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Post by Wickfield on Mar 12, 2009 12:22:10 GMT -5
Okay, I love this set 10 times better than the new quilt. This set seems a bit fancier but it's just leftover from the Kittredges' wealthy days. And it looks so authentic! I don't find the colors bland at all.
The bedspread - this seems more like a summer coverlet as it's not exactly thick. I love the raised "chenille" work, and the diamond pattern is terrific. The fringe is a nice touch but doesn't go all the way around, one side is left plain so you can tuck it under Kit's pillow. The fringe is periwinkle and the background is sea green. I think it coordinates very nicely with Kit's bed. A
The throw pillow - this piece seems too small, but it's very cute. Both the background and tufting are cream-colored. B
The rug - this was a nice item to include! I do agree with other posters, the edges tend to curl up but that might be fixed with a light ironing. I like the woven look although it does seem rather thin. It looks really nice next to Kit's bed or at the foot, with her slippers on it. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 17:35:06 GMT -5
This has to be the best new AG historical outfit, one of our absolute favorites for Kit. She looks so nice in pink, no wonder her mother's all over her about it! This outfit is really great for a fall outfit, and is historically accurate as you can see in these pictures. The blouse - made of crisp, stiff fabric like Kirsten's school dress, the coloring is wonderful on Kit. The material is warm brown with large, bold flowers in pink and white. The collar is so Art Deco, I love it, and the button detail is excellent if not functional. I hadn't thought about the shirt under her overalls, I bet that's cute. It certainly looks nice with this set. A+The skirt - The skirt seems to be made of real wool, it is so thick and soft and quality! The color is a very warm salmon tone that matches the pink in the rest of the outfit. Unlike most pieces, it doesn't velcro but pulls up easily with elastic in the back. The belt is fake but the buckle is so nice, it seems like metal. A+The cardigan - the cardigan is a little iffy, because it stretches out of shape and seems slightly thinner than the other pieces. But it looks nice, knit from a tweedy taupe yarn and edged in pink. A-The hat - come on people, the hat is darling! I love Kit in hats and this one seems so classic 30's. It is made from sturdy off-white felt, but I would avoid stepping on it, of course. The ribbon is grosgrain, permanently stitched around the hat with pink thread that can be seen on the underside. The only problem with the hat is that the edges are squared, as if it's been cut with scissors. Otherwise, A+. The socks - these are different than Kit's school socks, ribbed with a little scalloped top in pink. They are sturdy and stretchy, reaching past Kit's knees. As they are off-white, they won't match other outfits too well. BThe shoes - now honestly, I doubt Kit would have as many pairs of shoes and slippers as her collection boasts now, and if she did I think she'd give them to the hoboes. But I am glad AG is giving you a little more for your money. These are reddish-brown pleather t-straps, with "metal" buckles that velcro. Very cute with the outfit, A. Here are some photos of the outfit on...Kit, actually.
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 17:23:33 GMT -5
We got our set in 2008 and I noticed some unpleasant changes.
The dress - I love the fabric on this dress! So nice and crisp and the colors are just beautiful, they look terrific on Kit. As another reviewer mentioned, the pattern is cornflower blue. The little yellow flowers are a nice touch, too. Unlike other reviewers we didn't have any problems with the fit of the dress, it is well tailored and if it is too loose you can pull the belt tighter. The belt is a separate piece and herein lies the problem - THE BUCKLE IS PLASTIC! Ick. I think it used to be metal or at least was thinner with a prong, now it looks like a seatbelt and very cheap. So the dress would have gotten A+ but for the ghastly belt-buckle A-.
