Annabelle Lea & Maddy Josette- Martha Bishop Dolls

I want to introduce my 2 newest dolls

made by Martha Bishop, tiny Annabelle 

Lea & Miss Maddy Josette.  

They are right at home sittin' on my

Grandad's whittlin' chair, under the

print of Martha's prim painting.

I now have several dollies with no clothing,

so it's time to get busy.  I'm am concentrating

 on undergarments for the girls first.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I've visited the Kansas City Toy & Miniature

Museum several times.  They have a lovely

Izannah Walker doll there named Miss Mary. 

 She and her extensive wardrobe were featured in 

the March 2006 issue of Antique Doll Collector.

She is my inspiration for little Annabelle's clothing.

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Annabelle is only about 8 inches tall.

Making a low cut chemise with set in sleeves like

Miss Mary's for such a tiny doll took some 

teeny stitches and a bit of patience.

The antique glass doll buttons are 3/16 inch.

The bloomers are 3 1/2 inches long.
 

Because this is pleasure sewing for me,
I have treated myself to some silk thread.
Silk thread never tangles & it's so nice to
work with.  My eyes will never be the same,
 but Annabelle is very happy in her new duds.

Maddy will be next to get some undies.

She's a much larger doll and I have some

special things in mind for her.

This is the bottom ruffle from an antique nightgown.

The original garment was literally in tatters, and

 this was the only salvageable section.  I've been

saving it for something special.  It's just the right 

size for Maddy's petticoat.

It's quite thin and fragile.

Someone carefully repaired it.

 Ever mindful of the importance of historic preservation,
let me just say, I would never cut up a fine antique garment

just to use the bits and pieces in a doll.  Nor do I purchase
items "cut" from garments.  Having said that, I see nothing
wrong with using the good bits from a garment that is destined
 for the trash heap.  I am quite comfortable giving new life to
 some one's fine work when I know it's history.  Besides, it
would be wasteful.  Nuff about that....

Maddy gets a homespun flannel petticoat too.

I doubt I'll cover this wonderful hair with a bonnet.
It's so soft.  The photo does not do it justice.

Looks like I will need to learn shoe making,

such a shame to cover these cute toes.

I love her applied thumbs.

Thank you Martha for these special ladies,

I am blessed to have them.  Thanks for the 

much needed kick start back into dolls!

Here's a link to Martha's blog. 

 Martha's Dolls