12/31/2025

Happy New Year to you all and a fond Good Bye

It has come to the end of another year.  This is the time I like to tell you how much I have appreciated the interest in The Creative Doll, and apologize for not keeping up with some of the notes and messages in the posts. 

I have also come to the decision that it is time to say good bye.  The inconsistencies or discipline in continuing to add content to the blog has become onerous.  I have gotten older, though not too old yet to quit, but I find my days are still quite busy.  I thought, “When I retire, I am going to have time to do…” fill in the blank.  Well, since retiring, I am completely busy and still fill my days with much that is required of me, as well as so many things that come up.  I find I sometimes have to put my goals and desires aside.  Who knew?  So, I am opting to move forward with my projects and have fun with them.

In an effort to free up the pressure of continuing content, and also relieving the stress of thinking about it, I will no longer be updating The Creative Doll.  The blog will remain as it is.  You will be able to see any articles that are already here.  If you are new to The Creative Doll, there is a lot to read and some things might even inspire you to take up something new.  Please enjoy some of the older posts. 

I wish for everyone a wonderful new year and great joy in all your endeavors.  If you have rough times and sad times, please smile and laugh as it makes things so much easier to endure.  Perspective is a wonderful gift as you realize there are so many more that have it worse than you and “this too shall pass!”  Remember, too, there are many that have it better than you and you should take the time to root for their great success.  It does not always last. 

We are not rich, nor are we poor, but I can say I am happy.  And I have loved making these things and writing about them.  Sharing was the goal, and ✅ goals achieved. 

Happy creating to you all and by all means Have Fun! 

Kathi

   

12/28/2025

A Year in Her Life

Hello to everyone who has read this blog over time.  The last three years have been challenging with health and Hurricane Helene.  But this year I tried to do something I loved while working on those things that were trying every ounce of me.  And here we are all happy and accomplished. 

Today I am discussing my little fave of A Cathy Hansen Bru.  She is discussed more fully here:  Time for a Project

Her undergarments here: A Show and Tell Today

I had a head start in getting her dressed.  The riding habit by the late Susan Sirkis is where I began.  She was a wonderful pattern maker and doll costumer.  I have never gone wrong with her work.  I was confused about the construction of the jacket for this and thus have three of them.  One was a test for the fabric and lining, one second idea for the lining and a third with yet another way to line the tails.  I felt challenged by them, but like all three jackets.  I did the skirt but due to the weight of my fabric, (a fine wool crepe), that I made a hem facing of a lighter fabric. Also, the lining fabric was used on one set of tails for the jacket.  The garment fit so very well.  I made a riding hat for her and another fancy hat of the same fabric.

Riding Habit and Extra Hat

I wanted to make her an 1860s style dress, and was really inspired by a gown found on Pinterest.  I had a pretty miniature Royal Stewart plaid in navy and thought it would be great to use.  I only had 1/4 yard and had to think through the project.

And her beginnings of her costume and sewing here: Sewing for Marie Louise

 The more I worked the more I wanted.  I made her a jacket and a Spanish jacket of red with black beading. I leaned some new things and wish I had known before starting but am pleased with her all the same.  I was inspired by a French Fashion that had a wardrobe of blouses, and since I was in the using up scraps mode, created three white blouses and a blue checked blouse for her.  

Skirt and Extras

 Not to be outdone, she needed a bodice for a ball.  Ladies of the era often had a walking costume that had a matching jacket and a ball bodice made as well giving more usefulness of the skirts.  I did this and made some dancing slippers and a pretty floral headdress to go with it.  She has fans as well but I haven’t made one of enamel yet.  That will be a lovely project when I get to it. 

Today I am ending with a complete picture of her wardrobe and belongings that has taken me this full year to work, make and enjoy!  I do hope you have enjoyed seeing her and have plans to create more your doll, too!

In the meantime,

Have Fun, Kathi

   

Making Her circa 1860s Skirt 

I am pleased that more of this plaid skirt is completed, and not so pleased that I have not written sooner.  I have real reasons for that and some excuses, but here we are.  I am taking it as a win!  

The inspiration came from many places, but an outfit I did for my Ultimate Fashion Doll and some pictures from Pinterest kept me going forward.  Today I will discuss the skirt and it making.   (The blouse should come first, but I couldn’t decide what I really wanted to do.)     

