Rainbow High Dream and Design Fashion Studio Playset

Since MC mentioned playsets, I decided to review the Rainbow High playset that I got for Christmas, which included a Skyler Bradshaw doll. This set is not exactly 1:6 scale, but then the Rainbow High dolls aren't either. I still think it's a nice addition to my doll displays.

This set obliviously includes items for sewing play, but first Skyler has to create a design. For this, she has some paints, brushes and a palette, what I think is a pencil, and what I think are oil pastels. She also has a large portfolio, with pictures that will appear when treated with water. She can use these on her worktable, which can be flat or tilted. Her work stool is not that sturdy. I didn't think of it until now, but I wonder how it would work for Barbie. She also has a potted orchid to give her a touch of nature.

When she's got a design she likes, it's time to start draping fabric and sewing her creation. She has a sewing machine, cutting mat, two pairs of scissors, an iron that sits kind of oddly, a rainbow shaped pincushion, a measuring tape, and a cup of coffee to keep her going. There's also some fabric included in rainbow colors. The tailor's dummy is a little odd. It's made for pretend draping, which makes sense since it's for kids, so there are no real pins, just these oversized pins that go into holes in the dummy. I think the ruler-like piece that has a circle on the top, sitting to Skyler's left in the second picture, is supposed to help insert the fabric into the slits in the dummy, especially some narrow ones in the back. I do like the fact that two pair of scissors were included. Anyone who sews will find out quickly that fabric should be cut with different scissors than pattern pieces or thread.

Since Rainbow High has a storyline for the dolls that takes place at an exclusive high school for fashion design and related studies, it makes sense that this playset is about designing clothes. It actually comes from a short series of episodes where Skyler wins a Project Runway type competition that included students from Rainbow and Shadow High. The stool can be used in many displays, and the work table could go from sewing to a computer table, a crafting table, or even a table for your doll to take pictures of her doll displays. :) The main item that I'm not sure I like from this playset is Skyler herself. To me, her head doesn't work with her body. Of course all Rainbow High dolls have oversized heads, but this one looks off to me as the other dolls I have don't. On the other hand, I hate to get rid of her, since blue is my favorite color. I'm going to try re-dressing her, and maybe a lip repaint. I'm going to include her in my collection count, since if I sell this one, I will probably buy a Skyler from another line that I like the look of more. What theme would you like to see for a playset?

Total dolls: 88

A Special, Not Doll-Related Find

But it is related to sewing, and I know some of you sew for your dolls. Also, finding something like this blew me away and I have to share. We had an older neighbor across the street from us who had to go into a home, and now some young male relative, grandson or great-nephew or something, is living there, with a couple of his friends. They're fine neighbors, not noisy or anything, and they're taking good care of the older neighbor's little dog she had to leave. But today, they put this out on the lawn for bulk trash pick-up.

They.Were.Going.To.Put.That.In.The.Trash. Of course, you can figure out that is our garage in the picture, because as soon as Mr. BTEG pointed it out to me, it was coming to our house. It needs some cleaning and I think Mr. BTEG said a new belt, but the wheel does turn the needle up and down, so it still works after a fashion. Didn't test the treadle with it, though. As you can see, the cabinet is in beautiful condition for its age. There were a few things in the drawers, including a bunch of feet that I need to check out. There were also a few wooden spools that are going to be used in some kind of doll craft.

Speaking of dolls, we still have a ways to go with re-arranging the house, but my photography table is very close to its final position, so I really want to take doll pictures again! I've missed being an active part of the doll blogging community, and there's doll things that I want to share as well. Hope things are going well for you all!

Dresses for Curvy Barbie

I've been chatting with MC about sewing for dolls over the last month or so. I sewed these two dresses for the Curvy Barbie body shape a very long time ago, but I decided that the dresses needed Velcro instead of snaps, and I kept putting off making that change. I finally forced myself to do it, and it did take me quite awhile to get all six of the snaps, over both dresses, off, but now the dresses can be worn and not stay on my "to-do" pile.

I'm sorry to say that I have forgotten where I bought the hook-and-loop closure that I used to close up the backs of these dresses. It is, however, very nicely suited for dolls. The hooks are not as large and grabby as on other kinds that I've used, and the attaching side is very soft, almost leathery in feel. As for size, the strips above were cut in half from a large roll that I have. This stuff goes through the sewing machine beautifully, and cuts easily.

