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.

♥ ♥ ♥

On Some Sewing Packaging: A Photo Post

Started out looking for a button to match the ones I was contemplating using on the skirt I'm making and got distracted by the packaging on some of the notions. 

 

  

 

 

Wonder Bread-building strong bodies and supporting strong holds on stocking runs!

 ♥ ♥ ♥

On "‘Over the Hills and Far Away’: The Life of Beatrix Potter": A Book Review

Title: ‘Over the Hills and Far Away’: The Life of Beatrix Potter 
Author: Matthew Dennison 
Genre: Non-Fic, Biography

About the book… 
A biography of Beatrix Potter that looks at the entirety of her life.

What I think…
I’m a pretty big fan of Beatrix Potter (hence, the above box, which was an old school project) and this book did not disappoint. I loved that it looked at her not only from the perspective of her as a writer, but who she was as an individual outside of the realm of writing.

This book alternates from being narrative to being more serious and historically detailed. A lot of time is devoted to her childhood, which was dragged out well into her twenties by her parents who she struggled to be taken seriously by throughout her life. A good portion of this look at her childhood is spent examining individuals, such as her parents, grandparents, other extended relatives, and governesses, and how they shaped a young Beatrix in her worlds of isolation.

Dennison also does a good job of tying in the role art played in Beatrix's life and the way her father influenced her interest in it early on. Additionally, he addresses the way her detailed nature studies influenced later artwork in her books.

It does help to be familiar with her stories as they are quoted and referenced heavily and often have some connection to some aspect of her life whether it be her pets or some detail that inspired her.  

To sum it all up… 
An interesting look at Potter’s life that shows not only what influenced her writing, but who she was beyond being a writer. ♥

On a New to Me Vintage 60's Blouse

What's black and white and red all over (and happens to match my sunglasses)? This new to me 60's blouse!

A quick search on the trademark website brought about the possibility of the brand name being the Glamorous Blouse Co.,  which I haven't really had time to do more research on, but I'm definitely considering this a brand I like right now. 

My actual non-me-made vintage clothing is almost all dressier dresses and skirt/blouse sets up to this point aside from sweaters (this one included), so this is a nice change for me to have something more casual (and that doesn't involve any layering other than leggings).

My squinty photo taken before the previous one, where I'm wondering why I'm not wearing my sunglasses. 

I attempted a half-beehive type hair style, which I can't say was entirely successful, but as it's as close as I have gotten to one, I was happy with it.

♥ ♥ ♥