China, Parian & Paper Mache Doll Clothing

Types of China Doll Dresses

TO SEE BELOW Samples of Dresses Available

WHAT KIND OF DRESSES ARE THERE?

Women were constantly changing their clothing so it was only natural that dolls also reflected clothing styles. The rule of thumb is thinking about dresses is that the dresses became tighter and fancier as the day moved on.

NOTE: For discussion purposes, china doll dresses had fitted bodices. The sleeves varied with fashion in fullness and style as well as the skirt being more or less full, depending on the season and current style. At times the skirts were full all the way around, other times less in front and more in back (bustle influence) and then finally form fitting and fuller toward the hem.

Starting out with the morning, a lady wore a wrapper. This is a dress that does not require a lot of under-clothing support of petticoats and corsets. The dress is looser fitting to allow the wearer movement in doing chores around the house. Fabrics would be more functional as in cotton or wool.

A typical day dress would be floor length with long sleeves and a neck-line that was fitted around the neck or a high collar. The dress is worn around the house, again, made with functional fabrics like cotton or wool.

Stepping out to do some shopping or a walk the walking dress would have a slight train and ankle length to allow for walking without tripping. The fabric would have been functional or more fine. The dress could also be an upgrade from the day dress where collars and cuffs are added as well as a cape or bertha. A hat would have been worn. Full undergarments would have been worn under the dress (drawers, petticoats, hoops, corset, bustle).

Moving into late afternoon or evening, the dress would be more of a gown with finer fabrics with fancier trims. Sleeves would be shorter to reveal more of the arm and necklines were not as tight. The dress would be tightly fitting.

Going out in the evening to dinner, friends, a play or concert, the dress would have been more extreme. Made of the finest of fabrics and trims, the neckline might reveal the breasts, little or no sleeves and have a lengthy train. The finest the wearer has in jewelry would have been worn.

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NOTE: Because china dolls do not generally have standard size bodies, all dresses are custom made to measurements provided by buyer, therefore prices reflect the extended time it takes to make a custom item and antique materials used in the fabrication.

Civil War Day Dress with Hemline Cording & Lattice Trim

These examples of a typical Day dresses are similar, yet have slight style differences. Both of these fabrics are in stock and can be utilized to fabricate similar dresses for you china doll, utilizing old jewelry pieces for accent as well as antique and vintage trims currently in stock. Because china doll bodies vary in proportions, each dress is individually assembled and customized to the your liking.

1840 Custom Costume for Bald China Head

This costume is typical of an 1840 walking dress design. The pointed bodice is fitted with a button broach and the skirt has even gathers for fullness. The dress is done entirely of real silk. The bodice features a complimentary pleated silk lapel over a bodice that is made of the same fabric as the skirt. Straight sleeves are utilized with antique lace at the cuffs. The skirt has wide stunning embroidery surrounding the lower portion. To bring the assembly together, a silk bonnet is fashioned with antique velvet flowers, vintage tulle, and silk ribbon. (flowers and lace vary with availability) Underneath she wears a couple of petticoats, drawers and a corset. Shawl and hat sold separately.

1840 bald china head doll

Bodice with tucked lapel and antique lace

View of Silk Hat with antique details

Closeup of detailed embroidery

Antique White Lace Dress for Civil War Period

Appropriate for Civil War era antique doll (1860-1870). This Covered Wagon style head china head doll dress is made using an era antique collar. The dress has a fitted bodice and full gathered lace skirt over a batiste cotton under skirt. The appliqués on the bodice are cut from the same collar as the skirt to bring together the right look. Gathered in back for added fullness, the dress has period details of embroidery and seed bead buttons. Underneath is a 3 hoop petticoat & ankle length pantaloons. Her hat is antique lace with antique jewelry at the back. Seed beads & silk ribbon provide back closure. This dress is a OOAK but is available with other antique materials to create a similar elegant look. Shawl and bonnet sold separately

Antique White Lace Dress Sizes

Day Dress with Bustle

This 1880 style day dress is done in taffeta with hemline pleats & matching wrap. Accents include hand done antique lace around the neckline and in tucks with a broach at the neck. The bodice is fitted and gathered for fullness in back with a bustle. The skirt has a front straight lined with fullness mainly in the back. This version is taffeta, other fabrics available upon request. INCLUDES dress & shawl.

Walking Dress with Apron & Bustle

Curly Top China doll in Walking Dress

Side view showing lines of apron and bustle

Walking the streets for a stroll, shopping or visiting does not get any more elegant. Appropriate for 1870-1880 china doll, this voile cotton walking dress features a full skirt with front apron and back bustle constructed in long ties. The fitted bodice is a straight line with puffed sleeves. Finishing touches include tiny pin tucks on the skirt with antique and cotton lace for trim. Underneath is a hooped petticoat & drawers. This walking dress can be custom made in several fabric to highlight your dolls best features.

