Pattern Review: McCall's M7717

 I have two little cousins who really love their 21 inch Adora Baby dolls, who are named Jamie and Lucy.

I knew that one day I would be called upon to sew for Jamie and Lucy, so I bought patterns when they were on sale at Joann. The dolls wear newborn sized clothes.

The doll in the picture is not Jamie or Lucy. She is my 1987 Berjusa baby doll, Katie. She's my beloved childhood baby doll who also wears newborn size clothes.

I sewed this dress using McCall's M7177. I used the newborn size.

I am not totally happy with the fit of the dress. The dress's length is nice. The width seems very wide to me.

I also had to ruffle the neck of the dress in order to get it to fit the neck binding piece. I am not sure that I am supposed to do that.

The dress is very cute and will make the girls very happy.

I made matching baby bonnets and diaper covers. The bonnet comes from Simplicity pattern 1600.

They are all set to dress up to their heart's content.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Dud Bibbed Playsuit

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Bibbed Playsuit!

I have been wanting overalls for Fern, one of my CYOs. I just named her Fern because I thought it was a pretty name, but she is rather taking on aspects of Fern from Charlotte's Web.

I wanted the overalls to have a practical look, like something you would do chores in. To me, that meant dark colors that wouldn't show dirt.

It's fun to see how you can use the same fabrics to create different looks!

Fern's overalls are made from the same brown fabric that I used in Keepers Dolly Duds Study Hall.

Fern's blouse is made from the same burgundy fabric that I used in Keepers Dolly Duds Beth.

The overalls have a lot of little cute details. 

The straps cross in the back. I don't often take pictures of my outfits from the back, but I had to for this one!

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Bodice Details Dress

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Bodice Detail Dress.

I thought that the dress had a distinct 1940s look. I chose this poppy fabric because of the significance of poppies in memorializing WWI and WWII.

However, the pattern description says that it is a 1930s dress. I will also admit that the poppy fabric has kind of a 1930s flour sack look to it.

Soooo I am going to say that this dress could be for either the 1930s or the 1940s.

I really love the colors in this fabric. It just looks joyful to me. I think I would like to make a doll quilt from the fabric that I have left.

I found the pleats for this dress really challenging. Not only was it pleating, but the pattern piece for the skirt was curved. Pleating on a curve was tough. I think I made the pleats slightly too large, but they are uniform, so I don't care.

If I ever make this dress again, I may just do a gathered skirt, or used a pleated skirt pattern piece from a different pattern. This once, though, I wanted to do it the way the pattern was written. I am stubborn that way.

This pattern had three sleeve option, including long sleeves. I love that. I love doll clothes with long sleeves.

I usually automatically choose the long sleeve option if there is one. I chose shorter sleeves this time, because I was thinking of it as a dress for Nanea, and she lives in Hawaii. The fabric also looks like spring time to me.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Train Station

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Train Station pattern! Another pattern with pleats!

This is four separate pieces. A green blouse, a floral pleated skirt, a jacket and a hat.

I used wool pants from the thrift store for the jacket and the hat.

As I've mentioned before, KDD patterns do a great job of clearly marking how to make the pleats. I was happy with how the pleats in the skirt turned out.

I was asked if the jacket is reversible. Yes, because I didn't add the decorative buttons yet, the jacket is technically reversible.

However, the fabric I used as the lining looks terrible when the jacket is turned inside out. I actually commented, "Ouch, my eyes!" when I did turn it inside out to illustrate. It makes her look like a used car salesman at Easter time.

Also, turning it inside out puts the itchy wool on the inside. No thanks. 

It could work if you used other fabrics, though.

You may recognize the floral fabric. I used it first to sew Keepers Dolly Duds Church Tea, and decided to use it again for this pattern because it holds pleats so nicely. Also, I think it has a nice vintage look. It may be vintage, I got it secondhand somewhere.

The drawback, I think, is that the fabric is so busy that it makes it harder to see the pleats in pictures.

I think this outfit has a lot of mix and match potential. That's why I used the nice wool fabric to make the jacket and hat. I maybe regret the fabric I used as lining after turning it inside out, though. Haha.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Circle Swirl Dress

 I have completed the Keepers Dolly Duds Circle Swirl Dress pattern. 

I do feel like this dress is very similar to the Keepers Dolly Duds Fifties Flair pattern, with different decorative details. They are very pretty details, though.

I chose to use a ribbon as the decorative detail on the skirt instead of cutting out a strip of fabric. 

