For those folks talented enough, devoted enough or demented enough, some companies & individuals have created patterns & kits for producing Diana items. My wish is that Simplicity, McCall's or one of the other pattern companies will simply get off their collective Buttricks & put out a definitive Diana pattern collection, including outfits from all periods of her life or even a "dress auction collection." In the meantime, here is a directory. (McCall's did do a Barbie sized pattern with a wedding gown & a few other outfits that *could* conceivably be adapted for Diana.)
Tinker's Corner--I haven't been able to track down these people, despite having sent mail to their last known address in Colorado. I became aware of this company thanks to a kind seller from an eBay auction. The clothes produced by their patterns are early Fairy Tale period & include the wedding gown, a plaid Braemar Games tartan dress, an Inverness Cape, the Emerald Engagement Portrait Gown, an indigo frogged Cossack Coat dress, the midnight velvet Theatre Dress with lace collar, and undergarments. The patterns themselves look like they were put out on someone's typewriter, which is very likely since the copyright is from the mid-1980's.
No doll is specified, altho' instructions for making a muslin doll are included. I think the clothes would nicely fit one of those 18" "Royal Princess" dolls sold at Michael's craft stores (see the Royal Princess Patterns for a photo.)
Designs by Judi--This lady's patterns are so wonderful they have been published in doll magazines. She has a fantastic web site with photos of her nearly dozen & a half creations. The main doll she created the patterns for was the 16" House of Nisbet "My Princess" doll, but she has adapted the patterns for other dolls, notably the 18" Tiffany Taylor. The styles are early Fairy Tale. Check out this link.
Paradise Dolls--This company publishes pattern instruction books for crocheting 6 of Diana's most famous gowns, plus a special set that includes the bridesmaids. The patterns are meant to fit their 11½" Barbie knock-off called "Victoria Rose." They include hairstyling directions in each book.
If you don't crochet & have beaucoup bucks, check out this link to purchase these patterns made up.
Donna RuBert--This kit doll has one of the best faces of all the Diana doll kits I saw being sold in the past four years. However, in my opinion, her short neck, slightly thick body & strangely styled wig let her down slightly, but since it's a Di-It-Yourself, I suppose an artist might be able to do something about both. I think this is a project better left to expert level crafters, as I have only ever seen one or two of these that turned out flattering to Diana.
Anthony's of Solvang--This doll was sculpted by the artist of the original Barbie doll. While I like Anthony's facial sculpt, wish I could see the rest of the doll. It concerns me that I can only see from the neck down. One of the things that has let Diana doll creations down in general has been unattractive features like stumpy fingers & chubby legs.
"Royal Princess" patterns & doll--The patterns & doll as pictured here are available at Michael's Craft Stores. There are two different crochet patterns: the wedding gown & a combo with the Travolta gown & the Divorce Dress. Finding the supplies to make the pearl choker is a little harder. I'm still looking for the bezel & the right sized sapphire jewel. I don't crochet, but I believe the patterns could be used, with a little ingenuity, to create fabric clothes.
"Remembering a Princess" patterns--My mother used this crochet book & a few of my Diana fashion books to create several fabric costumes for me, most notably the Taj Mahal suit as well as the cream & taupe Trooping dress. Now I need hats to finish off both of them.
Magazine Patterns--Magazines, such as Doll Reader & Dolls, have published Diana patterns & paperdolls over the past 15 years. One Australian ladies' magazine even printed a "pattern" for the Turquoise one shoulder taffeta gown Diana wore with the Emerald Art Deco Choker/Headband. I think it was meant for humans, but something like that should easily be adapted for a doll.
The burgundy backless gown, as printed in Doll Reader, is
by Judi of Designs by Judi.
Simplicity Patterns #7037 & 7077--FINALLY, one of the major pattern companies has released 2 patterns that are identifiably Diana's gowns. The black & red Spanish "Flamenco" gown is offered in a collection of fashions for 11½" Barbie sized dolls. After enlargement on a photocopier & a little ingenuity, I'm sure that a seamstress could adapt this with a little adjustment for other Diana fashion dolls, such as those made by the Danbury Mint & the Franklin Mint. The other pattern, #7077, part of the "Diva Collection," has Diana's wedding gown.
The Pattern Factory--This company's 1995 Princess Diana Wardrobe for 11½" dolls, pattern #7161, was advertised in Doll World Magazine, possibly the August 2001 issue. The pattern is $10.00, which includes postage, & can be ordered through mail order. The company does not as yet have a web presence, which is a shame. Sketches of the outfits are pictured here.
The patterns include Diana's wedding gown, Charles' naval uniform, four day suits & three evening gowns. The suits are the fuchsia long "swingy" jacket suit, one of the Russian style cossack suits, the Navy & White "Inspecting the Guard" suit & a sailor collared maternity suit Diana wore during her pregnancy with Harry. The evening gowns are the Hachi gown, the navy crepe charmeuse "Fashion Awards" gown & a red beaded lace & satin gown. I haven't ordered this yet, but I plan to do so. According to an eBay seller with whom I corresponded & from whom I obtained the scan below, the company also produces a whole line of patterns for dolls of other themes, such as Scarlett O'Hara & historical period gowns. Jane, from the FMvinyls Yahoo Group, says that the company has a "buy 3, get 1 free policy."
The Pattern Factory
PO Box 322
Woolwich, ME 04579-0322
