Notes from the Melody Maker

While I’ve arrived at a chemise for Anna Tudor that I like, this has been a journey! Her deep chest shape has challenged me quite a bit – it’s all good but frankly I’m relieved this is finally completed.

My first attempt is absolutely exquisite!

The cotton lawn lends itself so nicely to the delicate insertion and gathered lace trim. It is like a cloud for a doll to wear!

I altered the Susan Sirkis chemise pattern just slightly to allow for a center back opening – the original called for a shoulder button.

Some doll is going to love this chemise, but it won’t be Anna. I couldn’t get it over her head, even though I measured, tested and measured again before making the darling garment.

My second attempt didn’t make it out of the paper towel mock up! With the low neckline required by the decorative chest plate, I had tried a basic double fold chemise but it was too bunched up around the neck.

I finally remembered a yoked chemise pattern I had used from another doll pattern. I knew it had the lower neckline so I dug that pattern out to study.

I like to draw out my basic ideas but you can see by the X through this one, it wasn’t quite right – but it was closer!

Finally after working through another few variations, I found a fit. Whew!

I used the concept of the yoked chemise, adjusted to the specifications I needed, and accommodating her chesty build.

The yoke is lined which nicely encapsulates all the raw edges inside the chemise. Plus I French seamed the sides. Every raw edge is covered.

The center back is closed with a hook and thread bar.

It “only” took me three tries but I’d say the effort was well worth it. I’ll keep these learnings in mind before I start working on her dress. Before that though, I’ll be making her a corset. Her cedar sawdust filling is a little more squishy than I like.