Doll Clothing

Hunting For Antique Fabric

Every weekend during the spring, summer and fall I search flea markets and antique sales for the antique fabrics that I use to  make and dress my dolls.  Today was a good day! I found a Civil War era quilt that is too far gone to restore, but still has usable fabric that I can make into wonderful dresses for my Izannahs. ❤

antique dolls · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Other Types of Doll Making

Antiques Week in New Hampshire

IMG_4959
Lovely large c. 1840’s papier-mache doll that I brought home from New Hampshire. She has a child’s pocket tied around her waist and came with a late 18th century child’s chair with it’s original splint seat.

Last week I got to do something that I’ve been wanting to do for over 20 years!  We drove up to New Hampshire for Antiques Week and a visit to Strawbery Banke museum. I’m sure you aren’t surprised that I came back a few things for the dolls, including two new friends. 🙂

 

❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

Save

Custom Made Dolls · Doll Clothing · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

A Very Special Doll for Sharon

IMG_5995

Meet Sharon’s doll!  She is an 18-1/2 inch reproduction of my antique Izannah Walker doll, Isabeau, with a gently aged paint surface.  Sharon requested an extensive custom wardrobe for her doll.

For her doll’s first dress, Sharon chose a long sleeved, high neck dress that is a copy of one of the antique doll dresses in my personal collection.  Sharon’s fabric choice is a antique off white and black print cotton.

For  chores and gardening she has an embroidered pinafore apron with a pocket, to carry around her clothes pins and flower seeds. ❤

For hot summer days, Sharon selected a short sleeved white dress made of antique cotton fabric, trimmed with tucks and lace insertion and a black and white sunbonnet.

Sharon’s doll has bare feet, stockings fashioned from antique stockings, and hand-made red leather shoes, with tiny scallops and red silk laces.

When autumn winds bring crisp, cool nights this young miss will stay warm, wrapped up in an embroidered wool paletot.

IMG_6237

At the end of a long busy day sweet dreams await in this reproduction of an antique doll’s nightgown, sewn from antique white cotton and trimmed with mid- 19th century glass buttons and lace.

*** you may enlarge any of the smaller photos by simply clicking on the image.

 

Antique Doll Furniture · Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Playing Dolls with My Own Little “Alice”

IMG_3251
My own little “Alice” and Lily playing in the doll’s new house.

giant Alice

 

“The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play. So we sat in the house. All that cold, cold, wet day.”

― Dr. Seuss, The Cat in the Hat

Today is a cool rainy day, much too wet to garden, with persistent downpours that make the walk out to my studios seem very uninviting. So I’ve decided that it would be an excellent morning to sit next to the fire and share photos of my own adventures in wonderland…  On Saturday baby Cloe came to stay with us while her parents went out and about.  It was the perfect time to play dress up with the Izannahs and explore a bit of their new house!

IMG_3217
“Oh!” “I like this doll!”
IMG_3215
“She has such a pretty dress.”
IMG_3219
“Grandma made her little fingers, just like mine!”
IMG_3216
“Look, she has boots!”
IMG_3229
“Uh-Oh!” “The dollies fell down!”

 

IMG_3274
Cloe visiting with Isabeau, Lily and my reproduction Lily in the parlor of the doll’s house.
IMG_3276
“Can Lily #2 come out to play?”
IMG_3261
“Lily you wait here while I get the table…”

Cloe and Lily #2 whiled away the afternoon playing in the kitchen of the doll house, with a brief intermission for Cloe to change her dress. ❤

IMG_3394
“We need to move the chairs!”
IMG_3391
c. 1830 doll cupboard in original salmon paint and an impatient baby who could not wait to have her dress fastened before she started playing again!

IMG_3331

IMG_3337

IMG_3447
“Lily sit in this chair and wait for me. I’ll come back and play with you another day!”

The rain has stopped, the sun is out and my story has come to an end.  Please come back soon to see more photos of Lily #2.  She will be ready for sale this week, just as soon as I finish her petticoat and pantalettes.  If you just can’t wait for her sale post, you may contact me with questions about her by emailing paula@asweetremembrance.com or calling 860-355-5709 during business hours.

Other upcoming blog posts will feature an in-depth focus on my restorations of two antique Izannah Walker dolls (Lily pictured here and Emmaline), and a complete tour of the doll’s house.  I hope you can join us here at http://www.izannahwalker.com for both.

I’ll be posting more photos from Saturday’s photo shoot with Cloe on my A Sweet Remembrance facebook page.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · SALE · Where to Shop

Happy 197th Birthday Izannah Walker!

The dolls are reading through the American Girl's Book to choose party games for today.
The dolls are reading through the American Girl’s Book to choose party games for today.