I had trouble getting the ribbon to lie flat in the swirl pattern. I don't think it would have been any easier if I had used fabric. I glued it down and then sewed it down. It's not 100% perfect, but I feel that it's the best I could do at the moment. Maybe I should have tried ironing it?

It was a very straightforward pattern, and I didn't have any trouble at all sewing it. 

If you are a beginner tackling a circular hem, like this skirt, the best method that I have found is to first stitch the edge with a zig zag stitch and then fold the edge over and sew it down. 

The dress on the cover of this pattern, with the yellow and black color scheme, reminds me of Charlie Brown. I knew I wanted to use a different color scheme. I like Charlie Brown, but it just didn't work for me to see a pretty dress with that color scheme. 

I used this green fabric because I have loads of it and the pattern piece for the skirt is huge. It is literally a circle, thus the name of the pattern.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Library Assistant

 I knew that I needed to make the Keepers Dolly Duds Library Assistant pattern.

That's because I am a librarian!

However, I was scared of the pleats.

I will say that KDD patterns do a great job of marking pleats on the pattern so that I understand how to fold the fabric. I followed the pattern directions and ironed the pleats in.

Then I left the fabric overnight under some heavy books. I have plenty of books in my house. I wanted those pleats to be set firmly.

Then I sewed the rest of the pattern with almost no problem.

The one blooper that I made was putting the sleeves in backwards. I swear I was paying attention to which way they were supposed to go. But I got it wrong anyway.

I am trying not to let it bug me, but it bugs me.

Anyway, I conquered the pattern! I am a librarian who can sew a Library Assistant dress now!

Although, as I commented to a colleague, I wish that we dressed this nicely.

This pattern says that it is a 1950s era pattern. However, it looks more 1930s to me.

There is an illustration for a dress in one of Kit's books that looks like this pattern, it just doesn't have pleats in the skirt.

So I guess this dress could work for any era from the 1930s to the 1950s.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Balmoral Holiday Coat

 I was so scared to make the Keepers Dolly Duds Balmoral Holiday Coat!

It offered some great opportunities to totally mess up- the scallops in front of the coat, the button holes, the asymmetry.

Well, I eliminated one of those hazards right off the bat by putting in snaps instead of sewing real button holes.

The pattern was easy to follow and I didn't have any problem with the asymmetrical design.

And the scallops turned out better than any I have done before. My theory is that is because these scallops are somewhat larger than any that I have sewn before.

I love this coat and the cloche hat! They are so cute.

I am so pleased that I overcame my fears and tackled this pattern!

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds 1850's Girls dress

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds 1850's Girls dress pattern.

While I have Marie Grace and a customized Cecile, most of the time they aren't canon characters in my collection, so I had never made this pattern before.

I loved the pattern!  It looks so elegant and so complicated to sew. I found it very straightforward and easy to sew. It looks so good!

I used ribbon instead of lace, and a red and white color scheme, so it could be used as a holiday dress.

I would love to use this pattern over and over.

It also reminds me a bit of the floofy princess dresses that I loved to draw when I was about age four to age six. Now I don't have to draw badly with crayons, I can make all my princess dress dreams reality!

Maybe Marie Grace and Cecile will be canon more often now...

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Church Tea

 I made the dress and jacket from Keepers Dolly Duds Church Tea.

The dress was very easy to make. It has two pleats in the front of the dress. The fabric that I used ended up holding the pleats so well that I may use it for other patterns with pleats.

The jacket was the challenging part because it has scalloped edges.

I was very careful. I drew the sewing line on the fabric, sewed along the line, and ironed a lot.

My scallops are still not as clear as the ones on the pattern picture. I'm a little disappointed, but it doesn't look too bad.

I didn't make the jacket collar in a contrasting color, as the pattern called for. I had already made the dress in a different fabric, and I didn't want to add in another element.

Overall, I am about 90% happy with this outfit.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Christmas Concert

 I made the pattern Keepers Dolly Duds Christmas Concert.

I think that this look is 1950s. The website just says mid-twentieth century, so that's about right.

This is not my favorite look. I don't know why. It's a perfectly fine historical dress pattern. It just doesn't appeal as much to my eyeballs.

I decided to make it a totally different color profile from the version on the cover of the pattern and see if I liked it anymore. Just because she named the pattern Christmas Concert doesn't mean that it can only be used for Christmas clothes.

So I made a pink blouse and a purple and white jumper. These are two separate clothing pieces.

