Notes from the Melody Maker

I recently created a wardrobe for my sister’s Dream World doll. Dream World dolls date to the 1940s and had their clothing stapled directly to their bodies! More on these dolls here.

Carlotta has been wearing her wedding dress for upwards of 70 years or more. I was asked to make her a new dress, and since this is another era I know nothing about, I needed to figure out how best to dress her. I also have a Dream World doll, and when I was a girl I made her a dress. No pattern. I really have no idea how I did it. For this project though, I wanted patterns if at all possible.

Etsy, oh Etsy, you saved me! There is a seller with hundreds of vintage doll patterns scanned and available for digital download. I spent a couple days combing through. Since Carlotta is not a Shirley Temple doll, nor a Miss Revlon or Cissy, the challenge was finding a close enough match to her size and then adjusting as needed.

McCall’s had something I liked, plus a now-defunct company called Advance. I bought the patterns, did some mock ups etc. you know the drill by now.

After consulting with my sister, we decided on the pattern to use and I started matching up fabrics with the garments. First, of course, were undergarments.

Next is a house dress.

Next, for a sharp look at work, a skirt and blouse.

And, if she is asked to attend a garden party she needs a floaty summer dress!

Of course there are always accessories!

There’s one more accessory but it deserves its own post so check back again soon!