Elf needs help... American Girl Felicity question

[mickeymaker2003]

I am working on fixing a Felicity doll for a child's gift from Santa. The doll I have is wearing the red floral meet dress (no slip or anything under it) and beige-ish socks and black buckle shoes. She doesn't have any undergarments of any type... What did she originally come with? Any idea where I can find one (for a reasonable price)? I'm pretty sure Santa thinks Felicity should have her underwear when given to a 5 year old.

Also, what should her hair be tied back with? I'm sure the green rubber band it is currently tied in isn't quite right...

Any help would be appreciated. I am VERY new to American Girl (in fact, this is the first AG doll I have ever actually touched) so I need all the help I can get with my little project.

Thanks!

 

[Dancemom03]

Shocking as it is, ladies of Colonial Williamsburg didn't wear any underwear. It's an historical thing and the dolls were made to be historically accurate. They did wear pads on their hips to broaden them but no undies. Felicity did originally come with a white shift under her dress but no undies.

Her hair is tied in a simple cream colored satin ribbon in a ponytail.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Thanks. Any idea where I can find one? A source for her socks would be good too as one of these has three holes in it (my darning skills aren't that good).

 

[Dancemom03]

Perhaps if you explain the lack of undies historically it'll answer any questions about whether Santa forgot. Felicity's undies were described in the catalog this way:

"Felicity’s undergarments give her the figure that was stylish during colonial times. First lace up her stays to ensure she has proper posture. Then tie the hand-embroidered pocket around her waist—all of her dresses have slits so she can reach into her pocket. Finally, tie on the pocket hoops to giver her dresses the right fullness."

The undershift is very simple, just a plain straight white shift - sort of like Josefina's "meet" camisa but slightly more fitted, especially on the arms.

 

[Dancemom03]

Since you already have the rose garden meet dress, you might try buying her lavender gown - it used to be her traveling gown but is now the "meet" outfit - and comes with the same shift.

I searched ebay for just the shift and the ones I saw were 14.99-15.99 but you can buy the entire lavender gown set new in box for 24.99 or less. Here's one Wisconsin seller (not me) with a buy it now for one but you might do better searching and bidding instead of using a buy it now for that - http://cgi.ebay.com/American-Girl-F...emQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item5ad5226a53

You can also search ebay for Felicity Colonial Undergarments to find her undies. There are several listed but those have been retired for years and are not exactly a budget item...

EDITED TO ADD --- BEFORE YOU BUY ANYTHING ON EBAY CALL AG AND SEE IF IT'S AVAILABLE AS A REPLACEMENT PART FOR LESS. Sometimes it's cheaper directly thru AG, sometimes not.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Thanks for the suggestion. I called about replacement parts and Felicity's cream stockings aren't available anymore. They do have the entire current purple "meet" outfit for $20. It is supposed to include the dress, shift, shoes and white stockings. I am hoping for a free shipping or some type of discount soon... I'd like to deliver this doll next week so the parents can plan accordingly (they have no idea it is coming).

Do you think cream colored tights would be appropriate with the rose dress? They have those for $6. Does anyone know of another doll who wears cream colored stockings that are still available?

 

[Dancemom03]

Can't think of any other outfits that would have stockings like Felicity's. Historically, tights wouldn't have been available in colonial times but in a pinch, tights would do but tend to snag very easily on the velcro of the dresses so might not stay nice long.

If you don't want to order the complete purple dress for the shift and stockings, perhaps you could order just the white stockings as a replacement item? They're made thicker to resemble wool stockings and so are strudier than you'll find with tights - also easier to get on and off during playtime.

If you need it for next week though, I wouldn't wait too much longer if you are going to order something from AG. Depending upon where you are, it could take that long to get a package at this time of year.

 

[griergirl2]

I have Felicity from when she first came out and I just picked her up to see what she was indeed wearing under her dress-she is wearing I believe the same red floral dress. Mine is wearing a pair of cream colored panties, for lack of a better description She has been lovingly played with though over the years, so no idea if that is what she came with or if that was a later add on from a different outfit...And her hair is tied with a cream colored ribbon.

 

[dizzy duck]

I am working on fixing a Felicity doll for a child's gift from Santa. The doll I have is wearing the red floral meet dress (no slip or anything under it) and beige-ish socks and black buckle shoes. She doesn't have any undergarments of any type... What did she originally come with? Any idea where I can find one (for a reasonable price)? I'm pretty sure Santa thinks Felicity should have her underwear when given to a 5 year old.

Also, what should her hair be tied back with? I'm sure the green rubber band it is currently tied in isn't quite right...

Any help would be appreciated. I am VERY new to American Girl (in fact, this is the first AG doll I have ever actually touched) so I need all the help I can get with my little project.

Thanks!

Do you mind telling where you got your doll? I would love to have one for sizing. I am making some AG clothes for a friends daughter (who is getting her first doll from Santa) and really need a model that I don't have to pay a lot for.

Thanks

 

[mickeymaker2003]

The doll I have is from Craigslist. It belonged to a collector who was downsizing and wanted her doll to go to a girl who wouldn't otherwise be able to get one. She sold it for way under market value so I could fix it, add a few things, and pass it onto the child from Santa.

Could you see if Santa can loan you the one he is giving the little girl? If you only need it until Christmas, that should work. Otherwise, try posting a wanted ad on craigslist or in the paper. You may be able to find someone willing to loan you a doll in exchange for you making them an outfit or two. You might want to offer to pay a deposit on the doll (that you get back when you return it in as-received condition).

 

[kittycatalina65]

I'm fixing a Felicity up for my niece's Christmas. Felicity's stockings are not available, but I was able to order Addy's boots and stocking set for $14. It's a pair of high lace up boots, and three pair of stockings in white, cream and black. The rep on the phone suggested this set since the cream stockings are the same. If you didn't need the boots and additional stockings you may be able to ebay them.
You can also order a replacement box for $5 if you're giving her as a gift.

 

[kittycatalina65]

Forgot to add that she also came with a set of garters. These are just a set of ribbon with a saying woven into them. They were about $3 as a replacement part.
I believe they have photos of Felicity and all her items in the review section of the American Girl Playthings board for reference. If you sew they have some of Felicity's patterns available to download. I've had luck both buying and selling on the sale boards (I have some dolls listed right now as a matter of fact), maybe someone has an extra shift for sale.
Good luck!

 

[kittycatalina65]

Just one more thing (I promise!)...she also wears a little white hat. There is a pattern for it on the website I mentioned. Proper headgear was a must in Felicity's day.