And the verdict is... it's just still not my favorite look. 

But that's okay!  I made a new pattern, and that's a good experience to have.

I guess I could split them up and see if I like the jumper better with a  different blouse, or the blouse better with a skirt or something.

It was a straightforward pattern to sew, especially if you have made patterns by this designer before. Nothing really to discuss.

Well, the one thing is that I try not to use elastic in doll clothes, because it gives out. So to make the ruffle on the sleeves, I sewed a ribbon to the underside of the sleeve instead of elastic. I made sure that it fitted over the doll's hand. It worked just as well as elastic.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Regency Pinafore

 I have been wanting to sew for Caroline, so I was happy to make the pattern Keepers Dolly Duds Regency Pinafore.

This pattern has two pieces: the white underdress and the red pinafore.

I guess I made an error on the pinafore, because I wasn't able to read the pattern instruction on my laptop. It looks like there are two versions of the pinafore: one that closes in the front and has a gap in the pinafore skirt in the front, and a pinafore version that closes in the back that does not have the front gap.

I made one that closes in the front, but doesn't have that gap. Whoops.

It doesn't look wrong to me- but maybe it is

Anyway, since this is two separate pieces, I can always make another pinafore. The dress under the pinafore is fine. I can make the pinafore in different colors too, for different looks!

I should also point out that I have an older version of the pattern, that Keepers Dolly Duds sold on etsy. There is now an updated version of the pattern on Pixie Faire, but I don't think I am eligible to get that updated pattern since I bought on etsy. 

Ho hum. 

What do you think of my version of the pinafore? Is it a big mistake or an acceptable variation? I do not know that much about this era in fashion history!

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Home Room

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Home Room pattern.

What I love about this pattern is no button holes. It has buttons, but they close with loops. Hurray.

It's a really cute pattern.

I seem to have somewhat messed up by not placing the collar where it is supposed to be on the pattern.

But it looks good. I don't really mind it.

The problem that I am having is that my laptop at home isn't working, so I can't read the pattern instruction as I sew. I feel like I am doing really well without being able to read the instructions.

I found this fabric at the thrift store, and I think it's perfect for the 1970s! It might even be from the 1970s, ha.

The small print is good for doll clothes.

Here are the other Keepers Dolly Duds 1970s patterns that I have made:

Keepers Dolly Duds Sweet Seventies

Keepers Dolly Duds Study Hall

Sewing Goals: Keepers Dolly Duds

 I do most of my sewing in fall/winter/early spring. When it is nice enough to be outside, I want to spend all of my days off works kayaking, hiking and swimming and enjoying the nice weather.

I do swim in an indoor pool throughout the year, but it's not the same.

I also suffer from seasonal depression, which makes it harder to do anything when the days are cold and short. I want to use my time to DO something, but I may feel too tired or sick.

I have set myself a goal to make it easier to get some sewing done. My goal is to sew every Keepers Dolly Duds doll clothes pattern.

There are 47 digital patterns available in American Girl doll size. This is not counting the Simplicity patterns, the Stitch and Switch Collars pattern that is no longer sold separately, or the patterns that have been resized for other dolls.

When I started my goal, I had already sewn 18 of the patterns. I have counted those towards my goal. 

I am now further on my way, and have made more than half of the patterns.

This is a different approach than I usually use. Sometimes I am inspired to sew for a particular doll, or a particular person, or to use a particular piece of fabric. 

Now I am looking at it from a different angle, looking a the pattern, thinking about what fabric I can use for it. Mostly I am using fabric from my stash. It is creative in a different way.

It's also really bolstering my confidence. Some of the patterns I thought, oh, that looks so complicated, and I feel great when I am able to make it easily. Other patterns I felt unlikely to use just because they didn't seem appropriate for a doll that I owned.

I actually already owned most of these patterns. I wanted to justify the money that I spent on them by using them. Otherwise, it's just a weird form of digital hoarding.

This is also an exercise in enjoying what I have. Instead of looking at new dolls online, I am dressing the ones that I have. I am using fabric from my stash. It is sparking joy.

I don't know how long this project will take. It may not be done this year. That's okay. It's helping me to be happy, and that is what counts.

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Beth pattern

 I have made the Keepers Dolly Duds Beth pattern.

This is one of four Civil War Era patterns by this designer that are named after the sisters in Little Women.

It's kind of fun for me to be making a pattern named Beth- because that's my name!

Ironically, I guess, it is the last of the four Little Women themed patterns that I have completed.

