Antique Doll, Before

A recent commission enabled me to create a new outfit for an antique doll. Karen, a friend, asked me to make a slip and dress for her grandmother’s porcelain doll, a family heirloom. I suspect the doll dates to the late 19 century. It came to me with a well worn, torn, dress and under slip made from the grandmother’s wedding dress. This post displays pictures of the doll as I received it.

Antique Doll, After

Karen supplied the fabric and asked if I would make something similar to the original dress and slip.




The new slip is made out of white cotton. The neck line and sleeve openings are done by hand with a rolled edge. I stitched a piece of bridal lace to the center front and edged the bottom with ½ inch lace. A simple side closure is secured with a snap. After the dress was completed, realized the slip was too long and created a horizontal pleat.



The new cotton floral dress’ sleeves and neck edge are completed with a simple gathered stitch. I had left over lace from the slip and added it to the neck edge. Small gathers adorn the sleeve cap. A center back closure is secured by snaps and decorated with heart shaped buttons. A small ruffle finishes the bottom dress edge.

It was a pleasure making these miniature garments. The project took 4 hours to complete.