Daisy's Top

As I was continuing to unpack and

organize the Doll Room closet

The New Doll Room

I found the cutest set of 

Palazzo pants! I had forgotten

we even had them, but I had held on 

to them hoping someone 

could use them.

These Palazzo pants fit Daisy.

But, we could not find

a top that suited them.

Daisy, the fashionista, did not approve

of this boring white top.

(Daisy's words, not mine)

I looked for an older hanky that might work.

I found this partial hanky. 

It had all the right colors.

(Hmm, there's a hole right in front)

This hanky is Partial because it was used 

to make this little hanky dress for

My Patsyette, Helena.

I folded the remaining hanky in two

and cut it in half. One half is going

 to be the front of Daisy's new top.

The remaining fabric will become

some sort of sleeve.

Here is a photo of what I have come up with.

As usual, I am making this up as I go along.

I gathered a little in front, then pinned

the remaining fabric as sleeves.

(How can I fix that hole in front?)

This is how I fixed the hole.

I used Fray Check as a glue to

attach a small triangle of hanky fabric 

to the back side of the top. This works 

because of the lightweight fabric 

the hanky is made from.

The finished top is pretty simple.

I think it's kind of cute!

"Daisy let's try in your new top..."

"Now, Where is Daisy?"

"Daisy?"

"Daisy!!"

"OH! There you are..."

"Mommy, why does my tummy stick out?"

"Hmm, I don't know Daisy, 

but it sure is cute.

Let's try on your new top."

"OK!!"

"Oh Mommy!  I like it! But take my 

picture jumping on the bed!!"

"DAISY!!"

"What Mommy?"

"You shouldn't jump on the bed."

"Why?"

"Just because! Besides I need a 

picture of the back of your top."

"Oh Biscuit!"

"How does it look Mommy?"

"Pretty cute!"

"Can we please have just the pants wearers?"

"Aww, mommy Biscuit just wants

 his picture made too."

"Very nice ladies!"

"I'm not a lady momma, I'm just a girl!"

Daisy and Biscuit.

Daisy's Restoration

Ruth Gibbs Doll

A few months back I heard about a

china head doll made by Ruth Gibbs

in the 1940s, during WWII.

They were called, 

"Godey Little Lady Dolls".

But, what was Ruth Gibb's motivation?

Ruth Gibbs had a love of China Head dolls

and collected dolls herself. Ruth 

wished there was a china doll that girls

could play with, without breaking

quite so easily.

(Clara, my repaired 1890 China Head doll)

Antique China head dolls were fragile and

many were broken by their little

girl mommies who then had 

broken hearts themselves.

My grandmother mourned her broken 

china doll as long as she lived. 

I wonder if Ruth had a similar memory?

Grandma's broken doll must have been 

similar to my Clara.

(My grandmother's 1920 China doll, 7" tall)

Ruth must have noticed the smaller China dolls

seemed a bit more durable. Due to their more

compact head and limb size.

(Ruth Gibbs "Little Women")

In the early 1940s, Ruth began designing 

a China Doll that could be played with.

They came in 7" and 12" sizes.

Some of Ruth's little 7" dolls came with a box

that opened up and had a dress pattern.

Notice her little gold painted shoes.

All the Ruth Gibbs dolls have these 

sweet hand painted faces.

OH! This is my Ruth Gibbs, "Lily".

This is Lily as she arrived. The dress 

she is wearing did not truly fit her.

Here is Lily patiently waiting for a dress.

The Ruth Gibbs dolls have wires

inside their bodies for posing.

Lily is looking much happier in her new dress.

But she needs pantalettes!

I found a small pant pattern and 

widened the legs for pantalettes.  

I sewed lace to the leg bottoms, then 

sewed the front seam together.

Then I zig-zag 1/8th inch elastic along the pant top.

Then I close the back seam and finish

by sewing the inseam.

I used a hanky to create Lily's apron.

I decided to try making a bonnet with the 

remaining hanky.  I cut along one whole side

then gathered the fabric.

Next I sewed ribbon along the bonnet, 

gathering as I went.  

The back is sewn together to create 

the bonnet shape. This was a very 

finagling project and I wound up 

hand sewing a LOT of it. 

Here is Lily in her new outfit.

Bonnet back.

And Pantalettes!

Looking very sweet!

If I do say so myself.

AND her little gold shoes!

BONUS!!

I've traced and drawn on my computer 

the original Ruth Gibbs Pattern.

Original Pattern

I have added my pantalette 

pattern as well.

Save both these images in a

Picture Folder on your computer.

Print out full size on 

8 1/2 x 11" paper.

The one inch square is so that you can 

verify the print is the correct size.

I did try out the blouse pattern

to be certain it worked

Pretty simple.  Hem the sleeves.  Press down neckline and 

stitch. Fold with right sides together and sew side seams.

Pinned inside out to Lily

for sizing.

It was slighly large, so I adjusted 

my pattern accordingly.

Here are some more

Ruth Gibb's dolls

for your enjoyment!

12" Ruth Gibb Lady Doll

12" Lady dolls had a gold 

painted necklace.

7" Jo from Little Women.

7" Meg from Little Women.

7" Godey Flower Girls.

Ruth Gibbs with wigs.

(Notice the large felt bonnet)

Keep your dollies safe!