Today is the 197th anniversary of Izannah Walker’s birth!  The dolls and I are having a day long party in her honor and we are so glad that you could join us for all of the fun.  This is the first of three birthday party posts that I will be sharing with you today.  Right now all of the dolls and I are getting ready for a very busy day.  The kitchen is a hive of activity and last minute party planning is going on all over the house.  So enjoy this first post and then come back later in the day to attend the festivities. At 1:00 p.m. Eastern time we will be having a picnic and later tonight (7 p.m. Eastern time) the dolls are having a sleep over.  In between all of my Izannah Doll Making Class members will want to drop into the class site at 2 p.m. Eastern  time for a few treats!

INVITE ONE OF THESE VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY GUESTS INTO YOUR HOME

If you would like to keep the party alive throughout the year in your own home, I have six dolls available for sale who would love to come live and play at your house.  Any of these dolls sold during my Izannah birthday celebration come with an array of special party favors:

– a tiny thimble necklace so that they are always ready to play THE THIMBLE with you

– two sheets of my Izannah paper dolls

– a signed copy of the December 2013 issue of Early American Life magazine with a feature story about our home, so that your doll can show you where she was born

– a coupon for 50% off of an additional dress just in case she needs something special to wear later on in the year ( I am currently blessed with an over abundance of orders, so an Easter or 4th of July dress would be the earliest I would be able to do)

I’m only listing these six dolls here on my blog (rather than putting them up on my regular website too) during this four day celebration as a little extra thank you for all of the people on my mailing list and all of you loyal blog readers! 🙂

Five New Reproduction Izannahs For Sale

Here are five lively little Izannahs to tug at your heart!  These will be the last dolls that I will be listing for sale before Christmas.  I’ve had such a busy and bountiful year that I am fully booked up and committed until mid-May 2015 with special orders and custom work.

Isane #4

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

This young Isane #4 is approximately 18 inches tall.  She has a red second skin covering her body and red painted boots with scalloped tops.   Beneath her dress she wears a full set of undergarments.  Some Izannahs have long dresses t]like women or older girls and others wear shorter skirts like young children.  I’ve hemmed Isane #4’s dress long, but if you prefer it shorter, I would be happy to add a third growth tuck in the skirt.  You may also request aging on her arms, legs and feet.  I left them fairly new looking so that her new mom would have a choice.  Isane #4 can be yours for $1250.00.

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane #4 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay #1 SOLD

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Meet Ismay!  She is the very reproduction that I have made from the lovely antique Izannah Walker doll I bought at the UFDC convention in July.  Ismay is 18 inches tall, has black scallop top painted boots and short wispy hair.  You can adopt Isamy for $1250.00. ISMAY IS NOW SOLD.

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Ismay#1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

I seldom make boy Izannahs, even though I dearly love them.  This young man is the first boy doll I’ve made from my Anna mold, but since I’m sure he would object to being called Anna, let’s refer to him as Andrew. 🙂  Andrew is about 17 inches tall and wears a very detailed costume that consist of a red plaid dress, trimmed in black velvet ribbons with a split skirt and matching trousers.  He has side parted hair, tall black painted boots with red tops and comes with his paper party hat.  Andrew is $1300.00 due to the intricacy of his clothing.

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Andrew #1 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Miss Zanna is 17- 1/2 inches tall.  She has black painted boots with scallop tops and a second skin made from antique brown glazed cotton.  Zanna can be yours for $1250.00.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

 

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Isabeau #9Isabeau #9 www.izannahwalker.com

Isabeau #9 is a bit shorter than her sisters.  She is 17 inches tall, has red painted boots and a red glazed cotton second skin.  Her adoption fee is $1250.00.  If you love the bonnet she is wearing you may purchase it for an additional $100.00.  You may also request a more aged appearance on the arms, legs and boots of this doll.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

Isane and Isabeau are best friends and insisted on matching party dresses!  I love the way they appear to be whispering secrets <3
Isane and Isabeau are best friends and insisted on matching party dresses! I love the way they appear to be whispering secrets ❤

 

Breakfast

As a special birthday treat Isamy is making cinnamon toast for breakfast.

www.izannahwalker.com

First Ismay butters the bread, then sprinkles it with cinnamon and sugar, before placing it under the broiler until the it hot and bubbly this nice crisp edges.
First Ismay butters the bread, then sprinkles it with cinnamon and sugar, before placing it under the broiler until the it hot and bubbly with nice crisp edges.

Zanna #7 www.izannahwalker.com

"We need a whole platter full of toast to feed the entire family."
“We need a whole platter full of toast to feed the entire family.”
"If you'd like to go make a cup of tea and some cinnamon toast for your own breakfast, we'll wait to start eating breakfast until you get done."
“If you’d like to go make a cup of tea and some cinnamon toast for your own breakfast, we’ll wait to start eating breakfast until you get done.”

