Clara's 1919 School Dress

To contact us Click HERE
Since today was the first day of school for my kids, I decided to post a cute little school dress from 1919.

Clara’s dress is a post World War I fashion. The war had a huge influence on fashion, as the flowing andfrivolous styles of the early 1910s gave way to more practical fashions duringthe war. Clothing became more structured, borrowing details from militaryuniforms. Hemlines gradually became shorter as material was rationed.

Thisdress reflects military styling with the cuffed sleeves, yoke details, and thebox pleats on the skirt. Patch pockets add a practical, cute detail to thedress.

Clara’s shoes are simple slip-on shoes with low heels and alittle ribbon bow. The tall socks are simple, and mostly the same style as previous decades.
Clara has a soft felt cloche hat with a wideribbon woven into the brim. A cute pom-pom adds a whimsical detail to the hat.

Hat styles were also transformed by World War I. At the beginning of the decade hats had wide, floppy brims, but by the end of the decade hats had pretty narrow brims.


To print Clara's Dress, use this PDF file:
 Clara's Dress 54 (767k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1891 Party Dress

To contact us Click HERE

Today's dress is a very frilly "princess dress" that most girls would love. Fashions in the early 1890s were very ornate, although the bustles and crinolines of previous decades were even more elaborate. Tight bodicesand drapy skirts were quite popular, and sleeves got puffier as the decade went on.

Clara’s party dress iscovered in lace and bows. The ruffles at the neck, elbows, waist, and knee arequite showy, adding enough detail to make this into a princess dress almost anygirl would love.
Clara’s hat has a wide brim and is completely covered inruffles and bows.
The party shoes worn by Clara are slippers with low heels.The shoes are covered with ruffled silk, and decorated with small bows to matchthe dress.

The original dress was light pink with a white lace collar. All the lace details and bows were black. The original hat was a straw hat with gold and white ribbons on top. The shoes were a light pink silk.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 55 (843k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1990 Bridesmaid Dress

To contact us Click HERE
This week, we will jump forward in time by a century from the last post, Clara's 1891 Party Dress. Although the dresses are separated by an entire century, many of the major fashion elements of the dresses are similar... the puffy sleeves, the full skirts, the tight bodices and pointed dropped waists. Even the use of lace is paralleled in the two dresses.

The more formal dresses of the late 1980s and early 90s are actually in a romantic style that borrow elements from Victorian styles of the previous century. The romantic style of dress was a sort of reaction to the ripped and sloppy looks of the early 80s.

The lace, puffy sleeves, and ruffles may have been a bit much for the fashion world, and by the end of the 1990s, most styles were pretty casual, and not very extreme.

Clara's dress this week is even more formal than some dresses might be in 1900, since it was intended to be a bridesmaid dress. The original dress is made with a layer of a gauzy peach fabric under a gauzy sheer layer of lacy white.

The original shoes were gold silk, of a shade that would clash with the peach dress. Fortunately, you can select your own colors.  Dyed silk shoes have been poplar for centuries, because they can be dyed the exact color of a dress, making a completely cohesive outfit. Nowadays, matching dyed shoes are usually only worn on very formal occasions like weddings.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 56 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1869 Winter Overdress

To contact us Click HERE

I hear reports of snow across the country, although we certainly haven't seen any (and are very unlikely to see any here in the Arizona desert). But we did turn on our heat for the first time today, and are glad that our heater works.

So I decided to draw a nice, warm dress for Clara today -- an 1869 silk or taffeta party dress, with a matching overdress.

Have you ever seen a 1950s or 60s movie, where the movie star arrives at a party with a gorgeous cloak that matches her evening gown? Such high fashion was not a new idea... in the 1860s, it was quite the thing to have a cloak that matched your party frock. Even then, the idea of having a cloak to match your dress was not a new idea, having been a practice of the wealthy for hundreds of years.

It seems very impractical to me to have a coat you could only wear a few times. However, it sure is cute!

Clara has a little feathered bonnet to go with her dress, and some tall button-up boots to finish off her outfit.