The blouse - I can't imagine the blouse going with anything other than the dress, but together the two pieces create a nice effect. Again, the blouse fit our Kit well, and I love the contrast of the bright white front. I'm actually glad it doesn't have buttons, I prefer the smooth look it has. Of course it velcros up the back. A
The hair comb - here's the other new change, the hair comb has gotten smaller and it's no longer tortoiseshell! Instead it is opaque brown plastic. I don't like it much and it's hard to put in Kit's hair, but Kit usually wears her green barrette anyway, like in the books. C-
The socks - a nice, thick, functional pair of socks Kit could probably wear with other outfits. They don't seem as if they'd snag so easily as other historical socks, and they are knit in a nice pattern with little squares. A
The oxfords - these shoes are just the cutest thing! I suspect they are a bit different now (the soles are very shiny and slightly squishy), but they are easy to put on Kit and easy to tie. I just love the "classic-ness" of these shoes and they could go with custom outfits and would probably look nice with her Treehouse outfit (although they don't look cute with her new school skirt set, we tried). Even my mother thought these we great. A+
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 17:01:03 GMT -5
Okay, so mini Kit is kind of freaky. She's a supervillain in our house (Kit the Kitster, of course). The doll has nice construction with a body just like her big sister. The skirt closes with velcro and the sweater set is, unfortunately, just one piece that slips over her head. I like the tiny replica barrette, but the doll's hair looks nothing like real Kit. It is white-blond unlike Kit's light yellow hair, and very crazy sticking out all over the place. Here eyes are wrong too, they are more sky-blue like Kirsten's, not the correct dark color. Her shoes won't stay on her feet and I was surprised to find they are pleather, not fabric. She's good for a supervillain but for a doll's doll she gets a C.
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 15:53:40 GMT -5
I'm not really crazy about Kit's accessories; they don't really serve a purpose in any of her books, not even her meet book. The cloche - while I think this is a cute piece, as another reviewer said, it seems very springtime-oriented, kind of Easter-ish with the big spring green bow. I wish they had made a more practical hat that could go with extra outfits. Anyway, the cloche is securely crocheted in white nylon yarn. The bow is permanently attached and tied. The edge of the hat is not perfectly round, there is a depression in the back so it will hug Kit's neck. Cute, but not versatile. BThe purse - when we got our 2007 purse it was made of real straw and fully lined with fabric. It actually buttons instead of velcroing, although the string buttonloop isn't always easy to use. There's a weird strap on the back, I'm assuming so Kit can hold it, but it's like it's sewn on sideways and is kind of unnecessary. BThe necklace - usually our dolls wear their necklaces all the time but Kit doesn't, the gold and green in the compass doesn't always match her outfits. The clasp pinces open and works well. The necklace is plastic with a metal chain. Like others have mentioned, I wish it was a real compass like one of the AGoT watches. This just has a green sticker stuck on the front. B-The hankie - ...looks more like a napkin. Kit never ever uses it, it is always stuck in her purse. It's cute enough - thin slick cotton with a printed design - but just doesn't have much play value. CThe coin - I love AG coins, I'm so glad Kit got one. It's very bright and shiny! Not sure if Kit could actually afford to carry a nickel around, but maybe she's going to the movies. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 11:19:58 GMT -5
This is a nicely made, historically-accurate set, but ironically, it doesn't seem to suit Kit very well. It seems too girly and also very season specific, unlike the other girls' outfits. Oh well, here's the review:
The sweater set - made of a lavender-pink, this set is very soft and comfortable feeling! I like how the pieces look nice separately, too. It is made of a very fine weave, slick nylon yarn. The short-sleeve sweater snaps up the back with square metal snaps and won't snag the cardigan. The cardigan is a very mix-and-matchable piece that really buttons. A
