Julie • Ivy 8050B

In the 70s it became popular to take your old blue jeans and turn them into a skirt. This was accomplished by ripping the inseam apart and inserting a triangle of fabric in the front and back. Many times embroidery was added. This is a “faux” skirt in that it did not start out as a pair of pants and the triangle is in the front only.

My Bleuette, Geneve, wears my version of Robe Paletot or Coat Dress. The pattern illustration shows the wrap dress with a fur collar and fur pompoms at each end the end of the sash, but the pattern pieces gave an option for straight-stitch embroidery in “bright wool” on the collar and cuffs. I chose the embroidery option to go with the fabric I wanted to use. Instead of “bright wool” I used some beautiful vintage (probably rayon type) floss in a gorgeous shade of purple. I chose another lavender/purple shade of DMC cotton floss as a complimentary color. So there are two shades used in the embroidery design on the batiste collar and cuffs to bring out the luscious colors in the fabric.

Instead of pompoms, I chose to put tassels on the sash, made with both flosses combined together for a variegated look, not only in color, but in texture.

Bleuette ~ 1918 Robe Paletot

La Semaine de Suzette ~ 1918 Robe Paletot

1918 Robe Paletot ~ Back Detail ~ Embroidery

1918 Robe Paletot ~ Tassels

1974 Illustration

Here is a 1974 illustration that shows an appliqué or embroidered heart on the jeans.

Raggedy Ann face embroidered on blue jeans

During the 70′s, fashion was very much about “expressing yourself.” A new pair of jeans, jean jacket or blue chambray shirt was an empty canvas for doing just that.

In this illustration, you will also notice a girl holding a Raggedy Ann doll. Raggedy Ann has been a favorite American icon for years. That must be why I chose to embroider her on a pair of my jeans in the early 70′s! Her face was down near the hem of the pants. When it came time to throw out the old jeans, I cut Raggedy Ann’s face out and tucked her away.

If your Julie or Ivy dolls have a pair of jeans in their wardrobe, you might want to do a little embroidery on them!

Kit • Ruthie 7002B

SOLD

Addy ~ Dress and Wool Paletot

SOLD

• Dress ~ Two-tiered skirt ~ Tabard bodice ~ Pleated trim on skirt and tabard ~ Hand worked embroidery on bodice tabard ~ Two tiny buttons ~ Grosgrain ribbon sash and bow
• Paletot ~ Made from OLD wool fabric ~ Bone buttons with design ~ Hand applied gimp trim for nicer finish ~ Snap closure

See more Addy doll clothes on The Dollies’ Dressmaker website!

Kirsten 4005A

SOLD

Julie • Ivy 8050A

SOLD

In the 70s it became popular to take your old blue jeans and turn them into a skirt. This was accomplished by ripping the inseam apart and adding a triangle of fabric in the front and back. Many times embroidery was added. This is a “faux” skirt in that it did not start out as a pair of pants and the triangle is in the front only.