Back In Time
Back in time -----A library display of dolls and miniatures, some antique fashion plates, a small parian doll’s wardrobe and an interest in historic costume provided the inspiration for a group of people to begin a doll costuming study group whose focus was the late 1850’s to the mid-1870’s
I met Eutalia in the late 1970's when she was just over 110 years of age. She has now achieved the mature age of 145.In 1860 this lovely glass eyed parian lady came to France as a gift to her young mother. We don’t know the age of her “mamma” but along with the rest of Eutalia’s belongings are some letters her “mamma” wrote while she was traveling that are dated 1860 and 1861. Eutalia’s garments represent fashions of most of the 1860's. Eutalia’s young “mamma”; her “mama’s” mother and nursemaid made many of her garments with tender loving care. A couple of her most elegant dresses appear to have been purchased from a shop in Paris that specialized in “Poupée’s” and skillfully produced their costumes and accessories. Eutalia wardrobe was housed in a large trunk, and included, a dozen dresses with matching hats, cloaks, a cape, muffs, four sets of underwear and a couple of extra petticoats, nightwear, shoes, ice skates, writing paper, leather gloves, a fan, even a tiny thimble. The example of this wardrobe provided impetus for developing the study group.
I met Eutalia in the late 1970's when she was just over 110 years of age. She has now achieved the mature age of 145.In 1860 this lovely glass eyed parian lady came to France as a gift to her young mother. We don’t know the age of her “mamma” but along with the rest of Eutalia’s belongings are some letters her “mamma” wrote while she was traveling that are dated 1860 and 1861. Eutalia’s garments represent fashions of most of the 1860's. Eutalia’s young “mamma”; her “mama’s” mother and nursemaid made many of her garments with tender loving care. A couple of her most elegant dresses appear to have been purchased from a shop in Paris that specialized in “Poupée’s” and skillfully produced their costumes and accessories. Eutalia wardrobe was housed in a large trunk, and included, a dozen dresses with matching hats, cloaks, a cape, muffs, four sets of underwear and a couple of extra petticoats, nightwear, shoes, ice skates, writing paper, leather gloves, a fan, even a tiny thimble. The example of this wardrobe provided impetus for developing the study group.
The study g
roup chose to research and provide a wardrobe for a small blond parian doll who was given the name of “Miss Fancy.” She and her friends will visit these pages from time to timeTime passed. Some of the dolls were dressed; some received trunks and box rooms; their wardrobes grew; some of the trunks were even filled. As happens, people moved, grew ill and for one reas
on or another dropped out of sight but the dream lingers. Since retiring I continue to search for opportunities to experience again the fellowship and satisfaction we experienced researching; studying; stitching and working together.From my collection of fashion plates, I found some inspiration and from deep in the back of a drawer, waiting patiently in her box, I recovered a 9 ½” reproduction fashion doll who is providing the incentive to bring the inspiration and the dream to action.
posted by missfancyshouse | 7:37 PM
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