The skirt - I like the 30's pattern on the skirt, and it feels like linen. I also am glad that it zips, it seems so much more finished that way. The fabric is thin but summery and matches well with the sweater. My only problem is that the pleats are only pressed, not sewn, and the skirt tends to want to "unfold". It seems like they didn't use enough fabric and that it's not swingy enough, either. B
The undies - These are bloomer-like underpants that are made of thin white cotton with elastic in the waist and leg openings. They can go with several outfits but will occasionally cause her skirts to blouse out. B
The shoes - The shoes are very cute but are made of real fabric, so I could see them easily staining. Also, the edges have begun to fray which does not look too hot, but it is also probably realistic for a Depression-Era girl. We got this set in 2007 and the shoes do velcro under a faux-buckle, which I don't mind because it still looks fine. A-
The barrette - I'm so glad they included this, Kit wears this all the time in her books. I wish the plastic weren't transparent and that it wasn't so yellow! I would have preferred a kelly green, opaque plastic the way it looks in the books. It actually seems pretty sturdy to me, though (unless you stepped on it or something), and it holds a lot of hair. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:32:55 GMT -5
The bed - Oh, this is a very nice piece. Any time you see a movie set in the '30s (or an actual '30s movie) there's always a metal bed like this in the bedroom! Kit's version is bright, perky green, and very heavy! It goes together pretty easily by sliding a few bars into place, but there's no way to permanently attach the pieces so it is kind of hard to move around. It's technically not a day bed because it doesn't look like a couch. It looks really 30's though, with the green color and the decals. A+
The mattress and pillow - the matress is white muslin-like fabric and can also unfold to fit the expanded bed or fold for two layers in one bed. The pillow is green and too small for Kit's head, but looks nice folded under the bedspread. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:29:01 GMT -5
The dress - I don't mind the evidently polyester fabric at all. It seems really vintage, and is nice and heavy with a good texture. It is sewn to fit and drape really well, the skirt is swirly and pretty without being too feminine. The belt is attached and the buckle is "Bakelite", lol. I also like the contrast of the bright white, angular collar. I'm sure it's better for children but I wish the Scottie pin were still actually a PIN, so it could go with other outfits. A very nice dress, A
The stockings - yes, these are stocking not tights, and go all the way up Kit's legs. They seem to be knit in a fishnet-type pattern, the same kind as Sam's lawn party socks. They also have a seam running up the back. They are awfully thin though, and seem like they could snag. A-
The shoes - shiny patent little numbers, very cute and I believe identical to Emily's meet shoes. As of 2007, they velcro, but I don't mind because that doesn't look bad. They won't really go with Kit's other dresses but they look nice with this outfit. A
The hairbow - The hairbow is permanently tied and attached to a barrette, which is a good idea but it is still hard to position it so it looks right in Kit's hair. It is really big, and make Kit's big head+hair look even bigger! A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:22:21 GMT -5
The pajamas - both Kit and I like the look of this PJ set much more than her striped nightgown, and it better suits Kit's tomboyish personality. The pajamas are one piece, thick, soft satin in shades of crisp white and blue that brings out Kit's eyes. There is nice detail here, with the nautical flags on the pocket and the buttons up the side. The collar is edged with silver ribbon, too. Apparently people have problem with the sleeves ripping but we haven't noticed, our 2007 set seems very high-quality. Plus Kit can wear it as a costume, too! A+The slippers - these are very nice faux-leather with a soft heel for scuffling around. The pompoms seem attached well, although if we had gotten this set younger they would have been ripped off pretty soon. They also go on easily. AThe ribbon - uh...just a ribbon. But it matches!