The bodices of the dresses are fully lined, which I find the easiest way to finish a sleeveless dress, and the pattern was created by myself. Even though we're moving into what will probably be the hottest days of the summer here, I think I should start working on autumn clothes for dolls next. I'm trying out some new patterns, and September will be here soon!

My Collection Part Eighteen: Reproduction Depose Jumeau

I've mentioned a couple of times that I like antique Jumeau dolls, which were produced in France. In my mind I identify them with the early 1900s, although information I've found online says Depose Jumeau dolls in particular were produced around 1886-1889. However, Bébé Jumeau dolls were produced into the 1900s, and I think they look similar to my reproduction doll, so that's probably why my mind has always seen them as turn-of-the-century dolls. I've wanted a Jumeau doll for a very long time, but original antique dolls usually cost in the upper four figures, which is way beyond my budget. When I saw this reproduction Jumeau at the recent doll show I attended, for a very good price, I knew that she was meant for me. :)

Her head was made by doll artist Sylvia Butler in 2008. She is on a 10.5" composition body. I thought that meant that the body was 10.5 inches tall, but no, the whole doll measures around 10.5" tall. She is wearing a mohair wig and has glass eyes. She came with a pair of shoes, and a pattern to make her a slip, drawers, and stiffened stays like girls would have worn around that time. There is also some white fabric, narrow pink ribbon and some lace to make the items.

The slip/chemise that my doll is currently wearing was made by me from a pattern that I bought online. Lucky for me, this doll can wear the same patterns as the Bleuette doll, who started out as an Edwardian doll. Bleuette was associated with a French magazine for little girls called La Semaine de Suzette, or Suzette's Week. Bleuette dolls were available for little girls, and every edition of the magazine contained a new pattern for the doll. From February 1905 until at least January of 1960, new patterns were available for Bleuette. Some copies of the original patterns are available online due to the kindness of people scanning them in. The scans aren't generally precisely sized, however, so some other people have started with the magazine patterns, tailored them to the correct fit, and sell them. I think there are also Bleuette patterns people have drafted themselves. Anyway, there is a wealth of patterns available for my doll.

Here is the back of her head. It is marked "Depose Jumeau 3" which is the particular mold. Then on the side is inscribed "S Butler 2008." It looks like there is also a month, but I am not entirely sure what number it is. It looks like a 1, though.

She has holes for earrings, which was common for dolls of the time. There are lots of antique or antique-style earrings available to buy now. You can also see that she has a taped-on Styrofoam pate in the open spot on her head. Pate means "top of the head," and many antique dolls have a head with the top open like this. Cork pates were used at the time these dolls were first made.

Her body is strung, and doesn't always stand and pose just right. Of course, dolls of the time were never meant to be a fashion doll that stood and posed, just a doll for a girl to carry around or re-dress, or put to bed, etc. I just bought a new ring light for photography, so I thought I'd try it out with this post. Here's a picture of my doll taken with the three light modes that it has: cool, mixed and warm. Or maybe it's cool, warm and mixed?

Here is the back of her slip. It is more tightly gathered and has an extra ruffle to add fashionable fullness to the back. Oh, and this pattern is based on a La Semaine de Suzette set from 1906. The pattern also includes drawers and quilted stays. This slip is only pinned in the back because this is a basic muslin test piece that I made from the pattern. The modern pattern directions suggest you finish the neck and armholes with lace, or a rolled hem. Ooh boy, it's been about twenty years since I tried sewing a rolled hem by hand, and I wasn't too great at it back then.

I've also learned that if I want to I want to have the edges of one of these garments pinked, like you can see on her slip up above, I might want to use my vintage hand crank Singer Pinker. I am not too good with cutting out a longish straight line with my pinking shears alone.

Here's a closeup of her face, and pictures of her shoes.

The edges of one of the ribbon shoe-ties are fraying already. I need to get that taken care of. Her shoes are a bit big, but she is mean to wear stockings underneath. For anybody who has done sewing for an antique or antique repro doll like this, where did you find the material for stockings, and what type of material do you use?

What do you think of this dresser and chest with my doll?

They were made by Pleasant Company for their Angelina Ballerina doll line. I bought these pieces second-hand back in April of 2014! Now I need to make her a bed. I'm thinking of trying a Cricut pattern that I bought.

