Places visited while in London:
Friday, September 15, 2023
London 2023
Places visited while in London:
Monday, September 4, 2023
Final Touches- Lucretia
Also did figure out a few necklaces from my collection that completes the outfit. Just in time to leave on vacation the end of next week. She is staying home, although a doll friend would be nice for an adventure. Lucretia takes up more room than I expected with her many layers. So I can either have he take up the table by herself or with one doll friend or move the others to the shelf next to my desk.

Lucretia
I have been working on the new doll for a few weeks. Taking my time to create layers and under strictest locate stocking and shoes. The hair inspired me first and so went into my stash of mind, a hairnet and also found a pearl head piece. After that was figured out that I started working on the linen under layer and bum roll. Working on lace details before moving to the next layers.I was waiting for fabric to arrive in the mail. I am going to be doing a forest green silk dupioni gown with stamped velvet sleeves, matching stamped velvet under skirt. All lined in cotton. Much more to do before making the outer most layer. Will update with what I mentioned before the rest is revealed.
Stay tuned here for progress on this doll project. Thank you to all my readers for their continued support. Your patronage keeps this blog containing to provide content.
Grateful,
Maureen
Sunday, August 13, 2023
Another New Doll
Thank goodness for Lysol and Clorox wipes, they can get some things off of porcelain pretty nicely without ruining paint and finishes when gentle. And I wouldn’t use a magic eraser because that’s a little bit more abrasive. Although that’s an option for more stubborn ones as long as it’s not on a hugely noticeable area.
For the box of dolls and this larger one, I will be in the process of making linen shifts for all these dolls. So lots of sewing in my future but is strait forward. Looking forward to lacy shifts so some fun combinations. If you are going to do something might as well be fun!More goodness to come,
Maureen
Thursday, July 20, 2023
Tuesday, July 4, 2023
Surprise!!
This time around someone was selling very nice porcelain dolls in lots at one of the local shops. They were the same price whether they had dresses or not. It was $4 for 13 porcelain dolls, which is an absolute steal. They were dolls of various sizes, I was able to carefully bring them home, put them into narrower plastic totes with some padding. It was too much of a deal, not pass up, just because four dollars doesn’t even pay for one day almost of the time.
I did double check to make sure that the number of was right. There were 13 dolls in that particular box. The collection were in fantastic shape. I wasn’t seeing any missing fingers, or limbs. Which is typically a problem with porcelain dolls is condition. They are breakable, so therefore, especially hands thumbs any fingers that are not join together tend to crack, chip, or break.
This particular vendor not only had this one box of dolls. They actually had two more for the same price, and those dolls were fully dressed. So my guess is this vendor must have run into either a collector or massive haul of dolls. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you know that I’ve been buying dolls that are undressed in order to create, medieval/renaissance clothing for them. So in essence, I hit the mother load! Of all my many years creating dolls you just don’t run into this kind of deal let alone such quality. With this year, I’m out this vendor must’ve had they really price these to move. I will be checking again in case they run into another good box of undressed once they’re still room in the totes.
There were two dolls that were at least 16 to 20 inches tall that more more adult like and those dolls 10 to sell for about 20 bucks sometimes more. And this particular style of adult looking dollars more so what I go for when I am purchasing dolls to re-dress. There were a few other than antique reproduction like, just based on the shape of the lips and the eyelashes. I would say there’s about six of those of various sizes. And then there were more modern porcelain dolls meant to look older, which also work for my purposes.
I had said that I wasn’t going to be purchasing more dolls and I was going to slow down on doll making. Fate had a different plan in mind! Granted the best part about this is if I do create all these wonderful dolls, I can just change them out in my room and you know gently pack them away. They’ll still all be very well loved and enjoyed. My therapist says that if we have a little girl, she will have the best doll collection and I heartedly agree.
Fun times and good deals,
Maureen
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Maria Louisa - Part 2
Although this blog is to keep track of when a project relatively begins, and when it ends in case my time frames are off. Sometimes my memory is not the best and I will not remember how long ago I did a particular project. Also allows me to cross reference materials, and places of possible purchase of those materials. And other useful pieces of statistics, when it comes to creating all of my art.
Besides the twins, I’m not gonna really be doing too many other doll projects cause I’m pretty much out of room. I also need to get started on making the wall in kirtles that I had talked about probably two years ago. It’s time to make items that are in my current size as I seem to be staying relatively the same on weight.
