Nadine is wearing the Robe de Maison, or “At Home Dress”–the first pattern offered for Bleuette. The doll arrived wearing only a chemise and so was in need of a full wardrobe. The pattern states that since the most important thing is that the new recipient of Bleuette will want to show her to their friends, a dress for “at home” is necessary. This is the reason for the first pattern. The pattern further instructs the child to ask their mother or big sister for the key to the closet that holds the fabric remnants.

My Robe de Maison is made from a lovely piece of vintage checked cotton. The finish is very smooth and fine, just like the cottons from Liberty of London. I found one tiny scrap of beautiful vintage lace that just fit around the neck, and so vintage tatting was used to decorate the sleeve and hem ruffles. Crisp vintage silk taffeta ribbon worked well for the rosettes and sash.

Bleuette ~ 1905 Robe de Maison

1905 Robe de Maison ~ La Semaine de Suzette

1905 Robe de Maison ~ Upper Detail

1905 Robe de Maison ~ Lace Detail

1905 Robe de Maison ~ Lower Detail

Bleuette ~ 1908 Costume de Mariée

My premiere Bleuette, Nadine, wears the Costume de Mariée. I actually finished it at the end of 2005, but had never done the jupon or slip that went with it, nor had I ever gotten the right pair of shoes to go with the dress. Now, 2½ years later, it is finally a complete ensemble. I worked on the embroidery off and on over an 18-month period. I think my eyesight got worse during that time! LOL

The wedding dress is made from silk shantung embroidered with silk floss that is a shade or two lighter than the fabric. The silk floss was a joy to work with and it has a beautiful sheen to it!

The guimpe is made from some lace that someone gave to me so I’m not totally sure if its vintage, but if not, it sure does pass for it! The little piece used for the collar is vintage.

The jupon that I just completed is made from the same tissue-thin silk that I lined the wedding dress with. I used a piece of a favorite vintage lace that I have been saving for some time. It is rather wide for Bleuette, but worked just right for the slip since it can be wider there, and I didn’t want to cut it up. Perfect!

A disintegrating antique headpiece and a piece of vintage tulle found new life as Nadine’s headpiece and bouquet. As always, the entire ensemble was sewn by hand.

1908 Costume de Mariée ~ La Semaine de Suzette

1908 Costume de Mariée ~ Upper Detail

1908 Costume de Mariée ~ Bouquet from antique headpiece

1908 Costume de Mariée ~ Embroidery Detail

1908 Costume de Mariée ~ Jupon