A few years ago, I sold both my Addy and Kirsten American Girl dolls. I had bought them second hand, they weren't in the best condition, and I never really "bonded" with them. So I didn't think they needed to take up space in my collection, and I didn't think I'd miss them
. Lately though, I've been regretting my decision and really wanting them back! So I found the Addy in my one of my Facebook groups, and just a few short days later, I found Kirsten on Facebook Marketplace!
Isn't she pretty?
I bought her from her original owner who had tears in her eyes when she handed her over to me. She had many, lovely memories of playing with her as an older child, and took such good care of her. She is in immaculate condition. Her hair was still in it's original braids. Her limbs are tight, her body clean. Just perfect!
She came with her original dress and two other, original outfits. But I still felt the need to make something "just for her".
I made her this pretty dress with a dainty, striped print and a sheer, cotton apron.
The apron is Simplicity 1391 again. The fabric is a sheer cotton with a "windowpane" design woven in. I added a strip of vintage, insertion lace on the bodice, and also along the hemline. This pattern went together very quickly and has nice details, like the flanges along the shoulders.
It simply ties in the back.
The dress is my own design. I studied lots of antique photos of little girls' fashions from the 1850's, and discovered that there were a lot of options: high necklines, wide necklines, and even off-the-shoulder necklines. Long sleeves, short sleeves. Gathered bodices, plain bodices. So this is my interpretation--a gathered midriff, short sleeves, wide neckline, and a very, full skirt.
I added a bias strip of the fabric at the hemline to add some visual interest. It is trimmed in a sweet, picot-edge bias tape.
The bodice also has piping at the upper bodice and waistband.
Back view
I couldn't leave well enough alone, and just HAD to undo her original braids! Then I couldn't put them back again to look the same. So I invented a new hairstyle for her which I think turned out adorable! I lightly French-braided down the sides, finished braiding all the way down to the ends, and then looped each braid across the back of her head to the opposite side and secured it with a bow.
This doll is most likely from around 1995, based on her short, body tag (which states Pleasant Company 1986, made in Germany), and the Pleasant Company marking on the back of her neck. I would love to own a white body Kirsten someday, but until then, I just love my pretty, new Kirsten!
