Vintage Pin Cushion Doll

I found this hat pin doll at a thrift store.

I don't really know what year she is from.

I would guess the 1930s or 40s.

These dolls were used like a big pin cushion

to hold hat pins on a lady's dressing table.

They came in many sizes and styles.

Well, I didn't like the dress this

little lady was wearing.

Her dress is too bulky and ill-fitting.

I took her all apart to see how

she was put together.

Her bodice is from a Georgian style dress

with side panniers.  I wanted her new dress

to reflect that style.

I learned about the construction of these dresses

years ago when I was making them for

our American Girl Dolls.

I decided to use foam to create the skirt shape.

I covered the foam with batting for softness.

I made a satin underskirt and added a layer of lace.

Then I started going through fabric and 

bric-a-brac, looking for ideas.

I decided to use blue and pink since her bodice

is pink and her hair ribbon is blue.

I drew around the skirt form and made a pattern.

I cut 2 pieces and cut open the front.

I hemmed it all around.

Now the dress just needs some 

finishing touches...

AND

HERE

SHE

IS!

She now sits across from my sewing table

on the big dresser. I love looking at her.

Before and After

On the after photo you can see I 

added my Grandmother's hat pin!

Crissy Doll Fashions and Boot Tutorial

As many of you already know, 

I love sewing doll dresses!

I've had some requests for this pattern

and also the pattern for the

Go-Go boots.

First the dress.

Velvet is wearing this pattern with the

Peter Pan collar and short sleeves

as shown on the pattern itself.

Cricket is wearing this pattern 

with no sleeves or collar.

This is the Pattern. Click on it and "Save Image As"

to a photo folder on your computer.

 I added a 1 Inch square so when you 

print it, you will know if it is the right size.

I'm not doing a tutorial for the dress today,

But I am 

 FOR THE BOOTS!!

I have had requests for a pattern and tutorial

for these Go-Go boots.

This is the Pattern. Click on it and "Save Image As"

to a photo folder on your computer. I added a 1 Inch square 

so when you print you will know if it is the right size.

This is made on an 8x11" paper.

The fabric I use is STRETCHY!!

This boot will not work with non-stretchy fabric!

I found this at my local fabric store.

It came in lots of different colors.

You could use any fabric with Lycra. 

The black fabric you see is from a pair 

of old Lycra workout pants.  

They will make great black boots.

Cut out two of each piece. Be sure

to cut the 3 cuts in the arch. This helps the 

fabric make the curve.

I will start with hand stitching for those

who don't have a sewing machine.

Lay right sides together like this.

With RIGHT SIDES of fabric together.

Start stitching with small stitches

towards the arch of the foot.

Follow the stitch line on the pattern.

This part is tricky, I admit, but keep stitching

all the way across the arch to the opposite

side. I stitched back over the arch a second time, 

just to make sure there were no loose bits.

Don't worry if it's not perfect!!!

You can see mine is very wonky, but it

always seems to work out.

Before you go much further, be sure to turn down

and stitch the top edge of the boot. Machine sewers, 

I use the edge of my presser foot for my stitch line.

Hand sewers, using a ruler, draw a

 line in pencil to help you 

sew a straight line.

This next part is the same for hand sewing 

or sewing machine. Put the boot on 

your doll INSIDE OUT.

Pin along the back from top to heel.

(This is my hand sewn boot, you can see 

how wonky it looks around the ankle)

Next, pin SOLE to TOP in 4 places.

Toe, heel and both sides. 

You can unpin the back seam to

pull the pinned boot off your doll.

This is what you should have.

Starting at the toe, sew down one side.

Turn and sew down the opposite side.

Pin the boot, inside out, on your doll. 

Don't make it too tight! 

Just snug, so you can take them on and off.

Stitch down the back seam, following your

pin line. Same for you hand sewers.

Trim off excess fabric.

You can see here that I re-pinned and

sewed a second line to fit better.

At this point, I finish sewing along the 

heel, if it needs it.

I like to zig-zag along the back seam for reinforcement.

Turn your boot right side out

AND.....

DONE!!

(You can see this is far from perfect)

But look how cute they look on!!

And now, a few more fashions!

Shawna is wearing a dress made with the A-line

pattern above.

Crissy is looking ready for Fall in 

this smock dress.

Cricket is cute in a wrap dress.

Cricket and Mia wearing their

coordinating dresses.

Shea, lovely in an upcycled crochet dress.

Cricket wearing another version of 

the A-line dress.

Shawna and big sister Shea.

This is made with the same A-line pattern!

Just add 1/4" to the length.

Very pretty Crissy!

Happy Halloween Everyone!!

My Crissy Doll History

Liddle Kiddle, Florence Niddle!

 It is almost uncanny that I should have found a
Velvet Doll and a Liddle Kiddle, 

both from my childhood,

 in the same month,
but I did!

I think I've mentioned, at least once before,

that some of my childhood dolls were these 

Liddle Kiddle Dolls.

In particular, I had this Liddle Deer Doll.

I left her at my Grandma's house,

around 1973, and she was lost!

(I think it was the Pomerarian, 

but I have no proof)

These two Kiddle Kolognes are in my collection now.

Apple Blossom on the left and

Sweet Pea on the right.

This past month, I found this little girl,

all alone, naked, in a giant toy bin, in a thrift store!

She is only 3" tall.

She is a Florence Niddle Kiddle.

I have had this little case for a while now.

It occurred to me that it was the perfect size

for a Kiddle carry case room.

It must have been used as a pencil case.

It was very marked up inside.

Yes, it also came from a thrift store.

I covered the inside with craft paper.

Then chose some fabric.

That blue and white fabric is from the 1940s.

I cut it off this shapeless baby outfit,

and turned it into a little dress to fit my Puddin!

Doll Dress Fun

I made a little bed and chair from foam and cardboard.

I then covered each piece with fabric and

glued it all together.

Doll Furniture Tutorial

This is the first edition of Florence's case room.

The slipper chair I made I was not happy with.

Here is Florence's carry case room with the

revised slipper chair. Much better!

I just happened to have this tiny grey kitten.

(We call her Niddy Kiddy)

I crocheted a tiny dress and added some

ric-rac to the carpet.

Since Florence is a nurse,

I made her a nurses uniform as well.

Florence and Niddy Kiddy are all 

packed and ready to travel!