American Girl Doll Quilt

A couple of weeks ago, my daughter Katie and I had a "girl's day out." Part of it was lunch at American Girl Place in Boston. Actually, we had the afternoon tea. It was great.

There were all sorts of minis: cheeseburger, hot dog, cucumber sandwiches, fruit, desserts, and of course, a pot of tea! We even got goody bags with crafts and doll tea cup and saucer. I left there inspired to do some American Girl sewing.

I have an Addy doll bed, but it doesn't have any bedding. So I started with a quilt. I used some of my favorite scraps. It is weird that I keep making scrap quilts (one was even King sized) yet my scrap bag gets fuller and fuller. How is that possible? I just cut squares, rectangles, and triangles and made random blocks, which I kept adding to other blocks until it was the right size.

The backing is a pretty "Rose & Hubble" print that was on clearance at Walmart! I wish I had seen it before there was only a yard left.
The binding on this quilt was charmed! I cut two strips of the pink and trimmed all the ends at 45 degrees. I stitched the 2 together and ironed in half. I assumed I would have plenty, but as I went around, it was getting tight. When I got to the end, the two 45 degree cuts lined up PERFECTLY with a 1/4 seam. I don't think that's ever happened in the history of quilting!!
I used one true vintage print in this quilt- the others are repro or new. The one I used is from the 1940s. Can you tell which one it is??

Dancing Chickens Dress

This fun smocked dress was an online class offered by Maggie Bunch. The pattern is called "Ode to Joy" and I liked the different neckline, which is elastic and doesn't need snaps or buttons. The dress was intended to teach matching border fabrics in a circle. I ordered this chicken print from fabric.com because I love chicken-y things since we have them for pets. I agonized way too much over the co-ordinate for the neckline, but I do love the red dot I chose.

Here's a better picture of the funky chickens. I'm not usually a fan of cartoony fabric, but this did strike my fancy.

The smocking is a simple scallop design. It is smocked front and back. I want to make some shorts or bloomers to go under this, but I haven't done it yet. We've been having way too much fun at the pool and lake to do much sewing. This is a size 3-4. I don't have a model for it, so it will be stored away with my other creations.

Vintage Lindsay Maid Boy's Suit

I recently purchased this darling vintage boy's suit. It is probably from the 1930s. The smocking is beautifully done.

The trim stitching is all done by hand, but the construction appears to be on the machine.

Isn't that collar precious? Very simple,  but lovely.

This is the tag. It was made in Scotland for Henry Morgan & Co. Apparently, Henry Morgan was a Scot who opened a very successful store in Montreal in 1845. They expanded to other locations in the 1950s and were bought by the Hudson's Bay Co, in 1960. This doesn't really help dating this suit, does it?
I am not sure what size 16 is either, but I'll bet some of my UK friends on facebook will know.

Here is the hang-tag. The only thing missing is the "button insurance" that was originally in the little window. Don't you love that? Button Insurance!!

Here's a view of the back. I love the bubble button-on pants. This suit is in perfect condition, apparently never having been worn.