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:18:02 GMT -5
^^ Farmhouse Girl, you have a very sweet Kit! My sister received her Kit in 2007, so she is a super Mattel girl. Her face is slightly flatter than 2004 Kirsten and has American Girl stamped on the neck. Her body has the v-shaped insert and is also quite thin and loosely stuffed; you can actually bend her in half! She also has the newer, longer limbs, which I'm not to crazy about but they do make Kit look wiry! Our Kit is not grayish at all, but her skin is more golden-toned than our other Mattel girls. She has the larger, darker freckles. I love Kit's deep blue eyes, they really suit her and look nice with the black lashes, even though she has blond hair. Her hair is very shiny, and has a more yellow cast than Kirsten's wheat-colord blond. Kit's facepaint seems a bit much, it looks like she's wearing lipstick sometimes; a little less would have been nice to suit Kit's tomboyish character. She's very sweet at heart, even if she is the conman in our house. Now she just needs to go wipe that facepaint off. AKit and Kirsten, for comparison purposes:
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:09:02 GMT -5
The dress - this is probably our favorite cold-weather outfit for Kirsten! The aqua color is beautiful, so pretty in person. I think it goes fine with Kirsten's eye color and her hair shines against the creamy muslin collar. There's a tiny "plum" stripe running lengthwise through the (very very soft) fabric. Kirsten wears this dress [/i]a lot[/i] in her books, but the doll-version also has added sleeve ruffles, which I really like for their fancy touch. The dress looks nice with Kirsten's two-tone boots. A+
The hair ribbons - these are very nice, thick and woven like her meet ribbons. They are a loose weave though, and can tend to fray. We actually don't use these ribbons much with this outfit as we usually pin Kirsten's braids up, but they match well with this and also the summer outfit. A
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 7:03:14 GMT -5
This is a nice outfit and looks sweet and culturally appropriate, but I'm not sure that the Mattel version (we bought ours in 2004) is worth the current price, especially since it doesn't even come with shoes or socks; maybe you could find one on Ebay. The blouse - I love the concept of the blouse, and it is cut really roomy with a cute button at the neckline. But I hate that it is made of that ghastly flannel! It pills so badly and it doesn't even feel that warm. It is a nice piece that could possibly match with Kirsten's dirndl skirt (and has been used for Josefina in a pinch), but the quality gets it a B-. The skirt - The skirt is made of thinnish black felt to represent wool. I like how Scandinavian this piece looks, with its intricately embroidered waistband in red and green. The bands on the bottom of the skirt are a different pattern and add some interest. It does tend to attract lint, but I'll give it A-. The ribbons - I like the width of these ribbons, they are thinner than Kirsten's usual ribbons, but they seem kind of cheap in comparison - they aren't thick and woven like usual. They also won't really pair with Kirsten's other outfits, they only match this one. Oh well, at least they were included. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 11, 2009 6:56:38 GMT -5
WOW, nearly 3 years since a review? I'll fix that! The boots - these are really nice, I wish Josefina's riding boots were still made like this (same pattern). The 2005 two-tone boots are made of thick, sturdy faux-leather with only a slight plastic feel. The heel is sturdy and matte-finished and the laces are round and cotton with aglets. I love the way that the toe and heel are "capped" in the brown. These shoes are actually not worn by Kirsten in any of her books, but they are in her cookbook and paper doll set. They match really nicely with her work dress, summer dress, and birthday dress. A
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 18:21:42 GMT -5
I love this outfit so much and was determined to buy it on Ebay! The vest - very thick, soft plaid material, made of two layers folded. It would keep Kirsten warm! The laces are not real, only black nylon cording stitched up the front; the vest velcros in the back. It fits easily over the blouse, but it's not wool like described in the book. As part of the outfit it gets an A. The skirt - another very soft piece, but instead of plaid it is striped in coordinating colors. It looks nice with the blouse without the vest, too. Along with the vest, both pieces match Kirsten's indigo school ribbons. AThe blouse - the blouse is very similar to Kirsten's winter blouse, but instead of flannel it is made of rustic-looking ivory muslin. The specks make it seem so wonderfully old-fashioned! The collar is folded down and tends to have a scallop, very nice. This piece makes the outfit match Kirsten's cream ribbons, too. AThe kerchief - a contrasting paisley print, it brings out the blue of the rest of the outfit. We don't usually use it because it can look kind of strange on Kirsten's head, but it will also work as a shawl. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 18:15:51 GMT -5
The dress - we recently got this dress from a board member, and were surprised at how beautiful it looks on Kirsten! The cream stripes bring out her blond hair and the blue stripes bring out her eyes. It is a pretty combination and seems very summery. The dress fabric is really thin, and I'm not sure this is a quality problem or if the dress is just supposed to be lightweight for the season. The detail is nice with the grow stripes and oval, "carved" buttons. I was suspicious our dress was a "second", as it is sewn up the front but that's apparently correct. I am also glad this dress looks nice without the hat, and with her cream hair ribbons and red or two-tone boots. A+The hat - the hat is, unfortunately, not the greatest piece - though it is decorated with ribbon and cherries, the material has changed recently and feels more like raffia than actual straw. It is very thin and papery-feeling and feels really fragile. Also, it is too shallow to stay on Kirsten's head and wants to tilt off backward from the weight of the cherries; an elastic strap would have been nice. B-
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 18:12:09 GMT -5
The boots - they are made from the same plasticky-canvasy material as her meet boots but they pull it off well. I love how study they are! The laces have changed over the years, now they are cotton fray checked strings rather than the original laces with aglets. They have pretty much replaced Kirsten's brown boots in our house because they go so well with many different outfits! Highly recommend them, A+.