The original dress was cranberry red. The overdress was cream colored with red trim. The bonnet was a matching red with white ostrich feathers. The boots were black.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 57 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1819 Regency Evening Dress

To contact us Click HERE
Fashion in the early 1800s could be pretty complicated for society ladies. There were morning dresses, walking dresses, visiting dresses,  traveling dresses, riding dresses, dinner dresses, and evening dresses. There were fashion rules about how long the sleeves could be – for instance, it was not acceptable to wear short sleeves in the morning. Morning dresses were long-leeved and high-necked.

As a young lady, it would be proper for Clara to wear short sleeves in the evening. She could also have a wide neckline, but to be modest, she would need to wear ankle-length pantalettes under her gown. Bare arms were ok, but ankles! No way.

Of course, as always, high fashion was for the wealthy, so we'll have to pretend that Clara was wealthy and could afford expensive dresses.

The period in fashion from 1811 to 1820 is commonly known as the Regency Era. Dresses typically had high waists, and a simple silhouette. Layers of cloth created a flowing style. Evening dresses were typically decorated with rows of elaborate ribbons, tucks, or other decorations. Clara’s dress is a silk party dress, but not as elaborate as some evening gowns, since it is only decorated with a simple leaf detail.

A pair of thin dancing slippers with tiny bows and some tall silkstockings finish off the outfit.
Young ladies typically wore white or pastel colors in the 1810s when they dressed up for an event. The original  dress was a light, greenish tan (which may have been originally white, but turned brown with age). The leaf designs and ropes, and the neck and sleeve trim were a dull turquoise.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 58 (775k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Pagoda Glittens

To contact us Click HERE
These are really nice and warm.  I must make some for myself.



Materials:
-4mm double pointed needles (set of 4)
-Caron Simply Soft yarn in Pagoda (1 skein)
-Yarn or tapestry needle

Gauge:
10 sts x 10 rows = 2.5 in x 1.5 in



Abbreviations:
sts- stitches
k- knit
p- purl
CO- cast on'
BO- bind off
yo- yarn over
m1- pick up and knit the bar in between the 2 sts
k2tog- knit 2 together
dpns- double-pointed needles

Glittens:
CO 27 sts.
Divide between 3 dpns.
Join in the round.
Work k1, p1 rib for 2 in.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k1, m1, k1, m1, k to end.  Needle 2:  k all sts.  Needle 3:  k to last 2 sts, m1, k1, m1, k1.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k all sts.  Needle 2:  k all sts.  Needle 3:  k all sts.
Repeat these 2 rounds once more.
On the final round, BO 2 sts at the end of needle 3.
Next round:  Needle 1:  BO 2 sts, k to end.  Needles 2 and 3:  k all sts.
Work as if you're working on straight needles for 4 more rows.
At the end of the 4th row, CO 2 sts at the end of needle 3.
Next round:  Needle 1:  CO 2 sts, k to end.  Needles 2 and 3:  k all sts.
K all sts until work measures
BO all sts.
Now, CO 15 sts onto 1 dpn.
Pick up and knit 18 sts onto another one.
Join in the round.
K all sts until work measures 7 in. from beginning of work.
Next round (Note:  For other hand, reverse all shaping.):  Needle 1:  k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.  Needle 2:  k1, k2tog, k to end.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k all sts.  Needle 2:  k all sts.
Repeat these 2 rounds 2 more times.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k1, k2tog, k to end.  Needle 2:  k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k all sts.  Needle 2:  k all sts.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1.  Needle 2:  As needle 1.
Next round:  Needle 1:  k all sts.  Needle 2:  k all sts.
Repeat the last 2 rounds 2 more times.
BO all sts.
Thumb:
Pick up and knit 14 sts around thumb hole.
Divide between 2 dpns.
Join in the round.
Round 1:  Needle 1:  k all sts.  Needle 2:  k all sts.
Work this round until work measures 3 in. or the length of your thumb.
Cut yarn, leaving a 6 in. end.
Thread yarn through yarn (or tapestry) needle.
Thread needle through all sts.
Take out dpns.
Pull tight and weave in your ends.

Finishing:
Sew up the top of the glitten.
Weave in your ends.

Pig Doll

To contact us Click HERE
This is a knitted replica of Pig from the comic strip, Pearls Before Swine.  I shall not post the pattern, for I do not want to rip off the awesome Stephan Pastis, but I will tell you that I used Red Heart Soft yarn in Dusty Rose.

