Monday, March 21, 2022

Wardrobe Makeover!


Back in February I found this 
Ideal Crown Princess doll in a thrift store.

Soon after her makeover I found this dress lot online.
I thought this might make a wardrobe for her!
When they arrived several needed adjusting.

This blue gingham has a very Colonial look.
It was also very loose and a bit frumpy.
And SO much floofy lace!

I removed the lace and cut off the sleeves.
I wanted to reshape this into a simple bodice 
with a more flattering neckline.

Here is the dress now!

I love this simple fitted bodice.

I liked the fabric of this dress, but the 
waistband had bled red 
onto all the white fabric.

I removed the waistband and the sleeve binding.
I added a light lacey sleeve in it's place.

I added a red velvet bow that can be 
removed for washing.

I think this is better.

This dress really just needed a wash and press.

I also turned the dress around.

What do you think?

I love this dress! Sadly the blue binding
tape bled into the white fabric.

I cut off all the blue binding that was bleeding
into the white...

And reattached the collar to the bodice.

I think this worked.

A very cute summery dress.

This dress also just needed a wash and press.

After a soak in Oxyclean the dress 
looks brighter.

This dress also just needed a wash and press.
I did remove the black belt.

I'm not sure I like this belt, but the dress
looks good.

I decided to try a variation on the 
black belt.

I think this works.

There were two blouses in the mix
this flowery blouse and...

This pink gingham.
They both just got a wash and press.

I paired both blouses with slacks.
I really like this collar!

But I wasn't happy with this pairing.

This pink skirt is much better!

This dress just needed a wash and press.

I decided to try this hat with this dress.

I love it!

This dress was completely unflattering!

Am I right? So, I cut the whole bodice
off and made it a skirt!

I used the fabric from the bodice and
made a pocket.

Almost forgot to show you the cape.

Perfect for a cool evening at the beach.

One more thing. I am trying to 
decide on a name for her.
She is Julia's brash, impulsive
taller, but still little sister!

What do you like better?

Cammie
short for Camelia,

OR

Brittany?
Or share your ideas!

Update:
After showing my husband this
Post he suggested “Viola
From “Shakespeare in Love”.
This is the one to beat!

28 comments:

  1. Brenda, you did a wonderful job, as usual, transforming your Crown Princess's wardrobe! Glad to see she is joining her sisters. My pick for a name from your choices would be Viola. Have you thought about Gracie? THE princess of the 1950s was Princess Grace of Monaco.
    Always look forward to your blogs.
    Kathy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Kathy,
      Thank you. I love makeovers! I didn’t even think about Grace of Monaco. She was so beautiful. Now i wonder which princess she represents? I’m so pleased you enjoy my blog.
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  2. Hi Brenda,
    You always find such good lots of clothes. I love the changes you have made.
    She is very lucky to have such a wonderful wardrobe.
    I always wonder with my dolls if they have previously had a large wardrobe that has been sold or given away, or if they have only ever had one or two dresses. Either way I am sure they appreciate new things!
    The name I like is Viola.
    Anna

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    Replies
    1. Hi Anna,
      This was a nice lot. There were so many nice dresses. When the package arrived there were the 2 blouses too. I had fun redoing this wardrobe. I would bet that most of these dolls came with one dress. I know a lot of moms sewed dresses. Some of these dresses were mom-made and some were factory made. As a girl I had 2 doll dresses. I always longed for more. I think that is part of my love for doll dresses now!
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  3. Hi Sandra,
    Thank you! I love makeovers as you may already know, haha! I had fun with this makeover, there were so many challenges to make the dresses look and fit better. I’m so happy with my new doll and her wardrobe.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  4. What great transformations--LOVE the fashion show! P.S. I vote for Viola!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Karen,
      I’m glad you enjoyed the fashion show. It looks like Viola is winning.
      Hugs
      Brenda

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    2. Anonymous5:48:00 PM

      I enjoy your blog very much. I have been following for a couple of years but I have never posted any comments .