My version of Jo's Writing Dress

My version of Meg's Ball Gown

My version of Amy's School Jumper

This is a very pretty pattern. No complaints about my namesake!

It does need buttons down the front still. 

It has a lot of pretty details, including tucks on the skirt.

I saw a post on Instagram that historical people wore more brown than we give them credit for in our AG collections. So I'm like, okay, here's a brown dress!

I found both fabrics at a thrift store. I think that they go well together, and that the tiny print is perfect for dolls clothes.

This fabric would also work for a 1970s outfit, I think. The 1970s were very brown.

I'm really happy with this outfit, and it also nudged me into changing Addy out of her Christmas dress.

It would be fun to make all four Little Women dresses in coordinating fabric. That would be a project for the future!

Pattern Review: Keepers Dolly Duds Hooded Cloak

 I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Hooded Cloak pattern.

This uses only two pattern pieces, the hood and the body of the cloak.. The pattern piece for the body of the cloak is so big that it involves cutting out five different shapes on the paper pattern piece and taping them together.

I am really proud of myself because I made it this week after work, working on it little by little.

Usually, after work I am too tired to do anything except exercise. Exercising AND sewing can be one too many.

I made the cloak black and white with red trim and lining.

I was a little worried that is color scheme looks so modern. I don't really have a use for a modern cloak right now.

However, I have been told that houndstooth existed in Scotland in the 1800s and was known as Shephard's check or Dogtooth.

History of Houndstooth Link

History of Houndstooth 2

I was determined to do the trim. This is a little dangerous, because even if the sewing is perfect, imperfect trim can wreck my enjoyment of a project.

I used the pattern and a ruler to glue the trim in place with tacky glue. Then I waited for the glue to dry and sewed it in place.

The cloak looks pretty good! You can always leave the trim off if it makes you nervous. I saw a gorgeous cloak on Instagram lately that didn't have any trim on the outer cloak, but had embroidery on the lining instead. It was perfect.

I thought that the hood seems a bit tall for the doll's head. I like the look better with the hood down.

If you don't make the hood, then you only have one pattern piece to use!

The fit of this pattern is very good.

Can anyone explain to me why on many cloak and jacket patterns, the bottoms of the lining and the outer shell of the garment are finished separately and not sewn together? This doesn't make sense to me. It seems to me that sewing the two together would make the garment stronger. Especially on doll clothes where reducing bulk helps create a smoother look.

Pattern Review: Dolls at Heart Vera's 1920s Dress

 I made the Dolls at Heart Vera's 1920s Drooped Waist Dress, available on etsy.

I had first bought the cloche hat on ebay, and then I made the pink and green dress to match the hat.

I used fabric that I had on hand, which is why the green fabric is not an exact match to the green on the cloche.

I ended up not liking the pink fabric that I used at all. It was second hand from someone else's project. It looked like they were making a giant pillow case maybe? I don't know.  It was slippery and a bit sheer and it did not feel high quality at all. 

When I dislike the fabric that I used for a sewing project, it ends up affecting how much I like that particular project. Am I the only one with this idiosyncrasy? It's a perfectly cute dress, but that pink fabric... Ugh.

I did not pleat the skirt. I had trouble understand the way the pleating was marked on the pattern piece. I couldn't access the pattern instructions because of laptop problems.

I put velcro on the cuffs instead of snaps in order to finish the project sooner. 

It's a very nice pattern. It reminds me of some of the Keepers Dolly Duds patterns. I will no doubt be using it again. Maybe next time, I will make the pleats.

Happy New Year!

 Happy New Year!

I hope that we all have a great one!

This new dress for Julie would work as a New Year's dress, right? She lives in California, where it's WARM.

I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Sweet 70s dress. 

I used an upcycled blouse from the clothes by the pound thrift store. I bought it because I really liked the print. However, when I got it home, it was very contoured and there weren't a lot of big pieces of fabric on it. I thought that I might need to use it for clothes for a smaller doll, instead of an American Girl doll.

When I was looking at this pattern, though, the skirt was in SIX pieces. So I didn't need big pieces of fabric. The blouse worked just fine.

The things about this pattern is that the skirt is not gathered. The hemline of the blouse and the skirt need to be the same size for this pattern to work.

I did not have any problem with this, but if you are a beginner sewer and you aren't very exact yet, you might want to wait on making this.

The pattern has two different collars and sleeves, so you can get different looks out of it.

I think it's a very pretty dress, and I like it better than I like most 70s looks.