GAMES

Right after breakfast it was time to disscuss what games to play today at Izannah’s party.  The dolls got out their favorite book The American Girl’s Book written by Eliza Leslie in 1831.  I have to admit that it took them a very long time to agree on the games and I’m sad to say there was even some squabbling and a few tears.

After the games were chosen the older girls taught the younger ones how to play THE THIMBLE.  Everyone enjoyed the game and congratulated themselves for making a good choice!
After the games were chosen the older girls taught the younger ones how to play THE THIMBLE. Everyone enjoyed the game and congratulated themselves for making a good choice!

THE THIMBLE

The company sit in a row holding together the palms of their hands.  Fanny  takes a thimble or any thing else that is small and round, (for instance, a hazle-nut or shell bark) and holding it between her palms, she goes along the line, pretending to drop it secretly into their hands, saying to each “Hold fast what I give you.”  Everyone opens her hands as if she was receiving the thimble, and closes them again immediately.  Of course the thimble is only in reality deposited in one.  For instance, Fanny leaves it in the hands of Lucy.

After Fanny has in this manner gone all along the row, she returns to the head and asks Mary, who is seated there, to guess who has the thimble.  Mary guesses Jane, who opens her hands and shows that she has it not.  They all guess in turn.  Susan happens to guess Lucy; and this being right, Lucy displays the thimble and gives it to Susan.  It is then Susan’s turn to take the thimble and go along the row with it.

Sometimes when this is played, a forfeit is required from every one that guesses wrong, and therefore a great number of pawns are speedily collected.www.izannahwalker.com

Let’s peek over their shoulder and see what other party games they have planned!

It looks like this will be perfect to play at tonight's sleep over.
It looks like this will be perfect to play at tonight’s sleep over.

www.izannahwalker.com

A few of the dolls have gone out to ransack my studio in the hopes of finding as many embroidery hoops as they can.  They are just sure that they would make marvelous hoops for The Graces...
A few of the dolls have gone out to ransack my studio in the hopes of finding as many embroidery hoops as they can. They are just sure that they would make marvelous hoops for The Graces…
It's always good to be sure of the rules!
It’s always good to be sure of the rules!
Boys hats!  How embarrassing!!!
Boys hats! How embarrassing!!!

 

Thank you for spending the morning with us!  Don’t forget the the picnic is starting promptly at 1:00 o’clock (Eastern time).  That will give you just enough time to change into your party frock.  We’ll see you then!

 

 

Antique Izannah Walker Dolls · Celebrations · Doll Clothing · Doll for Sale · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · SALE · Where to Shop

Come Join Us Two Weeks From Today For a Party!

Party Invitation www.izannahwalker.com

The dolls and I are hoping that you will be able to join us for the festivities here on IzannahWalker.com two weeks from today!

Doll Clothing · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll

A Look Through My Fabric Swatch Book

September 17th update:  Fabric #6 is SOLD OUT.

This is the tiny antique fabric swatch book that I put together for the UFDC convention.  I thought everyone might enjoy looking through it.  Especially those of you who have ordered custom dolls and are in the process of picking out your dress fabrics 🙂   I have many more one of a kind fabrics that aren’t in the book, so don’t worry if none of these are the perfect fabric for your doll.

antique fabric swatch book www.izannahwalker.com IMG_2418 IMG_2419 IMG_2420 IMG_2421 IMG_2422 IMG_2423 IMG_2424 IMG_2425 IMG_2426 IMG_2427 IMG_2428 IMG_2429 IMG_2430 IMG_2431 IMG_2432 IMG_2433 IMG_2436www.izannahwalker.com

 

Doll Clothing · Where to Shop

Shopping for Fabric in Brimfield

If you are a frequent reader of this blog you will know that I am constantly searching for antique fabrics to fashion into doll clothes.  I hunt for antique quilts and garments that are far too worn to be restored, but are still in good enough condition to sew with.  One of my favorite places to shop for antique textiles is at the May antique shows in Brimfield, MA.  My husband and I had planned to spend two days in Brimfield, but heavy rains made Friday a washout, so we packed all of our shopping into one day on Saturday!

I'm feeling a bit like the princess and the pea with this new waist high stack of antique quilts in my studio!
I’m feeling a bit like the princess and the pea with this new waist high stack of antique quilts in my studio!

Our textile scavenger hunt started out slow, with only a single white wool baby blanket in my shopping bag when we took a break for lunch.  Things picked up in the afternoon, after a few disappointing instances where we found great quilts that turned out to be very over priced.  By the end of the day we had accumulated almost more quilts than we could carry, along with half a dozen pieces of antique underpinnings.

