I've been pinning things...

...Not dress seams like I was supposed to do today... I've been "pinning" pictures. Photos from the 1840's-1860's. I know. I've been naughty. But wait till you see the photos. :)

I am utterly in love with these beautiful photos.
You can see the pictures of girls with dolls I pinned HERE. And the portraits HERE. They are all so amazing. I'm looking for ideas...

Hug.

Emaline

1840 Day dress

Finished and complete. I'm very happy with the way this dress turned out, as I hope are you. It was a very fun dress to make with no major hiccups. :) The rouching, pleating, tucks, eyelets and lace took time to do, but they made the project so much fun! And it is so perfect for Spring! It makes me feel like Spring is not so far off after all. :)

{And don't forget about our Craft-Along starting on March 1st!}

 I love how this picture below turned out.

 

Before, I had said this dress was late 1840's but in fact it is closer to being a style from the late 1830's-1840. Like these two below.

This dress below is more like late 1840s. Longer waist and more fitted sleeves. Aren't these dresses gorgeous? I love seeing the real dresses from the eras don't you?

However, I hardly ever dress in the style that is the most current... It always takes me a couple years to get accustomed to a look before I start liking it. So, I suppose it all works out in the end. :)

I have also made a belt to wear with my dress and have made over my bonnet to match. I will be posting those in the near future.

I'm so excited about the Craft-Along!! I hope to see many of you join us for it! Please leave a comment to let us know if you'd like to join in the fun! It's never too early to make new friends!


Thank you, dear readers for all your kind words and thoughts! They are always so uplifting and ever so much appreciated.
All my Love,
Emaline

Babes from the Woods

Hello my darlings!

I thought I would just post this link while we're on the subject of 18th century dolls....

It is a blog called Babes from the Woods.

(I have also put a link to it on the left hand side bar in case we need instant inspiration.♥)

She makes the most lovely antiqued Queen Anne dolls as well as some beautiful replicas of other eras. Here is just one of her many exquisite dolls. If I could EVER choose a favorite (which I couldn't) it might be this one.

Have you fallen on the floor yet from sheer delight and amazement? If you have, please pick yourself back up and prepare to do it again because you must also look at this doll called Margie. So beautiful! I pray you, go look upon them. They are desserts for thine eyes! My pen cannot even describe what loveliness awaits you!

Lovingly, Emaline

p.s. Just so you know.. I have been trying to change the blog header to a more appropriate theme for winter but have not had any success. It is giving me grief. But nevertheless, I shall conquer!

Antique Beauties

Salutations ladies...
Here is something I've been wanting to show you!
I found these pictures at THIS website called Carmel Doll Shop. They have ANCIENT dolls that they sell for thousands of dollars! But you must go there and look around.
*** I even found this one that you should look at Miss T.G. and Miss Cora. Although it doesn't have a date. (Maddeningly unhelpful I know.)***
It is amazing! Especially the Early Dolls section and the furniture section! They have all sorts of dolls and clothes and furniture (doll size of course!). But these I thought were the most wonderful!
This one is from the regency era I believe. Doesn't she have such a beautiful face?

This one looks 1830's to me. Look at that beautiful bonnet! I want one..

This one I think is 1830's or 40's but it's hard to tell. The curls on the front of her hair are real human hair! Oh my!

I think this one is my favorite. She is a papier mache from the 1840's. Just look at her sleeves and the double piping on the neckline! Ah! If I were ever to recreate a doll, it might be this one.

And just look at this Gallant from the early/mid 1800's. Quite the gentleman.

Well, that is all I have for today... I hope you enjoyed looking at the pictures. I am aching to know what everyone else is doing! Please leave a comment and tell us what you've been about or even what you hope to do. :)
With much love,
Emaline

Quaker Doll

Look at these photos of a Quaker Doll! (More Pictures HERE)
Isn't she marvelous? I think, judging by her outfit, that she must be from the 1850's. (Notice the narrow sleeves and full skirt.) But I know nothing about Quaker fashions so that's just a guess. =]
I so love her outfit! Especially her bonnet and cap! (How brilliant is that?!)
I must make a bonnet one of these days. My white china complexion will not stand up to this summer sunshine much longer! ;}
Love to you all...
Emaline

Here comes the bride...

Let me introduce you to a very special doll that we have the privilege to show to you.
"Sweet Sue"

Our lovely neighbor Candy, who received this doll when she was 9, let her come and stay with us for a while. We had such fun!
The doll, "Sweet Sue Sophisticate", was manufactured in (around) 1957 by American Character.

She is an all vinyl fashion doll. She's 20" tall, with "sleep" eyes which means they close when she is lying down. The make up and hairstyle are gorgeous! Very feminine and 50's!

I have to say besides those beautiful red lips the nylons with the seams are my favorite part.

Genevieve (aka Miss Olive) had a lovely time taking her 'bridal portraits'. They are quite stunning!

Doesn't she look real?

These shoes are absolutely fabulous!

The veil is ankle length made out of tulle and the cap is satin with little pearls sewn all around the front. There are even little pearl-head pins that pin the veil to the cap!
Her necklace looks like a string of diamonds! Lovely!

The main part of the bodice and over skirt is made out of a creamy white satin. The under-skirt is two tiers of pleated tulle sewn onto satin.
It is very well made! I think the seamstresses who made these would be appalled at the doll clothes that you can buy nowadays. =]
The ruffle around the neckline and the bottom part of the sleeves is made of a very soft kind of sheer tulle or netting (I think). The sleeves almost remind me of a late 1700's style. =]

Thank you so very much Candy for sharing "Sweet Sue" with us!
Very gratefully yours,
Marguerite
(aka Miss Emaline)

Underpinnings...

Hello my lovelies! This is one of my favorite subjects! I think there is something so lovely about clean white cotton and pretty things that no one sees but yourself. I'm not sure why I love underpinnings so much, but I absolutely do!

Here is a lovely hidden pocket that Olive made for me last year! Isn't it beautiful?
She embroidered it with flowers and my initial and then sewed it on to a beautiful printed cotton waistband that you can tie on over or under your corset!

This is my 1860's corset that I sewed entirely by hand!
It's made of dupioni silk (leftover scraps from my oldest sister's wedding dress!) and lined with white cotton.

I used a thick satin ribbon for binding the top and bottom.

The free hand embroidery I did with silk thread...

On the back I did little eyelets and laced it with cording.

Here is my pretty petticoat! Rather wrinkly at the time we took the photos but oh well, it gives it the real "lived in" look, right? =]

It is a vintage cotton petticoat with tiny little growth tucks and beautiful lace around the hem!

I didn't get a picture of the bloomers that I made but here they are peeking out from under my chemise... Ruffles are another thing I love!

Here is a random little project I did last summer...
A friend of mine was going to make a friendship quilt and she asked me to make a square for it!
A lovely idea, wouldn't you agree? So I decided to embroider mine...

Acorns are my favorite thing to embroider!

Well, that is all I have for the moment... I would love to hear what you think and see pictures of what you are all making or have already made. =]
ta ta,
Miss Emaline