Dainty Delicate Dolladine, The Prettiest Girl That Ever Was Seen! [Doll Dress & Photo Shoot]

THIS is the way we dress the Doll:— 

You may make her a shepherdess, the Doll, 

If you give her a crook with a pastoral hook, 

But this is the way we dress the Doll. 

For all of you doll and Bustle Era fashion fans out there, this post is for you!  Greatly inspired by Lydia Ann (follow her adventures here: Lydia Ann the Traveling Doll), and the more local companions - Anna Bauersmith's traveling doll Cali & Allison's Lucinda - it's about time we had a little adventurer too!  With neither the appropriate China head, nor the craftiness to make one like Lucinda, what's a girl to do other than pull out her childhood American Girl Doll?  That's right, meet our first-ever, official traveling doll of the Young Sewphisticate: Virginia Rose, called Ginny.

To welcome our newest addition, today's double feature includes both a fun photo shoot and look into the construction of Ginny's first Victorian dress.  

The ladies - Judy & Ariana - and the doll.

Completed Project Shots:

*All of the photographs presented in this post are the original creations of The Young Sewphisticate.  Copying our photographs without obtaining permission and/or leaving proper credit is prohibited.*

During the shoots for our upcoming installments of the Historical Interpretation How Tos, this impromptu series at the Hamilton House arose after Ariana, my "museum twin," agreed to model with Ginny.  In addition to being one of my nearest and dearest friends at GCV, Ariana is a delight to work with in front of (and behind) the camera.  She just looks the part!  

The model: Ariana, standing by the desk of John D. Hamilton.

Part I - Just a Girl & Doll 

Bless the Doll, you may press the Doll, 

But do not crumple and mess the Doll! 

This is the way we dress the Doll. 

First, you observe, her little chemise, 

As white as milk, with ruches of silk; 

And the little drawers that cover her knees,

As she sits or stands, with golden bands, 

And lace in beautiful filagrees. 

Part II - Tea for Two

Now these are the bodies: she has two, 

One of pink, with rouches of blue, 

And sweet white lace; be careful, do! 

And one of green, with buttons of sheen, 

Buttons and bands of gold, I mean, 

With lace on the border in lovely order, 

The most expensive we can afford her! 

Part III - All Dainty & Delicate

Then, with black at the border, jacket 

And this—and this—she will not lack it; 

Skirts? Why, there are skirts, of course, 

And shoes and stockings we shall enforce, 

With a proper bodice, in the proper place, 

(Stays that lace have had their days

And made their martyrs); likewise garters, 

All entire. But our desire 

Is to show you her night attire, 

At least a part of it. Pray admire 

This sweet white thing that she goes to bed in! 

It’s not the one that’s made for her wedding: 

That is special, a new design, 

Made with a charm and a countersign, 

Three times three and nine times nine: 

These are only her usual clothes.

Look, there’s a wardrobe! gracious knows 

It’s pretty enough, as far as it goes! 

Part IV - Pretty, Little Lullaby 

So you see the way we dress the Doll: 

You might make her a shepherdess, the Doll, 

If you gave her a crook with pastoral hook,

With sheep, and a shed, and a shallow brook, 

And all that, out of the poetry-book. 

Bless the Doll, you may press the Doll, 

But do not crumple and mess the Doll! 

This is the way we dress the Doll; 

If you had not seen, could you guess the Doll? 

Just for fun...an outtake!  As she bolted across the room, the camera clicked at just the right moment for this...oh Ariana, how you make us laugh!  

The face of excitement.

Poem is "Dressing the Doll" by William Brighty Rands.  Special thanks again to the model, Ariana! 

Doll Dress Construction:

Ginny's first outfit and outing were successful I'd say!  It amazed me how much work went into such a small outfit.  All things worth doing take time, and doll clothing, as I found out, is no exception.

Doll sized details!

In looking for doll-sized Bustle Era inspiration, I came across Pixie Faire, a one-stop-shop for all things 18" doll clothing related!  They must have hundreds of patterns and a very dangerous historical line...so, I splurged on the 1880s Mary and Laura Pattern.

My review?  Highly recommended!  All of the pattern pieces fit together perfectly, and, though I only briefly skimmed through the directions, they seemed clear and easy to follow.  I would definitely purchase from Pixie Faire again.

Since I was in a rush to complete the outfit for photos, I machined anything that wouldn't show with finishing touches by hand.  The outfit is constructed in two parts including an underskirt:

A very narrow placket.

And the overdress which fastens in the back:  Rather than dealing with button holes, I cheated and used velcro and snaps.  The trickiest part of the project was getting those facings to play nice.  Next time, I would skip the facings entirely and add a full lining.

Tiny darts and fold up cuffs!

No outfit would be complete without the accessories!  Check out the cutest, little Victorian boots and mother of pearl buckle that I ordered through Etsy:

Hand-stitched straw hat & matching ribbon belt.

The little straw hat, made in Anna Worden Bauersmith's doll millinery workshop, that started the whole project: 

From the front, decorated with ribbon, flowers & feathers.

