On a Small Doll Named Mildred

For a good while I have been toying with the idea of making small dolls to represent different decades and when I had a little extra time last month I set out to make the first one. 

I sketched out a quick pattern for the body and cut it out of muslin because I didn't have any peach fabric on hand (although now I've discovered that I had some tan that would have worked) and was pretty happy with the size, so I'll probably be sticking with my pattern for future ones.

While I have detailed plans and definite ideas on looks for a flapper and a hippie, I ended up starting with the 1950s with no idea of where I wanted to go with it. I toyed with the idea of having it wear a shirtwaist, then switched over to thinking about making it a skirt and blouse, and then switched back again before deciding that I'd probably be better to decide on fabric first. After going through three large bags and multiple plastic storage containers, I ended up pulling out a small scrap of red and white striped fabric. It conveniently had one end that was wider and gathered at both the center/top of the strip ended up making a marvelous sundress once I added two strips of red for straps/the sash.

Once it was done, I decided that the red and white stripes made me think of the circus and from there I decided that my doll could only be a tightrope walker. Thus, I ended up with Mildred the tightrope walker.

♥ ♥ ♥