Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker! – What to wear to the party?

You’ve just received an invitation to a birthday party! What is the first thing that you think of??? “What am I going to wear?”

The dolls would like you to step back in time with them, as they show you what a little girl in the mid-1800’s would wear to a party. The dress they are showing off is one of my recent finds from the Elephant’s Trunk Flea Market. It is the approximate equivalent of a modern girls size six.

Hannah and Isabeau carry the party dress out to the wash tub.

First Things First

Before you can go to the party, you have to make sure that your best dress is clean. Isabeau, Hannah, and Isane volunteered to do the laundry…

It was a hot day so the girls decided to do the wash in the shade of the apple tree.

Zanna came along to pick up windfalls to make into pies. — Zanna came along to pick up windfall apples for pies.

“Hannah I think the water temperature is just right.”

“Now we can let it soak, while we help Zanna pick up the rest of the apples.”

“What a perfect day!’ “I hope we have time to sit outside with our quilting later.” “Maybe if we hurry and get finished here we can find a little time to sew before dark.”

If you would like to know Isabeau’s method for washing antique textiles take a look back at this previous post (click here).

Time To Get Dressed

It’s almost time for the party to start, so you’d better get dressed. The girls have laid your clothes out on the bed for you.

Here is your freshly washed chemise and dress.

Fancy scallops on the sleeves <3 — Fancy scallops on the sleeves ❤

The dress fabric is a woven white on white cotton that has turned to a lovely pale ivory over time. All of the long seams are machine sewn, with the detail work, such as this tiny cartridge pleating done by hand.

The back of the dress is fastened with large brass hooks and eyes.

And what should little brother wear to the party? A blue linen jacket trimmed with black braid and brass buttons!

A close up look at the hand sewn c. 1850's boy's jacket. <3 — A close up look at the hand sewn c. 1850’s boy’s jacket. ❤

2 thoughts on “Happy 198th Birthday Izannah Walker! – What to wear to the party?”

Hi Paula,
What a fun way to wake up this morning – to an Izannah Walker birthday party!!! Actually, even better, a weekend birthday celebration! I’ve always thought that a day is just not enough time to celebrate a birthday properly! It looks like the girls are having so much fun! I wish I was there to help pick up apples with Zanna. I LOVE her little lobster pin! Can’t wait to see the rest of the celebration activities! Thank you Paula, and all of your sweet little helpers! Susie

paulawalton says:

September 25, 2015 at 11:22 am

Good Afternoon Susie!
We decided that we had so many birthday activities planned that they just wouldn’t fit into a single day. 🙂 The girls are laughing and running all over the house. They are having a terrific time and are so excited! Zanna wants me to tell you that she wishes you were here to help with the apples too! She just got her lobster pin this summer. It supposedly came off of another antique Izannah Walker doll, but Zanna treasures it because it reminds her of your Izzybelle and the trip Izzybelle took to Nantucket with you this summer! The dolls are so happy that Lily is here for their party, as they love her dearly, just like a sister.
Paula

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