Recently I've rediscovered my love of doll costuming. It's what got me into BJDs in the first place, and it's been taking a back seat for years as photography and doll stories took front stage and completely took over. But I was tired, and needed new inspiration. Or, old inspiration. Turning 70 reminded me that I still had so many things that I had wanted to do, and time was seriously running out. There were so many other historical periods I've always dreamt of making doll costumes for. Then SartoriaJ introduced their Versailles series, reminding me that it had always been one of my favourite periods, and I had always wanted to make some Rococo style doll costumes. I even have lots of fabrics in my stash purchased specifically for Rococo style gowns.
I knew I'd come to a turning point when my newest doll, Sarah, hadn't even joined any of my doll families yet, and I'd been using her as a costume model ever since she arrived. In fact I'm currently working on another new design. It was like going back to the good old days when the only reason for buying a new doll was because I wanted her as a costume model. I used to love making doll costumes but the doll stories had been taking up almost all my time, and it's impossible to do everything. Then with all the endless political stress going on, I'd been finding it much more relaxing going back to my sewing.
I decided I'd love to make special costumes from other periods, but as single stand alone pieces, or for couples. Who cares if the models were not a real couple in my existing Medieval Fantasy stories. I'd just choose whomever looked the part. And I'd even consider getting a new doll or two to become my costume models.
Then last week Thursday I was very tired and bored, and was scrolling through the DOA Marketplace, and what should catch my eye but a lovely SartoriaJ Serena. She had been reduced to a ridiculous low price, and better yet, the seller lived just two hours away from me right here in Canada. So I contacted them, paid for her on Thursday, she was mailed on Friday, and she arrived this past Monday. After just four days with no Customs taxes or fees! She'd have arrived even sooner if it hadn't been for the weekend. Now, that's the way to buy a doll!!
Introducing Serena...
I knew I'd come to a turning point when my newest doll, Sarah, hadn't even joined any of my doll families yet, and I'd been using her as a costume model ever since she arrived. In fact I'm currently working on another new design. It was like going back to the good old days when the only reason for buying a new doll was because I wanted her as a costume model. I used to love making doll costumes but the doll stories had been taking up almost all my time, and it's impossible to do everything. Then with all the endless political stress going on, I'd been finding it much more relaxing going back to my sewing.
I decided I'd love to make special costumes from other periods, but as single stand alone pieces, or for couples. Who cares if the models were not a real couple in my existing Medieval Fantasy stories. I'd just choose whomever looked the part. And I'd even consider getting a new doll or two to become my costume models.
Then last week Thursday I was very tired and bored, and was scrolling through the DOA Marketplace, and what should catch my eye but a lovely SartoriaJ Serena. She had been reduced to a ridiculous low price, and better yet, the seller lived just two hours away from me right here in Canada. So I contacted them, paid for her on Thursday, she was mailed on Friday, and she arrived this past Monday. After just four days with no Customs taxes or fees! She'd have arrived even sooner if it hadn't been for the weekend. Now, that's the way to buy a doll!!
Introducing Serena...
She's currently wearing the standard pink sari gown all my new ladies start out wearing...
I had been a little concerned at first because she has the larger Bell bust, and all my other SartoriaJ ladies have the smaller Dew bust. But when I checked the measurements, it turned out that an SJ Bell bust is the same size as a Slim Iplehouse FID with medium bust (same as three of my Iplehouse ladies) so she'd be able to wear all my existing Fashion sized costumes just fine.
I had considered making her a wig, but have decided to wait until I know what period she will be modelling for. I'd love to see her as Marie Antoinette.
But first I have to finish the two Medieval fantasy gowns I'm currently working on.
RSS Feed
