Violetta, my Bleuette, dressed in her costume de bain, is ready for summer “fun in the sun” at the beach.
Her bathing suit is made from a 1930s apron. The vintage print fabric and orange binding has been joined by some new 1930s reproduction fabric for the head scarf, since my vintage stash refused to give up any suitable matching fabric. The outfit is 100% hand sewn, except for the topstitching on the bias binding.
According to the pattern, if Bleuette balked at her head scarf thinking they looked like donkey ears, the young Suzette was instructed to tell her they were rabbit ears instead, so that Bleuette would be happy again!
Her sandals “for walking on the sand” are made from the 1932 Pour Marcher sur le Sable pattern. An old kid glove supplied the navy blue leather.
 Bleuette ~ 1927 Costume de Bain
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 1927 Costume de Bain
- 1932 Pour Marcher sur le Sable
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Bleuette ~ 1927 Costume de Bain
1927 Costume de Bain ~ Shoulder Detail
1927 Costume de Bain ~ Scallop Detail
1932 Pour Marcher sur le Sable
Bleuette ~ 1956 Le Petit Chien
Some of the patterns in La Semaine de Suzette, such as Le Petit Chien, were not intended for Bleuette. This pattern was intended to be made by little girls to be used as a toy or as a “gift for the little brother of your best friend”.
I fell in love with “The Little Dog” when I first saw him. Even though he is from a later time period than I prefer, I knew I would have to make him up sometime – just because he is so sweet!
The pattern directions suggest the option of making the dog in oilcloth. Since the “real” oilcloth used in 1956 is no longer readily available, I used the next best thing – the modern day version of oilcloth. The dog is sewn together by hand with a blanket stitch in a rusty brown color that matches the ribbon bow. I chose to do the facial features in black embroidery.
Instead of taking the patterns advice and giving the petit chien to my best friend’s little brother, I think I’ll just hang onto it and let my Bleuettes enjoy him. 
1956 Le Petit Chien ~ La Semaine de Suzette
1956 Le Petit Chien ~ Detail
Last fall I attended the estate sale for an elderly neighbor of mine who had passed away several months before. At the bottom of a cedar chest in the basement I was very fortunate to discover a dozen or so cuts of 1920s/30s fabrics, along with a 1940s apron in mint condition. I plan to use as many of the fabrics as possible for the trousseau of my Bleuette, Violetta. This Japanese Peignoir is the first outfit I have made from the fabrics. This particular print was perfect for the peignoir, not only for the colors and design, but also because the pattern instructions state to use fabrics with “designs that are a little large”.
The outfit is 100% hand sewn. The belt fabric is from old linen, but the solid fabric is contemporary. Her slippers were made to resemble those the girl (on the left) is wearing in the pattern illustration seen below. They are constructed from leather and have a little pom-pom on the toe made from thread. I made the fan similar to the one the girl (on the right) is holding in the pattern illustration.
The thing I like most about sewing for Bleuette is scouring through my “stash” of fabrics and trims in order to use whatever I have on hand to make my Bleuette outfits. Sometimes I find things I didn’t even remember I had!
Bleuette ~ 1925 Peignoir Japonais
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1925 Peignoir Japonais ~ La Semaine de Suzette
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1925 Peignoir Japonais ~ Upper Detail
1925 Peignoir Japonais ~ Back Detail
1925 Peignoir Japonais ~ Fan
1925 Peignoir Japonais ~ Slippers
Samantha • Nellie ~ Mariner Ensemble
SOLD
- Mariner Dress ~ Box pleated skirt ~ Nautical “star” braid ~ Four tucks on bodice front ~ Four tiny buttons ~ Released inverted pleats on sleeves
- Beret ~ Knotted rosette from VINTAGE velvet ribbon ~ Ostrich feathers ~ Tiny button on beret crown
See more Samantha and Nellie doll clothes on The Dollies’ Dressmaker website!
