think looks
like a little gardening dress.
It was washed and pressed, but
The girls need gardening shoes!
I started by cutting 2 small corks to the height
of a doll heel. Notice I cut at an angle.
Then I traced the dolls foot.
The foot shape is then cut out in
thin cardboard, I used a kleenex box.
You can see how the shoe is shaping.
Next the foot shape is cut out in felt.
I used some gingham ribbon I had.
The fabric is glued to the cardboard,
THEN the felt is slipped inside and glued down
Lastly the sole is glued to the cork.
And done!
You can see these are not perfect
by any means, but...
Look how cute they look in the garden!
This little hat I had in my hat making
drawer. I think it is perfect
for the garden!
This dress I discovered is an
original American Character
Charleston Dress.
The dress was washed and pressed.
I made a wool felt cloche hat and
added a long necklace.
This blue dress was very interesting to me.
I could see it's potential.
I made a bandeau hat to go with this dress.
The bandeau hat is the same as the larger
version I have made.
I used white floral wire and small
gros-grain ribbon.
I cut apart the felt flower and folded over
the petals to make buds.
I glued the ribbon to the wire.
On these small bandeau hats
I added a second ribbon so both sides
of the wire was covered.
The dress was washed and pressed and I added
some lace across the bodice.
Here is the new bandeau hat.
This dress I really like
the fabric, but it needed something
to finish it's look.
I added a simple bow at the collar.
A bandeau hat finished this outfit.
But, I wasn't happy with her belt.
So, I made this little braided belt with a button buckle.
The ends are just hot glued with velcro.
I also made a second net hat.
I was not as fond of this hat with
this dress.
Here is a better view of the top.
This hat was not very flattering.
sigh.
So, we have two besties and their townhouse
and we have dresses and
new hats, now we need names!
This is the list of suggested names:
Laverne and Shirley
Amanda and Audra
Mary and Laura
Bernadette and Margaret
Marlo and Julia.
I put the names in a hat and...
Let me introduce...
Julia and...
Amanda!
Oh my goodness! What wonderful transformations in the dresses and the doll! You do such beautiful things with the clothes. And thanks for sharing the process of making shoes. Do you ever work with baby dolls?
ReplyDeleteThank you Charlotte!
ReplyDeleteYou know how I like makeovers. I have babydolls, but I haven't done anything with them lately...hhmmm. I think you've given me an idea for a post!
Hugs
Brenda
I love seeing what you have done with the outfits. My favorite is the last blue and white print that Julia is wearing. I like the white belt best also.
ReplyDeleteAmanda is adorable. Who is she? I cannot remember if you said. Is she a Revlon doll?
The gardening shoes were a nice touch.
Well blow me down, don't they both look utterly adorable!! You have done a fabulous job of their makeovers Brenda and I do like their new names.
ReplyDeleteBig hugs,
X
Thank you Dorothy!
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was pleased with the last blue dress too. The belt was the result of only having a small satin ribbon, here at the house. I was thinking that if only it was wider I'd really like a white sash for the dress, when it popped into my head to make this braided belt! I am really pleased with it.
Amanda is an American Character Toni doll. I had found another American Character Toni in a thrift store a couple years ago and sold her in a fit of organizing - what a mistake! But I have really bonded with Amanda. Isn't it strange how that is?
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Xanadu!
ReplyDeleteI do love a good makeover. I am having SO much fun with these new dolls. It was such a stroke of luck that Julia came with so many outfits to play with - I mean seriously collect! I am a very serious collector. ;)
Hugs
Brenda
Hello again Brenda from Arkansas, I have been loving your posts of the new doll home scene, your comfy couch and chair idea, and especially for the dolls transformation of themselves and the darling dresses, hats, shoes. You certainly have patience to work with the tiny items. Love all the how-to's you have been showing in detail. Certainly helps all your crafty readers gain insight and courage to try "at home". I know we are all using up what we have right now as getting out of the house for craft supplies is unheard of!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done a beautiful job with your "new" girls. Love all the details that you think of and share with us!!
Blessings to you for a beautiful day, Doreen in Arkansas
Thank you Doreen!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you enjoy my posts. That is why I do this. I love sharing what I do with other like-minded crafters and doll lovers. I am definitely using up what I have at home! Luckily I have this bad habit of going to Hobby Lobby and buying ALL KINDS of things I 'might' use. Ha ha, so I had plenty on hand.
I am very pleased with my new girls. They are settling into their new home quite nicely.
Hugs
Brenda
Brenda congratulations on a wonderful job on everything. Julia and Amanda look nice.
ReplyDeleteJoan
Hi Brenda, I love Julia and Amanda and their new house.The finishing touches to the dresses give them such a lift.You were lucky to find an American Character original dress!I'm glad you have such a lovely supply of crafting items, it's been fun waiting for your posts during lock down. I forgot to stock up on sewing machine needles and am down to my last one!Luckily some of our shops will start trading next week.
ReplyDeleteKeep safe and a post on baby dolls would be great
Thanks again for the lovely posts you do.
Anna
A very nice job all around. Hi Julia and Amanda your blue dresses are beautiful and my favorites. Love the color blue.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Welcome to Julia, and Amanda,
ReplyDeleteYou have landed in a heavenly place , for sure. the miracle worker has discovered the "Little Ladies" and I am so happy !
I love the way Brenda makes each dress have more Zing than just a basic dress. I do think the grey dress is so unique - i love a strong geomtric print - to stand up to it, I would march a row of small red buttons down the front - and maybe incorporate some red in the accessories. But then, my thought is always, start with red! It's my favorite color.
I am happy to see that Julia gave that dress to Amanda - it suits her perfectly. And I am sure Julia will be getting plenty more outfits.
The gardening out is darling - and how brave of you to make shoes - I can see Julia spending many happy hours outside tending the garden! Glad she has a hat to shade her pretty complexion!
Janet
I love all the outfits on the dolls. That flower band is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Thank you Joan,
ReplyDeleteJulia and Amanda are both very pleased with their new home and new dresses. I had fun making it all happen.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Anna,
ReplyDeleteI get so much pleasure from making things look new and fresh again. Dolls, dresses, houses.
I am VERY happy I have such a stock of supplies too! It has kept me busy and occupied during this lock down.
I am thinking about what to do for my baby dolls. hmmm.
Big hugs
Brenda
Thank you Marion,
ReplyDeleteMy favorite color is blue as well! The girls are happy to be all fixed, dressed and lovely again!
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Janet!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your inspiration! I truly enjoyed making this girls look pretty again. I think your idea of red with the geometric dress is good. I will look and see what I have. I felt it needed something to bring it out. That means a new hat!
I agree the blue dress suits Amanda. She is a little quieter than Julia and prefers her garden over parties. Julia's dress looks like a party and Julia is a girl who likes to dance. I can already see their personalities emerging! Definitely red!
I must say I am surprised how much I like that gardening outfit. When I first saw the dress I was a little nonplussed. But now? I love it!
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteI never thought before about making bandeau hats for this size doll, but they turned out great. I kind of surprised myself there! haha. I am so glad you enjoyed what I created.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Linda!
ReplyDeleteThe shoes are far from perfect, but I am of the opinion that if you don't see the details in photos they're great! Ha ha!
I've had fun with these 2, I think a boyfriend may be in Julia's future...
Hugs
Brenda