Blouse, Skirt & Shawl Set

This dress set includes a skirt, blouse and shawl and is available in your choice of many 100% cotton. The doll shown is an 1890-1930 vintage in which the owner had a piece of family jewelry she wanted incorporated into the outfit and was used as a broach. Each outfit is made to order with accented antique lace and can also be fitted with a matching bonnet upon request. Underneath this doll is wearing drawers and an eyelet cotton petticoat accented with 2 rows of pin tucks. (see slip, petticoat page for ordering and details).

Day Dress & Cape Set

Cotton Civil War replica fabric dress has a fitted bodice and full skirt. It is trimmed with antique lace at the collar and neck, accented with soutache braid on the bodice and hem. The shawl is a contrasting color, but accented with like trim as the dress to bring the set together.

Silk Dress with Bustle & Pin Tucks

This dress is appropriate for post Civil War (late 1860-1870) It is done in real silk. The accents include 3 rows of pin tucks, antique lace at the bodice, antique lace apron and bustle and matching hat with paper flowers, ostrich feathers and silk ribbon. All ribbons are silk. The sleeves are fitted. Down the center bodice is a row of beading lace accented with tiny complementary buttons. Underneath she has a white eyelet hooped petticoat and pantaloons. Bonnet sold separately.

Silk Dress with Bustle Sizes

Walking Dress with Box Pleats

Walking Dress – 100% cotton, This fitted bodice, 3/4 length sleeve dressed has a lined bodice for smooth fitting. It is accented with gathered antique lace on both the sleeves and neckline. Hook and eye closure. Skirt is also fully lined with fitted waistband and full skirt. The panels can be done in any complimentary fabric. I have a wide variety of fabrics to choose from so many color selections are available. This dress can be done in other fabrics as well.

Homespun Dress & Taffeta Jacket Set

This dress has a fitted taffeta jacket with a matching cording trim at the edge with button frog closure at waist. Dress is made of Homespun brand 100% cotton plaid fabric, fitted at the waist with a flare to the hemline. Available in assorted colors and fabrics.

Day Dress with Bertha

Day dress with Bertha collar fabric and trim

Note trim and lace utilized in bodice

Front view showing fullness of skirt and fitted bodice

Back view showing belt, collar and trim

This style of day dress can be made in a wide assortment of cotton. It features a full skirt with fitted bodice with removable Bertha shawl collar. Because these dresses are custom, accessories as in cording (see hem, sleeves, collar), buttons, lace, and trims are subject to personal taste of the customer. The sleeves are slightly puffed and gathered at the cuff. The collar is trimmed with the same antique style fabric and lace as is utilized on the dress.

Cotton Velveteen with Lace Collar & Ruching

Made of vintage cotton velveteen, the dress is fashioned after one worn by Mary Lincoln and is authentic to 1800′s era. (see Mary Lincoln section for details) The bodice is fitted with bell sleeves and ruching trim. Skirt is tailored to be less gathered in front with more fullness in back for the pre-bustle effect. Lined in 100% cotton.

Civil War Pin Tuck Bodice Day Dress

This cotton day dress is made of 100% cotton. It features a fitted bodice with pin-tucked breast panel accented with buttons and tiny inset lace. The skirt is full and gathered. The sleeves are straight lined with an overlay made from an antique handkerchief and a fitted cuff. The dress is appropriate for 1860-1880 dolls. Available upon request are other fabric combinations.

Corset

This corset can be made for a wide variety of antique style dolsl from a china doll to a fashion doll, including hour-glass figures and straighter bodied ball jointed bodies or leather bodied antique dolls. Made with a variety of laces from eyelet to fine, across the bust line, waist and center panel. Silk ribbon used in back to draw edges together for perfect fit. (sample is basic design, which changes slightly with updates)

Petticoat for China Dolls

100% cotton petticoat with authentic details featuring a fitted waist, rows of pin tucked cotton and lace at hem. Please reference size chart for approximate size. Petticoat has additional 1″ at waist band for adjustment. Custom sizes available, please email request.

Hoop Petticoat for China Dolls

100% cotton, appropriate for china and parian antique dolls. This authentic petticoat is fabricated with several pin tucks and lace at hem. Styles vary slightly with materials available. Hoop is above hemline to allow for draping. Because of size variances, please reference size chart for size approximations. Waist bands are fitted with 1″ additional for adjustment and are closed with gold safety pin.

Pantaloons With Fitted Waistband

Authentic replica straight leg pantaloons with fitted waistband, pin tucks and lace trim at hem. Please consult size chart for waist approximation. Allowance of 1″ additional is added. Closure with safety pin.