c. 1860’s Girl’s Clothing Styles

December 14, 2009April 18, 2011 paulawalton

Izannah Walker is generally known to have begun making dolls around 1845, even though she did not apply for a patent until November 4, 1873. A majority of the original clothing in which she dressed her dolls reflects the styles worn by children in the 1840’s and 1850’s. However, 1860’s clothing would also be perfectly appropriate.

To provide you with a bit of dress-making inspiration, here are some illustrations that appeared in Godey’s Lady’s Book in 1858, 1862, 1864 and 1866. In the future I will post some more 1850’s Godey’s illustrations, although the 1850’s illustrations are not as lavish as these from the 1860’s.

(click on each photo to see it in full size)

Published by paulawalton

My name is Paula Walton. I’m a working craftsperson. I’ve been self-employed since 1986, when I started selling the items that I make under the name A Sweet Remembrance. Among other things, I am a doll maker, a dressmaker that specializes in reproduction women’s and children’s clothing, maker of spun cotton ornaments and holiday figures, and a freelance designer. Upon occasion I write magazine articles and am a Craftsperson in Residence. I teach and do demonstrations quite frequently, plus I was previously the director and curator of a small museum in Connecticut. View all posts by paulawalton