Also, I’m going to go through my past SCA garb, see what is able to be altered. Figure out if there is something that needs to be donated, which I actually already have a small pile in the works on that. And see about re-organizing for sake of space and freeing up some totes.
Also have the spinning, leaving sewing project of a Tudor fitted gown. Still in the spinning phase on that getting all of the yarn created it for the weaving stage of this project.So many good things on the horizon,
Maureen
Friday, May 19, 2023
Maria Louisa
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Anna of Austria 1570-1579 Princess of Spain Married Austrian King |
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Spanish Lady by French School 1570-1579 |
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Princess Elisabeth of France 1570-1579 |
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Isabel De Valois- Queen of Spain 1570-1579 |
Also thinking of metallic gold accent colors for this project. Those colors also play in the outermost fabric as well, shot with the color of golden yellow against the blue with a flocked brown floral pattern. I have some really pretty pieces from my costume jewelry collection I have selected for this doll as well. Will have to see what happens when it comes all together.
I love that the expression on this doll's face is more pleasant. The expression on the doll I just finished, depending on how they were dressed and hair styled was a factor that made their expression look unsettling at times. Luckily the re-hairstyling in the clothing really changed that other doll's look. I’m hoping that a little bit of minor hair styling and clothing will definitely improve already a good starting point on this one too.
I may have said in a prior post, there is a lot going on right now. It tends to be SCA's busy season for events but also been some up-tic in activity when locating dolls to dress that fit my specific parameters.
Will post updates as normal,
Maureen
Replica 1560's Venetian Italian Fashion Doll
Replica 1560 French Fashion Doll
Tudor Q and A
A mashed combination of the words Tudor and Curiosity to create the word Tudorosity. Tudorosities is the plural form and the deffinition is as follows.
Tudorosity- an desire to learn or know anything about the Tudor dynasty associated with years 1405 through 1603.
Most people ask my why I make the Tudor garb ?
I find the clothing of this era not only beautiful but also challenging to sew. There is much more care and purpose put into making garments and wearing garments in the Tudor Era. I love the look of Tudor so much I wanted to explore the way clothes were made back then and the subtle changes in fashion and styles of time.
How did you get started in this interesting hobby?
I started with art first, I love to draw, paint, and sculpt all the traditional fine arts. So being able to draw helps me visualize the looks I want to create in my garb. History has always been a huge interest of mine and I've had a knack for sewing since I was 7 years old. It all started with doll clothes and I learned cross stitch embroidery from my grandmother when I was little. I am self taught sewer, crochet, knitting, embroidery and tatting. My methods are learned from books mainly and there is still so much more to learn.
What is my favorite outfit and why?
It would be like picking a favorite out of one of my future children, its impossible. I love all my gown creations and really like the distinct differences in all the styles clothing I make for the Tudor Era.
Do you make the whole outfit including hat, shoes, and undergarments?
I do have a goal of making a complete Tudor from the skin out. As of right now I make 90% of my gowns and accessories. The shoes and stockings, are bought online and the petticoats are a close reproduction but not made by me. .
How long does it take to make a gown?
It all depends on the type of gown. The making relies on the time period and class of the design. Generally if I work on it 8 hours a day on a sewing machine it will take 3 days to get the basics and another 5 days to do finish hand-sewing details and beading. So a week to a week and a half if working on it steady for that amount of time. I work a full-time job so it does take longer than a week to complete. I put over 40-100 hours per outfit depending on its complexity, its like its own full time job of sorts.
Do you make renaissance clothing for sale or custom orders?
No, due to new employment and changes in my lifestyle. Unfortunately, I have no time to support sewing for others. Though I recommend sewing lessons for those adventurous few. There are many fine folks who make and sell historical clothing. I suggest guidance with sew from many fine historical enthusiastic costumers out on the internet.
How long have you been making these elaborate costumes?
I have been in the Society of Creative Anachronism coming up on my 18th year. Active since 2004 working at demonstrations and volunteering when I could between working and other life's distractions. I really concentrated on Tudor sewing in 2007 and worked with patterns to learn proper fabrics, techniques, fit, and silhouette. I really enjoy the eras transition from a medieval form fitting layered cotterdie to the boned Tudor kirtle and then to structured Elizabethan clothing.
Replica 1490 Milan Italian Fashion Doll
Based on art by Giovanni Ambrogio
O’Kealy Heraldry
