Bad hair day
I knew I wanted this doll to be wearing an Elizabethan-type bodice, so back to The Tudor Tailor for a refresh on the pattern, then into my massive stash of fabric to settle on just the right one for the skirt and bodice. I had bought a linen-rayon blouse at a thrift store, and it looked the right weight and weave and colour to use for the skirt, so I cut into it and fiddled with the material for a long time, trying to arrange knife pleats, with little success. Decided to go back to cartridge pleating, since I have had good results with them and the look is in period.It made a skirt that looked the way I had envisioned, although it was a bit thick for the size of the doll. That is always a problem, getting the scale right. I have tried to make the waists of my dolls much smaller than I used to, because after all the layers the period costumes require, these little ladies have very thick waists. I guess I am still not thinking like a corset-wearing person.
Making the bodice went well. Chocolate brown velveteen looked very good with the linen skirt, even though it wasn't used quite that way in period. It seems I am making what the Tudor Tailor calls a "re-creation". Close to period, but with my own spin on things.
Somehow, the costume seemed to call for more, and I decided to give her detachable sleeves that tied with ribbon at the shoulder. Since many of these detachable sleeves were embroidered, or made from more expensive fabric, I chose to use some silk that gives the illusion of being brocade. I used this silk to make a jacket for another doll, and had plenty left over. It was originally a necktie, which is a great place to look for beautiful silk with very tiny patterns. Scale is important.
After the sleeves were completed and tied in place it was time for the hair. I chose some long mohair and used much less than I have been accustomed to in the past, because the doll was going to be wearing a coif. To wear a coif successfully, one needs long braids that are wound around the head to anchor it in place. I am always nervous when I glue hair directly onto the head of a doll. Lately I have been making wigs, to avoid any gluing mishaps, but I felt confident with this doll. Mistake! Some glue showed at the front of the hairline, so I tried to scrape it off with my fingernail. Disaster! Painted skin and a bit of the surface came away with the glue. There was no smoothing it over, or out. Suddenly she needed to transform from a centre part do, to a hair swept back do. It went OK. Next post will show her with the coif.
Making the bodice went well. Chocolate brown velveteen looked very good with the linen skirt, even though it wasn't used quite that way in period. It seems I am making what the Tudor Tailor calls a "re-creation". Close to period, but with my own spin on things.
Somehow, the costume seemed to call for more, and I decided to give her detachable sleeves that tied with ribbon at the shoulder. Since many of these detachable sleeves were embroidered, or made from more expensive fabric, I chose to use some silk that gives the illusion of being brocade. I used this silk to make a jacket for another doll, and had plenty left over. It was originally a necktie, which is a great place to look for beautiful silk with very tiny patterns. Scale is important.
After the sleeves were completed and tied in place it was time for the hair. I chose some long mohair and used much less than I have been accustomed to in the past, because the doll was going to be wearing a coif. To wear a coif successfully, one needs long braids that are wound around the head to anchor it in place. I am always nervous when I glue hair directly onto the head of a doll. Lately I have been making wigs, to avoid any gluing mishaps, but I felt confident with this doll. Mistake! Some glue showed at the front of the hairline, so I tried to scrape it off with my fingernail. Disaster! Painted skin and a bit of the surface came away with the glue. There was no smoothing it over, or out. Suddenly she needed to transform from a centre part do, to a hair swept back do. It went OK. Next post will show her with the coif.
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