Hollywood Dolls

I am finally able to blog about this suit! I started working on a large batch of suits not long after I got home from the Gene convention. Then life happened; home improvement projects, internet problems, computer problems, Cub Scout day camp, I kept sewing during all of it, but I was unable to blog or participate much on my favorite doll boards. I have been going crazy! OK enough with the complaining Diane, on with the blog.





"Rear Window" is one of my favorite movies. I love Grace Kelly's costumes, and the story is pretty good too.



The suit is made out of green linen-like fabric. I wanted to use silk noil, but I couldn't find it in the right shade of green. Like before, I wish I had bought more of this fabric. I don't know why it is photographing so weird in the full body shots, it isn't shiny fabric. I was told it is probably the resolution of the picture.



The fabric photographs much better close up. I must say I am pleased with how the hats turned out, since I don't consider myself much of a hat maker, but I am getting better. The hat is made out of white ultra suede, I hope I can remember how I made them if I ever want to make them again.









The veil was the hardest thing on the hat to do. I made it so it can be worn down or flipped up.









I lined the jacket and made the halter top out of white silk dupioni. The halter top was a challenge. I had to keep the bulk to a minimum at the waistline, while working with a lot of layers of the dupoini.







I flipped the top snaps to add interest.







The next "Rear Window" costume is the black and white cocktail dress. I am working on a batch of them right now.

I became a big fan of the designer Edith Head years ago while researching fashions for my dolls. I bought the DVD "To Catch a Thief" and one of its extra features was "Edith Head and the Paramount Years". There were several short clips from the fashion show in the film "Lucy Gallant". It became my mission in life to get my hands on that movie. Unfortunately, "Lucy Gallant" has never been released on video or DVD. After many months of searching, I was able to buy a copy of the film on DVD. I was so excited! The story in the movie is OK, but the fashions are wonderful. Not long after that, there was a convention for Gene based on that film. I didn't get to go to the convention, but I recognized the fashions from the convention immediately. I was bummed that I had been beaten to the punch again (It happens to me all the time).

One of my favorite fashions from the movie, besides the red and white gown and coat, was a red suit and coat ensemble in the fashion show at the end of the movie. I have been planning on making this outfit for years and I finally did it.

The suit and sleeveless coat are made of wool. I love the fur trim around the armholes. The biggest challenge was finding the fur for the outfit. In the movie, Edith Head describes the fur as sealskin, I knew I need to find the flattest fur I could, to have the same effect.



The real coat was completely lined in fur. I tried that in my little doll coat and I felt it was too bulky. I decided to only use the fur on the collar, armholes and down the front of the coat. It would have been great if I could have made it like the real coat, because then it would have been reversible. The fur around the armholes is a little thicker than I originally wanted it to be, but there was a bulk issue again. I am still pleased with the results.



My new "It's a Cinch" makes a wonderful model. I love her!

I even made faux umbrellas out of wooden shish kebab skewers, beads, fabric, interfacing, glue, ribbon, and a black sharpy pen.