Everything Old is New Again.

Some time ago, on a family trip to the 13 Colonies, the buyer purchased a number of vintage doll clothes in hopes that they would do for the ladies. 

Most of the pieces were in fairly good shape, though they had suffered some rough handling when washed. There were a few rust stains and loose buttons, but the cottons and organzas still retained stiffness and body. There was evidence of home sewing and hand stitching, as well as factory work.

The Boss insisted that as much of the original garments be preserved as possible and stitched so alterations can be reversed. The shop was happy to honour the love and effort that had gone into these little garments and so took the care requested.

Alteration fun #1:

Here is Arabella in what was an organza night gown. Or was it a dress? Anyway, the neckline was too big and fraying away in places.

This was disquised with a new cotton casing with an inserted ribbon tie, to create a closer fit.

Much work was done on the inside where lace had been stitched and the fabric cut away behind. The loose machine zig zag had pulled away and the seam allowance was disappearing. These repairs took some time and holes in the lace itself added to the challenge.

Arabella looks quite pretty, don't you think?

Alteration fun #2 and #3:

Charlotte was lucky enough to welcome two new items into her wardrobe, a shift and petticoat.

There was no choice but to actually shorten the shoulders of the shift to create a better fitting armhole. The little seams were coming apart at any rate. The left shoulder is french seamed. The right is open with the ends neatly turned to allow for a snap closure. Buttons were stitched on both shoulders to 'fake' the closures.

The hem was let down as much as possible and hand rolled, for a more modest length. Very small machine stitches are so much fun to unpick!

The lovely cotton petticoat is finished with hand made lace. The lace needed much attention and strangely enough, looked like it had been stepped on at the front.

The waist was too big, even over the shift, so tucks were made in the waist band on both sides, then hand stitched inside and out. This worked a treat, and added a bit of fullness at the back. A snap was added to keep the petti closed.

Alteration fun #4:

Evalina took a liking to one of the vintage shifts. The neckline was gaping though, and so the stitcher gathered it slightly at the front. Evalina chose the lace to cover this fix. 

The shift closes at the centre back with a thread loop and new button. The bottom of the placket had ripped down from the end of the placket and so after it was stitched closed, a tuck was taken to disguise the repair and hand top stitched in place.

The folds in this shift from storage are stubborn and will not be ironed out. Considering that people folded their garments and stored them on shelves or in trunks during the 18th Century, the shop decided to live with this.

There is one dress that did not fit any of the ladies, and would have required complete recutting to be usable. It is stored away and occasionally taken out to be admired. 

The Boss thinks this organza dress may have been an early Twentieth Century doll's, since it resembles another in her doll collection, circa 1920. Let us know what you think.

You may have noticed that one of the ladies is absent from this post. Don't worry, Abigail is not feeling at all left out. She knows it won't be long 'til her own new shift and petticoat are on the sewing table.

What do you think about repurposing old doll clothes? They were so perfect for the Queens. It seemed a waste to leave them stuffed into dusty plastic bags at the antique malls.

Let us know which you think is the most successful. And how you might have approached the alterations. We are always happy to revceive feedback and suggestions.

Off to the next pile of projects!