Coming Back

Being in a family that perpetually has more time than money, I decided to make my niece an outfit out of my stash, and a matching outfit for her 18" Madame Alexander doll as a gift. Perhaps because I was making it for someone else, I ended up being really motivated, and enjoyed making the clothes. Below, you can see the result. Once again, I used a Jean Becker and Joan Hinds book, although I changed the patterns slightly. I also didn't like the neckline for the top. "Turn over 1/4" and hem" just doesn't work out for me on a round neckline. The neckline doesn't stay a neat 1/4" all the way around, because of the curve. If I had the time, I could have basted and then used the machine to finish, but I would just as well like making a facing, or a self-fabric neckband like I did with my niece's shirt. Of course, the doll's top doesn't close in back, to make it easy to get on and off, so I don't know if a neckband would lay properly.

I got a lot of use out of the doll-size ironing board that Mr. BTEG made for me last year. Getting a small iron would be useful, but for now my regular size iron works.

Looking for Patterns

I am searching for three patterns designed by Alice Leverett that were created for the 15 1/2" Josephine doll by the Franklin Mint. I have been in touch with Alice Leverett, and she no longer has those patterns available; even the computer file she had them on is gone. I have never seen them on ebay and never seen them available anywhere else. Did any of them even get sold? If you have any of these patterns, please contact me!

Ironing Things Out

I finally arrived at the point where I really needed a doll-size ironing board. Ironing miniature necklines was the point where my regular-size ironing board just wouldn't cut it anymore, although I imagine I'll find more uses for the mini one also. Mr. BTEG was kind enough to make one for me, and I used cotton batting and muslin to make a cover for it. I based mine on the example shown here. It didn't turn out exactly the way I wanted, but it's very good for my first experience ever making any size ironing board cover, without a pattern. It's definitely good enough to use. A little more progress.

Here it is, with Tonner's 10" Sophie doll modeling with it.

Custom Color Guard Outfit

I can't seem to get off the ground with doll sewing besides putzing around with patterns. I'm too much of a perfectionist, although a struggle with allergies for about a month or so did not help. However, I did take the time last week to make an outfit for a friend of my daughter's. It was for her American Girl doll, and it is based on an outfit for the Color Guard at the local high school. This girl wants to join the group when she gets to high school, and she already practices. When this girl opened her gift, her older sister quipped, "Your doll got into Color Guard before you did!" The girl liked the outfit, and since I used scraps, it was essentially no cost to make except for the dowel and the ball on top for the flag. Once again I used the Jean Becker and Joan Hinds book, adapting the patterns slightly to fit my needs.

Success!

I have achieved a pattern that I can work with and made a trial dress. Now to get creative and see what kind of things I can do with the pattern.

The light is not very good for this picture. It's very gray and rainy here today.

Progress of a Sort

I have discovered that the armscye of a dress for an 8" doll is not really suited to being finished by a conventional serger. I have experienced the same problem sewing for the smaller dolls before, but I'm stubborn and like everything finished by serger. However, I took a good look inside all the dresses by Tonner for his Kripplebush Kids that I own, and only one is serged on the armscye. The rest are finished by a double row of stitching. I will probably use a zig-zag stitch. Hoping to finish a dress this week! Sunday is usually a day of rest, after church.

Still Sewing, Different Doll

Well. This past year has been a ride. Health issues, unemployment, a move forced upon us. I was suffering from so much depression that I didn't get much sewing done in the old place, and we moved to the new place right before Thanksgiving and the long parade of holidays (and in my house, birthdays.) It took a while to even get a functional sewing area set up here, but I am thankful that I am still able to have one!

Once I got back to sewing for dolls, I had a different inspiration, to sew for Robert Tonner's 8" Kripplebush Kids. I have spent many hours tweaking a pattern and I think I have finally come up with something that suits. I have had no formal pattern drafting training, for either little people or big people, so I have had some difficulties and setbacks. However, I find that I prefer my own doll patterns rather than other people's. Too many of the patterns I have tried do not fit the doll for which I am sewing properly. Others online who sew for dolls have said that a pattern must be slightly fixed for every doll. Well, if I have to do that, I'd just as soon work on my own pattern, however long it might take me. Besides, like many stay-at-home moms, I have more time than money. :)

This is not meant to disparage any particular pattern or pattern maker. If you design patterns, please do not assume I mean you and get angry at me. Everyone has a different experience, your mileage may vary, etc.

Now that I have a working pattern, I am hoping to get a new dollie creation up here very soon!