Meh

So I did get the dress done, and... I'm not impressed with it. There were places where I made mistakes, such as not getting the sleeve cuffs lined up perfectly when I sewed the sleeves shut. But the biggest issue is the fact that the skirt is just too full. I was hoping that the extra weight of a full skirt with a double-folded piece of fabric for the hem, plus the rickrack trim, would weigh the skirt down, but it didn't. Unfortunately, I find too often when I use doll patterns that I have not created, that there is some sort of problem. In this case, I really see no reason why the skirt was made so extremely full.

In good news, the neckline looks a lot better than I thought it might. I used the thinnest white batiste fabric that I had to underline the top, but I was afraid that white was going to show too much around the neckline. Somehow when I got the top all assembled and the dress on the doll, it doesn't look so bad. On the other hand, I have an awful time getting the two collar pieces to meet up nicely in the middle. I try basting the collar pieces on before I sew the fabric and underlining, but they still end up to far apart, to my eyes. Oh well.

I will possibly post pictures of this dress tomorrow, when I've gotten over my disappointment, and the lighting is better. I'm also starting fresh with a new pattern for a different doll. I'm so over this pattern for now.

Coming Along

I've been struggling with an Ann Estelle/Sophie sized dress for a while, but I think I've gotten it to the point where I can finish it and move on to something else. At the moment, I'm sewing rickrack trim on the skirt, which is really perking up the look, and encouraging me to get this done. I've ended up having to hand sew the trim, because it's not working with my sewing machine. My only guess is that the rickrack and the serged finish of the two fabrics on the underside is too thick overall. I even tried moving up to a size 90 needle, but it still didn't work out.

Here's the skirt in progress:

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.

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.