I am absolutely in love with this doll, and so happy that I found her. Now she needs a name! I want a name popular from the Edwardian era for her, but I also want it to be special, so I've been doing some thinking for sure!

What types of dolls do you like? Do you have or want any antiques, somewhat newer dolls like original Barbie dolls or Miss Revlon, or is it only modern for you?

Total dolls: 77

On the Art and Science of Color

I've been working on increasing my drawing skill, as well as learning about fabric design. It's doll related, because I would like to design both my own doll clothes, and fabric to suit. It's a huge undertaking, and will probably take me ages to get there, if I ever get there, but I'm working on it! Partially, this post is for Xanadu as well, since she likes to talk about the color wheel and color tones and shades in relation to dressing your dolls, as well as setting up rooms and backdrops for them. I had these books on my Amazon wishlist, saw them recommended somewhere, and Mr. BTEG and the Dancer bought them for my birthday last week.

The first book is called Palette Perfect - Color Combinations Inspired by Fashion, Art & Style. It talks at the beginning about the color wheel and how to use colors to create attractive looks. It then has pages and pages and pages of color groupings, with both their CMYK and RGB color graph numbers given, to help you get the correct shade you're looking for. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by this book!

I also received The Fabric Design Book - Understanding and creating patterns using texture, shape, and color.

I think this book will help me increase my "feel" for good fabric design. As I said above, this whole process is a bit overwhelming right now, because I'm such a beginner at design, as well as using design software. I feel that I owe it to myself, though, to at least try to get better at these things that I want to learn.

I know several of you who have skills that you use in service to your doll collection. Has anyone learned or tried to learn something purely for making things for your dolls? I know MC and RagingMoon1987 have talked about learning sewing to make doll clothes, which I totally support!

My Collection Part Five: Tyler Wentworth by Tonner

Since I have many 16" Tonner dolls, with several different face sculpts, I'm going to only share my Tyler Wentworth dolls in this post.

I've never given any of my Tonner dolls names beyond what they'd been given. I enjoy looking at them, and dressing them, but they're not "alive" for me in the way that my Barbies are. They don't seem to have personalities to me. Therefore, I'm calling these Blond, Brunette, Redhead, and Vintage.

Blond was the Tyler sculpt in a wave of four Basic dolls. She's wearing the swimsuit and headband that she came in. That series included interchangeable feet, either flat or high heel. The feet are on pegs that pop in and out of the doll's leg. The flat foot also has some slight bending movement at the ankle.

Brunette was a special Signature Tyler, which I bought nude. Tyler Wentworth was a fashion designer, and her signature office look was a white button down shirt, a black skirt, black nylons, and black pumps. Brunette's signature look was glammed up; the shirt was satin with buttons looking like diamonds, the black skirt was covered with sequins and had a belt with a square buckle with clear stones, and the black heels were T-straps. The doll also came with "diamond" earrings. I presume the earrings came loose in a bag with Brunette, and the seller kept them with the outfit. I vaguely remember having to pierce a doll's ears to put earrings in, although dolls meant to have them used to have a faint hole in the earlobe already started.

 

Brunette is wearing an outfit which came as separates, although maybe the shoes and purse were a set? I took pictures of Brunette without the scarf, and of the shoes and clutch.

I think Redhead was in a wave of different sculpts, all in striped swimsuits, called Superstripes. I sold off the swimsuit, as I didn't care for it. Superstripes is wearing a green teddy from another Tonner doll, which was an exclusive to a specific doll store. The lace on the sides of the teddy is showing its age, and the straps never would stay up nicely on a doll's shoulders.

Vintage was a doll named Hope (the production's name,) who was an edition of 500 sold exclusively at an event at the Rosalie Whyel Museum of Dolls, to benefit a cause called Teen Hope. She came in a 1910s style dress, and she did having earrings in. Again, I bought her nude, and the seller must have kept the earrings. It doesn't bother me, as earrings for dolls this size are easy to buy or make. She's wearing an outfit that I drafted and sewed myself, although it was for a Gene doll.

To coordinate with her original outfit, Vintage has her hair in an up-do. There are several loose hairs; I think trimming them off would be the best way to deal with them.

Total dolls: 24

Xanadu has asked me some questions about the Tonner 16" line of Tyler and assorted, so there is more information below the fold.

