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Welcome to the newest page of Somewhere That's Green ! Here, you'll find lots of photos and ideas all about the 1978 Kenner
'Large Size Action Figure' Princess Leia Doll !
This Leia in particular is the sole survivor of my childhood. Although it can be argued that in 1978, twelve-year-old
me wasn't exactly a child anymore ! Regardless, she was my first doll obsession - I saved for weeks and did extra chores to
buy her. Since my 'last' Barbie was a gift just the year before, and I only got her because it was the only gift I wanted
that Christmas (yeah, I was shameless), my parents refused to get me Leia as a gift in any form. I could understand, and undertook
getting her my darn self ! I was gonna have this doll, and I would do what I had to for 'my' Leia.
Once I got her, there was a momentary quandary. I could keep her pristine in the box forever. Or I could open the box
and 'play', although I knew my doll-time was short. Ha ! But I believed it at the time. I thought long and hard, and I swear,
I could almost 'hear' her. 'I'm not a memory in a box ! Right now, I'm just a decoration, forgettable, meaningless ! Take
me out and play with me - give me a life in your imagination !'.
Well, that was that. And my belief on dolls in boxes was cemented at the same time. Leia was in my luggage in Basic Training
in my Army years, and even 'lived' in my locker overseas. I always thought that, one day, I'd get her some nice clothes, but
since she didn't fit Barbie clothes and shoes, it'd be some time.
That time seems to be 2006 !
| Leia as 'Belle' ! |
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| Fun part's gonna be putting Han in a Beast suit... |
This was a 'lucky find' - I scored a soft Belle doll at a thift store for a buck. I think she was part of the 'Positively
Princess' line, from Playmates. Hasbro had an action-figure sized line with the same name and Disney heroines. However, there's
no way the Hasbro dress could ever fit on my Leia ! The Playmates Belle doll was taller than Barbie, but not as tall as Elphie.
But her dress was sooo pretty, and the price was so cheap...
So Leia got a gorgeous new gown. I think it's much more flattering than her white Senate dress ! Wish me luck getting
Han into the matching 'Beast' outfit...
Leia's Flight Suit !
This was on the home page for a few weeks, but I thought I'd move it over here, it deserves its own place ! I'm still pretty
darn proud of it ! Basically, I'm gonna edit the cut/paste from there, so you may want to just scan it quickly if you're already
familiar !
| Flight Suit Prototype v 1.0. Not bad, but... |
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| ...still a ways to go. |
This is the first attempt at our project. And here's the description -
As you may know, this is my beloved 1978 Kenner Princess Leia. She's the same scale as Barbie and Co., but her body (it's
actually a Dusty doll body, minus the elastic waist and 'grip' hands) is different enough from Babs' to make finding clothes
for her very difficult. If you'd like to read more about Dusty, there's a nice green link at the bottom of the page - lots
of nice photos !
Add to the frustration that Kenner had numerous gorgeous, fun clothes in production for their "Star Wars" 'Large
Size Action Figures'. But disappointing sales meant that the entire line was cancelled just prior to "Empire Strikes
Back". Luckily, collectors crave stuff like this, and one favorite SW site of mine shows it all - the often-disputed
Lando doll I mean, Lando Action Figure, the clothes, the new dolls slated for release with "Empire". Go visit if
you're curious - http://www.toysrgus.com/collectors.html
If you click on 'Prototypes', then 'Unproduced Toys', you can scroll down a bit to the 'Unproduced 12" Figures and
Outfits'. This project is 'Unproduced Flight Suit for Princess Leia 12" Figure'. These great folks not only managed to
track down the goods, but they share photos of it all - including the pattern pieces ! Hmmmm...
So I gave myself this challenge - could I take a small photo of a pattern, play with it, edit it, tailor it until I had
a workable pattern to make my own version of the prototyped outfit ? Good project for these sweltering US summer days, as
it'd require me being either at the computer or at the sewing machine, both located a few feet from each other in a nice,
cool home.
It began August 03, 2006. I saved off the photo, traced it with the line tool, then bleached it to light grays in PaintShopPro.
After all, I can't afford to use up a whole ink cartridge trying to get this pattern right ! I made careful note of elastic
positioning, seam allowances, etc.
Printed it out at 150%. Too small. Printed it again at 175%. That's what you see on Leia now, Version 1.0. Almost fits.
Since this was just a fitting, I didn't add the collar and sleeves.
It's so close. The black lines on the pants and bodice are where the pattern says elastic should go. As you can see, it'd
make the pants severely high-water - in my photo, they're not hemmed or anything. And the shoulders aren't sewn, as there's
no way to get it on Leia otherwise. Very tight. The top on the prototype photo should be a bit more 'blousy' and loose. It's
pretty tight all over, but the inseam is great, and the front closure looks good, too.