      I’m so jealous of your attic doll room ! I love your patsy dolls but I don’t sew like you do so I have mostly the dolls that share clothes . Ginny , Muffie,Alexanderkins, and Ginger . Also Jan , Jill , Jeff and Bob . All vintage and many from my childhood . I love setting scenes and I have my childhood furniture and outfits .
      Thanks for sharing your doll stories and makeovers . Mary

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  5. I do think Viola is good, I loved Shakespeare in love, but I think Grace is perfect because she is a princess. It is hard to not humor the husband though when he shows an interest.
    You did a fantastic job as usual and you are inspiring me to get going on some doll play. You improved the style of all the dresses. I like the black belt on the pastel dress. It is very 1950s.
    Faye

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  6. Thank you Faye,
    Maybe she will be Viola Grace? I kind of like that. I’m glad i could inspire you. I was really having trouble getting motivated because i had too many projects at once! My husband took one project into his shop and we are finishing that together. A mystery!
    The black belt is for a 14” doll, but i will make something similar for the 10.5” dolls. I’m glad you liked it too.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  7. Hi Brenda. What another fun transformation for you to share with us. I absolutely love all the vintage fabrics. You have such a keen eye for reshaping some thing old into some thing wonderful. I vote for Viola Grace. She seems very regal standing with her sister.
    Can't wait to see the "mystery" project!!
    Hugs for a blessed day,
    Doreen in Arkansas

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Doreen,
      I love finding these vintage dresses because of the vintage fabrics. You can’t replace that, right?
      I really like redoing doll clothes to make them work better.
      I think Viola Grace may be the winner!
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  8. Amazing transformations--such a fantastic 1950s evocation! I like Viola Grace--or to me, Violet Grace sounds more 1950s!

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  9. Hi Maryn,
    Thank you! You know how much I enjoy makeovers. I am so happy with how these dresses came out. Now my new doll is all set with her own wardrobe. I thought about Violet and Viola or Vi for a nickname. Hmm.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  10. Hi, Brenda, I know you have found some information about CP; I have added two articles to the LMRandFriends files. A. Glenn Mandeville's is the most extensive. I suspect your fall print dress, the one you paired the hat with, may be one made for her originally. I just has that look. You have done wonders, as always, making a pretty, usable wardrobe for you Viola Grace!
    Hugs, Jenny :-)

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  11. Hi Linda,
    Thank you. I am happy with this new wardrobe. A couple of these dresses really tried my skills, but happy with the results. You are right her name will be Viola Grace!
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  12. Hi Jenny,
    Thanks for adding some more information about Viola. I am very interested in learning more about her. I was stunned to find she was an Ideal doll that came before LMR. I assumed she was a clone! Glad I asked first.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  13. Susan J in IL9:44:00 AM

    Just catching up here with the more recent blog posts, and what a treat to see this fabulous wardrobe revived so beautifully! I skimmed through the comments, and applaud the suggestion of 'Viola Grace' - it's absolutely perfect. (Thank you for including the photo of your husband helping out - what a sweet guy!)

    Susan J in IL

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  14. Hi Susan!
    So glad to hear from you. I had fun remaking these dresses. It made for a great instant wardrobe for Viola. I always love finding vintage dresses. They are all so special. My husband is SO sweet and SO helpful. I’m glad you appreciated his photo.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  15. Anonymous1:06:00 PM

    Brenda you did a great job on the clothes. The wardrobe is bigger than most people's. The doll is pretty.
    Marilyn

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Marilyn,
      I am happy with this wardrobe and especially with Viola!
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  16. Anonymous3:41:00 PM

    Wonderful job on all the clothe. The doll is a beauty. and looks good in any of the outfits.
    Marion

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  17. Thank you Marion,
    I enjoy these makeovers! I am very happy with Viola and all her new clothes.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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  18. Good job with those makeovers! Do you remember all your dolls' names? I've given dolls names but then I forget what I named them. The only name I remember is my travel doll's name and she doesn't even travel with me anymore.

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    Replies
    1. I must admit to sometimes forgetting a doll’s name, but mostly the dolls I don’t play with as often. It also helps to have a blog! Haha If you click on the photo header on my blog my main dolls all come up with their names and stories of how I found them.
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  19. You made it too nice. Now she'll never move out! Betty

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    Replies
    1. Hahaha! Yes I think you are right!
      Hugs
      Brenda

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  20. Thank you Mary!
    I'm so glad you like my blog. That is the whole reason I created this blog, to share with others all the fun I have. I love when I hear about someone who still has their childhood dolls. I have tried replacing childhood dolls from the 70s, but I just don't connect with them as much as I do the dolls from the 30s, 40s, or 50s. My doll room is my retreat. I love it in here!
    I hope to hear from you in the future.
    Hugs
    Brenda

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