This is my gorgeous friend, Taylor, holding her beloved Pig.








This is a close-up of the Pig doll, with my friend, Jo, wearing the Pagoda Glittens I gave her.

And there will also be a doll of Rat coming soon, too, although probably post-Christmas.

Zebra Hat

To contact us Click HERE
This hat is exactly what the name implies:  A hat in zebra print.



Materials:
-4.5 mm circular or double-pointed needles
-Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Zebra (1 skein)
-Yarn or tapestry needle

Abbreviations:
sts- stitches
CO- cast on
BO- bind off
k- knit
p- purl
k2tog- knit 2 together

Hat:
CO 60 sts.
Join in the round.
Work k1, p1 rib for 5 rounds.
k all sts until work measures 7.5 inches.
k2tog until there are only 15 sts left on the needle.  (In other words, k2tog for 2 rounds.)
Cut the yarn, leaving an approximately 6 inch tail.
Thread the yarn through the tapestry needle and weave the tail through all the sts left.
Take the sts off the needle, pull the yarn tightly, and sew up the ends.

Ciel's Dress Coat

To contact us Click HERE
Wondering why it was taking me so long to post another pattern?  This is why!
I was watching episode 3 of Black Butler and I saw this coat and decided I had to make it.  It's a lot of work, but the end result is definitely worth it!




It didn't come out as nicely as I had hoped.




Materials:-US size 7 (4.5 mm) straight and circular needles-Bernat Satin yarn (3.5 oz per skein) in #04135 Loyal Royal (5 skeins, color A) and #04040 Ebony (1 skein, color B)
-Size H-8 crochet hook-Yarn needle-4 silver buttons-2 chains
Abbreviations--st(s)- stitch(es)-k- knit-p- purl-k2tog- knit 2 together-CO- cast on-BO- bind off-m1- increase 1 st by picking up and knitting the bar in between the 2 sts
Gauge-10 sts x 10 rows = 2.5 in. x 1.5 in.
Pattern notes:-It is very important that you have access to an iron to do the blocking.  I know, I don’t care much for blocking either, but if it is not done on this piece, it will come out all wonky.-I used slightly smaller needles than was appropriate for the yarn weight so that the coat will be a bit thicker and more durable.-The pattern is written for a size small, and I don’t really know how much to increase for a larger size, but I would imagine that it would be pretty easy to do.-For better seams, do increases at least 2 sts in.
Left front:CO 32 sts in color A.Working in stockinette st, m1 at the end of every 10^th row.
Work until piece measures 13 in.
BO 5 sts at the end of the next purl row.
k2tog at each end every other row 4 times.
Work until piece measures 20 in.
BO all sts looseley.
Right front:Work the same as left front, but reverse all shaping.
Back:CO 64 sts in color A.
Working in stockinette st, m1 at both ends of every 10th row 6 times.
Work until piece measures 13 in.
BO 5 sts at the beginning of the next two rows.
k2tog at each end every other row 4 times.
Work until piece measures 20 in.
BO all sts loosely.

Sleeves:
CO 35 sts.
Working in stockinette st, m1 at both ends every 4th row 20 times.
Work until piece measures 15 in.
BO 5 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.
k2tog at each end every other row 4 times.
BO 3 sts at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
BO all sts.

At this point, you will need to block and sew together what you have already made.
For the sleeves, Sew up until about 4 inches before the cuff.  Do a single crochet border using color B.

Skirt:Pick up and knit 117 sts using color A.Work in stockinette st.Every 10^th row, do this row:  k2, m1, k18, m1, k to last 20 sts, m1, k18, m1, k2  (Just in case this is not understood, if you’re on a purl row when it’s time to do this row, purl the sts that it says to knit.)Repeat this 5 times, then BO 30 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.Continue working in stockinette st.Every 10^th row, do this row:  k2, m1, k10, m1, k to last 12 sts, m1, k10, m1, k2Repeat this 5 times, then BO 22 sts at the beginning of the next 2 rows.Working in stockinette st, work 26 sts.Turn work.Decrease 1 st at each edge every other row until there are only 4 sts left.BO all sts on that part of the tails.Repeat this for the other half, starting with decreasing every other row.
Collar:Starting at the beginning of the decreases for the neckline, pick up and knit 41 sts around the neck using color B.Work in reverse stockinette st (in other words, on the side where the blue is on the right side, the wrong side will be there in order for the collar to be turned out) until piece measures 3 in.Then, pick up and knit 25 sts at one end of the collar using color B.Work in reverse stockinette st.BO 1 st at the OUTER edge every other row 7 times.Then, BO 2 sts at the outer edge every other row twice.BO all sts.Repeat on the other side from picking up 25 sts.
Finishing:Sew up the sleeves up to 3 in from the cuff.Using color B, work a single crochet border around the skirt and cuffs.Attach 2 buttons on the front.Place the chain on the front as a closure.

