Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

HAUTE COUTURE of the Hollow ;Dressing a Mamsey Bear, part 2

  All the little seamstresses threaded their needles and  gathered their twist..
 The tailor shop was abuzz with activity all week long;

Measuring, cutting, sizing patterns and stitching up a storm!
When it comes to BEAR, one size does not fit all and Mamsey is a perfect example: small waist, very large hips and bottom, all befitting a mother grizzly.
She sat patiently for all her fittings, she is a very gracious lady.
 Paper towels make great patterns..
And little chippys make tiny stitches.

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The Milliners were busy making bonnets for a bear size head...
 Using the Mistress's old straw hats and scraps of fabric.
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Waistcoats are fitted and pinned....to perfection. Mamsey sits  for hours and hours
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Our seamstresses add special touches to cuffs and collars.



Last minute care is taken to sew hems just the right length..
one last stitch and a final knot, finished!

 And NOW, Fashions fit for a Woodland Bear!
Presenting
 Haute Couture of Hopalong Hollow

All well dressed bear have at least 2 pair of striped stockings to wear with their wooden clogs, the footwear of choice for bear-folk in the deep woods of the Hollow.
  Mamsey wears her straw bonnet with satin pink ribbon and coordinating floral pink cape adorned with crochet trim. She wears hats with such flair!
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This purple velvet waistcoat is the Color of the night sky and the perfect cut to show off a girlish waist. Add a forest foliage pattern on the green  waist-scarf and you have the essence of tre chic!
 All traveling bear need a stylish embroidered pocket to carry "the perfect needle" and other necessities and a handmade wicker basket to carry one's thread.

All in all, a most charming outfit for a stroll amid the daffodils, or a visit to the Hopalongs and Whiskerkins. A La Mode!
 Yes, this lovely ensemble can be worn for shopping, visiting or wandering in the woods.

 
 Our next outfit is just what a Bear needs for a lovely summer night beneath the stars whilst strumming her harp. In fact, the fabric is filled with summer stars.

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This attire is also appropriate for a day of poking about in the garden.
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A simple but classic little frock with tiny patterned hearts and flowers on  cotton fabrics of red and sunny yellow, worn with or without the apron.

   Add the ladylike apron with delicate stitching on the collar and bitty buttons on shoulder straps and 
 a casual  floppy mop cap...
  And a wool scarf to complete the casual charm for a gentlewoman Bear.

Just as captivating whilst baking a loaf of bread... indeed!

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 Last but not least in our "High Fashion in the Hollow", a lovely outfit for Market day.
Blue tweed wool is our fabric of choice for this dapper jacket.
  A stylish red and blue tartan for apron and bonnet
blend beautifully with a powder blue skirt with a floral theme.
What a  smart little coat, embellished with
 shiny black buttons. ( Just like Dimity Doormouse's little black eyes!)
 Gossamer grosgrain sky blue ribbon adorns our bonnet and looks FAB tied to the side in a fat bow.
 
  Take a turn Mamsey!

 Take a bow, Dimity Doormouse, Head Seamstress.

Thank you for attending our fashion walk, here in the woods of Hopalong Hollow!
 PS. The bear and her wardrobe patterns will be available in the future, so that YOUR bear can be in vogue, just like ours.  These are easy to sew outfits for anyone with basic sewing skills. I still have quite a few more frocks to sew AND I must make a Mopkin TEDDY Bear along with her wardrobe.
Special thanks to Penny White for creating my Dimity Doormouse in needle felting, she is well loved.


57 comments:

  1. This is so charming! It truly takes me to a magical place I can remember as a child. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing :)

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  2. Oh lovely and wonderful ! You have really nimble fairy fingers, Jeri !
    Nice week-end !

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  3. Jeri you are a woman of many talents indeed! Love!!

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    1. Hey, I used those little bunny scissors over and over again!

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  4. So very very sweet, and so well done!

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    1. Thank you Kyra, I can imagine some of your characters as 3D figures as well.

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  5. Oh my stars but you have been having fun. I love each and every lovely article of clothing and attire for Mamsey. She is a stylin' bear. Love it, Oma Linda

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    1. She IS a stylin' Bear, you bet! Her wardrobe is getting bigger than mine and she is much better at coordinating her outfits.

