As the only girl in my family, I spent a lot of time by myself playing with my dolls. They were my babies, and I cared for their every need. I got them ready for bed, fed, clothed, and diapered with the best of them. Even when I was too old to "play" with my babies, I made them wardrobes of clothes. Fast forward 25 years, and my oldest daughter doesn't play with dolls like I did. It's been a bit of a struggle for us to relate on this point. Then I found a darling book at the library.
The book is called Fanny, written by Holly Hobbie. Does that name ring a bell for anyone else born in the 70's?
It's a story about a little girl who wants a fashion doll (called a Connie doll in this book) who's mom doesn't want such things in her house. (Sound familiar, mom?) So, Fanny makes her own doll. Fanny also makes clothes for her doll, whom she names Annabelle. Fanny even makes a doll for Annabelle in the end. In one book, I was able to explain my childhood to Big Sister in a way I couldn't before. I think we understand each other a bit better. With my help, Sis made a dress for her doll, Elizabeth. I followed the Oliver + S Popover Sundress Doll Size, using scraps from the dress I made for Sis last year.
I also made a little t-shirt to go under the dress, using the Scientific Seamstress's free pattern. I used some snap tape for a closure, since that was what I had on hand. I'm slowly getting over my knit fabric issues.
The outfit was a success, and it was a nice time just me and my girls.
I am grateful for my sweet daughters. It's fun to have girly things to play with and share together. And, I can play with dolls again with no reservations.
Sharing with Freckled Laundry, and Creation Corner.
Those are wonderful! LittleGirl loves to stitch up clothes for her AG Doll...more than she likes to play with her doll. LOL
ReplyDeletePS...I have some free patterns / tutorials for 18" doll clothes on my blog. Happy Tuesday! ☺
How sweet! I needed this reminder to spend more time playing with my girls too.
ReplyDeleteAlso, why is this the first time I've seen snap tape?! I may be in love.
the dolly dress and shirt are really sweet Chris.
ReplyDeleteone thing i struggle with as a parent is finding where my little one's and my interests meet so that we can both enjoy ourselves while we're creating or playing. i don't know. maybe I expect too much...
I'm glad to see you've found someone to play dollies with again. :)
I had a Holly Hobbie bedspread (up until I was about 14, and by then I hated it - My Mum kept saying, but you picked it out. Ummm, yes, when I was 7. But I digress...).
ReplyDeleteSweet dolly outfit, and a nice story to go with it. I hope my girl likes playing with dolls.
So cute, Chris. The book looks adorable. I was never much of a doll lover when I was a kid. I cut all of the hair off of the one that I had. So far, neither of my girls is big into dolls, either. It will be interesting to see if/how that changes in the coming years.
ReplyDeleteLove your dolly clothes - what special memories. My 3 daughters have outgrown playing with their American Girl Dolls, but still TREASURE them and the many, many outfits my mother-in-law has sewn for them over the years. Now I am a new grandma and I think it's time for me to try to learn to make dolly clothes. *visiting from Creation Corner.*
ReplyDeleteAw. I loved this post. Edyn is very much into her "beebees" all of a sudden and I can't wait to make her a bunch of doll clothes in September. Like you, I still love to play them with her too. Thank you for linking with Air Your Laundry Friday! xo Jami
ReplyDeleteAnd your girls have the sweetest faces I ever did see...they look just like their mama.
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