So. First attempt is OK, and I think I know how this'll go together once I get the size right. Tomorrow, we'll up the
sizing to 185%, see if that's enough. Luckily, I have plenty of fabric to use during my prototype phase !
Thanks go to toysrgus.com, the Lexmark X75 PrinTrio, and my always indulgent Beloved Hubby and Dearest Son, for not minding
that the house looks like h#ll while momma's off on another of her little tangents.
| Version 2.0, at 185% of source material. |
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| Ya gotta admit, that *sounded* professional ! |
Well, August 04's Version 2.0 at 185% enlargement of the original photo went a little better, but there's still some changes
needed. As you can see, the opening is past the yellow 'waist elastic' mark, and it's nowhere near that low on the one pictured
at the toysrgus.com site. With the shoulders sewn on this one, it was the only way I could get it on her.
Still, it's closer. Still a bit snug, so I think tomorrow's effort will be at 200%. Neckline is tight, but at least could
be sewn this time, pant legs are also closer-fitting than the finished item's look to be. Could be the 100% Nylon noted on
the Spec. Sheet (also pictured on the reference site) may have a bit of stretch to it, but it's doubtful. It looks like ordinary
nylon was used there, and the cotton I'm using probably has more 'give' to it than the nylon would.
I'm sort of going by the shoulders, and while mine hit right where I like them to, the prototype photo shows the shoulder
seam down off the shoulder a bit. I wondered if a finished Leia flight suit would fit the Luke and Han dolls - but no, there
was an 'X-Wing Fighter' flight suit with a whole different pattern also shown on the site. Still, that would have been very
versatile !
So. Back here tomorrow for the 200% Version 3.0 ?
| Saaaaayyyy... |
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| I think V. 3.0 at 200% is our winner here ! |
In retrospect, I should have *started* at 200%. I mean, I routinely halve the photos I take before I post 'em here, so they're
not overwhelmingly large, but big enough to see. If I do that, it's reasonable to figure others do, as well.
And, as you can see, Version 3.0 at 200% is about right. I used brown thread for the elastic markers this time, and the
ankle elastic will hit about right, and the waist elastic will give it the right 'blousing' and still enable it to go on and
off fairly easy. Shoulders are good, and the closures will work fine.
Only negative is that the crotch seems a bit low. Can always fix that in the sewing, but it looks like I finally got the
proportions right. And, guess what - if I cut this out ahead of time, I can do the principal sewing shown in all these prototypes
in less than a half-hour. Of course, that doesn't include the collar, sleeves, hems, and elastic, but practice makes a perfect
flight suit !
| Version 3.1 ! Now with sleeves and a collar ! |
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| Hemmed, too. Just no elastic yet. |
On August 05, I ripped out the side seams of Version 3.0, added sleeves and collar...making this one 3.1 ! While we're a bit
closer to 'challenge met', there's still a few issues to address in future versions...
That collar was a major PITA. If you can see past the 7,000 threads from about two dozen attempts to attach it, you can
see it doesn't go to the front closure edges. It's kind of hard to tell if the original one does or not, but the 'Luke' version
('Fatigue Suit') does, so I'm willing to bet this one should, too. Could be I took too much of a seam allowance, but even
with that, it would still be shy of the edges. It was on the same page as the 200% increase back piece, so I know it enlarged
as well. Hmpft. I'll work on it.
Sleeves, though, are about right. Seam is where it should be, but it does make them long. The first line of stitching
from the wrist is the hem, second is where the elastic should go. I'm thinking the elastic will keep them at the right length
- even on the source photo, they're pretty baggy sleeves.
I also hemmed the pants, and again, first line of stitches from the floor is hem, second is elastic placement. So the
pants length is about right.
Next step - adjusting the collar and adding elastic !
| Prototype 4.0 ! So, what do you think of her, guys |
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| I can't believe I've done it ! |
I almost wished you could see me on August 06 - smelly, sweaty and jumping up and down ! I did it ! Took about two and a half
hours, from fabric cutting to photo editing, but I'm so happy ! I've wanted this since Mr. Sansweet's 1992 book "Star
Wars: From Concept to Screen to Collectible" showed a photo of it. And I did it ! *I* did it !
Ok, calm down. (deep breath) Here's the details. I didn't alter the collar at all. Rather, I redid the way I handled the
front facings. Without directions, I've been using classic sewing methodology, and sewing the facings first. Well, today,
I decided to not sew the facings at all, as the collar would go over them anyway. And, you guessed it, it worked out perfectly.
Collar even went in easier.
I gotta tell you, putting in elastic isn't my strong suit. Had to measure it m'self, too, which always makes me nervous.
While I knew an inch was more than enough to fit over Leia's wrists, an inch didn't stretch far enough across the sleeve.
