Stitched and Knitted smocks for Collector's dolls 2003-5

 I first became interested in knitted and stitched smocks some years ago

as they seemed to represent the nearest the English had to a national costume

I spent happy hours researching children's clothing

visiting the costume collection at Platt Hall in Manchester

and studying French layette and children's underwear.

Why French?

Because the stitches were so small and the seams so tiny!

Then I cut scaled patterns for Collector's dolls

This doll above is 25" high, but most were 14 - 20".

The cardigan was knitted from Appleton's crewel wool

with size 20 needles (about the thickness of a paperclip)

Most of the dresses were made from Liberty's Tana Lawn

This how I remember being dressed when I was little-

in hand-me-down smocked dresses