From the side.  I added a tiny comb to help secure the hat.

From the other side, with a floral pin serving as a doll-sized hat pin!

And finally, Ginny all put together:

Bless the Doll, you may press the Doll, 

But do not crumple and mess the Doll! 

This is the way we dress the Doll; 

If you had not seen, could you guess the Doll? 

A Day of Thanksgiving

For this day and for this hour,

For the joys of family, and

Time to spend together

For the love we share

This Thanksgiving Day

Across the miles,

When we are apart,

And for the closeness

We share in our hearts.

- Raymond A. Foss, "For This We Give Thanks" 

Before settling down to a Thanksgiving feast, I'd like to take a few minutes to give thanks for all of the blessings bestowed.  With the help of two friends, who fill another with joy, - thanks Allison and Addie! - we have a few words for you, before the day is through:

As you prepare for this holiday...

We wish you save travels...

Happiness in the company of the family and friends you hold most dear...

And the comforts of plenty and abundance at your table on this day of grace!  

A Happy Thanksgiving to all!  

Domestic Skills Symposium 2016 Synopsis

Sitting down to compose an entirely different blog post, I realized that I never wrote about this year's Domestic Skills Symposium!

A rainbow of naturally dyed 30/70 silk & merino skeins! 

Hosted by the Genesee Country Village & Museum in Mumford, NY, the three day symposium featured five guest speakers with a 19th century funeral food themed luncheon, and two days full of pre- and post-conference workshops.  I was so honored to have the privilege of working and representing the interpreters of GCV&M for a third year now, and even had the chance to sign up for two workshops!  Best of all, I enjoyed spending the weekend among so many familiar and new friends and living history enthusiasts :)


Day One - Friday, November 11th

I suppose I should start by relaying a slightly embarrassing, yet internally gleeful story...When I arrived, one of the first tasks I set about to do was set up the crafts in the village table and resist the urge to buy one of each of the brilliantly colored skeins we spent all season dyeing.  I was quite absorbed in the task, when I heard a symposium guest say something along the lines of "you're Anneliese, I read your blog!"  I was caught off guard, and delighted that people actually read my blog.  In fact, there were five other guests that weekend who recognized me from the blog - and I have never been so flattered.  It's the little things in life!

Anyways, there were three village related vendors at the conference, including our interpreter's crafts-in-the-village!  This year, we filled two tables with our ever-popular hand dyed yarns (DK and lace weights, silk/merino blends, and a few hand spun skeins), an assortment of pin cushions and Berlin work pocket books, handmade brooms, and buckets and washtubs made by the cooper.  The best part about our crafts-in-the-village program is that any and all proceeds directly benefit our historic trades!  (So feel free to splurge on all of the yarn you desire knowing that it goes to a good cause, and because dyeing is fun!)

The hand dyed section of our crafts-in-the-village tables.

On Friday, I attended the Weaving Narrow Bands Class for Historic and Contemporary Use taught by our village's master weaver and master artisan, Louise Richens.  I was so happy to spend the day with her, Pickle Peg and three other lovely ladies.  I learned so much that day - from weaving fringed trim, to overshot with a supplementary warp, to button holes, beads and more - weave all the tapes!

Weaving with a supplementary warp.
One of my favorite techniques of the day!

Weaving fringed trim with two boat shuttles.
Lots of fun on the floor loom, now I need to try it on my box loom...
Maybe with some metallic floss?

Practicing a button hole or two.
I can see this being useful for apron ties and garters...

Weave all the tapes!

Oh, and one final memory from Friday...Deanna introduced me to Dr. Ann Wass, who was one of the presenters and workshop teachers!  Though I may have looked calm and collected, I assure you that inside, I was internally hyperventilating and fighting the urge to "fan girl" - which is how I feel around any of those sewing "greats."  (Anna Bauersmith, you come to mind here!)


Day Two - Saturday, November 12th 

This was the day of the sold-out conference!  I left my house at 7 in the morning, and pulled in the driveway again at 8 at night...SO much happened, where do I even begin?  There were five amazing speakers, over 100 fantastic guests, a feast of 19th century funeral foods including anything from towering jell-o molds to lemon raisin pies...each year it keeps getting better and better!  Though, one thing is for sure, I am so proud to be a member of the GCV team, and have the best co-workers anyone could ask for.  

Most of the workers (from right to left):
Aimee, Lori, Peggy, Amy, Ariana, Me, Patti.
Not pictured: Deanna, Pat, Brian, Sarah, Judy.
(Photograph credit: Ruby Foote, GCV&M photographer)
(Via: Domestic Skills Symposium Album, Facebook)

The speakers this year included:

• Dr. Ann B. Wass, history and museum specialist at the Riverdale House Museum, presenting: "Cloaks, Pelises, Mantles, Mantlets and More! Outerwear, 1795-1845"
• Sarah Lohman, Author and "Historic Gastronomist," presenting "Food of the Dead: A Culinary History of Funeral Food" 
• Katie Cannon, curator of education at the DAR Museum, presenting "The Good, the Bad, and the Beautiful: Cosmetics of Early America" 
• Peter Wisbey, our curator of collections at GCV&M, presenting "Uncovering Coverlets: The Figured and the Fancy"
• Joe Fee, co-owner of Fee Brothers, presenting "From Well Drinks to Swell Drinks: The History of Bitters"

Three of us preparing the cocktails for the Fee Brothers presentation.
(Photo courtesy of Judy J.)