So it's not as tight at the wrists or ankles as it could be. I may see if I can find stretchier elastic - you know mine, it's
either from a 30-year old yard-sale basket or I've had it for five years m'self.
It's not quite like the prototype pictured at the site (www.toysrgus.com/index.php?action=disp_item&item_id=39560),
but I'm very proud of it just the same. The pattern works, I took careful notes of the sequence order and elastic measurements,
and I can do this as many times as I want. Heck, I might go on a hunt for that blue nylon !
One thing's for sure. You won't see that green again. I had to play with it to find enough of it for the sleeves ! She's
wearing Ken hiking boots, and as soon as I can find her issue belt, she'll be wearing that, too.
I still can't believe I did it...
Everyday Leia Apparel...
| Lots of new clothes for Leia ! |
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| It's about time ! |
Finally got off my rump and measured my 1978 Kenner Princess Leia for Doll Shop Deluxe. Her close-but-not-Barbie-enough figure
means she rarely fits available-in-stores clothes, so she can either wear Ken clothes pinned in a bit, or hunt for the larger
Barbie offerings. Or I can make her stuff !
She shares a body with another Kenner 70s doll, Dusty - as mentioned in the 'Flight Suit Challenge' above. There are some
differences - Leia lacks the 'grip' hands, and my Leia doesn't have the 'melt' issues at the crotch and hips that most Dustys
do. Dusty was a 'sports' doll, and she had a sort of 'pull and snap back' mechanism in her waist that enabled her to 'play'.
Leia doesn't have the elastic tension there, so her torso tends to spin. For measurements and fittings, a temporary tape belt
will hold her steady.
For more Dusty goodness, check out the green link at the bottom of this page. Best Dusty page I've seen yet !
It's actually harder than it seems to make her clothes. Aside from the tiny scale, Leia doesn't look or fit well in most
clothes available for her scale. So I gave it some thought, and decided to make her some simple, clean-lined 70s-inspired
stuff. So far, it seems to be going OK !
On your left is the classic DSD jumper I make all my dolls. It's OK, but tighter than I wanted. I evidently sewed the
shoulder seams too high, so it's off everywhere. Darts are above where the should be, waist isn't defined at all, armholes
are barely big enough for her arms, and it's a bit short. But, heck, it fits even with the errors, so we'll just try again
sometime.
Centered are DSD semi-fitted slacks and the peasant blouse - directions for the blouse are elsewhere on the site. It's
amazing how well the pants fit on the first trial ! In the photo, they look a little low in the center seam/inseam, but let's
remember, our poor camera is buying it, one pixel at a time.
The blouse is OK, but I made the arms too tight. Read my own measurements wrong ! I'll probably redo it with some fabric
I unearthed during a recent clean-out. Her shoes are Ken loafers. While they fit her well, he doesn't have many feminine shoes.
So I'm on the hunt for some Dusty shoes (Kenner used the same body for both dolls) or some designs to make her some myself.
And on your right is an adapted 'Daytime Dress' from "Fashion Doll Fun" by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. It's
out of print, but Amazon.com and other used bookdealers often have copies. If you wanna get into sewing for dolls, I would
highly recommend this book. Simple clothes, easy sewing, good results. It's a great way to get started. Even if you are well-experienced
as a doll sewist, the shapes within are easy to alter and translate to other sizes.
While Leia is the same scale as Barbie, her waist is thicker, and her hips are larger. We won't get into bustline comparisons
right now. I printed out a scan of the 'Daytime Dress' pattern as-is, and paper-fitted it to Leia. No way would it fit her,
so I folded it down the middle, neckline to hem, cut it out, and using tape and scrap paper, angled the dress to be more narrow
at the top and wider where it's needed. It's still a bit snug at the hips, but my alterations fit, and I'm happy with the
finished dress. Not counting the changes, the dress itself only took about a half hour.
Her belt is a simple ribbon with snaps on the back, and the buckle used to be a bra-strap adjustment slider. You wouldn't
believe how many of those I have stashed away...
It's harder to sew for Leia, but it's nice to look in her happy face as I'm sewing, and remember "Star Wars"
without special editions or episode number designations. I'm remembering more 'me' than movie, but that's memory for ya !
| Cute little suits, all in a row ! |
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| Got the skirt right this time, too ! |
Believe it or not, I still have more of that red fabric - and it was a remnant to start with ! Two or three more pieces, and
it's done for, though.
Anyway, here's Leia's new suit, and a new pair of shorts and a cute little shirt. Tunic, Straight Skirts, and shorts from
DSD. I made the red skirt first, to test the pattern. Snug, but well-fitting. Made it again in a cool black peach-skin textured
fabric, from a torn pair of pants my wonderful MIL gave me. She knows how I love to recycle ! Even though I used the same
pattern, and went a bit thin on the seam allowances, it was much too tight. At least it fits a standard Barbie body. Only
reason I can think of why the same pattern in a thinner fabric with smaller seam allowances didn't work is that somehow the
Fray-Check shrank it ! Seriously, that peachskin stuff frays like anything.
