A few years ago, I received an email from Eva Bloom, a ten-year-old girl, telling me she loved my dolls and was hoping to get one for Christmas. I was melted by the email and wanted very much for her to get one for Xmas too. However, when I scanned the purchases of the three months leading up to the holiday, I was fairly certain her parents were not on there.

Three years later, I received an email from the now 13-year-old Eva, asking if I could make a custom doll, an Anne Frank doll, and how much would it cost. Eva wanted to start saving.

Eva did not need to save. I wanted nothing more than to make an Anne Frank doll. My oldest daughter had also been obsessed with Anne Frank's story and other similar stories. She had devoured so many young adult books on the Holocaust, that we went to the Holocaust Museum bookstore in Washington DC to find more books.

Eva explained her fascination with Anne, "I found interest in Anne Frank while I was reading her book. With a diary like hers, I could really see what it was like during the Holocaust for a girl in hiding. It stuck with me because I felt she was similar to me, when reading her book I felt transported into her everyday life. I read the book one year ago and the play two months ago. I also read two unabridged versions and watched the movie. I would strongly recommend her diary."

Anne's clothes fit perfectly within the 1940s clothing set I was designing last November. Read more about the collection here and here.

And what could be more sentimental than designing an Anne Frank doll? She was a beautiful girl with an amazing spirit.

As I was designing and making Anne, nearly two thousands miles away in a small town in North Dakota, Eva, was working on her sewing skills and Anne Frank's wardrobe. Eva used the patterns and tutorials from my website to create Anne's wardrobe.

"I learned how to stitch when I was three years old, but I think I was seven before I started sewing things together. My mom, grandmas from both sides of the family, and our good friend Sara Malles were the ones who taught me.

"However, Lisa Is the one who got me to sew more than ever before. Her patterns really got me going. I have been sewing for Anne Frank about 4 months now. I have so many dresses I'm not sure what to do with them all!" In my next post I will have some of Eva's tips for sewing doll clothes and lots of pictures of her amazing clothes.

Anne Frank arrived in time for Christmas. And Eva's father captured the moment(s) beautifully.

Next post, Anne's beautiful clothes and doll clothes sewing tips from Eva.