~ The Babysitter ~ Molly and Mary…

Since I decided to make this set for the 1940’s; American Girl Molly’s time period, I thought I better find a name for the baby that was popular in those years. The number one girls name in 1944 was Mary…and I thought it had a nice ring… Molly and Mary… so I figured it was meant to be!

Molly’s dress was made from the only fabric I had in my stash that had aqua (the stroller wheels), pink (the baby’s onesie) and purple, (the stroller handle). I’m sort of funny about making things match… If you’re going to do a set, have it match… (just think what it would have looked like with the stroller if I had used a navy and white print for the dress, and then trimmed it in red rick rack…) ICK!

If you click on any picture it will enlarge.

I just made a sweet little girls dress and accented it with some pink criss cross trim and a few felt flowers.

The skirt is full and has a bit of lace at the hem and I used pink thread to make a scalloped stitch very faintly just above the hem. The dress closes in back with snaps covered by pretty white buttons.

Underneath Molly’s dress is a white tulle slip which holds out her dress nicely. I made a new pair of white socks for her too.

She has purple ribbons tied in her hair…

Mary is looking sweet as can be in her stroller… When I first held Molly up to the stroller, she was barefoot and her hands reached the stroller handle better. Now that she’s in shoes and socks, her fingers just touch.

 

Molly looks like she’s got this “babysitting” thing down pretty well, don’t you think?

Anyone remember how much you got paid an hour for babysitting in the 1940’s? Just curious… ( just guessed on the .25 cents, but decided to google in anyway and .25 cents was the going rate… some girls asked for .45 cents if they did dishes and vacuumed…) :o)

I managed to get it listed on Ebay, so here is the link, if you’d like to see it!    ~ The Babysitter ~
(or you can click on the picture at the right side bar… just under Elizabeth’s Regency dress, which ends tomorrow evening…)

See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne

14 thoughts on “~ The Babysitter ~ Molly and Mary…”

  1. I never wore anything half so pretty to babysit — well, maybe half as pretty. Just as well — I remember one cute baby girl who drank and drank from her bottle, and then it all came back up and covered the entire front of my dress. Fortunately I was just across the street from home and my mother brought me a clean dress. I’d never want that to happen to Molly’s dress.

    In the mid-30’s my dad, then a teenager, made 25 cents for 2 hours work. In the later 50’s, I made 25 cents an hour for taking care of 5 children — I was 12 or 13 and the kids were 10 and younger. I would say Molly was very well paid.

    Congratulations on making something so clever so quickly. Elizabeth’s auction is Saturday evening and Molly’s is Tuesday night?

  2. Charlotte Trayer

    This turned out so cute!! I love Molly’s dress, and she sure does look happy to be holding that baby!! (I see that you added some red hair to the baby, too-how cute! Was that from your daughter’s recent haircut?)

    I didn’t really start babysitting until 1960, and then I got 50¢ an hour, and 75¢ an hour after midnight. I also expected one of the parents to take me home (or walk me home, when it was just down the street). Usually they left snacks and soft drinks for me, too, and I often brought along homework if I put the children to bed while I was there.

    1. Charlotte Trayer

      I just realized I hadn’t read the previous post yet, so, yes, you added hair but it was Tibetan wool. It looks so cute!! I may have to get one of those babies myself, and try my hand.

      1. Charlotte Trayer

        P.S. Thinking back to your post of the other day: you said you “erased” and redid some of the marks–do you mean you used an eraser, or perhaps water on a Q-Tip? Just curious, and thanks in advance for the answer!!

        1. HI Charlotte,
          I used a kneaded eraser…one of those gray kinds… but I suppose water on a q-tip might have worked too… I just didn’t think that way… :o/
          If you get a baby doll, let me see what you do with her…
          Blessings, Jeanne

  3. Hi! I’m surfacing today while in WV with Riya, 7, and Krish, 4. I know what Linda refers to when she says it is quite a challenge to keep up with their energy levels. They grow so fast when you don’t see them for six months and are so much fun. We went to do-it-yourself ceramic painting place yesterday to paint pieces that will be fired and given to Mommy and Daddy. Off to the Children’s Museum today.

