Chattanooga Grandma Revives History One Doll Dress at a Time

Chattanooga Grandma Revives History One Doll Dress at a Time

In the charming city of Chattanooga, a local grandmother is stitching together a delightful legacy that blends her lifelong passion for sewing with history. Sandy Franklin, a talented seamstress, has recently jumped into an ambitious project that aims to breathe life into the Tennessee State Museum’s first lady doll collection. And let me tell you, this isn’t just your average needle and thread job; it’s a walk through time!

From Childhood Dreams to Dressmaking

Franklin, who learned the art of sewing at the tender age of ten, credits her parents—both textile workers in Fall River, Massachusetts—with instilling in her the skills and confidence she needed. “As a child, I was familiar with pattern pieces and how to fit them together,” she recalls fondly. By the seventh grade, Sandy was already sewing her own clothes, and for decades, she has contributed to the community theater scene in Chattanooga with her costume creations. But who would have thought that this experience would lead her into a fascinating historical adventure?

A Call to Action

A few months back, a representative from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of Tennessee approached Franklin about a unique opportunity. The Tennessee State Museum was looking for someone to volunteer and make dresses for their first lady doll collection—a collection that showcases the fashion of female dolls dressed in period-correct gowns tracing back over 200 years! This task was proving to be a real challenge as the project had stalled due to the scarcity of doll makers.

“The project was at a standstill because the original dolls were handmade, and finding doll-makers now is very difficult,” explained Linda Hershey from the women’s clubs group. After a brainstorming session, the decision was made to purchase Madame Alexander dolls, but they still needed someone with the skills to dress them right. Enter Sandy Franklin!

Sewing with Speed and Precision

Fast forward to the present, and in just a couple of months, Franklin has successfully crafted 10 stunning period dresses for the 14-inch dolls, impressing everyone with her quick turnaround—“I work fast. I talk fast. I’m from Massachusetts, and I can’t slow down!” she says with a laugh. One of the highlights was handing over the dress for a doll representing sitting first lady Maria Lee. The joy was mutual—Maria couldn’t resist holding her doll!

Historical Dressmaking

While dressing modern first ladies may be a piece of cake with plenty of photographs available, Franklin’s biggest challenge lies in recreating garments from the early 1800s. Sometimes, all she has to work with is a brief newspaper description. “For Cecilia Bradford Carroll, the wife of 19th-century Gov. William Carroll, I had just a society page blurb,” she commented. Using her wit and creativity, Franklin elegantly turned that single description into a gorgeous yellow satin dress, even trimming it with lace taken from her daughter’s wedding gown (with permission, of course!)

Bringing Dolls to Life

What sets Franklin’s work apart is her determination to make each doll engaging and authentic. She’s not just creating dresses but also finding charming items to place in their hands. One first lady doll even sports a pipe in her apron, nodding to the history of women sneaking a smoke in the 19th century. Another holds a Bible, inspired by an old photograph showcasing a particularly pious-looking first lady.

A Steady Stream of Dresses Ahead

With 10 dolls done and 19 more dresses on her sewing table, there’s no sign that this grandma will slow down anytime soon. “I’ve told them, ‘I’ll tell you when I can’t, or don’t want to, do it anymore,'” she said, her passion evident in every stitch.

So for now, Franklin is knee-deep in sequins and satin, stitching a bright thread through Chattanooga’s historical fabric one doll dress at a time. What a lovely way to keep history alive and inspire future generations with a sprinkling of creativity and heart!