Myka's Yarn Errand

To contact us Click HERE
Ever since my best friend, Myka, got her driver's liscence, her family has sent her out on errands to get milk, etc.  Monday evening, her grandmother sent her to Wal-Mart for yarn.

Myka asked, "Okay, what kind of yarn?"

Her grandmother answered, "Just something you might make a baby blanket out of."

On this advice, Myka set out.  When she got to Wal-Mart, she was overwhelmed (not underwhelmed) by the yarn selection.  She called her grandmother, asking for a bit more of a description of what kind of yarn she was looking for.  She was given not much more advice than she started with.  Frustrated, she hung up and just bought some yarn.  She did not tell me what she ended up getting.  When she got home, her grandmother just started laughing, as if to say, "Now, was that so hard?"

Long story short:  What isn't all that frustrating to a knitter is incredibly frustrating to all the normal people of the world.

Clara's 1891 Party Dress

To contact us Click HERE

Today's dress is a very frilly "princess dress" that most girls would love. Fashions in the early 1890s were very ornate, although the bustles and crinolines of previous decades were even more elaborate. Tight bodicesand drapy skirts were quite popular, and sleeves got puffier as the decade went on.

Clara’s party dress iscovered in lace and bows. The ruffles at the neck, elbows, waist, and knee arequite showy, adding enough detail to make this into a princess dress almost anygirl would love.
Clara’s hat has a wide brim and is completely covered inruffles and bows.
The party shoes worn by Clara are slippers with low heels.The shoes are covered with ruffled silk, and decorated with small bows to matchthe dress.

The original dress was light pink with a white lace collar. All the lace details and bows were black. The original hat was a straw hat with gold and white ribbons on top. The shoes were a light pink silk.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 55 (843k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1990 Bridesmaid Dress

To contact us Click HERE
This week, we will jump forward in time by a century from the last post, Clara's 1891 Party Dress. Although the dresses are separated by an entire century, many of the major fashion elements of the dresses are similar... the puffy sleeves, the full skirts, the tight bodices and pointed dropped waists. Even the use of lace is paralleled in the two dresses.

The more formal dresses of the late 1980s and early 90s are actually in a romantic style that borrow elements from Victorian styles of the previous century. The romantic style of dress was a sort of reaction to the ripped and sloppy looks of the early 80s.

The lace, puffy sleeves, and ruffles may have been a bit much for the fashion world, and by the end of the 1990s, most styles were pretty casual, and not very extreme.

Clara's dress this week is even more formal than some dresses might be in 1900, since it was intended to be a bridesmaid dress. The original dress is made with a layer of a gauzy peach fabric under a gauzy sheer layer of lacy white.

The original shoes were gold silk, of a shade that would clash with the peach dress. Fortunately, you can select your own colors.  Dyed silk shoes have been poplar for centuries, because they can be dyed the exact color of a dress, making a completely cohesive outfit. Nowadays, matching dyed shoes are usually only worn on very formal occasions like weddings.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 56 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1869 Winter Overdress

To contact us Click HERE

I hear reports of snow across the country, although we certainly haven't seen any (and are very unlikely to see any here in the Arizona desert). But we did turn on our heat for the first time today, and are glad that our heater works.

So I decided to draw a nice, warm dress for Clara today -- an 1869 silk or taffeta party dress, with a matching overdress.

Have you ever seen a 1950s or 60s movie, where the movie star arrives at a party with a gorgeous cloak that matches her evening gown? Such high fashion was not a new idea... in the 1860s, it was quite the thing to have a cloak that matched your party frock. Even then, the idea of having a cloak to match your dress was not a new idea, having been a practice of the wealthy for hundreds of years.

