A Striped Dress for Ginny

Here is a post for all of the doll enthusiasts out there!  In today's blog post, I'll be detailing the construction of the little, striped dress and tucked petticoat that Ginny, the blog's traveling doll, wore in our previous adventure, here: Past Summer's Visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens.

Ginny, the blog's traveling doll, among the wildflowers at the Sonnenberg Gardens

Making doll clothing is so much fun, and in many ways like making people's clothing, but on a smaller scale of course.  I found that a lot of the same techniques that I use for my own historic clothing work in miniature too, including flat lining the bodice and fitting it with darts, gauging (or cartridge pleating) the skirt, and applying a hem facing in the usual manner.  Speaking of the usual manner, it wouldn't be proper to build a dress without first addressing the underclothes:

Part I: Tucked Petticoat

To help create the fashionable bell-shaped silhouette, Ginny needed a petticoat (or two) to support her dress.  Eventually, I'd like to make her an entire set of period undergarments - including a chemise, drawers, corset (wouldn't tiny, size 0 hooks and eyes make for a cute busk?!), and maybe even a doll-sized cage crinoline...but for now, all we had time for was the basic, white cotton petticoat.  

Constructed just like my own petticoats, Ginny's doll-sized petticoat features a deep hem with two tucks to help stiffen and hold out the skirts.  The skirt was then gauged (also called cartridge pleating) and whip stitched to a waistband.  

Tucked petticoat, front.

Tucked petticoat, back with overlapping closure.

For convenience, I used a snap for a closure, but may eventually replace it with a little, bone button and buttonhole for the next wearing:  

Detail of the gauging and waistband with snap closure.

Part II: Striped Dress

I was thrilled to find a remnant in a doll-scale reproduction print that resembled my own striped dress!  Every girl dreams of matching dresses with her doll, right?  Anyways, American girl dolls are actually pinnable, so it made it easy to drape a basic bodice right on the doll.  The back is one piece, and the fronts are fitted with darts.  These were then joined at the sides and set onto a narrow waistband.  For the sleeves, I ran two lines of gathering stitches to create the double puffed effect, and hemmed the ends.  

Striped dress construction - the bodice is finished and ready for the skirt to be attached.

A look at the inside of the bodice and skirt.

Next, the skirt needed assembling.  After seaming the side panels, the skirt was gauged and whip stitched to the bodice's waistband, much like the tucked petticoat.  Rather than a folded hem, a deep hem facing in plain cotton was applied:

Two different ways of finishing skirt hems.

A deep hem facing stitched on the dress.

The last step was to add closures, and rather than deal with tiny hooks and thread eyes, I just used snaps.  Yes, I know it's cheating...and the dress could also use a collar.  But hey, at least it was finished in time for the trip, and even has a silk belt and mother of pearl buckle to complete the look! 

Here's what the dress looks like all together:

Metal snaps for closures, but hooks and thread eyes would have worked too!

The little, striped doll dress - completed!

Part III: Completed Project Shots

And since no costume construction post would be complete without them - here are the completed project shots, modeled by Ginny:

Striped dress with silk belt and mother of pearl buckle.

Back view - please excuse the very visible doll stand!

For the actual outing, Ginny wore her plaid "work" petticoat, instead of the tucked one, to match mine, black stockings, and the most adorable, Victorian-style boots, which I ordered online:

Shoe shot!  Unfortunately they don't really show up, but these are doll-sized, scalloped buttoning boots!

And a couple of the finished dress, flat:

Styling doll hair is so much easier than doing ones own (at least for me, as I am most definitely hair styling challenged and rely on begging friends for anything more complicated than a basic bun!)  Ginny has full front bangs, as I did when I was much younger, but her hair was just long enough for a braided bun and side twists: 

And that's all for this post, thank you for reading! 

Past Summer's Visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens

This summer has certainly been a summer like no other.  I spent some time the other day organizing (and cleaning out) some folders on my computer, when I came across all of these pictures from an adventure Judy, my dear friend and partner-n-crime, and I went on a couple of summers ago...cue the nostalgia!

Stopping for a moment's rest on the bridge
(Photograph by Judy J.)

Yes, I'm disappointed that the day trips, historical events, and new places I had planned to explore had to be postponed or canceled; but that all seems to pale in comparison to the family, friends, and what would have been my seventh season at the living history museum that I'm missing.  After traveling back and forth between two states for a couple years, I finally chose to make the move for convenience, having no idea I'd be sheltering-in-place by myself.  At least there's zoom and other means of staying connected!

So while there won't be any in-person adventures with my partner-n-crime this summer, here's a virtual trip through a past summer's visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park:

Visit their website to plan your visit: Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion

Sonnenberg had been on my bucket list for long time, so Judy (in the truest Judy fashion) planned a whole weekend of it, hosting me at hers and making sure every detail of the trip was taken care of.  I really couldn't ask for a better friend and partner-n-crime!  

We decided to go in costume, despite the humid, mid-August weather.  Judy had just finished her newest dress, an 1850s fan-front in the most gorgeous, purple serpentine print, and the gardens provided the perfect background to document it.  I ended up pulling a dress from the closet and looped it over a striped petticoat for walking; while Ginny, the blog's traveling doll, had a new dress made to match mine.  (Doll clothing is so much fun! I'll write a blog post on the little striped dress next...)

Judy & Ginny, the best dressed companions!

Walking the grounds and themed gardens felt like traveling the world all in a 50-acre estate!  The first garden we entered was the Japanese Garden, constructed in 1906 to look like a miniature landscape complete with a tea house:

Next stop was the Roman Bath, which was built in 1914 with dressing rooms and restrooms for bathers, and a boiler house to filter and heat water from Canandaigua Lake for the swimming pool.  Just standing there gave me flashbacks to Latin class (Ecce Romani 43: At The Baths, anyone?), I can only imagine what swimming there must have been like: 

Nearby in the Sub-Rosa Garden, there was a private alcove surrounded by boxwood hedges with a marble fountain and statuary inside.  Judy looked so at peace here, I had to take a picture - there's just something about her pose and the atmosphere that makes this look like a period portrait! 

Whereas Ginny discovered a statue of her own size:

Speaking of statues, over in the Italian Garden, there was no lion 'bout having fun as we all took turns posing with this fierce king of the garden:

Not lion 'bout having fun!
(Photograph by Judy J.)

And another thanks to Judy!

Taking a moment in the Blue & White Garden, which lies just off the veranda:

Just a girl & her doll.
(Photography by Judy J.)

Ginny looking through the metal entrance gate,
which was replaced in a 2007 restoration, having been missing since World War II

I think we both can agree that the Rock Garden was a favorite, providing many photo opportunities:

This was one of my favorites of you from that weekend, Judy!

Taking turns under the arch:

This was one of the last stops for the day,
so both girl and doll were feeling rather melted from the day's heat...

We also took the opportunity to explore the historic Sonnenberg Mansion, which is a 40-room Queen Anne-style mansion - and it was equally as impressive on the inside as the gardens outside.  Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures, so you'll just have to visit to see it for yourself! 

Tea for two?

A very kind visitor took a couple of group pictures for us:

Judy, Ginny & me outside the Sonnenberg Mansion

And that sums up the day - many, many thanks to Judy for hosting this marvelous adventure!  If you're ever in the area, make sure to plan a visit to the Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion State Historic Park!  

Here's a happy twirl for good measure:

Thanks for reading!

The Citizen's Forum: 2018 Conference

The 2019 Citizen's Forum - an annual, weekend conference focusing on Civil War Era topics for reenactors and living history enthusiasts - is a week from today, and the excitement here is sky high!  I had such a memorable experience last year with all of the inspiring seminars, workshops, shopping and socializing opportunities, I just can't wait for all that's in store next weekend.

In eager anticipation, I thought I'd spend some time reminiscing on the highlights from the 2018 Citizen's Forum.  No post on the subject would be complete without Kristen's official recap, here: The Citizen's Forum of the 1860s 2018, and her most recent Conference Preparations for 2019.

This way to the Citizen's Forum!
Visit the official website: The Citizen's Forum of the 1860s
& Facebook page, also The Citizen's Forum of the 1860s

And now for my recap - the 2018 Citizen's Forum took place on March 23rd through the 25th in Monroe, Michigan.

