One way we can learn about making antique inspired doll clothing is by looking at clothing of the period. While searching through another group I came across these lovely antique clothing pieces on Ebay. So I emailed the seller, The Lady's Repository Museum, to ask for permission to post the pictures here. These items are presently at auction and might be appropriate in scale for a large doll from 1800's, or for an antique inspired doll.
The first item is an incredible Victorian child's dress and matching cape which could be for either a boy or a girl. The wonderful deep cherry red wool has white wool braiding and vegetable ivory buttons, and hand done button holes.
Look at the intricacy of the trim!
Both the cape and the dress are fully lined in white cotton. The cape closes in the center front with one hook/eye closure.The dress measures 19" from shoulder to hem and the cape measures 14" cape from shoulder to hem.
Plaid is the name of the game
in this next sweet 1860's boys' garment.
But look what happens when you add
a band of green with trimmed edges
to the plaid? Bazinga!
Double rows of braid make the blue skirt something special.
Imagine these pieces without the trim. What a difference trim makes!
Talk about texture!
The trim on this incredible
white dress below makes this dress.
The dress above is made from a ribbed cotton pique with hand applied matching soutache trim and white embroidered lace at the neckline and hem. It is most likely from the mid to late 1850's, according to the seller. It has one shell button waistband closure. The bodice has a button back closure with superbly hand stitched button holes, but all back bodice buttons are missing From the seller:
What sets this set apart form others, besides the near mint condition, is the wonderful tabbed bodice with long revers that extend well below the waist line~ this most definitely belonged to a very well to- do little girl!
A closer look...
And still closer. Wonderful!
I hope you enjoyed looking at these wonderful antique garments. If you are interested, please click the pictures to visit the auctions for more information. Many thanks to Rachael of the Ladys Repository Museum for sharing these lovely pictures of antique clothing. Click here to see more items in the museum.
To leave a comment, click on the post title.
The "Add Comment" link will be at the bottom of the post.
Wonderful post! She has the most amazing collection of early garments. She also makes stunning Queen Anne dolls, and restores antique dolls. A very talented lady.
ReplyDeleteCan you imagine sewing on that intricate trim? A labor of love.
Thank you Dixie and Rachael for a most beautiful post! Showing us these to enjoy is like giving us a lovely bunch of roses. Just a delight! The red red red one is my favorite, but they are all lovely.
ReplyDeleteOh Dixie, how awe inspiring! What a great post, and great photos. That red dress and cape are precious.
ReplyDeleteWOW Dixie what beautiful articles of clothing. I'd love to own the white dress, just beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI know! I love them all but the white dress is soooo wonderful. It is divine.
ReplyDeleteFantastic clothing! I have a question about the soutache. I have a bunch of it at home, but it's straight. How did they make it all twisty and twirly? Was it arranged and sewn on that way? Or was there a thread to pull to make it all twisty/twirly before sewing it? That is my burning soutache question for the day.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and breathtaking, thanks for this enchanting posting! I fell in love with the white dress
ReplyDelete