Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Spring Dirndl

The daughter of one of my friends portrayed Young Anna in the play Frozen.

I was inspired to make a doll sized version of her stage costume, which differs from the one in the movie.

I used the Spring Dirndl pattern by Keepers Dolly Duds.

I first put it on Marie Grace because she looks most like my friend's daughter.

I then put it on Astrid, who is Just Like You 61, because Astrid has red hair like Anna.

Last, I put it on Kirsten, because Kirsten is Swedish Girl and she doesn't have a dirndl of her own at my house yet.

I felt like Kirsten wore it best. This is probably at least partially because it fit Kirsten best. It was a bit wide on Astrid and Marie Grace.

Also, I always feel that Marie Grace has a neck that is slightly shorter than the other dolls, and she doesn't look as well with a collar that stands up.

I was surprised to see that this outfit is all one piece. I expected the blouse, skirt and vest to be separate pieces, and they were not.

This has its benefits. I am going to give it as a gift, and the pieces won't get lost. Also, the skirt won't fall down and expose the doll's midruff.

I could have altered the pattern to make separate pieces and decided not to.

I will admit that I wasn't 100% certain that the green fabrics worked together, but I was using what I had on hand that most closely matched her outfit.
Ultimately, I think it works.
I also think that with dirndls you can be a bit more creative in color combos than with some other clothes.

The pattern was slightly more challenging than I expected.
This might be because I was feeling tired and unwell. I was actually sick in bed the next day.

I would definitely make this pattern again, and I am sure that it will go more easily next time.

More spring pictures

Stella and Astrid also got a change of clothes.

They posed themselves like this as I was carrying them outside. It was like Stella was hugging Astrid. Aaaw.

Astrid is wearing the 1930s Gathered Dress from Heritage Doll Fashions.

Stella is wearing a dress from Simplicity 8575, which I love.

Pretty dolls!

Felicity's New Outfit

The final outfit that I got at during the American Girl sale is Felicity's new meet outfit.

I have mixed feelings about it.

First of all, it is gorgeous. Oh, it is so gorgeous. I love it. I love the fabric and the color combination.

I have also been told that the bum roll is more historically accurate to her time period, so that is a plus.

I need to make a bum roll to go with the dress, but here you can see how there is fabric in the back of the dress to accommodate a bum roll.

And here is a rear view of the dress.

On the other hand, I am not sure what this dress is supposed to be in Felicity's wardrobe.
It's a fancy dress. Super fancy.
Wear it to the governor's ball fancy.

So is this supposed to be an everyday dress or a replacement for Felicity's ball gown?

I really liked it when AG made everyday historical clothing or even work clothing.
Felicity's rose dress that she originally came with looked like an every day dress. This does not.

I am sad that it is one piece. I am sure that this is cheaper to make and easier on the mothers of girls.
However, I loved that Felicity's ball gown came in two pieces and how that was historically accurate.

Thirdly, I wish that Felicity came with at least a shift under her gown and that you did not not have to buy that separately. That's just sad.

.....

On another note, this is not my Felicity in this picture. This is Astrid, my American Girl doll 61.

My Felicity is a chubby first run Pleasant Company doll from 1992. There is no way this dress could fit her. It was skin tight on Astrid.

I am thinking that Astrid can step in for Nan every now and then in this dress. I should take some pictures of the two of them together.

Still, this dress is so lovely that I had to buy it knowing that it would not fit my Felicity. That is some good design.

Warm Winter Accessories

I bought the Warm Winter Accessories during a recent American Girl sale.

Astrid is happy to model them for us!

Meet Astrid!

So, I got Astrid at the MCM sale last year, and haven't officially introduced her yet! 

I don't bond with dolls well if I add too many to my collection at a time, and I wanted to figure out her back story.

I felt so bad that she hadn't been on the blog yet, though.

Pussy Hats

My kindergarten teacher is more cool than your kindergarten teacher.

I know this for a fact, because she commissioned me to make a pussy hat for her granddaughter's doll.

Her granddaughter is about a year old, but she is determined that she should have the coolest hippie doll ever.

I am happy to help.

 I think this looks like a new group of super heroes. Wonder Woman better watch out, she has competition!