Friday, March 23rd

Immediately after class, I traveled up to meet Amber, a new friend and roommate for the weekend, and quickly dressed for the evening festivities.  When we arrived at the Sawyer House, which is a beautiful, Italianate-style home and the historic site for the evening soiree, Kristen, the director of the conference, welcomed us and made introductions.  With the mansion tour, new friends and conversations, not to mention the delicious spread and photo opportunities, a delightful evening was had by all!  

Weekend companions - Amber, Ginny the doll & me!
Amber looked fabulous in her purple sheer and matching bracelets!

Sarah from Ensembles of the Past, Kristen of the Victorian Needle & Me
- all very happy to be there!

I even met Elizabeth Aldridge!

  

Yummy yummies, or the obligatory food picture 😋

More food and a Kristen!
I wish I could go back, just to eat more finger sandwiches and cookies... 

Ginny, the blog's traveling doll, enjoyed getting passed around:  

With Amber, wearing almost matching dress styles...
Amber, I still love your dress and want to steal that fabric! 

With the youngest (and cutest!) attendee 

With Kristen and Sarah

Following the soiree, Amber and I joined a small group that toured the Old Mill Museum in Dundee, which was once a working gristmill and now a museum and popular spot for ghost hunting.  Though we didn't witness any paranormal activity, our tour guide was very enthusiastic and our group had a great time.  Perhaps it was just me, but some of the mannequins in the upstairs displays seemed more frightening than any ghost, especially if encountered alone in the dark...I only kid.  The upstairs exhibits provided a history of the Dundee area and a neat series of slice-of-life vignettes:

General store display.

Parlor display.

Saturday, March 24th

The day of conferencing - speakers, socializing and shopping, unite!  Kristen and Glenna Jo, the two masterminds behind the entire event, opened the conference at eight:

Glenna Jo and Kristen delivering the opening remarks

Pretty table decorations, all handmade by Kristen.

There were four, fabulous speakers:

The two Elizabeths!

• Elizabeth Stewart Clark (of the Sewing Academy fame) presented An Eye for Detail: Examining Original Images, Paintings and Engravings for the Details that Change Our Impression, which calls researchers not only to look in general contexts and for specific goals, but to really see what the visual texts communicate.  She also spoke on Our Latest Number: Mid-19th Century Magazines and What They Tell Us, which has opened my eyes to the many offerings in periodicals, and their use in living history events.  

• Robert Beech spoke on period photography, his experiences and artistic practices, and even gave an outdoor demonstration in Civil War Era Photography: A Reenactor's Perspective.

• Elizabeth Aldridge presented Removing Roadblocks in Your Research, which was the most comprehensive teaching in research practices and the overall process I've ever had, in just an hour too!  

• Jillian Drapala chronicled a fascinating history of Female Anomalies of the Civil War, and her dedication to research and making their stories better know was clear in her own impression of Annie Etheridge.  

As well as a youth workshop, in which we discussed how we may be young, yet we are just as passionate about reenacting and honoring our history!

The next generation of living historians addressing the room!

There were plenty of opportunities for shopping in the "Vendor Area" -

Sarah of Ensembles of the Past brought a rainbow of silks!

More silks and all of the reproduction buckles! 

I treated myself to some pretty ribbons and flowers from The Dressmaker's Shop, and silks and reproduction buckles from Ensembles of the Past:

I'm envisioning a drawn bonnet in my future...

As well as a "Musuem" full of extant garments, each matched with an original image - which was literally amazing!  I believe that most, if not all of the objects were from the personal collections of Glenna Jo and Kristen: 

And last, but certainly not least, every conference needs a Board of Positivity: 

Sunday, March 24th

On the closing day, I had the opportunity to attend two workshops - both Fitting from Patterns and the "drop in" Pattern Making taught by Elizabeth Clark.

Explaining "radial projection" as a way to scale patterns in the morning workshop.

Demonstrating draping in the afternoon "drop in" workshop.

I could go on and on about these workshops, and how generous Elizabeth was with her time, knowledge and skills...but I'll leave it with this:

My beloved introduction to historical dressmaking, signed by the author!

Thank you so much to everyone involved with making the conference such a memorable experience - Kristen, Glenna Jo, the speakers, vendors and all behind-the-scenes

Poor Kristen is rightfully exhausted!

And thank you Amber, my friend and roommate for the conference, 'twas such a pleasure to get to know you and I hope to see you again this year!

Alright, who am I going to see next weekend at the 2019 Citizen's Forum?