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 is open in the 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.

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.