The socks - in concept, they are supposed to be identical replacements for Kirsten's meet, birthday, and winter socks, but they actually vary slightly in color so hey, there's a little variety. I was really glad for the meet pair as the ones Kirsten came in have not held up very well. A
Pictures soon!
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 18:07:32 GMT -5
The dress - the main flaw I find in Kirsten's school dress is the fact that it is essentially a red version of the outfit she arrives in! This is historically appropriate though, and the outfit is very nice; and Kirsten thinks she looks hot in red. The dress has an accurate calico pattern of white and black flowers and "grow stripes" to be adjusted as Kirsten grows. The only problem is that it looks kind of short most of the time. Strangely, it matches her meet apron and also goes with her cream-colored hair ribbons. I prefer the dress with her black boots, too. Nice quality but kind of redundant so it gets an A-. The shawl - is kind of pointless. It's not very thick and also slightly small; it's the same size as the kerchief to her dirndl (and can be used as a kerchief too). It will not keep her warm at all and is hard to tie, but at least it matches the dress. B-The hair ribbons - these are thick and woven and though they come slightly unraveled at the ends they work with both this and her dirndl. They are thinner than her meet ribbons and seem more tightly woven. APiccys soon!
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 18:01:14 GMT -5
The nightgown - Kirsten's nightgown was one of the first historical outfits we purchased way back in 2004. Fast-forward 5 years, Kirsten has many more outfits and this one is really not worn much. It's sweet enough and I'm glad for the stitching and yarn details, but the flannel has pilled very easily with gentle play and makes the gown look pretty shabby. I'm not sure it is worth full price and it looks kind of lonesome without the housecoat. B
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 17:58:39 GMT -5
We bought the pair of cats in 2008, and they no longer have the plastic eyes and whiskers, instead both features are stitched on. It looks fine, really, just expect that when you buy them - also there is no more wire in their tails. The cats are much more to scale than humongous JLY Licorice, and are the perfect accessory for Kirsten. AAnd a close-up of the embroidered face and tiny yarn ball:
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 17:55:56 GMT -5
This set is nice, but it looks too typically "American prairie", not nearly Swedish enough for a Midsummer celebration. Here we go... The dress - The dress is a bit too frilly and fancy, but I am very glad it is based on an actual 19th century dress. The purple seems to clash with Kirsten's eyes and none of her core hair ribbons matches the outfit. I do like the cut, minus the ruffles, because the puffed sleeves and scoopneck look very nice on the doll. The dress looks nice with her brown or black boots. This is my sister's least favorite dress for Kirsten and I'm not too crazy about it either. BThe flowers - they are very cute, but the hair flowers rather awkward to actually put in her hair as there is no clip or rubberband or anything; you kind of have to bend the wire stem a certain way. They are fake, obviously, and look a bit off-scale, but hey, they are nice enough. The bouquet also looks very cute in the basket. A-The basket - the basket is painted purple to match the outfit, with strange red and turquoise decals to simulate a painted effect. It seems to be made of wood and I really like the overall shape, but it chips and dents very easily. B-Pictures coming soon!
