Evening star., 1941-03-30

CnOuRnC IL WOuld be amusing to
dress group of dolls in costumes
modelled after those worn by wives
Of Presidents of the United States"
she explained. "I started with
Martha Washington and now have
finished six wives"
Dolls Costumed i'm Gowns
OF Wives of Presidents.
Mrs. Taylor led the way to her
workshop where she had arranged
a doll group costumed in tiny models
of silk, satin and velvet designed
after gowns worn by First Ladies of
the past which she had copied from
portraits in the Smithsonian Insti-
tuition.
Not only does the artist dress her
dolls but she also makes the doll
figures with cotton, copper wire,
crepe de chine and silk floss. Each
Is made by hand, the features being
embroidered in silk. Silk floss is
used for black, white or titan COL
ored tresses.
Two Martha Washingtons" are
in the collection, both wearing plum
colored full skirts, lace fichus and
lace caps. The second Martha was
made in order to utilize a handsome
remnant of brocade over so year old,
she explained.
I have used only the finest ma
terias," she remarked, "and every
piece of lace is real Friends have
generously contributed remnants of
delicate silks, Satins and laces, some
over half a century old, and of pat
terms no longer produced" she con-
tinueG.
The wives" which have already
been completed include Sarah Van
Buren, Dolly Madison, Harriet Lane
Johnson. Mary Todd Lincoln and
Edith Carow Roosevelt, wife of
Theodore Roosevelt. Betty TAYLOR
Bliss cambridge, daughter of
Zachary Taylor. who presided as
hostess at the White House during
his administration, has also been
reproduced in miniature, attired in
a sage-green taffeta trimmed In
Scotch plaid
Mrs. Lincoln Is Portrayed
In Purple Velvet Gown.
mot all of the White House
hostesses were wives of the Presi-
dents" Mrs. Taylor explained, land
1t Is only the women who presided
at the White House that am try
ing tc reproduce in the dolls. His
tory tells us that Mrs. Taylor was
so tired from the life she had led
following old Zachary throughout
his political and Indian campaigns
that she didn't feel strong enough
to entertain while she was at the
White House" TIE doll "nodiste"
explained $50 she turned over the
social activities to her daughter
Betty, who, although but % years
old, had been married twice and
was considered a capable hostess"
Mrs. Taylor is justihably proud of
her reproduction of Mary Todd Lin
coin, whom history records as having
been extremely fond of clothes and
the possessor of many beautiful
gowns. The wife of the Great
Emancipator is shown wearing a
tiny gown of purple velvet made
with nine-gored, very full skirt
each gore piped in white silk. A
pointed basque in the style of Civil
War days is completed by an ex-
qulslte little bertha of black and
white handmade lace.
The majority of gowns copied
were worn at inaugural ceremonies
Mrs. Taylor explained. That worn
oy the doll representing Harriet
Lane johnson is of white MORE silk
very decollete, with a white lace
scarf, said to be her wedding veil
draped over her shoulders.
King George and His Queen
Shown in Coronation Robes.
One cannot see Mrs. Taylor's dolls
without special mention of two,
which will probably gain in interest
with the passing of the years.
Beautifully costumed dolls imported
from England, they represent King
George and Queen Elizabeth in their
coronation robes.
Il had ordered the dolls from
London shortly before the war"
she explained. THE order was
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