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  6. My dear, dear Jeri!
    This is the fashion show of the year.. Talk about Haute Couture!. Oh my... She is more lovely than ever.. I have been sitting here looking at all the details you have so carefully given each outfit, right down to the stitching on the pocket.. It looks as if you have stitched leaf work.. You are really something.
    OH Mamsey! You look so lovely... I don't know which outfit is my favorite, I think they all are... and dear little Dimity, you look soooo sweet standing next to Mamsey.... What a good little helper you are..

    Jeri, I don't know what else to say, except this tops my dream of Mamsey.. And will you look at that, she did bake some bread!. That must have been for me.
    .Love and many blessings,
    Penny

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    1. Penny, we could never have done it without dear little Dimity and her speedy pink fingers!

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  7. What a tailor you are. Beautiful clothes I'm sure Mamsey is quite proud of her new wardrobe!

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    1. Hey Patty, I thought of that wonderful sewing Machine you bought as I was working and wished I had one too. My Kenmore is kinda boring, and I long for a treadle that really works well.

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  8. Oh my! You have made my morning! Such talent you have turning dreams into reality! I am in awe of your seamstress talents too.

    Thank you!

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    1. Thank you! I am certainly a dreamer...Sometimes those dreams do come alive.

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  9. Jeri, I found thoughts of playing with my dolls when I was a child entwined with your photos and narrative and how I couldn't wait to grow up and have real babies I could dress! I'd say you've given birth to a real Mamsey! I love her style...she and her seamstress have perfected the right look for her. How tall is Mamsey? I must find a bear her size so I'll be ready when your patterns are. Thanks! P.S. Her little ❤ nose is perfect!

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    1. Cathy, She is 18 inches tall with an 11 inch waist and 18' hips! You know that she will also be available as a pattern.

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  10. PARIS, MILAN, NYC, eat your hearts out.

    This IS the most exciting catwalk event I've ever seen....I mean, BEARWALK....

    Lord above, you've done it again. WAIT...I must stay in character here.

    Mademoiselle Mamsey, vous êtes ravissante! Oh, I best switch to English here! I mean, Miss Mamsey dear, you are ravishing! You will soon be on the cover of Bear Vogue, I know it! The Mistress and Dimity Doormouse have worked their fingers and little paws to the nub and everything is perfect. ENCORE!

    Jeri Landers....you have swept me away again. To see you and Penny both together and your arts melded into one, this is a great joy for me. I literally laughed myself to sleep last night as I thought of how Penny's work (I just received a Tea Rat she made for me!) and how your work just brings so much joy. I never want to stop playing Jeri; I know I can always find you and Penny and many others in my garden of friends who never ever want to grow up.

    (You pulled me in from the get go with the images of the birds and mice with their needles...I started "believing" it was they who were doing all the work.)

    BLESS YOU DEAR JERI! Anita

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  11. Oh, the hat....WOW! THE HAT! I am coming back after school...gotta run.We have lots of snow to trudge through!

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  12. Oh my gosh Jeri ~ You are so talented in many areas. Everything is beautiful for and on Mamsey. She is a joy to behold. I love teddy bears and have a small collection. They make me feel happy.

    Happy Creating and thank you for being such an inspiration to so many.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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    1. Hey Rainy, I thought of you as I did my very simple embroidery stitches, they are nothing like yours!

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  13. Jeri, this is so much fun!!!
    ...you had me smiling all the way through. I adore every little article of clothing. and look at the sweet little bonnet with spaces for her ears to pop out.. too adorable... beautiful fullness in the dresses and fitting in the jackets. I love all you have done. Bravo!

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    1. Gwen, I could make hats and bonnets all day long.. I wish we still wore them in this current day. !8th century Bonnets are just wonderful.

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  14. This is the sweetest blog I have stumbled upon in a long time. So happy to find you and all your little friends. I will be back often!

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    1. Thank you Eve, so nice to meet you.. I must try to make your Kale chips!

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  15. I loved each outfit more than the last! I think I need to make a tweed waistcoat for myself now--or I would if I had a waist. I guess that's plenty of incentive to keep working out!

    You're amazing, Jeri, and never cease to inspire me.

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    1. Roxie, Mamsey has an 11 inch waist, that's better than Scarlet O'Hara.. but she makes up for it with her 1 inch hips

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  16. I had to come back on this Saturday morning...and I found a package last night on my doorstep that I am going to open later, as I sit with a proper cup of tea in a quiet house. More later.....and again, this is sensational.

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    1. Anita, You may need to make a few pots of tea... it is a long book, as storybooks go.

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  17. Amazing....Mamsey is quiet the fashionable lady. I loved reading through your post. Your talent and creativity never ceases to amaze. Bonnie

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    1. Bonnie, It doesn't hurt to have a Hollow full of Needleworkers on hand, including Mamsey herself!