Though the best part and what I look forward to each symposium is the Bill of Fare!  We always have so much food, enough to feed an army.  (And to keep seven of us busy all day!)  Our theme this year was 19th century funeral foods:  The main dishes included Salamongundy and Hosmer dressing, marinade of chickens, Mormon funeral potatoes and Enfield onions with grapes and Brussels Sprouts, a receipt from the Enfield Shaker Village, Connecticut.  

Breads included powdered Wiggs from Amelia Simmon's American Cookery, and Pan de Muerto, a traditional Mexican funeral food.  

"Baked goods and candies...bear the mark of association with death, such as pan de muerto, scented with orange, often shaped in the form of bones and covered with fine white sugar." - Mexico Today: An Encyclopedia of Life in the Republic [Volume One] 

Pan de Muerto with orange glaze.

Sides included cheeses, spicy East India pickles, sweet pickled beets, apple sauce, relish, hard boiled eggs and prunes, all of which have symbolic meaning.  

"It is a Jewish custom to include round foods such as hard-boiled eggs, symbolizing eternal life or the cyclical nature of life at their funeral receptions.

"Prunes are also considered an averil, or funeral feast, dish.  Their black skin gives a note of mourning appropriate to the occasion."

And, in my opinion, the neatest addition this year, eight towering jell-o molds including Utah's famous green jell-o salad and cranberry-raspberry jell-o molds.  I hope they were as tasty as they were pretty!  

Two of the amazing jell-o molds!

Ariana & I were really amused by this jell-o castle.
It was so wiggly, wobbly, jiggly and fun!
(Photo credit: Ruby Foote, GCV&M photographer)

For dessert, a dozen lemon raisin pies and little cakes, paired with cider, ginger beer, shrub, coffee and tea.  It was quite the unforgettable affair! 

Lemon raisin pies waiting to be cut.

Also, as a parting gift, each participant walked away with a beautifully packaged and ornate funeral cookie.  I only wish that I had a picture of the beautiful cookie inside to show!  

Inside is an ornate funeral cookie!

Even the seal matches the theme!

Finally, a few out-takes because silliness is bound to happen with this crowd...

Well that looks safe...building a fire!
(Photo courtesy of Judy J.)

I won a door prize!  (Everyone who paid to participate in either symposium 

and/or optional workshops was entered in the drawings.)  Two skeins of purple (cochineal with a chrome mordant) and Prussian blue came home with me!  Oh, and I also splurged on the green because I couldn't bear to leave it lonely...

The face of yarn appreciation!
(Photo courtesy of Judy J.)

But best of all, I couldn't leave without partaking in the funeral festivities with Ariana...I had been wondering all day if I'd fit:

A perfect fit!
(Photo courtesy of Ariana B.)

Day Three - Sunday, November 13th 

For as long as I can remember, I've been obsessed with bonnets, caps and headgear of all types - and ever since I discovered Anna Worden Bauersmith's Blog, If I Had My Own Blue Box, I've admired her many amazing talents including all things straw manipulation.  (You can imagine how ecstatic I was to find out she lived near me, let alone meeting her in person!!)  

So, for the last day of the symposium, I signed up for Anna's Millinery in Miniature Class and it was fantastic!  Anna rightfully had a full house of milliners and doll enthusiasts.  I could go on an on about her as a person, as a teacher, and her class...but I'll let you read about her class here: Domestic Skills Symposium pt 2 Millinery on Miniature.  (Also, don't miss Cali's latest adventure here: Domestic Skills Symposium pt 3 Cali Visits Foster)

I just had to share this picture of Cali modeling one of the fellow participant's hats!
(Photo credit: Anna Worden Bauersmith)
(Via: Domestic Skills Symposium pt 2 Millinery on Miniature) 

An assortment of books, bonnets and original blocks!

For the workshop project, we had the choice between two styles of hats intended for 18" dolls.  I chose the style on the right and learned that every day household items, like the laundry detergent cap pictured could be used as hat blocks! 

Two doll hat styles to choose from. 

Julie's doll wearing the colored straw example.

My first stab at straw millinery:  I loved seeing the straw take shape by the amount of pushing or pulling, the thread tension and hand pressure.  I see more exploration in the future, though I'd be afraid to attempt anything larger than doll scale on my own!

Stitching around and around again!
(Photo courtesy of Judy J.)

My finished doll hat.  Wired with both
thin copper and millinery wire to hold the curve.

All decorated!  (I even pulled out the American Girl Doll to model
and made her a late Victorian dress to match!  More pictures to come...)

Alright, sign me up for Domestic Skills Symposium 2017! #gcvmsymposium

Sunset on the best of our symposiums yet!
#gcvmsymposium