I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Nancy and Mary Jane pattern in full!
I used a version of the pattern to make Nanea's Christmas dress, but that didn't have all the scallops.
This version has the scallops!
I always feel when I make scallops that they could be more defined.
These aren't the best and aren't the worst.
But it's a pretty dress, and I am happy that I tried to make the pattern!
I love this fabric. So pretty!
I decided that Nanea needed a Christmas dress. I am surprised that AG hasn't made one for her.
I wanted to make a green one to go with her eyes.
I found a green plaid fat quarter with snowflakes in my stash. It was perfect!
I used the pattern Keepers Dolly Duds Nancy and Mary Jane pattern. I didn't add the scallops. They would have been lovely, but I wanted a simpler project. I will make them next time!
Oddly enough, tackling a simpler version of this pattern makes me more confident in tackling a more complicated version later.
I am very happy with the finished version. Nanea can match with the other dolls wearing a Christmas dress now!
I think this dress goes well especially with Molly's and Addy's Christmas dresses.
It is so dark this time of year. It makes it more challenging to take good pictures.
I need to start sewing again!
I started with Keepers Dolly Duds Sweet Summer Days.
Yes, I consider it a hilarious and wonderful joke that after I sewed all of the Keepers Dolly Duds patterns, three more were released.
I am happy to have more wonderful patterns to sew!
I made this dress in yellow gingham. Having learned my lesson the last time I sewed this dress, I lined the skirt so that it wouldn't be see-though.
Nanea gets to wear the dress. It looks great on her! I was sewing this on a rainy day, and the dress was like a drop of sunshine.
If you are not into the midriff gap, Forever 18 Inches Country Diva is a pretty similar pattern.
I'm excited to be sewing again! I'm less excited about winter approaching, but oh well.
I found this lovely coral fabric at the thrift store, and I immediately knew that I wanted to go Regency with it.
I used it to make my second version of Keepers Dolly Duds Tea with the Governess.
I think it's really lovely!
I made the ruched sleeves again, I love that detail.
Maritza is modeling this time. Maybe she is pretending to be one of Josefina's sisters!
It's a really pretty dress, and I had buttons that match the color really well.
I think that next time I use this fabric, I will make a really elaborate dress for Samantha, maybe from Simplicity 1179.
You can see my first version of this pattern at this link.
I made the Keepers Dolly Duds Beth pattern, sized for Ruby Red Fashion Friends!
This pattern in this size was a Freebie Friday pattern, and one I am very happy to have.
It is just as cute in the Ruby Red size! I found it easy to make, especially since I had made the pattern before.
It's smaller, but not so much smaller that it is too difficult.
I just wish that I had better shoes to match this to put on my Stella! She is wearing sneakers under her lovely dress.
Stella looks really good in green. I shall continue to sew for her!
You can see a version of this pattern when I made it for American Girl Addy at this link.
I first saw Keepers Dolly Duds doll clothes around 2008.
Eve was selling her beautiful creations on ebay. I was a student and could not afford any of the outfits, but they were so lovely. They were the first historical handmade doll clothes I saw that I liked as much or better than the ones made officially by American Girl.
I sent Eve a message on ebay to say how much I admired her doll clothes although I could not afford them, and she was very gracious.
It was a gift to all of us who love the historical American Girl dolls when she started making patterns, and we could make out own beautiful doll clothes. Even if you couldn't sew, there were now more sellers making these lovely outfits, so you were more likely to find something that fit your budget.
I can't remember which was the first Keeper's Dolly Duds pattern that I bought.
I have the same reaction to all of the patterns:
1) Wow, that's beautiful!
2) That looks really complicated to make.
3) I try to make the pattern and find that it is less difficult than I thought, and I too can make beautiful historical doll clothes.
I remember all too well the first doll clothes that I tried to make, at age 8, for my Ginny doll, and how far they fell short of my vision. It was more like a poncho than a beautiful dress.
With Keepers Dolly Duds, and the other wonderful doll clothes pattern makers out there, I can make the doll clothes of my dreams.
I made it my goal make all of the digital Keeper's Dolly Duds patterns for American Girls. I included ones that I had already made, and I did not include patterns sized for different dolls.
I have not yet focused on making all of the KDD patterns from Simplicity patterns. I have made some, and they are at the bottom of this post.
This project really helped me through a winter season in which I wasn't feeling well. It gave me something to focus on and gave me a sense of accomplishment.
You can see my sewing skills- and my photography ability- grow over the years.
I have listed these projects in alphabetical order, rather than chronological.
I would like to thank Eve Coleman for all of her amazing patterns and inspiration, and Shari Fuller for continuing to publish KDD patterns after Eve's retirement!
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Tea with the Governess
I didn't really include the Keepers Dolly Duds Simplicity patterns in this challenge-to-myself.
However, I have made several of them, and I will link to those here.
Simplicity 1179 (Edwardian)
I found Pleasant Company's trunk for Molly! It was $20 and I found it in a pile of stuff in the garage (!) of my local thrift store. It...
