Monday, March 21, 2016

Janet's Dilemma


Polly Pocket Janet* was purchased last year with plans to organize a travel doll event this year for my doll group.  The event has been organized and was launched last week.  Several group members will host Janet in their homes between now and the end of September, each keeping Janet for two weeks before mailing her to the next host.  Janet will experience fun outings that will be captured and shared with group members in still photos and videos.  At the end of her travels, Janet will live with one of the members, but not me, permanently.

I am Janet's first host.  After removing her romper to try on dresses on hand that she might be able to wear, I discovered that with a dress Janet will need underwear.  I wasn't able to find a small enough to pair to fit her.  Remembering the sock dresses I made and how well heavy knit fabric worked to make them, I decided to utilize something similar for Janet's undies.

This is a white inspection glove, a finger of which was used to fashion undies for Janet.

The first attempt was a fail because I used an inspection glove, which is very lightweight, ravels easily at raw edges, and stretches out of shape.

My second pantie-making attempt worked better.  I used a heavier weighted glove designed to protect hands from cold weather.  Below are photos and captions of what was done using both types of gloves to fashion undies for Janet.

Inspection Glove Undies


The middle finger of the glove was cut away as illustrated above.


The corners of the glove tip were cut diagonally toward the center as shown here, leaving a portion of the middle seam intact to serve as the crotch of the pantie.

The fit is decent, but the edges ravel easily. (If these were to be used, the top would be trimmed and the raw edges sewn under, as shown in the next photo.)
Winter Glove Undies

I purchased this set of two winter gloves for $1.29. The same method used to make the first pantie was used to make the second.

The middle finger of the glove was cut away.

The sides were cut away diagonally from the tip of the glove, leaving the center stitched portion intact.

Janet tries the undies on for size to see how much of the top needs to be trimmed.

There's enough coverage in the front and back.

The top was trimmed away.  I whip stitched the raw edges at the waist and legs, but they lacked something.

The pantie needed lace treatment.  I added lace trim using lace from two manufactured doll panties.

Lace has been added to the waist and legs of Janet's pantie.

She models from the front...

...and from the back.

Now, when wearing dresses she won't have to worry about exposing her jewels.  :-)


She can also wear her undies underneath her original Polly Pocket-holding romper without a problem.


*Polly Pocket Janet by Mattel was released in 1994.  She is friend of Stacie, Barbie's littlest sister.  This one is a doll collector; she collects Polly Pocket dolls and was issued with three: one African American, one Hispanic, and one Caucasian.


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12 comments:

  1. That's so cute. I remember undies with ruffles and lace as a kid. Very itchy if I recall, but hers look nice and comfy.

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    1. I remember buying the lacy-backed ones for my daughter that had rows of lace in back as well as at the legs.

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  2. Very cute idea for making undies! I will have to give this a try. Janet will be much happier in her travels with some underwear!

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    1. Yes, Phyllis, she will need this extra coverage. She will travel to a Mid-Atlantic state next where it will probably still be a little chilly.

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  3. Hi Debbie! You did a great job with the undies. I like the lace trimming.
    You might be able to make Janette a hat, an infinity scarf and a sweater using the remaining parts of te gloves, since she is going to somewhere chillier next time.
    Keep having fun!
    Arlette

    By the way I read the interview you gave to the French blog. That was really kind of you.

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    1. A hat, scarf, and sweater are great ideas, Arlette. I will see what I can do. I'm already thinking about making her a simple tube dress using a headband with ribbon shoulder straps. Thanks for the suggestion.

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  4. I remember hosting a couple of travel dolls. It was fun to get out and explore new things. I do love the idea for making undies. I have a few pairs from when they made clothing sets for the dolls. Janet will have fun. I love the Polly Pockets line of Stacie & friends

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    1. Yes, I believe Janet should "plan" to have lots of adventures with women scheduled to host her.

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  5. That a cute idea for underclothes!

    I hadn't realized that Polly Pockets came in larger sizes - I guess I'm behind the times, because I'd only seen those tiny ones. She's cute though, so that's good to know!

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    1. H jSarie - Polly Pockets do not come in larger size (as far as I know). Janet is friend of Stacie, Barbie's littlest sister. Janet is a Polly Pocket collector (a doll that collects dolls :-) ). She has three pockets on her dress, each holds a Polly Pocket doll, which is removable. Also included in her box, but not shown, is a Polly Pocket carrying case.

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  6. Very creative idea with the undies. I'm sure she appreciates the extra coverage. I've never participated in a travel dolly excursion. Sounds like fun.

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  7. Thanks, Vanessa. It's been fun so far, even for me, a person who is public-shy about doll collecting. Carrying one out and about really makes takes me away from my comfort zone. But who cares what people think, right?

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