It seems very impractical to me to have a coat you could only wear a few times. However, it sure is cute!

Clara has a little feathered bonnet to go with her dress, and some tall button-up boots to finish off her outfit.

The original dress was cranberry red. The overdress was cream colored with red trim. The bonnet was a matching red with white ostrich feathers. The boots were black.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 57 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1819 Regency Evening Dress

To contact us Click HERE
Fashion in the early 1800s could be pretty complicated for society ladies. There were morning dresses, walking dresses, visiting dresses,  traveling dresses, riding dresses, dinner dresses, and evening dresses. There were fashion rules about how long the sleeves could be – for instance, it was not acceptable to wear short sleeves in the morning. Morning dresses were long-leeved and high-necked.

As a young lady, it would be proper for Clara to wear short sleeves in the evening. She could also have a wide neckline, but to be modest, she would need to wear ankle-length pantalettes under her gown. Bare arms were ok, but ankles! No way.

Of course, as always, high fashion was for the wealthy, so we'll have to pretend that Clara was wealthy and could afford expensive dresses.

The period in fashion from 1811 to 1820 is commonly known as the Regency Era. Dresses typically had high waists, and a simple silhouette. Layers of cloth created a flowing style. Evening dresses were typically decorated with rows of elaborate ribbons, tucks, or other decorations. Clara’s dress is a silk party dress, but not as elaborate as some evening gowns, since it is only decorated with a simple leaf detail.

A pair of thin dancing slippers with tiny bows and some tall silkstockings finish off the outfit.
Young ladies typically wore white or pastel colors in the 1810s when they dressed up for an event. The original  dress was a light, greenish tan (which may have been originally white, but turned brown with age). The leaf designs and ropes, and the neck and sleeve trim were a dull turquoise.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 58 (775k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Happy Mother's Day, Mother!

To contact us Click HERE
A few years back my Mother came to visit me here in Calabash.  She was the first one I took to the ever changing simply amazing Brookgreen Gardens.  While we were there I took pictures with her in them.

My Wonderful Mother
And she took pictures with me in them. 

Yeah, that's me (totally blond).
 So for Mother's Day that year I sent her this photo.

I love PhotoShop.
When she got the picture she says to me,
"I don't recall us taking a photo together".  hehehe

Come on you got give it to me, it's hard to tell it's photoshopped.
"Side by SideOr miles apartYou, dear Mother, Are always close to my heart!"
Happy Mother's Day, Mother!

Clara's 1919 School Dress

To contact us Click HERE
Since today was the first day of school for my kids, I decided to post a cute little school dress from 1919.

Clara’s dress is a post World War I fashion. The war had a huge influence on fashion, as the flowing andfrivolous styles of the early 1910s gave way to more practical fashions duringthe war. Clothing became more structured, borrowing details from militaryuniforms. Hemlines gradually became shorter as material was rationed.

Thisdress reflects military styling with the cuffed sleeves, yoke details, and thebox pleats on the skirt. Patch pockets add a practical, cute detail to thedress.

Clara’s shoes are simple slip-on shoes with low heels and alittle ribbon bow. The tall socks are simple, and mostly the same style as previous decades.
Clara has a soft felt cloche hat with a wideribbon woven into the brim. A cute pom-pom adds a whimsical detail to the hat.

Hat styles were also transformed by World War I. At the beginning of the decade hats had wide, floppy brims, but by the end of the decade hats had pretty narrow brims.


To print Clara's Dress, use this PDF file:
 Clara's Dress 54 (767k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1891 Party Dress

To contact us Click HERE

Today's dress is a very frilly "princess dress" that most girls would love. Fashions in the early 1890s were very ornate, although the bustles and crinolines of previous decades were even more elaborate. Tight bodicesand drapy skirts were quite popular, and sleeves got puffier as the decade went on.

Clara’s party dress iscovered in lace and bows. The ruffles at the neck, elbows, waist, and knee arequite showy, adding enough detail to make this into a princess dress almost anygirl would love.
Clara’s hat has a wide brim and is completely covered inruffles and bows.
The party shoes worn by Clara are slippers with low heels.The shoes are covered with ruffled silk, and decorated with small bows to matchthe dress.

