Sewing For Dolls

[Ann]

@Bumblebuncher, it is either lots of patience or a lot of stupidness. I'll take patience. I find some of the patterns take as long to sew as a simple shirt for an adult.

I need to look and see what I want to sew next -- maybe more pyjamas for dolls. I have flannelette out on the cutting table to make them. I may have to do that this weekend.

[Ann]

I finished the 1870's Bustle dress and it was a lot of work. I do like it though.

I didn't put lace or trim on the outfit as I didn't have anything I wanted to use or not enough of what I wanted to use. It turned out really cute with just the white cuffs as contrast.

The bustle is held up with a piece of twill tape that you sew in place with a button. It took me a bit to figure out how to get it looking nice but it worked. The back of the top is long with a pleat and it folds out really neatly over the bustle.

There is another dress that is even more intricate to test but I am not sure I will get it done before the test deadline. I have to make a lobster tail bustle to go under it first. But I may start it and work on it when I have time. I do like the end result. I also have to look for 6 meters of lace for it also.

[Ann]

After 3 weeks of hard slugging, I finally got another historical dress completed. I had to make a bustle and petticoat to go with it which is included in the 3 weeks.

The dress was suppose to have 6 meters of lace on it but I didn't have any in cream colored and the day I was in the quilt shop, it was so crazy that I didn't look at lace. So this outfit is very plain but, in my opinion, stunning.

The back is made up of rows of ruffles and I love how they look over the lobster tail bustle and petticoat.

The 9 AG dolls I own are in historical costumes ranging from the 1700's to 1930. I have taken a temporary leave from the testing groups as DH is having some mental issues that is probably dementia related. I also need to get back to other sewing as I need to continue making Xmas gifts for this coming Christmas.

[Diane]

@Ann That really is lovely, you are very talented 

[Bumblebuncher]

Having made a costume like that for an adult, I fail to see how you could possibly have done that so neatly and beautifully and
I am in awe!

[Sandra]

When I read that you needed 6 metres! of lace, I wondered why. For a doll?...but now I've seen the back of the dress, I understand why.
That's really beautiful.

Sandra.
xxx

[coffeeandcake]

Beautiful dresses, as always @Ann. I would love to be dressed like your dolls
I hope you're able to get good help for your DH.

[Ann]

I finished another outfit for the dolls. This was an easy pattern that is well drafted. I enjoyed making it very much as it was a bit of brightness during our latest snow storms.

It is a halter top and I do like how it fits the dolls.

I'm playing with this pattern as the designer has lots of ideas. One is for an apron that I will be making when I sew up the Christmas fabric scraps into mug rugs and a gift bag. I have plenty of trim and can make some if I need to.

[Kwaaked]

I have a dress form rather than a doll and have a few samples made up in my shop to "show" my sewing skill (permission from designer with attribution of patterns).  I have to remake a few now, though.

[Ann]

@Kwaaked, I was going to buy a dress form but the shipping from the US to Canada was so high I scrapped it.

I made another dress to compliment a sweater set. It is a cute alternative to my basic dress pattern that has a gathered skirt. This one has pleats and a bit of gathering.

The dress is Keepers Dolly Duds Church Bazaar dress. It has a jacket that comes with it. I didn't make it this time but did when I tested the pattern.

[Kwaaked]

@Kwaaked, I was going to buy a dress form but the shipping from the US to Canada was so high I scrapped it.

The dress is Keepers Dolly Duds Church Bazaar dress. It has a jacket that comes with it. I didn't make it this time but did when I tested the pattern.

It took me forever to find a form...even naked it makes a good decoration.  Sometimes I put it in my window when I make one of the fancier items. 

KDD is a nice company.  The lady that runs it is one of the best out there.

[Ann]

@Kwaaked, she is one of the best designers. She sent in her last pattern to be tested and now is retiring. She lives about 50 km (30 miles) from where I live. I have never met her but we do buy fabric from the same quilt shop.

[Marniesews]

I'm afraid I've abandoned my doll clothes quite heartlessly for over 6 months while I've been obsessed with bag making.

You've done a stirling job representing the genre it has to be said.  However, I have to make a rag doll for a friend's granddaughter very soon so I'll have to get back to that once the current bags are finished.

[Ann]

I got another outfit sewn and I'm loving it. The skirt is a pleated skirt that is attached to a yoke. Very easy to make and looks cute in both prints and plaids.

The top was a pattern in the stash that was for testing and I didn't get it done. Thought I would try it and see if I liked it. The pleats at the front were difficult to make the first time I did them. I just didn't get them right at all. Carefully picked them out and did them again. When I got it they were easy. DH has had a lot of melt downs lately so I read the pattern and start sewing on it 3-4 hours later. The rest of the pattern was easy to follow and well drafted.

I love the back of the top so much it has inspired me to make this as the top to go with an Edwardian walking skirt.

I will be doing doing a few things differently as I'm using a different lace on it. I'm looking forward to sewing the next rendition of the pattern. 

[Ann]

I got doll pj's made for a boy doll. I had made pj pants for DGS 3 Christmas's ago and this was the left over fabric. The pattern is Simplicity 5276.

There was enough fabric to also make 2 flannel blankets which I did a rolled edge on and 2 pillows.

I'm certainly happy to have this fabric used up and I know the little girl I sew for will be delighted to have pj's and blankets for her boy doll.