First up… I have been thinking about what you mentioned about having a Kathie Day… What do you think about this? What if everyone who wanted to, could say something about Kathie; some way she touched your life, or something she sent you, or said to you, or a funny story you remember her telling, etc. You could either leave your comments below or send them to me in an email and I could copy and paste them all and send them to her children. They would all be together and something maybe they could print off if they wanted. Just let me know what you think…. no big hurry… let’s give them some time.
I was going to show you some wedding pictures… but I got something in the mail that is MUCH MORE FUN… well, I hope it will be.
When I made that last dress for Molly; out of that feed sack reproduction fabric, it got me to thinking about some actual feed sack fabric that my sister, Cindy, had sent me a while back. I have used some of it and some of it was too big for dolls so I used it for other things. But… thinking about that 30’s fabric, took me to Ebay, which took me to looking at Kit dolls and what kinds of 30’s dresses were being sold for her. Well, when I was looking at Kit dolls, a few caught my eye, so I did a quick check on which dolls were most popular on Ebay. I found over 10,000 American Girl Kit listings! Then I looked at Josefina dolls, and found 2000 listings, I looked at Julie doll listings and found over 3800 listings…
I began to mull in my head, which dolls do I REALLY NEED to keep… and I’m thinking Julie and Josefina might be on the chopping block. I’m still trying to decide…
BUT… in the meantime, I did find one doll I liked… I’ve bought 4 different dolls like this in the past, and I never could warm up to her… I’m not exactly sure why. I kept trying to like her, but I’d sell her, then buy another one, I thought I might like, but finally gave up. I have had another doll that I’ve had 3 of that I just loved… Okay… I’ll spill the beans here. The doll I really really liked every time I had her was the Truly Me #27 doll. She had the layered blonde hair and blue eyes and I just always liked her, but she really didn’t fit in with any of the clothes I made, so she went bye bye too.
SECOND BUT… I found one of the #27 dolls who had been given a hair cut and she caught my eye… it could have been the seller’s photography…who knows, but anyway, she ended up on my front door. So this is my plan…
Since I loved the #27 but she didn’t fit in with the clothes I made, but had the shorter blonde hair, I decided she could be my Kit doll with just a little bit of work. I’m going to wash her hair (although it’s very silky and nice right now) and see if I can trim it up just a little bit and curl it so it goes under like Kit’s did. Then I’ll have the face I love (although both Kit and the #27 were the Classic American Girl face mold) and she’ll be the Kit I’d love to sew for. I have LOTS of ideas drawn up of 30’s dresses and really enjoyed sewing for her.
So… am I crazy or what? Want to see my new Kit… she’s missing the freckles… maybe that’s what I didn’t like. She came in this yoga outfit with some neat tennis shoes.
Meet the new girl in town… “Kit”
She has very pretty skin on this side…
…and one little shine mark on this cheek that I’m going to try and Micro-Mesh away.
I think someone just chopped off her hair bluntly. I’m going to leave it as long as I can but still have it even at the ends.
She has pierced ears… probably something only the “real” Kit ever dreamed of.
I think she’s pretty! :o)
I pulled out a few fabrics to see what might work for her…
This print is an actual feed sack fabric, but I think it’s too big for her… too bad…
I have this vintage piece of a blue and green cotton, semi sheer and very pretty with her eyes!
And then I found this one… I think it might be the one…
As I was looking at 30’s dress ideas on Etsy, I found a 30’s Tea Party Dress pattern I just could not stop looking at…It’s very flattering and was a DuBarry Pattern published in 1937 and sold by Simplicity Pattern Company in Woolworth’s stores. You can see it and several versions made up by her pattern proofers on the left side of the page and ALSO look at her video in the second picture HERE.
…and yes, I bought it. :o)
Well, that’s my dolly news… who knew I’d get Dolly Fever for Kit! I never thought so…
I will see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I like the idea of a Kathie day; I know she not only commented on some of my comments (and esp. on pictures I sent you) but also on some of my Facebook posts.
By the way, I noticed her son Kevin has replied to a few of our comments on your last blog entry.
Congrats on your new addition, Jeanne! She really is a beauty! And the fabric you chose is just perfect! I love that pattern, too. I may need to get that one myself.
Your new doll is beautiful. One of the things I never liked about Kit was the short hair, couldn’t do much with it style wise so having this girl with her hair a little “grown out” is much better. I hope you decide to keep as much length as possible, from your pictures it doesn’t look chopped just natural.
I like the first blue fabric because it seems less overpowering colorwise and “springy” could be a perfect practice dress! Will you make her ballet flats?
I believe many of us have already made comments about Kathy. Perhaps, those can be added if there is a Kathie day? I don’t think it would be hard to list those since it’s only been a few days. 🙂
After seeing your cute new pattern, I found this.
https://dolltraume.blogspot.com/2016/07/patterns-for-kit-kittredge.html
It lists lots of other 30’s patterns and there are some dandy’s. I do like Jeanne’s latest pattern a lot. I think it will make a sweet dress. What about some other choices because none of the three shown really grab me. I guess I’m thinking more party dress fabric. I think the first one might work as large prints can work with the right pattern. And I do like number 27 a lot. Hope you don’t cut her hair as I like it like it is. 🙂
Can’t wait to see this pattern made up.
Hi Joy, the Dreaming of Dolls website is great. The creator, Beth, is a member on the doll board.
Oh, that’s nice. I just happened upon it. 🙂
Yes, Jeanne, some of us have already mentioned how Kathie did something for us or what we loved about her, so you could also look at those. She certainly was a very special lady!
I love your new doll, Kit! I too like her hair just as it is, not too long or short. Maybe trim the ends a bit, but nothing too drastic. She is a very pretty doll!
What a cute pattern you have picked out! I simply love it in blue per the illustration on the pattern page! What fun that collar is, and just perfect for a 30’s girl!
Jeanne, It would be a nice idea about Kathie. Thank you for including all of us with the idea.
I love love love your new Kit!! How exciting! Isn’t it a thrill to find just the right doll and on top of it, ideas popping up in your head!
Glad you got what you wanted.
I know that Kathie commented when I shared kitty photos or doll photos in the past. She also sent me some of that beautiful antique lace she had found.
I love original Kit, but she’s my daughter’s, a first release one from 2000. I actually loved that she was the first to have freckles.
Maybe #27 hair is blonder and even with a haircut it is longer. I do know they have the same dark blue eyes. Regardless, I’m delighted that you have a “Kit” and that you will be making 1930’s fashions and an era I represent in my collection. In fact, it’s the latest my collection goes era-wise except for a small amount in the 1980’s. As for the pattern LOL, I have that in my Etsy cart and collection page for quite a while now. I love the the ruffle collar.
Dear Jeanne and Sofa Sisters, I have been out of the loop for a few days and I am just hearing about Kathie. Oh my goodness, how said.
Yes, let there be a Kathie Day. I will send some comments for posting.
I am sitting here with one of my Little Darlings and we are both crying. If there are dolls up in heaven, Kathie is holding one right now.
Blessings to her family.
Love your new to you doll….she is beautiful “as is”!