My grandson asked me to make some clothes for a favorite stuffed toy of his; he didn't think it was right that it was naked, he is very shy and modest himself. He had looked at clothes in the toy store and was told they were too expensive, which they were. He was sad that he couldn't buy any, but then he thought to ask me to make him some. Of course I couldn't say no.
It's been years since I've made doll clothes; I didn't want to buy a pattern so had to put all my drafting skills to work to figure out how to clothe a stuffed toy. I took several measurements all around the toy and used those measurements to make a rough pattern. I cut out some test pieces and sewed them up today.
Whenever possible I use one of my treadle sewing machines for most of my sewing. This treadle is 83 years old, it must have seen quite a bit of use, as it is well worn in places. As I treadled I thought of other mothers and grandmothers that may have been making doll clothes on that same machine. It felt like a time warp. I could just picture a mother making piece after piece of clothing, pressing them neatly, wrapping them up in a pretty package and hiding them until needed. Then comes the holidays or birthdays, and there is that beautiful happy look on the child's face when they see the clothes for their favorite doll.
It felt good to be participating in the long ago tradition of making something like that. I didn't have to go to the store to buy anything, I just used what I had on hand. My grandson will have custom made clothes for his stuffed toy; I know he will be happy with them.
Edey
