My 1950’s Christmas dress for American Girl Maryellen is finished…

I can’t believe it… I managed to get 2 dresses listed on Ebay in 2 days. You know what that means… I got Eden’s 1950’s dress finished! When you last saw it, I was debating about what to add for a hat, socks, and whatever else I thought it needed.

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I still had to do the back of the dress and I decided to add a piece of black trim along the waistline edge to define it somewhat. Of course, that meant taking the sides apart to get the ends of the black trim tucked inside.

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After I finished the dress, I had to decide what kind of hat or head covering I was going to add… I first made a black velvet hat with a band on it…what some people call a muffin hat. But it didn’t look right. I looked at some pictures and decided it needed to have fewer gathers and more sleek and smooth like. It just sits on her head with the opening finished off. A little pom on top was popular in the 50’s so I added one.

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I wanted to make her a pretty pair of tights but they just weren’t popular in the 50’s, so I decided to go with what was in style… white anklets. Before I got them made, I had picked out these black patent leather shoes and I almost passed on the socks altogether. I made the white socks but think I like the dress better without them. It just seems dressier to me.

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Then I had to make the slip to be right in style…

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The winner of the this dress will also get a few “hand picked” ornaments from Eden….and just for my Blog Subscribers: If one of you wins the dress, I’ll add a little special Christmas treat in the box! :o)

If you’d like to take a peek at the Ebay auction, you can click HERE.

I’m hoping to get Ten Ping’s set finished and ready to go on tomorrow night.

The 13″ Dianna Effner, Little Darlings are up next!

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

20 thoughts on “My 1950’s Christmas dress for American Girl Maryellen is finished…”

  1. Oh, how completely adorable this little outfit is, Jeanne! It looks so completely authentic with the white socks! I know, because I was 10 or so in Maryellen’s time, and had 3 younger sisters, so I know a thing or two about how little girls dressed back then! If whoever wins it, (why couldn’t it be me?), doesn’t want the socks, they can always take them off, but it certainly is right for the time.
    I love, love, love, the ruffles at the waistline too, and the little muffin hat, so cute! Molly would look good in this outfit too, as will a lot of dolls! Heck, I’d wear it if I was 10!

    I’m so excited—today I’m going to the AG store in Chesterfield to check out the sales! I have a bit (a large bit) of Christmas shopping to do!

    1. Thanks so much Linda,
      I like it too! That’s always a good thing! I’m so happy that I got it right and that an “expert” like you approves of it! :o)

      I hope you had a wonderful time shopping at the AG store… WAAAA… I want to go sometime… those lucky ducks who are getting gifts from you!
      Thanks so much Linda…
      Blessings, Jeanne

    1. Thank you Connie,
      I appreciate you taking time to comment that you like it… (oops… LOVE it!) that’s even better!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  2. The background you’ve put together is perfect for this dress.
    I also was 10 in Maryellen’s time, with three younger sisters, one named Linda, so I enjoyed Linda’s post. Anklets are the right thing for the 50s, though I remember the bare feet of my classmate Barbie in flats as she sat sideways in her desk, her knees over the sidebar, and her many petticoats showing their edges under her taffeta skirt. She had the fanciest clothes in our class, and the curliest ringlets too. I wonder if she grew up to wear jeans all the time
    Congratulations on your new auction — 2 bids already.

    1. Thanks so much Marilyn,
      I enjoyed your trip down memory lane and glad you approved of the socks too. I did find some new stretchy fabric tonight and will make another pair of socks to see if I like them better. They are a 4 way stretch, so you don’t get that wrinkle right where the shoe strap goes… we’ll see….
      Thanks Marilyn,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Eden looks adorable in her outfit. The trim and the darling hat…just perfect. The dress is so sweet and the ruffles add to the design. Of course, who can beat the plaid at Christmas time. The slip is really cute and so are her little black patent leather shoes. I too would love to have worn Eden’s dress back then, as well as that gorgeous slip.

    We have two family members fighting colds and one of our guests became ill (not from our food though!). The best part is, our 5 year old hot water heater stopped working Friday night!! Yipes!! We called our hot water heater company (this is the third time it has clonked out in the last two months.) and they can’t get here till Monday!! Yipes!!

    We’ve managed to use kettles of hot water for sponge bathing and freshening up. The dishwasher heats itself up for cleaning dishes etc. and whatever pots or pans I use, it gets scrubbed with Dawn detergent and cold water. We have been lounging around, resting with our feet up watching some good old movies, reminiscing and laughing ourselves silly. Another Thanksgiving to remember!!

