Sometimes a doll begins with an idea for a dress. Once I had dyed some cotton fabric with madder, the traditional "red-plant" used before synthetic dyes, I couldn't wait to make a sweet and simple dress with it. I wanted to highlight the rustic beauty of the fabric, so I resisted the urge to add lots of fancy lace or trimmings.
Ok. I did put pretty vintage Mother-of-Pearl buttons on it and lined it with some lighter fabric from the second dye-bath, but it needed a closure and lining, right?
So that is how Louise was started, with blond hair to set off her red dress. She also has a soft matching Alpaca shawl which you can see in the photos in my shop (link below).
She also needed something practical for play. A gentle Avocado-dyed blouse (with pocket!) and lace-trimmed pants seemed just right.
Oh and I experimented with using a walnut dye to stain my wooden buttons, behold! ... it worked quite well! I guess woodworkers already know about walnut dye, but this was a revelation to me.
A nightgown, quilt and pillow and Louise is ready for bedtime. She looks so cozy in her bed, it makes me a little drowsy...
Anyway! She is available in my shop and will travel to her new home in her fabric-covered and felt-lined box that doubles as a bed. I'm sure someone is waiting for a little companion just like her!
