DON’T FORGET:
Molly’s “First Day of School” set ends this evening (Thursday) on Ebay. If you want to see it, you can click on the picture at the right side bar or you can click HERE.
I didn’t get to your comments until almost 11:00 p.m. I was busy! I wanted to answer all of your comments, but it just wasn’t feasible… I have to get up early in the morning and I spent most of the day working on the little girl’s dress.
Kathie said in her comments that she’d like to know the rest of this little girls story. Me too!
Well, I’ve been looking at her photograph; studying it, and it may have been taken in a studio and not some random picture of a little girl on the street. Regardless of the photo shoot, let me tell you what I think. I think her dress is a hand me down from an older sibling…hence the longer, and hanging off the shoulder, sleeves. I think her mama tied a piece of fabric around her waist to take in the dress somewhat and pull it up a bit. It might even be a larger sized blouse instead of a dress. The white piece around her waist might actually be an apron that has been rolled up a bit at the waist to keep the dress or skirt from being too long.
I guess we’ll never know what the real story is, but it’s fun to speculate.
I took a few liberties from the picture and my creative side decided to go with these ideas.
I added 5 tiny vintage glass buttons down the back with snaps underneath them. The back is open all the way to the hem for easy dressing.
It is hemmed by hand, just at her knee. I gathered the skirt somewhat, but tried not to make it too full.
On the front, I added 3 tiny vintage glass buttons in a really unique shape. They are the smallest buttons I’ve ever seen in this shape. I decided the front needed a bit of something… (Mama may have added some to keep the dress closed in the front, if indeed it was too big on her.)
When I finished the basic dress, it was time to decide what to do about the white scrunched up fabric that seemed to be on top of her skirt. I had some really delicate vintage hankies and came up with this… It took me quite a few tries to get it right… I didn’t want it to be too perfect looking, so there was a LOT of manipulation by hand to get it to look this way. I finally decided it was okay and added 2 ribbons to tie it in the back.
I have one of her accessories. Who would have thought I could find a chalkboard just the right size for her to carry under her arm? I found it at Hobby Lobby… IN THE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENTS!!! :o)
I’m working on the other things to go with her set… I hope you like it so far…
What did you think her “story” was when you first saw the photograph?
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
First of all, of course, I love the buttons! I don’t think I have any of quite that shape (the frone ones, I mean), although I do have “a few” vintage buttons. They would hard to use functionally, but as an embellishment, they are great!
And, in looking at her picture again, I think you interpreted correctly as to there being an apron that is maybe scrunched up or rolled a bit to make it come to the right length.
I’m much happier with the narrower ruffle on the sleeve, too. Much more in keeping with the picture!
And what a perfect little slate for her to carry! Great find!!
What will be next???
As for the girl’s story, I’m wondering if she’s in a library or perhaps a classroom? To our left in the picture it kind of looks like bookshelves, although they are quite fuzzy. Still, that’s what I’m thinking…..bookshelves.
Oh Jeanne, I love what you did to the dress! Those buttons, the sweet little apron, and the little slate you added are just perfect! Now I think she needs some shoes! A big bow like Marilyn mentioned added to a headband will go perfectly! I especially love the muted colors of the outfit, so different from a lot of garish, crazy colors a lot of doll clothes now are. Of course, you are recreating a 1900 dress, so it makes sense.
I don’t see any bookshelves, Charlotte! If you look to the left of her, I see a building with windows and a door, so that means she must be outside. The blurred part on the right, is just that, a blurred picture of the other side of the street. Actually, she might have been in a photographer’s studio with a “false” background, which it probably was! I guess we will never know!
I think you are right that it’s a professional photo, possibly taken in a studio. The front buttons are unusual and add a lot to the dress. I like the scrunched waistband on the apron. I wish the apron were a little fuller so that it doesn’t sort of smash down the front of the dress. It’s a pretty handkerchief and it makes an attractive waistband. Too bad ladies’ handkerchiefs were so dainty. I think the width of the skirt is perfect and so is the length. I can’t believe that you found the perfect slate. That’s nearly too good to be true.
