I thought I’d try something different… well, not necessarily “different” but “smaller!” I’ve made MANY Civil War dresses for the American Girl dolls over the years, but I can’t ever remember making one for any other doll… so I decided with Freida in her new wig, she’d get my first “miniature” version of a Civil War dress. I was quite excited to bring it to life and it happened pretty quickly. The dress is ALL done, I think… except I may put some black beads on the sleeve cuffs…maybe…
I was at Goodwill the other day and someone had donated a bunch of fabric pieces… I WAS PRETTY GOOD… and didn’t take them all, but about six pieces. This was one of the smaller pieces… As soon as I saw it I wanted to make a Civil War dress out of it, but there wasn’t enough fabric for an American Girl sized dress… so Freida cleared her throat, with a big AHEM… and that’s why you’ll see her modeling it in a few seconds…
If you want to know the “real” story behind her wig… I was scrolling on one of the doll forums… and saw this picture!
It was a picture from Lynda Logan, and this was her doll, Amariyana…
(Here is a screen shot of Amariyana from the Ruby Red website…
She was a new Ruby Red Fashion Friend doll that had come out in July. She had “nice” eyebrows… and I was smitten with her, especially since Lynda had changed her wig to the one in this picture. That’s when it all began. I even went so far as to inquire about an Amariyana from someone who was selling one… but she came with her original brown wig, and if I wanted her to look like the doll Lynda turned hers into, I’d have to buy another wig, so I just decided to search for a wig with bangs and use Freida! I’m glad I did! A wig was a lot cheaper than buying a new doll… :o)
(It’s horrible when a case of Dolly Fever takes over, isn’t it?)
Okay, now that you know the whole story, let’s take a look at Freida modeling her new dress and move on!
I still have things to put with it, but this is the dress… a sweet teal and black and blue paisley with a white stand collar and the tiniest little cameo at the neck.
I added white cuffs to her sleeves and her skirt is nice and full. I’m hoping to make a pair of white pantalettes to go under the dress.
She has on Nyssa’s boots, and they are a little big, but I think they’ll do for pictures.
I’m debating about what to use for her hair… a simple bonnet is what I’m thinking…
Yep, I’m still loving this new wig!
I laid her down on my cutting table and took this picture… Isn’t she a beautiful doll?
I’ll see you tomorrow!
Blessings, Jeanne
What a beautiful dress, Jeanne! I just love the white collar and cuffs–they really set if off, I think. And I can see using this same pattern and shortening it somewhat to make a 1950s-era school dress. Yes, I wore dresses like that to school in the 1950s!!
Until you mentioned it yesterday, I hadn’t thought much about Freida’s eyebrows, but now that I am really Looking at them, I see what you mean. That said, I actually have seen a few children with eyebrows that dark and “sculpted”! (I, however, am and always have been at the opposite end of the spectrum–my brows are so pale and fine, you can hardly see them! I used to use a “blond” eyebrow pencil (really a very light brown) to augment them when I was younger, but I haven’t worn any makeup at all in quite a few years now. I figure no one has commented on my eyebrows–or lack thereof–to this point, it’s not worth worrying about them!)
Thank you Charlotte,
I just had to add white cuffs and that collar when I found the little cameo in my stash. It would have gotten lost on a black collar…
I’ve always had a “thing” for Freida’s eyebrows, but tried to overlook them.. It wasn’t until I saw Amariyana’s eyebrows that it made me question what to do about them.
My mom barely had eyebrows and had to use a pencil for years and years… They stopped carrying the color she used and was lost without “her” color…
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
What a pretty dress, Jeanne! I too, love the white touches on the neckline and sleeves! Also love the pretty lace border you have along the bottom of the skirt. The color just pops with Freida’s own coloring!
Yes, a simple bonnet would make it look very “Civil War”! This dress looks very versatile, and like Charlotte mentioned could be shortened to look more like a modern day dress too.
Perhaps she could be holding a small reticule?
HI Linda,
As soon as I comment on the comments, I’m going to figure out what do for her bonnet, hat, hair ribbon, etc… and maybe that reticule! :o)
Are you guys about to be blown away like we are today? My goodness, it’s windy!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
I love the dress, Jeanne, and I can see why you wanted that wig, it’s gorgeous! I like Linda’s idea of her carrying a small reticule, perfect for the time period.
I have to laugh about eyebrows. A few years ago I lost all the hair from my eyebrows, maybe due to my thyroid? I ended up getting them micro bladed, basically a tattoo, because I hated having to use a pencil or something to draw them on. I would definitely recommend the micro blading, so much easier and looks very natural.
Thanks Terri,
Well, not only do we get an education on fabrics, and dolls and books and all sorts of things, but today we got educated about eyebrows… I haven’t actually seen anyone with the microbladed eyebrows, but it sounds very interesting… my mom would have probably done it in a minute! She barely had any and always lightly filled hers in with a pencil…
Thanks Terri,
Blessings, Jeanne
Really like the “new” Frieda and she’s so pretty in this paisley. I’m always drawn to paisley and the colors in this one compliment her so well. Actually I like the dark brows peeking thru the bangs, before they looked so harsh but now I’m really liking them. Great decisions on your part.
HI Dorothy,
I just love it when you can change the wig on a doll and it seems like you have a brand new doll. I’m liking her very much now! Thanks so much for your kind comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
A Civil War school girl. Very sweet. Maybe a big bow or a small bonnet, but her hair is so pretty, I’d hate to cover it too much.
Another lovely spring day today, which I’m sure the weeds will enjoy. 🙂
HI Joy,
Yes, a Civil War School girl… and yes, the bonnet, if that’s what I decide, will be small… I like her hair TOO!
We have a nice sunny day, but it’s super windy again… my hubby said it was blowing the bedding he puts down for the hens from one side of the pen to the other…
Enjoy those weeds! Just kidding…
Blessings, Jeanne
Such a lovely dress and Freida looks so pretty in teal. The white collar and cuffs make the color stand out. A little bonnet is just what she needs. The little just over the head with the turned front that you make often. I love those! A sweet reticule will finish it off.
HI Laura,
I think just about any doll could wear this… teal is a pretty universal color and with Freida’s dark hair, it really looks pretty on her… I just had a feeling this fabric was meant for her.
Yes, the bonnet will be small… I like her hair too much to cover it up now.
Thanks Laura,
Blessings, Jeanne
Is that a Zazou wig, Jeanne? I purchased a couple of those for my dolls, and I just love them. They are so soft and silky – wonderful wigs!
Hi Theresa,
Yes, the seller told me it was a Zazou wig, but if it’s an 8/9, it’s a very small size… I seriously was NOT able to get it anyway near fitting her head, until I cut the back elastic and extended it just a bit… but the wig is fabulous… I LOVE the feel of it… soft and silky, just as you said.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
That dress is so beautiful! You made it stand out with the white collar and cuffs. Paisley is one of my favorite prints for sure. No matter what you decide for accessories it will be perfect. Her hair is really nice and the color with that dress is a great match.
We have started to get some much needed rain and will have a couple nites of mid 20’s but the roses are leafing out so hope they will be OK.
HI Kathie,
I think I’ve always been drawn to paisley prints… but this one was really sweet, so it went in my stash. My hubby wanted to know what a paisley print was, so this morning, he got a little education on paisley fabrics… I think now if he ever sees one, he’ll show me… or if he’s at a yard sale, I can just hear him telling the seller… “this is a paisley, my wife will need this!”
Thanks Kathie,
Blessings, Jeanne