As you all know I recently found this
1958 Betsy McCall Doll
I have been sewing lots of new outfits for her,
and resizing some other vintage dresses I already had.
I decided as I was trying on clothes for her,
that her cheeks were a little faded.
I mixed my two cheek colors.
Melon and Medium Flesh.
I dip a make-up sponge in the paint and
tap it nearly dry on a paper towel.
This time I also precut the corners off my sponge.
Here is my Betsy with a little more color.
Her lips were still bright, but I may add some shine.
I have also been doing some more work on her hair.
I searched online images of the 1950s
Betsy and found her hair is supposed to be in a flip.
When she arrived she was wearing some
GI-NORMOUS bloomers.
She is much happier with these
pretty and much better fitting...
HEY! OVER HERE!
Sophie? What are you yelling about Miss?
Sophie: I want a new coat too!
It's not fair!!
Me: OK, OK! We'll make you a coat too.
Sophie: I'm gonna help.
Me: Maybe you should just watch?
SO, after some work at the sewing machine with my
little helper, here is what we made.
I look like my big sister now!
but we think it works.
Sophie, where are you going?
This outfit Sophie had, but she was SURE
Betsy would like a matching outfit.
A matching skirt and some crocheting
and this is how Betsy's outfit came together.
Sophie: LOOK AT US TOGETHER!!
Betsy: No need to yell Sophie we can all hear you.
Sophie: Let's get our next outfit on.
It's my favorite.
LOOK AT ME!! I MATCH!
Now I have a coat too!
Sophie: I like it!
Betsy: Me too Sophie.
What beautiful sisters. You gave them beautiful outfits.
ReplyDeleteThank you Zacisze,
ReplyDeleteI had fun making their outfits. They like matching, or at least little Sophie does!
Hugs
Brenda
Oh the clothes are adorable! I'm wondering, do you use a bought pattern or fit and make your own pattern? What great talent you have! And, do you crochet the tops? My dollies need new flannel sheets for their beds.
ReplyDeleteI love the sisters in their matching outfits.
ReplyDeleteJoan
You did a good job on the new Betsy McCall doll. the two are so cute together.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Brenda you are a wonderful sewer. The matching outfits are lovely. The coats are my favorite.
ReplyDeleteMarion
Thank you Charlotte,
ReplyDeleteI have these very basic A-line dress patterns, one for 14" dolls and another for 8" dolls. The nice thing about an A-line pattern is that it is so easy to make adjustments to fit whatever size your doll is. Since both Betsy McCall dolls are slender the pattern works great for a coat, since you want it to fit a little large.
The 14" Betsy tops came from my friend Janet - another doll lover and collector. The 8" Betsy top I crocheted to match the knit top Janet made. I always say I am more of a craft sewer than a real seamstress, but I must say I am happy with these projects!
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Joan,
ReplyDeleteI thought of you and your sisters as I was creating this post. I only have a big brother - who I love! But I did always wish I had a sister too.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteI have been seeing these 14" Betsy McCall's for awhile and then all of a sudden I saw this doll and knew I wanted to add her to my collection. I have really enjoyed sewing for her and her little sister.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Marion,
ReplyDeleteI must admit the matching coats are my favorites too! I have come off a long spell of sewing projects that just did not work out and these came out beautifully! There is something so satisfying about a creative project that came out just right!
Hugs
Brenda
The sisters are adorable. I love how you created outfits that work for both of them. I think you will soon have a very long line of other dolls wanting new outfits also.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dorothy,
ReplyDeleteI think you may be right. My Patsyettes are already asking for sweaters and dresses. I am really pleased with how these outfits came out though.
Hugs
Brenda
So cute!
ReplyDeleteThank you Maryn!
ReplyDeleteI had fun creating these matching outfits.
Hugs
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteThese girls look beautiful. Sophie must be so excited to have a big sister.
I enjoy sewing but mine is very basic. I struggle to finish things neatly. It is especially difficult on the smaller clothes. You do such a lovely job and your outfits look very neatly finished. Looking forward to seeing your future creations.
Anna
Thank you Anna,
ReplyDeleteI am very pleased with how these outfits look. When I went out and bought the small black and white check with the plan to make my own version of the Town and Country outfit, I thought to myself, "Is this really going to work?" I was so happy with how the 14" version came out, and kind of shocked. When Sophie wanted an 8" size I really had to concentrate. I sometimes sew this tiny clothes by hand, because using the sewing machine is almost too bulky. But, these are simple A-line patterns that are easy to work with.
Hugs
Brenda
Hi Brenda,
ReplyDeleteI am happy that my little gift of a few knits inspired so much creativity i your house! I am in the middle, well, the tail end, of making coats for my Tiny Betsys
Each girl, will be getting a hat and scarf - it gets cold and snowy here, and those are still in the works. I like sewing and knitting for these tiny dolls, it moves along so quickly! Before I knw it, it is done ! I took my the longest time to find the yarn that I used for the pink hat - I wanted the scarf to match. Tonight I will knit that and then everyone will be ready for the cold weather.
I like the idea of sister outfits, very sweet!
Janet
Thank you Linda,
ReplyDeleteI am so very happy with my new Betsy. I like to add some color to cheeks on older dolls it really refreshes their looks. I am happy with my matching outfits. It has been a pleasure seeing them all come together.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Janet,
ReplyDeleteThank you again for the little sweaters. The knitted sweaters are just finer in quality. I did make a couple crochet pieces but really like the knits. I am looking forward to seeing your little sweaters! I was thinking about making matching outfits for the sisters as soon as I made the Town and Country outfit for my 14" Betsy.
Hugs
Brenda
VERY GOOD!
ReplyDeleteOh, Brenda - this was such a cute series! I love your cheeky little Sophie, and how helpful she is to you as you create... She reminds me of my older daughter, Katherine (now 29), when she was little. Matching outfits on sisters has always appealed to me - maybe because I'm a younger sister of an older one who has always seemed much more stylish than I am. My great-grandmother, grandmother and mother all sewed clothing for my sister and me, and I remember very well a lot of the matching dresses we wore. (My favorites were purple!)
ReplyDeleteThank you for providing such delightful distraction. :^)
Thank you Belo,
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you liked this post.
Hugs
Brenda
Thank you Susan,
ReplyDeleteI had a lot of fun making these outfits and figuring out how to manipulate my A-line pattern to make Sophie's little matching coat and dress. I don't have a sister (sigh) but I recall once or twice having mother-daughter outfits when I was quite small and I LOVED it. Sophie is a very determined little girl, very similar to my daughter in real life. I'm glad you like my outfits and glad the photos don't show all the mistakes I made in my sewing projects! Haha
Hugs
Brenda