The charm continues with your recent additions. I enjoyed your speculations.
When I first saw the photo, I thought of my mother and what she may have worn to school at an earlier age. I believe you’re capturing the elements that make up the photo, Jeanne. I appreciate this step into a different form of creativity that you’ve entered with this outfit.
Blessings.
I don’t understand the apron. A softly gathered sash that tied in a big bow in back, yes, but would a little girl wear an apron to school? A pinafore maybe, but that’s an entirely different thing. An apron would be gathered into a waist band, not so straight over the skirt.. Nellie’s is a hybrid that looks awkward. I had been hoping for some color. This is so neutral and bland. Also why did you want the tucks of the bodice to be uneven? I feel bad about being so negative, Jeanne. This just isn’t doing it for me. Sorry.
I don’t think a child with parents who would be able to afford all four accessories would have the child wearing a hand me down dress. Photography was expensive even when I was a child in the 1940s. The “thing” on her back seems very uncommon and must have been expensive, too. I haven’t been able to find anything like it when searching 1900 era type accessories or even art supplies. Most pictures taken of children in the early years were group pictures and clothing was of dark colors. We’re seeing one of Samantha’s friends.
I do think the apron is nice but not for school. The chalkboard is a major find. Best buy a couple more of those. It’s like Addy’s, a 1900s iPad!
I found some Air Force-themed designs on fabric on the Internet at last for making masks. There are designs for the other services also.
Hi Susette,
How do you find the photo in the first place.? I was thinking that German girls wore aprons over their dresses even to school. My great aunt was born in 1901 and she remembered dance and piano lessons and at school learning fancy needlework and they wore aprons to keep their dresses clean and neat. My grandfather, the third of the four children was born in 1910 and by then life was a lot more difficult.
On a whim, I typed in German girl at school into Pinterest and it brought up your photo as the first one.
https://www.google.com/search?q=pinterest+german+girl+at+school&sxsrf=ALeKk03wXAIvXIgt9Y8a6PgXOBBiZbnwmQ:1600968525711&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=ANTJQV9rSfHeDM%252Cg55GRRmeY1S-EM%252C_&vet=1&usg=AI4_-kQy6xzKSptcYrVKEYhyjUfGXcKDfg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi8tZXCqILsAhVLOs0KHfD2CkMQ9QF6BAgKECM#imgrc=ANTJQV9rSfHeDM
https://br.pinterest.com/pin/418060777900837735/
She actually looks more French or English than German to me.
I too found the photo on Pinterest. There were other photos there that appeared to be European also. I agree that she looks French. 🙂
Well, since you asked our opinion…( and boy did you get them!😳). When I look at the picture I think she is a child model. She is above and beyond in beauty and the background, to me, does look like a photographer’s studio . Her Mona Lisa smile seems like a look a model would be able to achieve. There were many magazines then and she could be in an advertisement.
Off to sweep the patio….another meeting out there today. It has been used more this year than the whole time we have lived here.
Oh…the house next door to us went up for sale. It has been empty for 5 years while the lady has been in a home….always hoping she could come back😔. So, a new neighbor…hope it all goes well🤪
I guess we have to remember that little “Marguerite’s” dress is Jeanne’s take on the original and very well sewn. I actually drew a dress last evening of my take on the dress. Will I ever make it? Probably not, but fun to see all of the design elements going on there. Maybe some others here want to take on the challenge and try to make a similar dress too. Might be fun.
I feel that the photo is definitely a studio portrait. In those days, the average family did not own a camera and just about all photography was done by a professional. The blurred background a nice design element. Probably a studio prop. I’ve found some photos with similar backpack like cases. Many European of which I believe is the photo origin. Too bad the photo doesn’t have the studio inscription. That would definitely date it.
I love the belt/sash, but not the apron so much. I think it reminds me of something a waitress might wear somehow. I my opinion, it just doesn’t go with the era of the photo. The only photos I’ve found with girls wearing aprons were from more rural schools where the girls probably only had one dress which they wore everyday and were made of dark cotton. Little Marguerite appears to be wearing a beautiful dress made of lovely soft fabric with no need to cover it with an apron. Her many school supplies show she comes from a family of wealth.
