For whatever reason this week, my world has gone Gail Wilson. Do you know of this fabulously creative lady? She makes reproduction historical dolls from scratch - yes, as in the old fashioned way - and I have fallen in love with several of her designs. I recently connected with Barb from Quilts, Etc. who is a certified instructor for Gail's products and in talking with her have become re-inspired to get a move-on with making of the kits I own - Lottie, a feature from Australian Homespun Magazine and also the feature in a giveaway I had last year.
However, where will Lottie live? This is the grand problem I need suggestions and help with. I have a darling doll bed, or maybe it's a crib, but it has no mattress. Now, no mattress isn't really that big of a problem, it's my own perfectionism that gets in the way. I would like to make a mattress that is the most suitable for such a bed. In other words, not just a slab of covered foam.
Do I use wool? Do I use a foam center surrounded by other more lofty stuffing? Should it be covered in a ticking-type fabric? Does it need those old-fashioned mattress buttons, and how many? Should it only be lofty enough to lay nicely in the bottom, or is it supposed to fill the bed right up to the top of the side rungs?
You see, I really am making more of a big deal of this than there need be, but I'd like it to look at least a little bit authentic. So, here's where all you darling people out there come in handy - tell me what you think! Is there a website for this type of project? I never even thought of that until just now!
The mattress area is just under 16" long, and 4" high. Here you can see Violet, and 15" American Doll who belongs to Little Miss, modeling the space for you.
Lottie's future comforts and my sanity are now in your able hands.
Heather
6 comments:
Heather, Calm down. You are over thinking this drastically! I would either pick a fsvorite fabric look or plain ticking and use either a thick batt or layers of a thinner one. I would just tie it and maybe add buttons. Remember the comfort of the doll is not an issue. LOL! Its the look you are going for! I mean are you going to cover it with sheets? A quilt? Perspective girl!
I'm interested in hearing what others have to say, as I have a doll bed too and have thoughts of making a miniature quilt to put on there - but mine too is without a mattress.
I don't think I'd go for ticking and buttons. I agree that looks authentic, but then you would have to have a sheet to put over top. Why not design something that already looks like it has a sheet on it?
What about (and I'm just brainstorming here) using the slab of foam, but having a little ruffle of eyelet lace around the top edge? Or, you could do it like a pillow, with several layers of batting as the filler (so it's flatter than a regular pillow) and then maybe tie it in several places.
Just some thoughts to open the discussion
Wow! Two Colleens in a row. Just to let you know, we are two different people. (I'm the second one)
Colleen N.
Colleen N (the second Colleen), if you come back for a visit, please leave your email address. I noticed that you have commented before, but I can never reply to you because you have your email blocked. To share your email address go into your blogger account, pick edit profile, and check the box that has to do with share your profile. This allows us to contact you again afterwards.
Thanks for your ideas! I wasn't sure about the sheet thing either, but I DO like the look of ticking... Hmmmm... I'll have to think on it I guess.
What a lovely doll bed, and yes I suppose I would be asking some of the same questions LOL!
I have a little wooden cradle doll bed (made in Pennsylvania a very very long time ago). The original mattress was stuffed with straw (it was removed by Customs so it could enter Australia), so I am in much the same conundrum as you. I could fill it with straw again from the local Rural Supplies store and use a Ticking fabric (which I have already bought and will probably use!), or I could use foam pieces, chopped up bits of batt, or recycle the insides of an old lumpy pillow.
One of your respondents said it won't be seen when a sheet is placed over it, and she is right, so it really depends on what you would like to have hiding under it. Personally I leaning toward the straw LOL! (I never make things easy for myself either LOL!!!) So my dear, sleep on it for a while and see what happens!!!
Goodluck!!!
Well, Heather. I just took a look again at your blog and to my surprise saw that you blogged about Lottie. I am pleased that we are making future plans to make her together. I like the idea of a mattress for her bed that is not too thick but maybe looks like a "feather bed". Use something soft inside--several layers of a fluffy batting or what about stuffing it with wool roving? I think ticking would look authentic and I would just tie it. Then make a pretty little quilt and maybe a little matching pillow. I think the whole thing should come just below the top edge of the side rail. Will patiently wait to see what you come up with--Barb of Quilts, Etc.
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