When I couldn’t find the right fabric, I designed the pattern myself in Adobe Illustrator.
Read MoreVenturing into pattern design
in 1870s, Pattern design
Reading list 2019
A little list of books that I am currently reading, and ones lined up in the summer queue.
Read MoreUncovering fashions from 1870 to 1900
After making a bustle based on an early 1870s version, I learned that the dress pattern I had purchased wasn’t entirely accurate to the era.
Read MoreThe American Girls grow up
I have a new, big, exciting question to answer: what could have happened to the American Girl dolls, had they grown up?
Read Moreback to NOLA in August
The American Girl Project is heading back to New Orleans for more Cécile and Marie-Grace images in August!
tiny dolls in the studio
mini Samantha, Cécile, and Kirsten
chemise and crinoline
I'm working on the chemise and crinoline for Cécile and Marie Grace -- it feels great to finally have studio time again 🎀
allison version: left // doll version: right
scannnnnning
because film's not dead
day 3 at La Hacienda de los Martinez
What began as an innocent tour of La Hacienda de los Martinez (outside Taos, NM) magically transformed into the opportunity to take more Josefina photographs!
"You would have to clear the request with the museum board, if you're going to use flash," the woman at the front desk explained in answer to my inquiry about taking more professional images in the rooms.
"Oh," I said, seeing my chances improving, "I don't use flash. Just a tripod. And I dress up."
"Well, in that case, go on and get your things, dear."
the front placita (courtyard)
there was an area for children (+ me) to read books and play with Josefina dolls.
a small house by the hacienda
polaroid teaser + celebratory margarita
day 2 at Las Golondrinas
day 2 was filled with three photo shoots -- the cover image for Josefina Learns a Lesson, an image for the Happy Birthday, Josefina! set, and a second shoot of the cover image for Josefina's Surprise.
getting ready behind the scenes
a tour temporarily halts one of the photographs
day 1 at Las Golondrinas
day 1 at El Rancho de las Golondrinas (approximately 15 miles south of Santa Fe) was great! this is my third summer working with the museum; every visit is wonderful.
a polaroid teaser from the day's shoot
Josefina's bloomers
Even though Josefina's Christmas dress hides this pair of bloomers, I still must replicate them in full detail. These are in the style of overalls, rather than in the more typical pant.
Kirsten's rag doll
today I'm taking a quick break from working on Josefina items to work on Kirsten's rag doll, Sari.
left: Americang Girl doll's doll // right: my version
weaving progress!!
slowly but surely
doll serape for reference
schooled by a loom
After spending a few frustrating nights of wanting to burn my new tapestry loom to the ground, I'm finally getting the hang of weaving on this device.
Confession: I approached this project with plans that were overthought -- the tapestry loom setup is simple for a reason. The warp is wound directly on the loom (mistake #1) and while a shed can be created with string heddles, most of the weaving action comes from moving the weft, by hand, over and under the warp threads (mistake #2).
Thankfully, with each new row woven, the process gets a little clearer.
What I learned: the warp on the right, with an intense thread count, is best suited for a floor loom; the warp on the left is better suited for a tapestry loom.
tapestry loom no. 2
when you realize the little tapestry loom you found won't be big enough, you make your own.
loom discovery
the day I stop searching for a tapestry loom = the day I find a tapestry loom.
dying fabric!
Today I'm toning down the bright yellow of the fabric for Josefina's Surprise dress with a little brown fabric dye.
an hour later and making a little progress:
fabric searching!
heading to fabric shop #4 today in search of a match.
josefina's sarape
this weekend, I am working on the initial research for Josefina's sarape, woven in the Navajo tradition.
