Dreaming of Dolls: Caroline Abbott

Showing posts with label Caroline Abbott. Show all posts

Monday, January 6, 2025

Another Dress for Caroline

This is another dress made from the Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress pattern.

I did not realize that the pattern also contains the pattern pieces for a second, simpler doll dress!

This one closes in the back.

I was happy to dive in and make another dress for Caroline.

This dress was supposed to have tucks taken in on the skirt. However, I did have a mishap cutting out the fabric for the skirt and decided to just go with a simpler skirt made from a shorter piece of fabric.

I think it's a pretty dress! I think that this pattern is more versatile than I realized, and I enjoyed making this.

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Pattern Review: Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress

My first doll dress of the year!

I made the Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress pattern.

I'm so proud of myself!

I did have to read the instructions carefully on this one.

The sleeves are actually the easy part. They are straightforward sleeves, just long and with a wrist band and snap to create the bunching.

The top was the challenging part, but I got there!

It's so pretty! I love this fabric print.

Caroline is happy to have a new dress to wear (and to get out of the closet, let's be honest.)

I was very sick over Christmas. It feels so good to be up and doing things again!

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Double Cape

I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Double Cape.

Mine is blue, like the one on the pattern cover. I like blue.

This pattern has three pieces: the bonnet, the cape, and a mini cape which is more over the big cape, but is a separate piece.

I was really tired and grabbed Josefina to model without changing her clothes underneath. I don't think this is really something Josefina would have worn, but other women might have worn it around her time period.

I had trouble posing Josefina well, which is probably a me problem. The cape is just so big and full.

The pattern was easy to follow and to sew. I am very happy with it.

As you can see, I did not add bias trim. I think it is fine without it.

I am happy to have this finished, and to post it. It took me a couple of weeks to post it after sewing it.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Tea with The Governess

I made Keepers Dolly Duds Tea with the Governess!

My goodness, this pattern is so elegant and fancy, and it was so easy to make!

I was especially intimidated by the pleats o the bodice. It turned out not to be that bad.

I also did the fancy ruched sleeves, and that was also easy to do!

Honestly, I had more trouble trying to get a picture that would clearly show the pleated bodice than I did sewing it.

I love this pattern! Caroline is going to have such a great wardrobe!

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Regency Pinafore

I have been wanting to sew for Caroline, so I was happy to make the pattern Keepers Dolly Duds Regency Pinafore.

This pattern has two pieces: the white underdress and the red pinafore.

I guess I made an error on the pinafore, because I wasn't able to read the pattern instruction on my laptop. It looks like there are two versions of the pinafore: one that closes in the front and has a gap in the pinafore skirt in the front, and a pinafore version that closes in the back that does not have the front gap.

I made one that closes in the front, but doesn't have that gap. Whoops.

It doesn't look wrong to me- but maybe it is

Anyway, since this is two separate pieces, I can always make another pinafore. The dress under the pinafore is fine. I can make the pinafore in different colors too, for different looks!

I should also point out that I have an older version of the pattern, that Keepers Dolly Duds sold on etsy. There is now an updated version of the pattern on Pixie Faire, but I don't think I am eligible to get that updated pattern since I bought on etsy.

Ho hum.

What do you think of my version of the pinafore? Is it a big mistake or an acceptable variation? I do not know that much about this era in fashion history!

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

More Summer Photos

Here are some more summer doll photos.

These photo feature the historical dolls! Well, some of them, anyway. I spent hours taking doll pictures and still didn't get all of the dolls changed and photographed.

That's certainly a first-world problem to have. It's not really even a problem- I spend as much time on the dolls as I find enjoyable. There's no point in making it into a chore.

Do you think that Josefina grew these flowers in her mother's garden? I certainly do!

Samantha is enjoying life at Piney Point.

I am always so careful with Felicity's sash in her summer gown. I try not to get any creases in it! I am also super careful with her doll.

Caroline is also enjoying the garden.

Nanea is having a picnic! I love her lunchbox, and was glad I had a chance to use it.

It's really hard to get her to hold her sandwich!

Kit is on the lookout for news stories.

Tuesday, May 24, 2022

Caroline Meets Kathleen Ernst

My Caroline got to meet her author!

Kathleen Ernst had a book signing at Old World Wisconsin.

Sure, she was promoting her new book for adults.

That did not stop me from bringing Caroline as well.

I asked her for a picture with Caroline, and then she turned the tables on me by asking for a picture of ME with Caroline.

So if you ever have a chance to meet her, don't hesitate to bring a doll along!

Sunday, September 5, 2021

Caroline's Hair

I did a boil perm on Caroline!

I found these curlers at Goodwill for $2, so I was excited to improve Caroline's curls.

She looks so much better She still has some flyaway hairs, but her hair is set in recognizable curls.

This was so fast and easy, and such and improvement! I am really happy.

Now here's a picture of what she looked like in process.

Don't look if you don't want to see a headless doll.

Getting Ready for the Holidays!

Caroline Abbot and Laura Ingalls are ready to show off their holiday finery!

Sunday, May 10, 2020

More Dirndls!

I made three more dirndls, in different color variations, to give to my little cousins.

They are so cute!

I like seeing all three dresses together. It creates a fun look.

I put the pink and green one on Caroline on purpose, because the color scheme reminded me of her work dress. The style is very different of course, but maybe I can use the same fabric to make something close to her work dress. Hmm.

The pattern is of course Keeper Dolly Duds' Spring Dirndl.

Sunday, October 6, 2019

Kathleen Ernst and lack of Caroline Abbot news

I went to a book signing by Kathleen Ernst this weekend.

Kathleen Ernst with my Felicity at a book signing last year

She was promoting her new book, Fiddlin' With Fate. It's part of her Chloe Ellefson mystery series. I love this series and always learn something new from reading it.

After she signed a copy of Fiddlin' with Fate for me, I pulkled out two Caroline books and asked if she could sign them for me.

She let out an audible "Awww."

I asked her if the Caroline books were going to be reissued with illustrations.

She said that she would love that because the illustrations were so beautiful, but that she had not heard anything.

She had also not known that some of the other historical books had been reissued with illustrations.

So my guess is that we will have a long wait for more illustrated American Girl historical books.

Sunday, October 15, 2017

Meeting Kathleen Ernst

Yesterday, I got to meet Kathleen Ernst!

She is the author of the Caroline Abbott series, as well as the Chloe Ellefson mysteries for adults.

I like both of her series!

Here is a link to her author website.

She had a book signing at Old World Wisconsin, and I was so lucky to get to go.

Guys, she is so nice.

We went to the book signing first, then put the books in the dry car because it was raining and went to Old World Wisconsin. When we got back, she recognized us and asked us about our visit.

She even let me take a picture: