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Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Trunk Show



I have a few dolls. Both old and new. But I am much more interested in their clothes.




I like collecting the smaller costumes. Especially in white. And the older, the better.




I recently came across a box of tiny vintage spools of thread, which charms me to no end too.




I keep most everything tucked away out of sight in a tiny vintage trunk. I share with the littler girls on occasion, but they know the little suitcase is only for me.









Small vintage doll clothes are not that easy to collect, but are loads of fun to find. They often look like nothing but a scrap at the bottom of a dirty box, or crammed with other unappealing things in plastic bags. I have been known to buy some pretty ratty dolls just for what they were wearing. And I always have my eyes peeled for something overlooked in the bottom of a wicker basket at a flea market.





Clothes are expensive to buy from doll vendors. Mine all come from other sources. Often for pennies. Here are a few bits from my still small collection.


























Both manufactured and hand made, the joy is in the details. I love old fabrics and tiny buttons.




This old vest is darling in front, but I especially like the back side which is detailed further below. . . .







































Hand sewn feather stitching and crocheted details at the neck of this dolly slip.




Too fragile to treat as merely a plaything for a child any longer.




































I hope you enjoyed the little show!

Jacqueline


Join me at
Vintage Inspiration

29 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh.

    You find - and photograph - the most amazing things.

    I love this so much I squealed loudly and woke the cat, again.

    Blogging is an emotional experience with incredible posts such as these.

    WOW!!!

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  2. All of the white is delicious! I have some of the doll clothes from my childhood in a little suitcase similar to yours (from my childhood, also); but none so fine as yours!! I always look at doll clothes when out and about, but never buy. Sally

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  3. What a wonderful collection, so precious. When I was little I was such a girly girl, too this day I still like all things pretty, white and delicate. Lovely post my friend. Diane

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  4. oh they are all so sweet Jacqueline! I love the way you photographed them in the old suitcase with the beautiful vintage thread spools. happy ww!

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  5. I love all of it...I think it's the little girl at heart in us.
    Thanks for sharing...it's beautiful!
    Amy (Mom to the Four Sisters)

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  6. my Mom's doll Margaret wants to come over and try them all on. So crisp and white!

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  7. Jacqueline, I did enjoy the show ... but there was one little star that didn't even get a mention: the Cabin & Cottage clothespin. Did you stamp the name on it yourself? I love it!

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  8. So sweet and totally compelling!

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  9. Just adorable...I love that you keep them in a little trunk just for you :o)
    ~Des

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  10. Oh my goodness, the linen, and that apron. They're so detailed and so precious, and the colors in the thread is so soft and pretty. The whole grouping is all gasp worthy...

    Cindy

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  11. Your collection is darling. I notice some hail spot voile in there. It costs an arm and a leg these days.
    Wouldn't it be nice to know from whence they came and made by whom.
    x jeanetteann

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  12. What a sweet collection of doll clothes. They are adorable. I have a little suitcase like that too with old doll clothes. :)

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  13. Hi J,
    When I see all your suitcases, I KNOW you have wonderful things just like this stashed inside!! DARLING!! All the tiny stitches, that little apron is yummy:-) I have a fond spot for sewing notions too, all things unpractical, thing just for FUN!! I wanna play :-)
    Hugs,
    Bella

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  14. Absolutely gorgeous! And...such treasures. The crochet or knit items are soooo wonderful.

    Pat

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  15. Absolutely gorgeous! And...such treasures. The crochet or knit items are soooo wonderful.

    Pat

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  16. All that white baby goodness - beautiful!

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  17. These are too adorable for words. It would be so fun to bring them out, fondle them, and just think of all the dolls they may be been on.

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  18. Jacqueline, what a sweet collection. I love how you crop your photos. These images are the best! ~ Sarah

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  19. The quality and detail of those pieces is amazing! Makes today's doll clothing look pretty sad in comparison.

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  20. Jacqueline,

    You have a 'nose' for the most lovely finds, a 'hand' for styling them beautifully, and an 'eye' for photographing superbly to convey them so masterfully! Genius! I love coming here and can't wait to see what's next always!

    Linda at Beautiful Ideas

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  21. Such lovely things, Jacqueline, and so beautifully displayed. And no, not for tiny hands that might not understand how fragile they are! The dotted swiss and the lovely hand stitching and lace around the necks and arms are my favorite. It's amazing when you consider all the care and time that went into these tiny articles of clothing. Thank you so much for the show. (The trunk is adorable, too!)

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  22. What a fun and beautiful collection, Jacqueline! I enjoy hearing what other people are collecting and what they love about it. Thanks for sharing!

    xo Jo

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  23. What a sweet post!
    A fellow shop girl seems to find similar pieces and I adore looking at them!

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  24. What is it about girls and dollies?! We do love them so...your collection is beautiful!!
    Rene

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  25. Exquisite. I never thought to look at the details of doll-clothing, yet making them for granddaughters' dolls has made me appreciate the details and loving craftsmanship they embody.Your doll clothes are treasures.( I bet you already know that)

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  26. Just lovely is all I have to say.
    Thanks so much for sharing.
    Michele

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