That said, should the apron remain, I believe that the dress could also be marketed as an outfit worn by a 30’s/40’s waitress. It would be very cute with a tray with sodas/sandwiches. And a perky little white hat for her to wear. Just a crazy thought. Not trying to insult the maker at all. I really do like the dress. The creative wrap/pleat design is unique. I think Marguerite would be very pleased with this dress because it would actually fit her. 🙂
Hi Barbara, I have English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh ancestry as well as German. I also love British shows. I loved Downton Abbey, Poldark, and North and South (Elizabeth Gaskell), although I also love North and South (Civil War- Patrick Swayze). I’m waiting for the next season of Call the Midwife. I know there are other, just can’t think of them now.
Road to Avonlea is super sweet. I have all the seasons and the Anne of GG movies on DVD.
They’re perfect right now when you need an idyllic world.
The dress is very sweet It does look like it was a hand me down from an older sister or relative. Even though a pinafore would be more appropriate to the era, I can definitely see that it is an apron she is wearing (or perhaps the top portion of the pinafore was tucked into the waist to show off the bodice. You can see a speck of the dress peeking out below if you draw a line down from her hand holding the slate.
The buttons on the bodice are really unique. It does look like a studio portrait. What is funny is her purse and backpack look more of the 1930’s. As far as her story, I wonder if she’s an immigrant and that’s why the dress seems large, but her family has managed to provide the needed school items..The slate is a great find, wish I could get to Hobby Lobby, but my kitty had surgery and I can’t spare the hour plus drive to go.
Lots of different opinions here! Here is mine. I agree with some, I think it is a studio portrait. However I also think it might be a ‘staged’ photo and that she is a model. The blurred background is very typical of photographer’s backgrounds. The dress does look like a hand-me-down but I think if the parents had paid for the photo to be taken they would have put her in her very best dress and this doesn’t look like it would be her ‘best’. The shoulders are too wide for a start. I personally don’t think she is wearing an apron, I think the fabric in the front is a sash which were very popular then. I have never seen anything like the backpack before. I had a similar leather satchel in the fifties but it was for over the shoulder not on the back. I love the chalk board, what a great find. She would have been carrying a slate of course. Would you believe that I remember using a slate at school? I went to a country school for a short time when My mum was visiting her Mum, I was about 5 or 6 I suppose. Only for a couple of weeks I think and they still used slates. We did embroidery there on Binca fabric as well, something we didn’t do at my usual school. I am off to look at some Christmas stuff today today embellish my Christmas Row by Row quilt for the exhibition. I hope I am as lucky as you, Jeanne.
Having said all that, your dress is lovely, Jeanne as always. I liked Joy’s idea of others taking up the challenge. I always love a challenge.
Laura, I love Call the Midwife too. I married in 1965 and my first son was born in 1966 and the second in 1968. I remember so much of what the show portrays, particularly the hairstyles and wearing hair rollers to bed!!! I have no idea how I managed to do that, I wouldn’t be able to sleep now!
Hi Anne, I was sad because of the virus that it couldn’t continue this year. I was born in 1968 as well, so while I don’t recall what the show portrays, I love it. Historical dramas are just my cup of tea. I did sleep on rollers as a young child in the 1970’s, especially for Easter or Christmas. Of course when curling irons came in for our feathered late 1970’s and 1980’s hair I could shower in the morning and have lovely curled hair in a flash.
Laura, it’s funny you should mention curling irons. I remember my grandma Larson using one in the 1950s! It had just a very narrow rod, and the wooden handle was that sort of medium green that was popular for a while. It plugged into an electrical socket. Although most of her hair was in a little bun (it was very fine, like mine), she did curl a few tendrils around her face!
BTW, I’m a huge fan of Midwife, also!! And I do remember much of the stuff except things in the first couple of seasons, which were post-WW2 (I was born in 1946) But by the time they got to the mid-1950s, it became a lot of fun for me to see what things I recognized! More and more, as the series advanced!