That first black skirt was so tight, it actually changed Leia's stance. You can see a photo of it on my blog (Doll Diaries).
After redoing Leia's hip measurements, the pattern didn't change, so I simply added 3/4" to the hip ease. Sometimes DSD
is so aggravating, but it does have ways to get around most problems. Since the pants and other skirt fit well, I didn't want
to change the measurement any further.
The shirt she's wearing with the shorts is another altered piece from "Fashion Doll Fun". I increased it to
112%, but the arms are still a bit too tight. Everything else fits, though, and it's a simple, fun pattern. I need to start
decorating these easy shirts, have some more fun with 'em !
I rather like the 80s vibe on the tunic ensembles. The slightly oversize buttons - while they're sold as 'Barbie buttons',
they actually fit Elphie's scale much better - make it seem more fun than serious.
Her white shoes are from a 99c blow-mold Ken clone. They were loafers, I cut 'em for a more feminine shape. I'd put bows
on 'em, but I don't want 'em to look any sillier. Leia's also wearing a headband in that image - a length of black elastic
tied at the back gives her hair a bit more polish. Her arms don't normally pose like that. I have 'em temporarily taped down
for the photos.
| Finally used up the red fabric - shoes from scraps |
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| So I went out and bought more fabric ! |
Yup - shoes are where we ran out of red fabric. You should have seen me playing with the scraps, trying to find just enough
left for that last piece...
The last 'red set' blouse is slightly modified from 'Fashion Doll Fun', mostly I hand-drew a slightly lower cut on the
underarm from the previous alteration. This version can be worn with the opening in the back or the front ! Skirt is a simple
gathered rectangle, sewn to a DSD waistband pattern.
Her shoes are clumsy efforts, made from the previously discussed scraps and fun foam. They're rather cludgy, but I like
them. I mostly use the directions here - http://www.snsdolls.com/pattarch/dollshoe/shoemain.htm - I play with fabric and paper
bits until I have something that looks like it works. I use fun foam for the insole and sole, hand-sewing the uppers to the
insole, then gluing the insole and sole together. Works best with flat-foot dolls, and as you can see, I'm still not very
good at it. But then again, I rarely make them, so it could be I just need practice !
Went out today just for fun and found that gorgeous 'space age' fabric on sale. Intended for a new Fiyero shirt, it somehow
ended up on Leia first ! I wanted to try a 'yoke' bodice on her, and just like most dolls, those sort of make her look pregnant.
Or larger-figured than she really is. Even though the scale is a bit too large for her, it's a fun print that looks good on
her, preggers or not !
You'll see the lavender fabric behind her again soon - it's gonna be Elphie's next 'Dr. Girlfriend' costume !
| Fun with a bra ! |
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| I have *gotta* do a 'Barbie and the Bra' page... |
This one *had* to have its own photo. The dress is described above - but whaddya think of the lace jacket ? It *was* the lacy
cup to a bra ! Yup. I took one that color apart for its bright buckles, sliders, and elastic, and for some reason, I still
had the cups in the 'Scraps' bin. Normally I toss 'em. Bra cups, especially lacy ones, tend to develop pills and show wear,
and there's not much you can do with such little fabric.
It caught my eye, so I played with it a bit yesterday. Ended up sewing down the hem I'd removed to get at the elastic
- I actually already had matching thread, a tiny "20 for $1." spool, but that was more than enough ! - and sewing
about two inches from the hem up, one inch over. Instant sleeves ! And darn near instant jacket !
It fits a Barbie better, but I've enjoyed using Leia here. I swear, one day, I'll do a 'Barbie and The Bra' page !
| Time to play with new colors ! |
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| Let's try...green ! |
Now that I have a lot more 'me' time, it's a great way to spend it sewing ! Was playing with the lapels in Doll Shop Deluxe,
trying to figure out how to get Elphie's next 'Dr. Girlfriend' (from The Venture Bros., Cartoon Network) costume to look more
accurate. Ended up printing one Leia's size, not really intending to work it up.
But I did. It was too short, so here, it's a collarless blouse. Worked up pretty good, I think. The black 'buttons' are
actually scrapbooking mini-brads - you know, those brass ones that usually hold papers together ? Now there's tiny ones, and
with a seam ripper and a bit of Fray-Check, they make kick-butt fast-application tiny buttons for doll clothes ! There's hidden
snaps holding it closed. Pants are from the same pattern used to make the red ones pictured above.
Leia's clothes are about to pop the lid on the box I bought for 'em !
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