Entry #38

Second Outfit Entry

Samantha’s (real) Bridesmaid Dress

  by Miriam

  

This is the 7^th dress I have made for our spoiled doll friends, and I think I answered the question of why I haven’t started selling – (hint - the number of hours spent on this one!)   Glad only 2 outfits are required for this contest or I might never be a productive member of society again!

    As I did for my first entry (#2), I looked through American Girl books for pictures of outfits American Girl never made.  This is Samantha’s bridesmaid dress from “Samantha Saves the Wedding” and the full picture can be found in “Samantha’s Wedding Memories."  After I made this I learned that AG did make Samantha a bridesmaid dress in 2004.  I searched for a picture and it turned out I had seen it before - but AG’s version looked absolutely *nothing* like the picture.  (I give them a “D”!)   Relieved I can say AG never made *this* dress!    Here are the inspiration pictures…

   I did not start with all my materials on hand.  I collected them bit by bit.  I started with a Kona cotton I had in my stash for the main fabric because it was the perfect color.   Next, I chose a white on white cotton stripe for the collar, and white braid.  I found a purple braid for the sleeves at a bridal fabric store.  The hardest thing to find was the flower chain lace for the collar and sleeve edge from ebay.  Her accessories are a big purple hair bow, a lacy petticoat, and a pink bouquet with ribbons.  Samantha will also wear her black mary jane meet shoes, bloomers and her special occasion white tights.

   I actually started with the bouquet!  I had just finished Rebecca’s dress for my 1^st entry and I wasn’t ready to start the daunting task of making the pattern and dress just yet.  The bouquet uses a large pom-pom, which I sewed elastic and ribbon to, and glued faux flowers and leaves to.  (I also ended with the bouquet when the first went missing!)

Next, I drew a *very* rough sketch of the pieces I expected I would need to complete the dress to get an idea of what materials I would need.

First fit check

The collar pieces – I could not find pleated trim near me, and I’m impatient so I made my own.

End of day 2

How I imagined her lower sleeves to be made.

Attaching the collar.  Decided good old fashioned hand sewing would be easiest.

Samantha lends a hand with the hand-sewing  (just kidding, she didn’t do didley!)

I decided she needed a petticoat…

Changes for Samantha.

I changed the bottom twice.  I am a perfectionist to a fault!  First two takes…

   I also had to lengthen the petticoat after lengthening the ruffle.

   Last, my daughter helped me make another bouquet to replace the first that went missing!

 Completed Outfit

  Samantha was 9 years old in 1904.  She is being raised by her very proper Victorian grandmother.  While it was 3 years post Victorian era, this is still the prevailing style - at least in her home.  Samantha was excited to be a bridesmaid at her uncle’s wedding.  Samantha wears a dress with lots of ruffles and lace, a large, high neck collar, a puffed upper sleeve, and slim lower sleeve with crossing pin tucks.  She wears a large hair bow.  Samantha also must wear a petticoat, bloomers and tights to be a dressed like a proper young lady.  A bouquet finishes the ensemble.  Samantha must have felt very grown up with such a beautiful and long dress.  (a long dress was a rare treat for a girl Samantha’s age!)

   Samantha was playing dress up with the other girls, when her soon to be aunt Cornelia’s veil was destroyed by Cornelia’s 3 year old sister who thought it would be a good plaything.  Samantha saved the day by having her uncle drive her home in his new-fangled automobile to get her mother’s beautiful old wedding veil so the wedding wouldn’t be spoiled.

The wedding processional.

  What an exciting and exhausting day!  Grandmary will still likely have a fit when she sees Samantha sleeping in her good new dress!

  Hope you enjoyed this post! 

Miriam

Thank you for your entry!

Vote for this outfit via comment on this post or by emailing us 

at nora.demington@gmail.com.

One vote per person.

You can vote for yourself.

You can vote for more than one outfit.

Hence, you can vote for multiple outfits. :-)

Voting for Second Outfits ends September 25th, 2013.

Information about this contest:

http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2013/06/dw-2013-fashion-design-challenge-starts.html

First Outfit Tasks Due July 14th, 2013.

Second Outfit Tasks Due August 25th, 2013.