CHALLENGE ONE - VINTAGE

The first challenge word is vintage, and it makes me really excited and happy! I love trolling old shoppes and thrift stores for a vintage gem that I can pull old lace and various other accoutrements from! However, although my taste demands vintage clothing include old lace and be very feminine, I speculate this won't be true for everyone in this competition.

In fact, with the new vintage-o-meter that indicates vintage can be designated as early as the 60s or 70s, I believe I wouldn't be far off in assuming there will be various eras as well as styles represented.

However, I immediately put those thoughts aside because I know 2 things; I really want to create a collection, and I want it to represent MY vision. I want to create just the right item to represent this intriguing word.


How am I going to do this? Well, after much deliberation I realize to do what I want to do I'm going to have to go back, way back, and create the kind of girly girl collection that I would be happy to have in my closet. Of course, that is, if I was the age I think of my Ellowyne, Pippa - 18. It's clear; I know I want to create the kind of thing you've come to love in collections produced by the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier (his romanic years) and Betsey Johnson. In my mind it would be the a perfect collection for my granddaughter...if I had one.

What fun getting my ideas together! I do a little research, look at some of my past drawings, revisit my fabric, and then I sit down with my notepad and try to find the exact direction I want to go in. Think hip, young, and definitely sweet. Also consider that this ensemble will set the tone for the rest of my collection - so this one needs to not only shine in this leg of the competition; it also needs to lead me towards the rest of my collection.


As I pulled out dupioni silk, small ribbons and prints, old lace and small charms, a plan began to formulate. I just knew my line had to be called Confections. Confections, in my mind, are ensembles that are as sweet as any bakery dish - definitely ensembles that represent the consumate girly girl!

My colors would basically be cream, pink, and lavender. My vintage ensemble would consist of a fitted top and balloon skirt in cream dupioni. The top would be appliqued with vintage lace, and the skirt features a lace overlay. The other colors, soft lavender and pink, would be lightly scattered across the ensemble in the ribbonwork. They would form little bow closures for this outfit - no snaps would be necessary here.



The cream would represent the icing on this particular Confections offering called Ballet. Then the tiny ballerina and shoes dangling on her purse, and the ballet slipper pin on her lapel make it clear where this little Missy would go in this ensemble. The soft pink and lavender ribbons serve as a kind of sprinkles to give the outfit some color.



Hooray, I'm set - this outfit, along with the rest of my collection will feature the challenge word, and my key elements of silk, lace (some vintage, some not), ribbons, and charms! I think I"m set.

And I was - I was able to finish and photograph my ensemble in time to enter it in the competition!!! YAY!! What do you think of my answer to challenge one?

Well, unfortunately, I didn't win, but I still remain undaunted. Onward and upward to capture the next challenge word - PLEATS!!

The journey begins...

Dot Festeu (aka dollenchantments)

Welcome to my place to showcase the doll designs in my Confections Collection. I'll be doing this collection for the Project Dollway at Home competition. Of course, if I happen to complete any other outfits, OOAK dolls, or repaints along the way, I'll include them too. The latter may be sparse - PDaH requires alot of work; at least it does for me.

If you're a doll person you're probably aware of PDaH. But for those who perhaps have been really busy, or possibly living under a rock - let me tell you a little about it.

It is a competition for doll fashion designers. It lasts six months, has already started, and will conclude in April. There will be 12 challenges. Each week a new one word challenge is given. Each artist must design and execute an outfit that both represents the challenge word, and flows with the other 11 designs in this competition to form a collection. This competition requires a big commitment, but it's also challenging, and a lot of fun.

As for me; I've always basically made OOAK dolls with outfits that were either sculpted or sewn onto the doll. Last year that all changed when I entered the At Home Challenges of the original Project Dollway and acquired an Ellowyne doll.

What a beauty is my Wigged Out, and all the more fun as I can change her personality as easily as changing her wig. What fun!! She just had to have outfits, so I had to make a real commitment to sew. But I've found being in a competition gives me guidelines and deadlines that have really helped me accomplish my goals!

Okay, well, I'm sure you're ready to hear all about my Collection - but I have to keep it under wraps until Monday. But check back then and I'll not only let you in on what the Collection will be based on, but I'll also show you the first design!

In the meantime, I've posted my latest finished creation. She reminds me of the Zena character's sidekick Gabriella, so I named her Gabriell. The original doll was made by the Tonner Company, and was known as a Seventeen doll. This doll is no longer in production, stands about 15 inches tall, and has flat feet. She has received a full repaint, and her costume is not removable. The trim features hand embroidery work, beading, and a sufficient amount of charms for one to imagine her outfit was made out of items found in a fairy garden. The skirt features machine embroidery and has been singed to emulate how it would have weathered during her forest forays. I had fun making this doll, and I hope you enjoy viewing her!