Polly dresses for the Seashore

For over a year, Polly stood in silence on a high shelf overlooking the studio’s work space. Hour after hour, day after day she saw the same sight – her maker sitting and stitching. Not much action or excitement, to be sure! Then one day she was abruptly grabbed and stripped down to her underwear. She was getting a new sailor suit for a trip to the seashore!

But first, Polly underwent a bit of reconstruction on her shoulder and upper arm. Too much waving, perhaps. Her active lifestyle was the inspiration to add an extra sturdy body to the 2nd edition of my how-to book, Felt Wee Folk. Her recovery time was short and she could soon lift her arms while being fitted with a new blue cotton skirt.

It was important for Polly to have a hat to shade her delicate complexion, so she used the straw one that she wore on a previous adventure in 2016 to Anne of Green Gables territory on PEI. For this trip, it was embellished with a new blue rim.

Polly’s felt clothes are sewn on, since she’ll wear the same outfit for the unforeseen future. Until her next trip, that is.

The sailor collar has a wire stitched around the outside edge for stability.

Then, the outfit’s signature stripes were chain stitched around three sides.

The front of the collar was attached in place with a few stitches.

All that blue and white needed a contrasting silk tie!

Last to come was the hat and she’s off on her next adventure to the seashore. Stay tuned for photos of her trip! To see more of Polly Doll’s travels, visit this page.

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14 thoughts on “Polly dresses for the Seashore”

Polly looks a lot like Anne of Green Gables in her new summer frock!

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Salley Mavor on August 6, 2019 at 11:40 am said:

Yes, Mary Pat. She went to PEI in 2016. You can see her adventure here: https://weefolkstudio.com/2016/09/18/polly-in-pei/

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I love these posts and the details of the clothing. Deceptively simple and intricate at the same time.

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Hope you and Polly enjoy your trip tip to PEI. This is the land of my ancestors and a place close to my heart.

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Salley Mavor on August 6, 2019 at 11:41 am said:

Thanks Lois. Polly went to PEI in 2016 and you can see her adventure here: https://weefolkstudio.com/2016/09/18/polly-in-pei/

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I love seeing her evolve, especially her hat!

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Thank you for sharing these photos! I especially liked seeing the construction of the hat – basically a very tiny version of coiled basket weaving! Can you tell me how you get her to stay stable on her little stand? Do you sew the shoes to it and then just slip her feet inside them? Thanks!

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Salley Mavor on August 6, 2019 at 11:39 am said:

Thanks Janny. As for the doll stand, her shoes are sewn onto her feet first and then the shoes are sewn to the stand.

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