Dolls! Starting On My Virga Doll's Pretty Party Dress With Some Help From Nellie Bird.

Sewing has started on my Virga doll's pretty party dress. Nellie Bird, my latest acquisition from a doll auction I went to recently is such a fashionable little thing and has stepped in to help sew up the dress.

The box she came in is numbered 176 and has the following words printed on a silver label on the side 'Nellie Bird, Nellie Bird, Light the fires and feed the herd, Sweep the kitchen, bake the bread, You'll get through in time for bed'.  Sounds like she is a hard worker. And with that fashion sense, she should create a dream dress for the Virga doll.

Nellie is a Nancy Ann Story Book Doll and I think she was made in the 1940's. She is the frozen legs version.

Dolls! New Project : A Pretty Party Dress for my 1950's Virga Doll

I bought this darling doll from ebay several months ago, and she has only had her birthday suit to wear in all that time. So I thought I would make her an outfit and have chosen style B from Simplicity 2775 which is a reproduction of an old 1950's doll pattern. I will have to make sure it fits her as they do not list the dolls the pattern was made for.

According to the ebay seller and the photos in my Diane Zillner book 'Dolls & accessories of the 1950's' she is a Virga doll, although I can't see any markings on her. Virga dolls were make by Beehler Arts Ltd of New York City. The ebay seller said she has a mohair wig, and I really think it is as it definitely is not synthetic. I believe these dolls were made to get some of the market of the popular Vogue Ginny dolls, although Virga dolls were mostly not as well made. As I do not have a Ginny doll, I can't make a comparison for myself.

This is the pattern I am using, and I am making the yellow dress, style B. I am going to attempt to make the little bag as well.

I bought some soft shell pink taffeta from Tessuti's half price bin to make the dress and I already had the pink tulle. I will delve into my stash of vintage flowers to put on the dress.

This week I would like to thank Northstar62 and Serenata for becoming followers. Read about Peggy Sue, Owen and others on Serenata's blog which is linked to mine; How Many Dolls.

Happy Sewing Everyone!

Dolls! Madame Alexander Coquette Jacqui

Today I thought I would show you my Madame Alexander Coquette Jacqui doll. I think she was modelled on that famous first lady Jackie Kennedy. I love the sculpt of the face - I would like to know more about the talented people who sculpt these dolls for the large doll making companies. She is a little over 10 inches tall and I think that who ever sculpted her face has done an excellent job on a relatively small scale.

Photo from Wikipedia

I think there is some resemblance, don't you?

Her clothes are beautifully made; the dress is lined with a fine white cotton and has the Madame Alexander tag in it. The dress has fine pink piping in the skirt seams. The photo below shows the detail of the cardigan. The flowers she is holding didn't come with the doll but are vintage. According to the tag she was made in 2005 in a limited edition of 1000 dolls.

View of the dress

The only part that I do not think was well done are the shoes. They are chunky shaped but she does not have a chunky foot. I don't know why they made such ugly shoes.

These are the tags that she came with.

I have not worn my 'muumuu top' yet, but I left it on a hanger on the door of my wardrobe during the week and I have decided that I like it. I am just deciding which fabric I will use to make another top in the same style.

Hope you have enjoyed looking at this adorable doll and happy sewing everyone.