    Jeanne, you are so inventive. Who could have turned that poor little doll into what you have created but you! The whole set is just darling. I’ve barely been keeping up with reading but little time for commenting. I’ll be making a cover for their young dog’s sleeping cage out of a darling print from Hobby Lobby that has dogs all over it. Wish me luck. Thanks for all of the wonderful posts.

  4. I just knew it was Molly!!! That is an adorable outfit, and wow, so pretty for a babysitting job! I love the special touches, the piping around the collar, the pretty lace at the waistband, and along the hemline. The print is so colorful and cheerful! Who wouldn’t want a babysitter wearing that outfit? I never did babysit mainly because I was the oldest of 4 girls, so there was always someone I had to “watch”, and for sure, there was no pay involved! And to think I now am babysitting for free, but then, it’s my grandson!

    I love the cute little socks! Those shoes were the giveaway, since that’s what Molly came in, and Samantha too! It looks to me like they are going to some sort of carnival or state fair, or even the circus! We always dressed up for such things, but it’s not like that anymore. Such a cute duo, Jeanne!

  5. Hi, Jeanne! It’s me…the prodigal. I just have to tell you, this is such a wonderful dress! The way you matched the colors to the baby and stroller…the way you fixed the baby up…all of it is just fabulous, but then so is everything you put your hand to. I do read almost every one of your blogs, seldom comment..just wanted you to know I’m still here and I’ve seen SO many beautiful and amazing creations recently. Shame on me for not just leaving a note to acknowledge that! Love and continued prayers! p.s. how are reuben and the chickens doing?

  6. Beautiful, Jeanne. I’ll bet it was nice to have such a quick sweet outfit to make without laboring so much AND have it turn out so well. You’re a marvel with your creations. Another thanks for sharing it all with us….it’s a blessing as are you.

  7. What a darling outfit and accessories! It was cute before but seeing it all together, it is even cuter! Molly’s summer dress looks so pretty and summery. All the parts coordinate together just perfectly. It was great fun watching you create Mary. I hope you had fun too.
    Hope you have a good day.
    Take care.

  8. Love Molly’s dress and the new and improved sitter child. I think the pic of her holding the baby is just the sweetest.
    50 cents was the regular amount I earned babysitting in the early 60’s. My salary at the recreation dept. for my first job was $1.35. Woopie!
    Pixie Faire has a cute peasant top pattern for free today for American Girls.
    Wonder what the next artistic project may be?

  9. Hi everyone,
    I don’t think I’m going to be able to make any comments except probably this one. We are doing stuff helping for a wedding this weekend and my day is slipping away from me and I still have lots of things that have to be done. I’m so glad you like the Molly and Mary dress set. I hope someone likes it enough to buy it. :o)
    Thanks so much for your sweet comments,
    Blessings, Jeanne

  10. You are an undisguised blessing for the bride and her family. I remember being up late making the mints for the wedding of one of my sisters. We had some lovely weddings, and to have had someone like you there lending encouragement, a helping hand, and a lot of talent would have been wonderful. Thanks for keeping us up with what you are doing.

  11. This is a darling set, Jeanne! Very different and creative. Molly’s dress fabric matches baby and stroller perfectly, and baby looks so sweet after all your special touches. Molly looks confident in her role as The Babysitter, and baby seems happy in her care!

    I had a summer job babysitting for an adorable toddler boy whose father was a policeman and whose mother was a nurse working the 7-3 shift. My assignment included, waking, dressing, feeding both breakfast and lunch, playing, nap time, and light household chores, as well as tending the dog. My pay in the ’70s was 50 cents per hour. My annual salary for my first year of teaching in 1979 was $9,000. Labors of love, both, but oh so rewarding!

    What a coincidence! We’re leaving for Toledo to celebrate my niece Sarah’s wedding tomorrow. My daughter Kate has a role in the ceremony. With traveling and visiting, I may not comment, but I will definitely find a few moments to read your blog, Jeanne. I’m not sure what is more exciting — the pleasure of helping you chose fabrics and titles, or the delight of your surprise projects. Good thing you offer us both kinds of experiences on “I Dream of Jeanne Marie!” Wishing you and your readers a wonderful weekend!

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