Some of the white textiles that we found on our weekend shopping expeditions.
Some of the white textiles that we found on our weekend shopping expeditions.

On Sunday we ventured out to the Elephant’s Trunk, our local flea market, where we purchased another quilt and an additional armful of antique petticoats and nightgowns.  In the afternoon we went to a car show, since turn about is fair play and Brian certainly deserved a reward for all of the miles he walked and pounds of fabric he carried for me during the rest of the weekend. ❤

Chandeliers were a very popular item at Brimfield this year.
Chandeliers were a very popular item at Brimfield this year.
Lot to see...
Lots to see…
A great counter!
A great counter!
We've owned and sold several similar carousel horses.
We’ve owned and sold several similar carousel horses, so it was fun to see this one and compare prices.
Loved the train!
Loved the train!
A terrific paint brush advertising display :)
A terrific paint brush advertising display 🙂
so cool...
so cool…
Yes, there were dolls to see and drool over!
Yes, there were dolls to see and drool over!
a long day...
a long day…
An unplanned purchase, simply too great to pass up!
An unplanned purchase, simply too great to pass up!
An amazing sewing machine.
An amazing sewing machine.
I can imagine sitting down to sew at this machine.
I spent a few minutes trying to figure out how this machine should be threaded…
We saw this little horse on Sunday at the Elephant's Trunk and thought it looked like a lot of fun!
We saw this little horse on Sunday at the Elephant’s Trunk and thought it looked like a lot of fun!
Two of our Sunday finds, a child's rocking chair and a Christmas tree fence.
Two of our Sunday buys, a child’s rocking chair and a Christmas tree fence.
Good thing the dolls are willing to share... these antique nightgowns are destined to be summer dresses for me!
Good thing the dolls are willing to share… these antique nightgowns are destined to be summer dresses for me!

 

 

 

Doll Clothing · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll

Cindy’s Doll – Part 2

I’m happy to say that Cindy’s doll is finished!  I had a couple of little issues to over come yesterday, like finding out that I did not have enough black silk ribbon to lace both of her shoes – then having the black dye I was warming up explode all over the inside of my microwave!!!, & unexpected rain yesterday afternoon and this morning which made it impossible to take more photos.  Such is the life of a doll maker 🙂

Cindy's Doll www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

www.izannahwalker.com

little details…

Little details… www.izannahwalker.com

 www.izannahwalker.com

 www.izannahwalker.com

Doll Accessories · Doll Clothing · Izannah Walker Reproduction Doll · Ordering a Reproduction Izannah Walker Doll

Cindy’s Doll – Part One

Cindy's doll www.izannahwalker.com

For the past few months I’ve been working on an excessively romantic project.  From time to time I receive very sweet calls from husbands who want to do something special for their wives.   Before Christmas I was contacted by a very thoughtful gentleman in the midwest who wanted to give his wife a custom made doll.  He wanted her to be able choose exactly how she wanted the doll to look, so with a little plotting and planning we decided that he should present her with a gift certificate for Christmas that would allow her to plan a special reproduction Izannah Walker doll.  Our original scheme called for the doll to be ready in February in time for his wife’s birthday, but during the planning stages after the New Year, Cindy the recipient of our joint endeavor, told me that there was no hurry.  So she and I took our time sorting out all of the details for her doll and coming up with a very complete design plan.  I loved that fact that this doll has been a family affair, with Cindy’s daughters helping her choose the fabrics and styles for her doll’s dresses.

This doll is an excellent example of what my dolls look like when you request that they look "new".
This doll is an excellent example of what my dolls look like when you request that they look “new”.

This project is now coming to a close, as I finish the last touches on Cindy’s Christmas doll.  Tomorrow I will be sewing yards of black velvet ribbons onto her second dress and fashioning her leather shoes.  Cindy asked that I make her doll look almost new, with just a few hints of age, as the doll will have years ahead of her to age gracefully on her own.

I think that Cindy an her daughters choose a wonderful dress style for this doll.  The split lace trimmed sleeves look very striking made from this red striped fabric.
I think that Cindy an her daughters choose a wonderful dress style for this doll. The split, lace trimmed sleeves look very striking made from this red striped fabric.

It was such a nice afternoon that I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of Cindy’s doll to remember her by, since she will soon be leaving here on her journey to her new forever home…

The bright late afternoon sunlight was making the light behave quite rambunctiously while I was taking these photos, so this young lady's sister loaned her a bonnet to protect her fair complexion.
The bright, late afternoon sunlight was behaving quite rambunctiously while I was taking these photos, so this young lady’s sister loaned her a bonnet to protect her fair complexion.