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Thursday, September 21, 2017

Crochet Pillow Options Include Doilies

Don't forget that doilies also make marvelous pillows for a room that is on the feminine side.  There are an almost endless array of motifs, and sizes as well.


This lovely pineapple pillow was created from a centerpiece doily created from National Needlecraft Leaflet A-126; all the way back to 1939.  
This Enchantment Doily is also a centerpiece at 19-1/2 inches. Combine it with a dark, or brightly colored fabric and it would become a marvelous couch accent.  

This Dainty Doily, at 26 inches,  is complex and eye catching!  The official "Dainty Doily name" seems a bit misplaced!

Now, the pillow doesn't have to be round ... this beauty of a medallion pattern to create the Dew Drop Doily Mat can be created at sizes of your choice and also has the WOW factor.  
This pattern is available as a Free Download.

Choose your doily pattern based on pillow size if you are using purchased pillow stock, or create a customized size with Poly-Fill.  The doily is stitched to the pillow top.   If you'd like, you could also use 'Wonder-Under to further secure your fiber art to the fabric.

There's a ton of crochet doilies, as  well as crochet squares/medallions in the shop, should you care to browse.

Thanks for dropping by,



Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Crochet Pineapple Doily Patterns, A Category of Their Own

I was browsing around in the Doilies category looking for a specific pattern, when it dawned on me that there were 34 pages (18 patterns per page). Now, that's quite a bit to weed through when looking for something specific. Which got me to thinking that it might also be quite a chore for the customer. So, it called for breaking the patterns into two categories. It didn't take long to decide the dividing point would be pineapples. There are a Huge number of Pineapple Doilies.

How many ... well, at this point in time, 395. There quite a bit of variety going on:


Some are quite simple, like this pretty Cloverleaf doily from Coats & Clarks


And some are downright elegant like this Mail Order 5186 Masterpiece - Thank you Anne Cabot


And you might classify a few as discrete as in this Sea Spray Ruffled Doily.

Not many, but there's a couple that you could call colorful, like this Pineapple delight doily from Lily Mills.  Of course, with planning, any doily could be crocheted 'colorful'.

Well, I could go on and one here. You know, large, medium, small, scalloped, etc. etc. etc., but I'm sure you've got the point.


Thanks for dropping by, 


Saturday, September 2, 2017

Crochet Barbie Fashion Doll Clothes, Mail Order Designs

It was a glorious year for little girls. It was 1959 and Mattel released a creation of Ruth Handler called the Barbie Doll. Little girls across America were instantly enchanted and the rest is history.
As the Barbie Doll arrived to each home, the next essential need was the wardrobe. Which means, of course, loving Moms pulled out the cloth, scissors and yarn and started sewing, crocheting and knitting clothes fashion outfits for the beloved doll. This, of course, drove the pattern companies to start issuing patterns for those outfit.
I have several of these patterns from the early 1960's found mainly in over-the-counter magazines (like McCalls Needlecraft), as well as several Mail Order Designs. Here, let me show you a few.


Design 525 - Crocheted Bride and Bridemaid's Gowns. Just about every little girl would want these outfits.

Sweet Teen Bride is another bridal outfit (or great party dress without the veil). Did you notice the pineapples?. This pattern was issued as a Coat's and Clarks Leaflet.

Design 199 - Mail Order Pattern - Most likely Anne Cabots. This Design gives us a coat, top, skirt, hat and two choice dresses.

Design 7362, Crocheted Doll's Wardrobe. This Mail Order Design is in the Alice Brooks number series, and gives mix and match options consistent with the times .... notice the ripple poncho.

Tea Time Ensemble - This pattern from The Workbasket features more variations on mix and match options.
Just for fun, a little Barbie Trivia ...
  • Birthdate: March 9, 1959
  • Born: Willows, Wisconsin (a fictional place)
  • First Outfit: One Piece Swimsuit
  • First Hairstyle: Ponytail
I have no doubt a fair number more Fashion Doll patterns will be added to this small collection as I have a a HUGE amount of patterns I've yet to work my way through. The number will, however, be limited by what is in public domain; i.e. 1959 into early 1960's.
Thanks for dropping by,
Lorrie