A
Replicated Trousseau
for a 19th Century Reproduction Doll
Shell
Work Handkerchief and Glove Box
Cindy added
several accoutrements to the underlinen and party confection ensembles
described earlier.
A shell
work handkerchief and glove box in which to keep Amelia's accessories,
made from shells Cindy collected as a child.
A "gift"
for Amelia to give when attending a birthday celebration in her
"party confection" dress.
Charles Platten
Woodhouse writes in The Victoriana Collector's Handbook that:
"Shell work rated high as a ladies' occupation in Victorian times.
...There were several kinds of decorative shell work at which women
excelled....Boxes to hold gloves or trinkets were completely encrusted
with shells, or, as in the case of boxes of polished rosewood or
mahogany used for a variety of purposes, small shells were glued
on top to form a decorative pattern. The greatest skill and care
were required. Many Victorian women became adept in shell work from
an early age."
The shell box is another perfect addition to Amelia's growing trousseau.
SHELL
WORK HANDKERCHIEF & GLOVE BOX
Materials needed:
Wooden
Box
Small Shells
Velvet
Gimp Braid
"Scrap"
Pictures
Silk Ribbon
Silk Lining
Instructions:
Step 1: Start with a pre-made wooden box with lid which measures
3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 7/8" high. Step 2: Cut a piece of velvet 1/8" smaller than top of box
lid and glue to the top of box. Step 3: Glue gimp braid around the top edge of the lid, covering
the raw edge of velvet. Glue gimp braid around bottom edge of box. Step 4: Attach an old or reproduction Victorian "scrap" to
the outside center of box lid with glue, then surround the scrap with
small shells to form a frame. Decorate remainder of the box with shells
as desired. Step 5: Cut a piece of lightweight cardboard a little smaller
than the interior of box bottom. Cover the cardboard with a piece
of silk. Glue a length of 1/2" silk ribbon to the back of the cardboard
at one corner and another length of ribbon to the opposite corner. Step 6: Glue the entire cardboard unit into the bottom of the
box. Lay hankies in the box and tie in place.
GIFT
BOX
Materials needed:
Marbleized
Tissue Paper Wrapping
Silk Ribbon
Bow
Flowers
Instructions:
Wrap a small box (approximately 1 1/2" x 2 1/4" x 7/8") with a piece
of fancy tissue or wrapping paper, making sure the pattern is in scale
with the box. Tie a length of 1/8" silk ribbon around the package
into a bow. Add a sprig of flowers if desired.
Page
9 ......Nightclothes with Crazy Quilt
and Pillow
Part I of the article Ultimate Doll Costuming: The Trousseau, by
Donna Birkey
was printed in the March 1999 issue of DOLL ARTISAN magazine (Volume
22 • Number 2),
published by Jones Publishing, Inc., Iola, Wisconsin.