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Bed
Mar 10, 2009 17:47:56 GMT -5
Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 17:47:56 GMT -5
The bed - Kirsten's 2004 bed is rather plain and seems more like a "doll bed" than other AG beds. But I will not complain because it is a depiction of a historically accurate pioneer trundle! It is painted "Swedish blue" like the colors in the rest of her collection, and decorated with Swedish designs (that are actually decals now, although I think they were originally hand-painted). It is not cumbersome like the other beds and I really like that it does not have to be assembled, which is especially good for children. I never found the wood of the bed to be fragile, but a large chip of the paint came off and had to be repainted. I would also recommend buying the trunk at the same time to make sure the paint color matches as it varies in different years and batches. A
The mattress and pillow - both these pieces are very soft, made of red-striped ticking. The mattress is light and fluffy and fits well down into the bed. The pillow looks very comfortable (unlike Josefina's pillow), and appears large enough to actually accommodate Kirsten's head. Both pieces get an A. Pictures coming soon!
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 10, 2009 17:23:36 GMT -5
This is a very pretty outfit and looks darling on Kirsten! The dress - The dress is made from very lightweight cotton, printed in a tiny pink and white plaid. It is cut fancier than Kirsten's usual dresses, with elastic puffed sleeves edged in rickrack and decorated with white shoelace-like ties. Oddly enough, it does not have a grow stripe - maybe Kirsten was about to grow out of it? The great thing about this dress is that it looks nice and complete on it's own, without the pinafore. Though we usually pair it with her two-tone boots, it also looks terrific with her black boots and probably with her red boots too. A The apron - a nice basic piece, made out of bright white cotton and edged in the same rickrack as the dress. A tiny strip of velcro fastens the waistband and there's a decorative button. It might look nice with other outfits, even her Baking Outfit, but we actually haven't tried that yet. Also I think muslin would have been more realistic than this "finer" cotton, but I still give it an A. The daisy wreath - Kirsten's daisy wreath is her "birthday crown" and is a great finishing touch. The daisies aren't as plentiful as some of the stock pictures show, but once they are spread out and the leaves are arranged it is a very nice effect. It fits well on Kirsten's head with or without her braids. My only question is wouldn't the satin ribbon be way too fancy? I don't know but I'll give it an A. The socks - these are more summery than her meet socks, with a lot more stretch. They're less woolly and feel like her winter socks, and they can go with other outfits too which is a plus. We got an extra set with her shoes and socks, but they aren't identical; the b-day socks are more tan, while the extra pair has a pinkish cast. They're just socks, but they are nice. A Here's a closeup of the socks and daisy wreath - I'll upload dress pics soon:
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 7, 2009 19:26:39 GMT -5
Since 1998, two #7's have graced our house, Ashley the Greater (who was recently restored), and Ashley the Lesser (a replacement for our first doll). Ashley the Greater is PM from 1998. Her hair got VERY VERY dry over the years, but a Downy dunk helped slightly. Her leg was recently reattached and her lips touched up. Ashley the Greater is our chubbiest doll, with a huge and firmly stuffed torso and very broad shoulders! Ashley the Lesser is Mattel from 2002. Her eyes are much larger and darker than the PM girl, and her hair has remained shiny; it is also darker with shades of red rather than blond (the color is slightly off in this picture). They are both very sweet girls in their own way!