    1. HI Paula,
      Your compliments for Eden’s dress are over the top and I appreciate them so much! It’s so much fun creating “period” doll clothing…
      Oh dear, sorry about the water heater.. too bad you don’t live closer to me… my hubby is excellent at fixing water heaters…
      I’m so glad in the midst of sickies and no hot water you can still enjoy yourselves and have fun!
      Thanks so much for the nice comments, Paula,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  4. I think it looks great! I like the extra band of black at the waist. It breaks up the red a bit. While my son was sick yesterday I was able to post all my Etsy stuff onto Pinterest. 🙂

    1. HI Christine,
      The black band was shown on the original pattern, but it was my daughter who suggested I add it…
      Great goings for getting all your things listed on Etsy. I wish I could say the same for my Etsy shop! Hope you get lots of sales!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  5. Perfect! Love the accessories. I’m going to try to make a hat like that. I think you may have pictures in your file that you could have made into posters of a proper size for your dolls. They make them at Kinko’s or any copy store for a fair price. How about your snowy yard and pine tree photos. They can do matt or shiny finish on the posters. How about a picture of one of the houses around town or your own house in the snow. Or pose the dolls in front of a poster of the pie safe in your sister’s house or your lovely table with the Colonial style chairs. I had a poster made for Christmas of one of my grandsons surfing and he really liked it. They can laminate them so they are more sturdy.

    Congrats on getting so much finished. You’ll laugh, but I spent easily half an hour wrestling Ten Ping into the outfit she came with. I may have to make something for her soon or I’ll be too intimidated to even try. Still can’t believe you made those tiny shoes.

    1. HI Susette,
      I was looking at posters yesterday and the day before… I just can’t decide what kind of scene would be the best to use…
      I used to use Molly’s school room a lot from the AG Scenes and Settings books and also I used Felicity’s parlor and Samantha’s bedroom… I sold my books so that’s out… but I’ll keep looking at posters.. I think that is a good idea…

      Ten Ping’s original outfit was quite tight when I tried to put it on her the first time.. I know exactly what you mean…
      I just made another pair of shoes for Ten Ping’s new Christmas dress. You’ll see them tomorrow,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  6. Looks like you had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friend.
    Eden looks wonderfully festive in her Christmas dress. I really like the double waist ruffle and the metallic fabric makes her just sparkle. She looks like a Scottish lassie in it with the hat an all. How about ” A Bonny Christmas in the Highlands” as a name for it?
    Well. I must be off. I have to put up the outside Christmas decorations before it gets colder.

    1. HI Laura,
      I’m glad you liked Eden’s Christmas dress. The double ruffle at the waist is fun, isn’t it?
      Well, I already called it Holiday Sparkle, and I have 2 bids on it already, so I’ll have to save your name for next year…but thanks for thinking of it…

      I hope you got your lights all put up… not me… I’m too busy sewing…
      Thanks Laura,
      Blessings, Jeanne

  7. Wow, sounds like everyone is very busy with holiday activities already.
    My poor husband came down with the stomach flu yesterday courtesy of our two year old grand daughter 🙂 No one else got it thankfully.
    Love the black tam and the white socks with the shoes. That’s what we wore.
    Ten Ping tunic update. Tore it apart. Cut new wider trim. Sewed it back on. Only had to rip out one that I continue to sew on right sides together. Ugh, can’t figure out why I keep doing that. Still playing with the little 1/4″ top flap before I sew the trim down. Refolded the pants trim back to the original size and sewed. Pants almost done. Hopefully, today I’ll have more time to sew.
    I’m thankful for hot water. Sorry Paula.

    1. HI Joy,
      Sorry about your hubby being sick… I hope you’re not having to spend all your time playing nursemaid to him… cause you’ve got SEWING that needs to be done, right? :o)

      You sound like you’ve almost got the pattern figured out… I want to see pictures of it when you’re done… :o)
      I’m grateful for hot water too!
      Blessings, Jeanne

  8. Mary Ellen fans will just drool over her Christmas dress….love the bow in back and those ruffles! I tried to think about Christmas dresses I had at that time..(.Geez..are we all about the same age?) …one was a plaid Taffeta but it was brown, green, orange, gold plaid( my Mom loved brown) it was cute but not Christmasssy.
    Can’t wait to see what the Little Darling will be wearing!
    Have a great week!

    1. HI Kathie,
      I think a lot of my ladies ARE all about the same age… lots of you “keep me informed” as to what was popular in the 50’s. I was born in 1956, so I missed most of knowing what was popular in the 50’s…but you all do a great job of letting me know what’s right and what isn’t! Thanks for that!
      I thought of what the Effner’s Christmas dress will be… I hope to cut part of it out tonight… It will be cute if it turns out like it looks in my mind…
      Thanks Kathie,
      Blessings, Jeanne

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