The original dress was light pink with a white lace collar. All the lace details and bows were black. The original hat was a straw hat with gold and white ribbons on top. The shoes were a light pink silk.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 55 (843k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1990 Bridesmaid Dress

To contact us Click HERE
This week, we will jump forward in time by a century from the last post, Clara's 1891 Party Dress. Although the dresses are separated by an entire century, many of the major fashion elements of the dresses are similar... the puffy sleeves, the full skirts, the tight bodices and pointed dropped waists. Even the use of lace is paralleled in the two dresses.

The more formal dresses of the late 1980s and early 90s are actually in a romantic style that borrow elements from Victorian styles of the previous century. The romantic style of dress was a sort of reaction to the ripped and sloppy looks of the early 80s.

The lace, puffy sleeves, and ruffles may have been a bit much for the fashion world, and by the end of the 1990s, most styles were pretty casual, and not very extreme.

Clara's dress this week is even more formal than some dresses might be in 1900, since it was intended to be a bridesmaid dress. The original dress is made with a layer of a gauzy peach fabric under a gauzy sheer layer of lacy white.

The original shoes were gold silk, of a shade that would clash with the peach dress. Fortunately, you can select your own colors.  Dyed silk shoes have been poplar for centuries, because they can be dyed the exact color of a dress, making a completely cohesive outfit. Nowadays, matching dyed shoes are usually only worn on very formal occasions like weddings.


To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 56 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1869 Winter Overdress

To contact us Click HERE

I hear reports of snow across the country, although we certainly haven't seen any (and are very unlikely to see any here in the Arizona desert). But we did turn on our heat for the first time today, and are glad that our heater works.

So I decided to draw a nice, warm dress for Clara today -- an 1869 silk or taffeta party dress, with a matching overdress.

Have you ever seen a 1950s or 60s movie, where the movie star arrives at a party with a gorgeous cloak that matches her evening gown? Such high fashion was not a new idea... in the 1860s, it was quite the thing to have a cloak that matched your party frock. Even then, the idea of having a cloak to match your dress was not a new idea, having been a practice of the wealthy for hundreds of years.

It seems very impractical to me to have a coat you could only wear a few times. However, it sure is cute!

Clara has a little feathered bonnet to go with her dress, and some tall button-up boots to finish off her outfit.

The original dress was cranberry red. The overdress was cream colored with red trim. The bonnet was a matching red with white ostrich feathers. The boots were black.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 57 (783k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)

Clara's 1819 Regency Evening Dress

To contact us Click HERE
Fashion in the early 1800s could be pretty complicated for society ladies. There were morning dresses, walking dresses, visiting dresses,  traveling dresses, riding dresses, dinner dresses, and evening dresses. There were fashion rules about how long the sleeves could be – for instance, it was not acceptable to wear short sleeves in the morning. Morning dresses were long-leeved and high-necked.

As a young lady, it would be proper for Clara to wear short sleeves in the evening. She could also have a wide neckline, but to be modest, she would need to wear ankle-length pantalettes under her gown. Bare arms were ok, but ankles! No way.

Of course, as always, high fashion was for the wealthy, so we'll have to pretend that Clara was wealthy and could afford expensive dresses.

The period in fashion from 1811 to 1820 is commonly known as the Regency Era. Dresses typically had high waists, and a simple silhouette. Layers of cloth created a flowing style. Evening dresses were typically decorated with rows of elaborate ribbons, tucks, or other decorations. Clara’s dress is a silk party dress, but not as elaborate as some evening gowns, since it is only decorated with a simple leaf detail.

A pair of thin dancing slippers with tiny bows and some tall silkstockings finish off the outfit.
Young ladies typically wore white or pastel colors in the 1810s when they dressed up for an event. The original  dress was a light, greenish tan (which may have been originally white, but turned brown with age). The leaf designs and ropes, and the neck and sleeve trim were a dull turquoise.

To print Clara's dress, use this PDF file:
Clara's Dress 58 (775k)
Clara is a free, printable paper doll. Clara will be available on this blog as long as I continue to post new fashion pages for her. You can read the introduction for the Clara paper doll here.
To print the Clara paper doll, use this PDF file: The Clara Paper Doll (718k)