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Post by Wickfield on Mar 3, 2009 16:08:07 GMT -5
I agree with the others - the threads make for difficult dressing, and the buttons are sewn on VERY LOOSELY, however they get bonus points for being so detailed. A-Kirsten rocking her sweater and hat: Some more pictures of the Mattel set:
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 26, 2009 7:58:06 GMT -5
I bought this outfit for Amanda the year after it came out, in 1999. Like AGRescue, I noticed that the catalog t-shirt didn't have fruit, I was surprised mine did! The dress - This dress seems so nice and floaty and cool. These kinds of dresses were really in back then and I had one or two dresses with fruit. The pattern has oranges, grapes, pears, and watermelons. It is very thin fabric but that's appropriate for the season; the shade is a warm shade of purple. The dress velcros up the back but has tiny button details. I think this dress seems comfortable and age-appropriate. AThe t-shirt - This is made of thick cotton and has a decal with the same fruit as those on the dress. The sleeves and neck are edged with purple cotton the same shade as the dress, but the neck seems to be a bit stretched out until it's arranged correctly. Because it has a slit in the back where the velcros stops, it would be difficult to wear on its own, but I think this would probably pair well with the purple varsity jacket. And of course it looks good with the dress! AThe jellies - I had TWO pairs of jellies at this age and they were so in style! These are made of sturdy, transparent purple plastic; they don't buckle but they go on pretty easily without even stretching the plastic. I love these so much and think they are absolutely darling, even if they don't mix-and-match too well. A+The ponytail holder - This is probably the nicest piece of the outfit, heavy and with a good deal of stretch. I love the mix of beads! It looks terrific in the doll's hair (and even a human's hair) and works for several styles. A+Just adding another interesting fact, this dress was available for girls, and in the catalog it was listed under two colors, "grape" and a very pretty shade of "melon". Amanda is modeling the outfit, so you can see how it looks on a dark-haired doll:
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 24, 2009 17:59:39 GMT -5
This was the first outfit bestowed upon Amanda, right when it came out in 1997. I really love it because it looks like the things people actually wore!
The parka - I LOVE this thing. I will admit the yellow is a bit fluorescent, but everything else is terrific. The coat is made of nylon, thick and fully lined and even quilted on the inside! It actually zips (very easily, I might add). The hood is large enough to look right on the doll's head, which is very good, and the fur trim is quality and secure. A
The snoveralls - These are made of shiny black nylon with cotton cuffs at the ankles and elastic straps. The straps are permanently attached and tended to confuse me when I was younger, so pay attention! The snoveralls are also lined and quilted, and very easy to get on the doll. A
The mittens - The mittens are very cute, the same pattern as those from the Dogsled Outfit but made from charcoal-colored fleece. They have the little AG logo embroidered onto them - nice detail! The only problem is that they tend to pill easily. A-
The boots - Again, just like the Dogsled boots but this time they are made from yellow, violet, and reddish-pink plastic and leather. The fur is, again, very secure, and the soft part feels like leather (don't think it is, though). The laces were originally real white shoelaces but I lost those ages ago. A
The inner tube - A very cute and fun accessory, with tons of play value! It is made from vinyl with, obviously, the stars and old AG logo. I like that they added "grips" for the doll. With some huffing and puffing you can get it blown up quickly. A+
This outfit didn't come with any socks or a t-shirt, but I paired it with the pieces from the First Day Outfit, as shown in the catalog. It looks nice!
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 24, 2009 15:51:57 GMT -5
This was the first outfit Ashley ever got, when it came out in 1997. It fit easily on both our PM and Mattel #7 dolls! The snowsuit - This is a great piece! Cut like coveralls, it is roomy enough to easily get the doll inside. No velcro here, the whole thing goes on with snaps, and there's even an attached belt with a real little clip! Even the pockets have real snaps. The fabric is slick but softer than nylon, somehow, and the wrists and ankles have thick sewn-in elastic. The quality is amazing. A++The hat - The hat fits well on the doll's head, with a long brim to shade her face and LINED flannel flaps! I really like the checkered fabric they used for this outfit. The hat is very sturdy and the flaps velcro. A+The mittens - Cuuuute! They are just like the mittens from Terrific Tubing, but thinner and the same flannel fabric used on the hat. They are, again, easy to put on and stay on with elastic. Over ten years later the elastic is still intact. Impressive. A+ The boots - The boots are also identical to those from Terrific Tubing, all in black. The fur is thick and quality, and the soft portion feels like real leather (I'm not sure if it actually is). These require a bit of pushing but nothing horrible, and they look cute. Originally they laced with real laces, but we have long had to substitute yarn. AThe outfit probably works very well for a dogsledding competition (have no knowledge whatsoever on dogsledding), but I know it's terrific for everyday play!
