Ok, so this is not thrifted….but it IS one of my favorite vintage items…and it’s not even mine. It’s my mom’s (and aunt’s) Sweet Sue dolls.
Every Sunday dinner of my childhood was spent at my Grandma Lova’s house. And after dinner every Sunday, my sister and I would ask if we could play with my mom’s and aunt’s (luckily there were 2—I am an identical twin you see) Sweet Sue dolls. It was kind of the “American Girl” doll of our childhood. My sister and I would dress, and change outfits over and over again all afternoon and have the best time.
And while I appreciated this doll as a girl (we loved them), it’s not until I began sewing that I can appreciate her even more. Because all of her clothes are HAND-MADE. My grandma sewed all of the clothes for these two dolls one Christmas for my mom and my aunt. Looking at these clothes warms my seamstress heart. My grandma could sew! And she was amazing.! There is more handstitching, linings, darts, and embellishments than most clothes I make. (I am hoping just maybe she passed down some sewing genes…)
Here are some of her outfits….
(I love her suitcase too….)
This dress is scalloped at the bottom and I love it. I want to replicate it….it’s on my to-do list.
Here is the dress that used as my inspiration for the final Project Run and Play look. I can just see my grandma gathering all that tiny tulle ruffle.
This is her red corduroy coat with hat. Darling.
Her breezy summer dress (WITH DARTS! Can you imagine?) and baby ric rac.
Her corduory circle skirt jumper.
And her clam diggers, her pajamas and quilted robe.
Can you see why I love this doll? And now can you see why I love to sit and admire all the sewing. It really is impeccable. (I had to spell check that.)
So, thanks Grandma Lova for planting those sewing seeds.
How incrediable! Her clothes are so well sewn! I love to see other women passing down the hand sewn things from mom to daughter. It really is a work of art. Thanks so much for sharing this!!
Wow they’re so perfect! Thanks for sharing. Look’s like I got granny’s knitting genes 🙂 She did the knitting and her best friend did the sewing.
I’m betting that at one time, your mom and aunt had quite a few clothes that matched, and Sue’s clothes were made from the scraps!
Bratling,
I’ll bet you are right…I need to ask my mom.
Oh gosh, I had that same doll, but no one made such wonderful clothes for her. Oddly that is how I got my start sewing, by making doll clothes at the kitchen table on my mom’s old black Singer. I was a 5 year old with a mission!
I totally want that doll AND all of her clothes! Lucky you!
Just found you through Pinterest and this doll and her GORGEOUS wardrobe are such a treasure!!! I rediscovered sewing about a 1 1/2 years ago when I had to replace my old broken sewing machine (it was 32!). I decided that since I’m storing my DD’s original AG dolls until she has a house with enough room to take them that I’d learn to use my lovely new machine by making doll clothes — what a joy it is and with so many patterns available online, I’m having a blast — she may NEVER get all 3 of those dolls from me — Hee!!! OR maybe I shall just have to buy one of my very own one day?!!! ;~) Thanks so much for sharing your treasured doll memories!