My Last Halloween Project - Not Doll Related

I made this costume for the Dancer when she was 15. She wanted to wear it to a gaming convention called Origins. She's worn it a few times since, and she wanted to wear it to work today. The bodice desperately needed new binding, and I originally made the off-the-shoulder sleeves too large and too loose. So the Dancer and I drove out to a quilt store to pick out new cotton fabric for the binding, then I made some bias strips. The Dancer helped me rip off the old binding, I machine-sewed the new material on, then flipped the binding over the raw edges and hand-sewed it down. I also folded the sleeve material in half, tacked it together, and re-sewed the sleeves back on to the bodice by hand. She freshened up the fabric paint on the front and back of the bodice. I made this back in the original Frozen I heyday, so I was fortunate enough to find pre-printed material for the skirt. It doesn't look exactly like the movie, but I wasn't up for making a paneled skirt, and hand-painting several panels with the movie-accurate pattern. :P I also found her necklace, and the hair comb that Anna wears with this costume, on Etsy. I'm glad the Dancer has gotten as much wear out of this as she has, and of course she's planning on wearing it when she goes to see Frozen II.

I hope you all had a great Halloween. We don't get trick-or-treaters here, which I find sad. Maybe someday I'll have grandchildren to go out with.

October Instagram Challenge Day 11: Costumes

Barbie found this lovely red satin in her fabric stash, and she's trying to decide what kind of costume she could make with it. Maybe the Queen of Hearts? Do you have any suggestions? :)

Also, I found a NRFB Anne Klein doll at a garage sale for only $12! She will get deboxed at some point, and you'll get to see her clothes and jewelry and a better look at her face.

My Grocery Giveaway Package

I was one of two people who won a prize in Xanadu's grocery giveaway. It seemed like it took the package forever to get here, but it was actually less than two weeks, which is not bad coming from Australia.

I also received my Cu-Poche Alice doll order today, and Alice insisted that her curious nature made her perfect for opening the box and checking out the contents. So here's Alice, and her thoughts.

I see.. um, another box.

I am hungry after my long trip!

This lid is on too tight!

Maybe I'll just go shopping instead!

I might need my Cu-Poche sisters' help to put this together!

I also got some cute clothes, that I suspected would fit my 10" Tonner dolls. The first was a hand-knit orange dress, with orange buttons down the back. There was also a pair of orange tights. The dress looks fine on Ann Estelle, and orange is the perfect color to wear here this time of year. The tights "fit" her legs and feet, but there is a lot of extra material pulled up around her waist underneath. Unfortunately, the tights were too thick to allow me to put her own shoes back on. There was also a pair of shoes in the bag, which don't fit Ann.

In another bag was a blue sun dress, or this could also be what we would call a jumper, since a blouse would fit nicely under it. It has a faux button closure over Xanadu's favorite, snaps (press studs.) There was a separate turquoise underskirt with a ruffled trim, too. In Xanadu's honor, I got my redhead, Sophie, to model these.

There was also a blue hand-knit cardigan sweater in this bag, with real buttonholes and buttons. Sophie can wear this, but it is not quite wide enough for her.

As I sat down to write this, it occurred to me that this cardigan might fit Meg, my Makies doll.

Alas, Meg is in several separate parts right now. I want to give her a face-up, and also find her a new wig, that isn't so long and cumbersome. I've been putting off the face-up because I was nervous about it. The Dancer, though, has gotten me interested in make-up for the first time in my life, and doing make-up on myself, has given me more confidence in making Meg's face look right. I'll be sure to update you, of course, when Meg is back to herself, and we'll see if the cardigan fits.

I also got this adorable pair of baby shoes and socks. These might fit my daughter's Bitty Baby.

And lastly, two more pairs of shoes. One is a rubber pair, that look like they came from a Frozen doll. They have the effect of being gathered to a flat sole underneath, which reminds me of my daughter's ballet slippers.

And a pair of black boots with black and glitter accents, and a buckled strap. I was hopeful that these would fit my American Girl dolls, but they are just a liiiiittle bit too snug to be able to pull up over the foot. :(

This is such a fantastic bunch of doll clothing and props! I'm so thankful to Xanadu for all these items, especially since some of them were most likely hand-knit and hand-sewn by her. It was a nice way to brighten my day.