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 24, 2009 15:43:55 GMT -5
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 24, 2009 8:15:35 GMT -5
My sister got this outfit in 1998, the year it came out, and it looked terrific on both our "Ashleys" (PM and Mattel #7). The dress - The dress looks both 80's, 90's, and somehow modern in a weird way. The bodice is velvet, edged in stiff gold trim around the neck and sleeves. The skirt is made of a layer of taffeta and tulle - it creates a nice, floaty look although it does snag easily on the heavy velcro. The outfit fits both PM and Mattel dolls easily and looks nice on both. The dress is a rich true red - very pretty and slightly funky! AThe sash - For some reason this was made separate from the dress, a length of ribbon that is forked on the ends, with the gold trim sewn down the middle. It is a generous length and allows tying a big bow behind. It's kind of just a sash, but it gets an A for what it is. The tights - The tights are the only piece that really date the outfit (but I still think they look cute). They are really heavy, way heavier than AG tights usually are, and they haven't even snagged. The plasticky gold fibers are woven through them and match the dress. The tights add a bit of sparkle. AThe shoes - Plastic with a ribbon bow, they finish the outfit. Though it is rare to find shoes that match the outfit so *perfectly* in real life, they are also quite cute. Plus they double as Wizard of Oz slippers, LOL. AThe barrette - A folded ribbon sewn onto a heavy barrette, it works for clipping back the doll's hair or finishing a French twist, as Ashley is modeling. It's even big enough to hold human hair. A-
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Post by Wickfield on Feb 23, 2009 16:15:52 GMT -5
With the revival of 80's/early 90's clothes and bright colors, this might become one of the most popular AG outfits, LOL. I actually really like it, and I had several pieces just like it at the time; it may have been in style on the east coast where I live. The jacket - the jacket really ties the outfit together. Yes, it is made of fleece, which is very soft but begins to pill over time. I've had mine for ten years though, so considering that the wear is not too horrible. The edges are cut with a funky zigzag and though the edges are raw the fleece has not frayed. The buttons are sewn on fairly well, and there are actually little notches for buttonholes so you can close the jacket. The AG girl logo is embroidered on the sleeve. A-The t-shirt - Another piece I had in different colors! Striped shirts were really "in" at the time. This one is supposed to represent a mock turtleneck and is patterned with pink, purple, gold, teal, and black stripes. It fits the doll well without being too tight, and velcros heavily up the back. It is long enough to tuck into the slacks and can also be used with the Terrific Tubing set. A- The slacks - I'm a bit confused by the slacks. Mine are heavy black cotton (I think), but I have seen several sets where the pants are velour. Maybe this got changed later on? I got my set in 1997. Anyway, the pants could mix-and-match well, particularly with the earlier AGoT fashions. They stretch at the waist and are very soft. The only flaw I can find is that they are rather short when Amanda tries to sit down. Again, stretch pants were ALL the rage and I wore them all the time (in black) at this age. A-The socks - These are very cute and I had an identical pair. They add another pop of color and fit under several pairs of shoes. AThe shoes - a pair of velvet flats that goes not only with this set but also could pair with several of the black holiday outfits. They were very tight on the doll but look nice with the outfit. They resemble a soft pair of Josefina's Christmas shoes. A The underwear - these I found to be a bit lacking, as 1) They are huge and 2) They are unfinished and have just a piece of white elastic as a waistband. However, they are the only pair of underpants Amanda has had for all these years, and they have really held up very well. B+ The scrunchie - this piece matches the t-shirt but didn't get much use. It doesn't twist very much, and is too bulky to hold a small amount of hair. I use the rainbow beaded barrettes from the Doll Hair book instead. CI know I'm in the minority but overall I think the outfit is really cute, and looks fine even without the accessories, unlike some of the later outfits. (However, if anyone wants to get rid of their accessories PM me!) *MOD EDIT to remove member's dead image link*
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