The Snow Queen costume felt rather grungy with 25 years of accumulated dust, so i decided to wash it. Some gentle hand-washing in detergent in the sink, followed by a rinse in fabric softener.
I was surprised just how gray the water went. The costume parts were hung outside to dry....
I was surprised just how gray the water went. The costume parts were hung outside to dry....
The costume had been sewn directly onto the doll, never intended to come off, so now the challenge is to turn it into a removable BJD costume. Fortunately when I used to make the dresses for my art dolls, the entire gown was made in one piece, with the back left open, and the underarm and sleeve seams left open. Those seams were handsewn after the costume was pinned on the doll. So it was easy enough to pick apart with my seam ripper. Now I'm in the process of sewing binding on the dress back opening, and onto the edges of the lower sleeves, which will have to remain open and do up with snaps to accommodate the doll's hands.
The biggest problem will be the neckline. The neck of the original costume was way too narrow for a BJD, and there was glue involved, which meant it couldn't be picked apart, so I had to cut it off. Which means making a whole new neckline and adding it to the top of the bodice, and make it look like it was always like that.
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