Considering that my magazine entry form has to be postmarked by March 1, this project is coming right down to the wire. That’s generally the way I work.  I should start from a sketch and stick to it.  That way I have a target instead of bumbling along changing things right up ’til the very end.

I do think it’s pretty silly that they don’t have you submit digitally over the ‘net. Think of the transcribing and the re-scanning they’ll have to do with the entries they publish.

It’s not that I have my heart set on winning, just on participating.¬† When my troll was published in the magazine, I was thrilled and I will be if this one gets in there.  My mother was tickled, too, and went out and bought her own copy of it.

Since the Yahoo! group is using this same doll as a challenge, I’ve already seen some *amazing* renditions of the pattern. Here’s one. I’m sure I’m not the only participant who is working away right down to the deadline.  There will probably be many lovely examples.

Des will, of course, be the prettiest one IMHO.

This is Des in her chemise and drawers. I worked on her shoulders a little so that her arms would hang down straighter.  Those are bits of her dress that you can see around her.  I’ve almost decided to put shoes on her–red shoes–but I’m still unsure.  The post office doesn’t close until 11:30am tomorrow…

Yesterday I was reading the usual doll blogs and one of them linked to this Izannah Walker Reproduction doll dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.¬† While I still don’t understand why people admire Izannah dolls so much–I think the faces and the hair are most unattractive–I do generally like the clothing and body shape.¬† The ebay doll has neat open drawers, which made me want to make some.¬† Fortunately someone had not long ago posted a pattern for children’s drawers on VintageClothDollmaking which could easily be adapted to the purpose.

There was some muslin from an art project just begging to be used and I unearthed¬† some vintage cotton braid for the hemlines.¬† Can you see why they are called “open” drawers?¬† These fasten with a snap at the center back waist.¬† (I had planned to link you to some history, but I can’t find anything that I trust…)

These happen to fit Des.  Since there was a little scrap of trim left, I made her a camisole to match.

If I continue with the old-fashioned outfit, I may replace the camisole with a long chemise.  The little drawers are really cute and the pattern, properly closed, would make nice capri pants for a modern girl.

I still don’t want to cover up her toes.