My maternal grandmother, Helen Rowe Bergtrom, died on Sunday at the age of 96. Grandma Helen was not only a talented painter (my readers may recall that I used to have her self-portrait as my blog's image), but also a gifted seamstress: she quilted, she embroidered, and she made dolls. I'll post some of her watercolors next week. Today, though, I've put up some images of two Victorian dolls she made approximately thirty years ago for my sister and me.
A few years ago, I had the dolls restored at a local doll's hospital. This one required only minor work (loose stitching repaired and the yarn wig retucked).
The hairstyle is fairly elaborate:
The dolls even have (handsewn) corsets...
The second doll's silk skirt had to be almost entirely restored (the floral pattern is the original cloth).
She has a chignon:
That is amazing. Lordy, the time and love involved, not to even mention the skill!
Posted by: Belle | November 17, 2009 at 07:48 PM
I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I hadn't known who had done the watercolor that you used to use on the blog, but I admired it from the first time I saw it.
Posted by: Brian Ogilvie | November 17, 2009 at 09:38 PM
My condolences, Miriam.
Posted by: R Lapides | November 17, 2009 at 10:03 PM
I'm so sorry for you loss; but how wonderful it is that you still have those beautiful dolls as a reminder of your grandmother.
Posted by: Deb | November 18, 2009 at 08:56 AM
Those are wonderful dolls. As a kid I was always interested in doll underwear -- I would have appreciated the corsets. What nice mementos of your grandmother.
Posted by: Nimble | November 18, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Those are lovely, and I'm very sorry to hear about your grandmother.
I especially love the bodice on that second dress.
Posted by: Marya | November 18, 2009 at 03:45 PM
I'm so sorry. The dolls are beautiful.
Posted by: Heather | November 26, 2009 at 01:37 PM