New Year, New Hopes

It's taken me a long while to even think about getting back to sewing. Part of it was the move, and the unpacking (and even finding) all the things I need to sew. Part of it is feeling strange about getting into sewing again. I haven't done it for months, and I almost dread trying it again for some reason, like I won't be any good at it anymore. However, I still have the desire to create, so I have to make myself proverbially get back on the horse.

Another issue is pattern drafting. I would like to use my own patterns to sew as much as possible. I hate having to make a muslin trial for a purchased doll pattern! I'm not always happy with how the pattern turns out. I also want to sew different types of dresses than the patterns I generally see. I have no experience in pattern drafting, but I imagined that at least for a little girl type doll, making a pattern would not be terribly difficult. They do not need the shaping required for a full-figured doll, and of course with a doll, "ease" is not so much of an issue! But I have not created slopers yet that my perfectionist self is entirely pleased with. I think I'm getting close, though! And I am trying to learn more about pattern drafting, particularly for dolls.

Watch This Space

After a lot of the usual trial and error, I think I have created workable patterns for Robert Tonner's Alice in Wonderland. Now I need to create clothes for her that are not muslin test pieces. Pictures will be forthcoming as this happens. I'm looking forward to the fun part of doll costuming now that the pattern design appears to over.

Welcome to Barb's Doll Designs!

Here is where I will be posting pictures and updates about the doll fashions I'm hoping to make. The project I'm currently working is clothes for Robert Tonner's Alice in Wonderland, and I hope to get pictures up soon. In the meantime, here's a picture of my daughter holding her American Girl doll who is wearing the Fourth of July dress I made using a pattern by Joan Hinds and Jean Becker. I can't seem to find the book online, but here is the picture of my daughter and her doll.