Creating the pattern was easily completed.  It is customary for doll skirts of this period to completed as a one piece of cloth adventure.  The back is higher, and the front is lower to accommodate the rear bell shape and the small train. 

(During this project you might notice that she needs a hoop.  I have not completed one…yet. It’s on the list of things to do.  However, the skirt is stiff enough with the weight of silk to hold its shape and allow her to stand with no doll stand aid. 

After measuring the doll and setting up the hem and waist, I completed the hem first.  The general way is to fold up ¼” (proving the straight line and a clean finish) and then folding again.  In this even I folded up an additional inch.  This gave me a nice line at the hem of the skirt.  The hem is then stitched into place.  (I did leave the back a little undone as I wanted to finish the back seam and then finish the hemming. 

When I placed the skirt over the doll, I realized I had made a horrible mistake and was not sure what to do.  I measured her skirt front and noted the box pleats and marked the back for cartridge pleats.  That would accommodate the balance of the fabric. 

What I learned was I didn’t pay attention to the bottom measures, and perhaps the skirt was a bit full for this size of doll.  What did I do to fix the issue?  Weelllll, I folded the hem up another inch and rehemmed it.  (I am worried about running out of fabric for the coat and the second Ball Gown bodice.  I will keep you posted as I go along. 

It won’t be long, and I will return with a picture of the skirt and the blouse woes.  Yes, there are some of those as well. 

In the meantime, it’s Springtime!  Isn’t that wonderful? 

Best Wishes, Kathi

   

A Show and Tell today

Last time I wrote we discussed my infatuation with my new (to me) ML doll. I thought I would share some of the items I collected and received with my doll and trunk.  I am thinking of naming her Sarah.  Do you name your dolls?  Many of the items in her trunk tray I have created for this doll, or others on a similar scale.  The shoes, and blanket role remained with her as originals. 

When I received her, I was anxious to make sure she had a set of undergarments.  Using the Louise Hedrick pattern, I was able to complete most of the items in the pattern. Some are cut out, collars and cuffs, and will be finished later.   I wanted to use up small pieces of fabric and attempted to do it with scraps and pieces.  It was challenging, and successful this time. 

As I was using up scraps of fabrics, laces, and trims, I made do with what I had.  There are no new laces in this, and I used what I had.  One wonderful thing about the size of the doll, 8”, is that I can use up scraps and small cuts of fabric.  Bits of laces, tiny amounts of embroidery floss.  Beads, pearls, buttons.  Whatever was in the save bin. 

The one voile slip I embroidered and there is a color variation, but I do not mind.  Nothing was ever perfectly matched, and things did discolor.  They did then, they do now.

For now, please enjoy the undergarments I made for this remarkable small doll. 

Stay tuned.  I finished the skirt and will share that process, mistakes, and all with you. 

Have fun with your creations, too! 

Kathi

   

February 22, 2025

I started a new project, and I thought it might be fun to share how it is going with you and possibly some of my insights and mistakes.  I make plenty.   

I have become quite enamored of an 8” Bru doll created by Cathy Hansen for UFDC Convention in 2001.  And in honor of Mary Lewis, an avid doll collector and Founder of UFDC, the diminutive it was named Marie Louisette. 

I have two friends that are doll makers and costumers, and we are all so far apart in locations that we play through our internet connections.  Through their grace and friendship, I was able to buy a second hand and now third hand owned doll as I did not have an original.  They can be found on the secondary market and through auctions.  I do not have a complete set, however, I do believe I have as complete as I can get, as I have the accessories and the trunk they came in, plus others have shared the original documentation that also came with the doll. 

Fun, fun, fun! 

On of my internet friends mentioned she wanted to do an 1860s era fashion and in plaid.  I love plaids I have to say, and so it piqued my interest and ran with it. 

Here are some inspirational pictures and honestly, I want to make them all.  I have collected them all from Pinterest.  To that end I have a list, the skirt with a bit of a train from 1868 or so, and the coat, a blouse, an evening bodice, and a bolero style coat, (Spanish Coat, Zouave) and of course she will need a Paletot for Spring and Autumn.  Well, the list goes on and on.  I got so excited I did not think how long it would take me.  Letting you in on a secret, I am the WORST time estimator ever!  Come on this sewing adventure and I hope you enjoy the ride.  along for the ride. 

(Disclaimer: I tried to trace back on Pinterest to the original picture to give credit, but was unable to do so.)

As always,

Have Fun!

Kathi