Thrifted Thursday-- Vintage Sweet Sue Doll

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.