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  18. Jeri,
    Is that a wee gold Rooster scissor there? They are lovely!

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  19. I think it is, I have a little rabbit pair as well, from Raspberry Rabbits!

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    1. I thought it was! And you have a rabbit pair also, where in the world did you find them?
      Thank you for visiting Oliver again, his auction went off today, and he sold! He will be on his way soon to his new home.. I am blessed.

      How is Mopkin coming along?
      fondly,
      Penny

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  20. I loved the fashion show-you are so talented!

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  21. It all turned out perfect, just like you.

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  22. Dear Cousin Jeri,

    Wow! Mamsey Bear is fantastic and her clothes are beautiful!!! You are so talented!

    Your cousins,
    Diane, daughter Sarah, and Tillie Tinkham the seamstress mouse at Corgyncombe

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  23. Jeri....you are extraordinary....
    How on earth did you (ahem, I mean Miss Dimity) manage all of this incredible couture so quickly??
    AH!!! Wow! Dear Mamsey is stunning!
    All the details....you are a MASTER, dear Jeri....
    BRAVA!!!!!
    Hugs to you and the furry folk....
    - Irina :)

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  24. I'm in awe! I will have to go back and look at these amazing outfits several times. She is so beautiful and her outfits are perfect. I love that you used paper towels for pattern testing! Totally wonderful.

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  25. This is the most incredible fashion show I've ever seen! Each ensemble is stunning!! The styles are timeless and so smart to change from serviceable to dressy. Each model wears her outfit with ease, comfort and pride.

    Thank you Jeri for hosting a great show!! I loved every detail.

    Blessings to you and all your models, Edie Marie

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  26. I just wanted to thank you so much, dearest Jeri, for you very kind encouragement! It really means so much to me.
    I do have a passion for this medium, and paint for the love of it...but deep inside I also want to be good at it, you know? :)
    And what musical instrument are you loving?
    I used to play the violin....but cello and harp are two I would like to take up.
    Enjoying the glorious fashion show once again!!! :)
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  27. Hello again-just wanted to answer your question about my geese-yes, they are Hamish's cousins, I think twice removed :) I have read that geese can live to be 40 years old.....

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  28. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and leave such a kind comment! Beautiful illustrations and love the fashion show! :-)

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  29. Hi Jeri. I had to come back to see how Mamsey's new wardrobe turned out. Oh she is just beautiful and the outfit is perfect, but then I knew it would. She looks like she is dressed and ready to go shopping or to the Country Fairs. :)

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  30. Stunning, Jeri. Mamsey is quite lucky to have such a stylish wardrobe...so many different looks for different days! You did a wonderful job!! I love her!

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  31. Thank you so much for writing back, dear Jeri...
    I can imagine how lovely your music-making must be! :)
    And you really do practice, now that takes so much discipline...
    Perhaps someday you will treat a larger audience to your musical talents! ;)
    You know that my daughter shares your kitty's name? hee...
    I hope you are having a splendid weekend...
    Blessings,
    - Irina

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  32. Jeri Landers! I see the catwalk is still sizzling hot with this fantastic line up of bear duds! How magical Mamsey is with her little seamstresses about her! I am still enjoying the afterglow of the book - thank you dear friend.

    Thanks for coming to my CRAZY post! Wishing you a ton of love with your family and friends! Anita

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  33. O that Mamsey - is she au courant or what? Love the embroidered touches and her beribboned chapeau... Please put me down for the forthcoming patterns...reminds me of playing "dolls" and making their wardrobes..put me in
    the little girl mode....speaking of which, we have lost the darling little girl
    who got on the good ship lollipop and sailed away to the paradise she so richly
    deserved...incomparable Shirley Temple.
    Blessings, dear Jeri

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  34. Oh my goodness! How sweet is this?! Love the sweet bear and her ensembles. And Penny is a real gem, isn't she?

    Happy Valentine's Day!
    Heidi (hi-d's place)

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  35. My dear Dimity,
    I would love it if you could find time to take a Valentine's Day bike ride with me in Nowhere. Could you put your needle and thread down for a bit and join me?
    Love,
    Bebe

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  36. Mamsey's ensembles are absolutely adorable. Excellent job to you and all her little seamstresses! Bravo

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  37. So darling! Love Mamsey and her gorgeous wardrobe! Such a sweet blog you have! So happy that Christie led me here, Jeri!

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