Vintage Collegeville Witch Costume

It feels like forever since I posted here, instead of just over a Month.

But I have a good excuse, really. I was working on creating a Halloween costume based on the one in the picture below. 

I was probably 5 years old in this photo. The costume was by Collageville. Remember them? The costume consisted of: a thin, plastic material, black skirt; a cape of the same material with witch designs printed on it; and a plastic witch mask.

Collegeville costumes were notorious for the plastic material of the costumes ripping really easily, so you could only get 1 or 2 wears out of them.

With the costume, since it is cold in October in Northern Illinois, I had on a red turtleneck, thick white tights, and black rubber rain boots. I also carried my little broom, that I already had.

To make the skirt and cape, I used black trash bags. Turns out, that trash bags are not the easiest to sew or paint, but with lots of hard work, I figured out the best methods and got it done. Not bad, huh? The mask is just painted cardboard. The shirt is red flannel. All the patterns are modified from Fisher Price My Friend Mandy sewing patterns.

And who is behind the mask? My Friend Jenny. I found this Jenny at a thrift store about two years ago, and was waiting on an awesome outfit to dress her in. Now she has one.

Jenny is already to go Trick or Treating tonight. 

Merry and Her New Summer Dress

I've already shared with you the outfit I made for the "By the Sea" themed Little Darling outfit exchange, so here is the outfit that one of the other members made for me.

This mumu/sundress is perfect for walking on the beach, or using as a bathing suit cover-up.

The crinkly ribbons remind me of seaweed, swaying in the current.

And look at those cute bows on the shoulders of the dress!

Merry says that the outfit is pretty enough to wear at any warm weather party.

Little Darlings "By the Sea" - Blue Variant

Lately, when I attempt a new doll clothes pattern for an outfit for someone else, I have been making a trial version for myself. 

So I made my version of the Sailor Romper in blue.

I'm glad I made a trial version, since: A - it is so cute, and B - the first hat pattern I made was not perfect. The one I made for the red outfit turned out much nicer.

Unlike the red romper, I did not put stars on the sailor bib.

Instead, I added extra stars to the hat.

Little Darlings "By the Sea"

Our small groups third Little Darling outfit exchange theme was By the Sea, since we were going to exchange the outfits at convention.

Taking inspiration from a photo of me as a pre-teen, I decided to create a sailor romper and hat.

My recipient also was given the unicorn floatie, because it is just too cute.

Here are two old photos that inspired me.

I think it turned out well.

Dolly & Me By the Sea: UFDC 72nd Annual Convention 2021 - Baltimore, MD - Part 6

 Wednesday, July 21st.

Like Monday, I made my way straight to the UFDC Mini-Office after getting up in the morning. While we were swamped by a crowd upon opening on Monday, it was much calmer on Wednesday.

In the afternoon I met up with the other members of our Little Darling Outfit Exchange group, and we gave each other the outfits we made. (Most of them, two were still WIPs.) It was so much fun to actually be able to hang out with each other in person.

Another convention friend took a photo of us all together and let me post it here.

We then all went to the Region 11 Gathering. Our Regional director welcomed us and went over some information, and then members told us about upcoming club events. There were even door prizes - everyone present received one. 

That evening I was a table host at the one paid event I signed up for this convention, the Ruby Red Galleria "Love on the High Seas" dinner. 

The table hosts arrived early and set up the centerpieces, companion doll, and table gifts.

The tables looked perfect.

The table gifts I gave to my table mates were crocheted sweaters that fit the Ruby Red Galleria Lia doll.

Merry accompanied me, as usual, this time in her new sailor romper that I sewed especially for the convention. She felt so chic.

After a delicious dinner of crab cakes and a cute and entertaining program, the event was almost over.

The centerpiece was given away to a lucky attendee at each table, and chances to purchase the companion doll were raffled off. Most attendees who wanted one were able to purchase them, since we had 19 available.

Then it was that time - time to pass out the boxes and reveal the souvenir doll.

She is absolutely adorable in her Lolita Sailor outfit. I think that everyone was pleased with her.

The shoes are awesome and next level!

At the end of the evening I got a photo of Merry with her new friend, "Love on the High Seas" Lia.

Table gift swag - everyone was very generous.

A better look at my sweaters.

Finally, I said good night to the dolls and went to bed.

To be continued in Part 7.

Sweaters in Different Sizes

Three different sizes of the sweaters - Little Darling, American Girl, and Glitter Girls.

Notice that the Glitter Girls doll is wearing the sweater with the buttons in the back, instead of as a vest.