Doll News Spring 2019 - 156

"Violette & Emma" by Annick Phillips
"Ball Gowns" by Annick Phillips

"CAL Mini-Event" by Kathleen Weber

dolls. "Play" had never been so much fun. Exploring this new world of "cyberspace" may seem to
be a daunting task but as one learns to move around in it - well that's where the fun really begins!

"Croquet" by Fred Patton

"Ball Gown" by Connie
Fitzpatrick

"Picnic" by Judy Liddington

156

SPRING 2019

SEWING FOR THE LADIES
For many, one particularly enjoyable aspect of doll collecting is costuming. Collectors of both
antique and reproduction French Fashion ladies seem to be drawn, inexorably, to the fabulous
costumes of the period in which their tiny charges originated, with all that silk, lace and ribbon!
Clothes may "make the man" but truthfully, clothes are and always have been, the eminent
domain of the ladies. Fabrics, notions, trims and patterns can quickly become the center of one's
life and with good reason - they are the costumer's palette.
That established, one may ask, what next? The answer of course, is to find a really good
group of enthusiastic, energetic, creative and accomplished seamstresses filled with a desire
to chat, share and "play." Where would one find such a group? None other than the online
Groups.io, "The French Fashion Doll Sewing Club," known as FFDSC. Originally established
on the "Yahoo chat boards," the FFDSC quickly grew to include over 500 enthusiasts, many of
whom are UFDC members. With discussions ranging from period-correct fabric choices and
trims to appropriate French names for the "little ladies," the chat on the board was interesting,
stimulating and educational. For the most part, costuming was the focus, but discussions
ranged to all aspects of dolls and collecting. As time went on members exchanged personal info
and made plans to meet up at doll shows, auctions and conventions. Friendships grew and
flourished and when the group moved over to Groups.io due to frequent outages on Yahoo, the
members moved along with it.
As with any new home came some adjustments and changes. The original owner, Dede Kern
handed the reins over to her longtime friend and moderator at Yahoo, Annick Phillips. As a very
active member of the group, and assisted by moderators Fred Patton (UFDC Region 7 Director)
and Phyllis Burki, members were welcomed to the new site and shown how to post comments
and photos. Files of helpful information and sources were moved over as well, for all members
to be able to access all the information their hearts desired. Plans were laid for some exciting new
activities and fun events and soon the chatter intensified.
FFDSC EVENTS
In mid-December of 2017, an announcement was made about the group's first event. A
"Cyber Masquerade Ball" was to take place on April 1, 2018. Photos of members' costume
creations were to be kept secret until the day of the ball, at which time they would be posted to
the board's file. Planning began immediately as excited members chose patterns and fabrics and
set up stages for their photos. Sewing tips were exchanged and resident historian, Fred Patton,
spun enchanting tales of his little ladies Brevette and Lizette as they prepared for "The Ball."
On the designated day, photos began popping up early in the morning and continued all day,
as gown after gown appeared online to the delight of the membership. Over two dozen lovely
photos graced the group album by the end of the day.

Doll News Spring 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Doll News Spring 2019