Another Dress for Caroline

 This is another dress made from the Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress pattern.

I did not realize that the pattern also contains the pattern pieces for a second, simpler doll dress!

This one closes in the back.

I was happy to dive in and make another dress for Caroline.

This dress was supposed to have tucks taken in on the skirt. However, I did have a mishap cutting out the fabric for the skirt and decided to just go with a simpler skirt made from a shorter piece of fabric.

I think it's a pretty dress! I think that this pattern is more versatile than I realized, and I enjoyed making this.

Pattern Review: Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress

 My first doll dress of the year!

I made the Thimbles and Acorns Wrap Front Regency Dress pattern.

I'm so proud of myself!

I did have to read the instructions carefully on this one.

The sleeves are actually the easy part. They are straightforward sleeves, just long and with a wrist band and snap to create the bunching.

The top was the challenging part, but I got there! 

It's so pretty! I love this fabric print.

Caroline is happy to have a new dress to wear (and to get out of the closet, let's be honest.)

I was very sick over Christmas. It feels so good to be up and doing things again!

Christmas Dress for Nanea

 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.

Pattern Review: KDD Sweet Summer Days

 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.

Sundress for Kavi

 I found a remnant at the thrift store, about 24 inches wide, of this beautiful eyelet fabric.

I immediately knew that I could make a stunning doll dress out of it.

It was so hard to choose, but I decided I wanted to make a sundress out of it that would be classic and rather bohemian.

I knew the skirt would be longer to show off all of the beautiful white-on-white embroidery.

I really debated what pattern to use, but used Liberty Jane Peplum Top.

I added a bit of a sewn-in slip, so that her undies wouldn't show.

And here it is.

I love it on Kavi, it is perfect with her dark hair and eyes!

I wish I had this dress in my size!

I also wish I had more of this fabric. I can think of at least two more projects I could make with it.

Kavi is actually reminding me a bit of Emmy Rossum in Phantom of the Opera, so maybe she needs a Phantom dress. She loves musicals, after all!

Pattern Review: Heritage Doll Fashions Panel Dress

 I have had this pattern for years, and have been waiting for the perfect fabric. 

Well, I finally went with "good enough." I was thinking of making it with the red and blue checked fabric, but I decided that with the curvy pattern pieces, this would work better with a less geometric print.

And I think I was right, because looking at this dress with the flowered print, I can't even see where the seams are.

The pattern pieces fit together perfectly, and they fit the doll perfectly as well.

I did one mistake, which was totally mine. I sewed the neckline shut before I added the collar. So I had to unpick it and add the collar. I think that the extra work was worth it!

Yes, I have been sewing for Julie a lot lately. I just have been thinking sundresses, and I guess that the 70s had a lot of sundresses? Or I am really inspired by that red and blue checked fabric. Either one.

Makena also got to have a turn at modeling the dress!

Julie's Fourth of July Dress

 I found this fabric at the thrift store, and it was giving me serious 1970s vibes. It reminds me of Julie's Patchwork Outfit.

I knew that I wanted to use it to make a sundress for Julie.

I have never smocked, so I wasn't going to imitate Julie's Patchwork Outfit in that regard.

I decided to use the Heritage Doll Fashions Wrap Top Dress pattern. I thought that it would work well with this print, and it is one of my favorite patterns.

I think that the result is very cute!

I may think about whether there is a more 1970s pattern that I can use with the same fabric, but this one is still a home run!

Here is another sundress that I made in this pattern.

Keepers Dolly Duds Tea with the Governess

 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.

Summer Sundresses

 I made four sundresses from the same pattern, all in the same day!

I wanted to sew some doll dresses for my cousin's daughter for the first time. This was the fastest way that I could build a wardrobe.

I used the Liberty Jane Peplum Top pattern. I added a waistband and a longer skirt. I just think it's a simple but elegant pattern.

Here are the dresses, being modelled by Jess, Makena, Evette and Maritza.

I used a variety of colors. I sadly don't know the recipient very well, so I hope that she finds something that she likes in this batch!

Here are some other dresses that I made from the same pattern.

Thimbles and Acorns Prairie Dress for RRFF

 I was looking for doll clothes to sew for Ruby Red Fashion Friends, and I was delighted to realize that I own the Thimbles and Acorns Prairie Rose pattern for Wellie Wishers.

Wellie Wishers and Ruby Red Fashion Friends are slightly different sizes, but so far I haven't had any problems with them sharing clothes. The biggest size different is in the size of the heads, not the bodies, I think. It makes them look more dissimilar than they are.

I made this pattern before, in American Girl doll size. You can see my version of that here: Blog Link.

The pattern has both a modern version and a historical version. I was torn on which version to make, but so far I have chosen to make the historical version. I think that they are both pretty.

I think if I make the modern version in the future, I might make the skirt somewhat fuller.

These dolls are somewhat taller and thinner in proportion than the AG dolls. This sometimes feels a bit odd when I am taking picture. I'm sure I'll get used to it.

Again, you can see Stella hiding her sneakers under her historical dress. Ha.

Doll Joy Joy Dress- almost finished

 I made the Joy Dress from the Doll Joy pattern maker on Pixie Faire.

The repetition in the pattern name and the pattern maker name is a bit annoying.

Anyway, I was really excited to get this pattern as a Freebie Friday, thank you.

I made the pattern sized for 14.5 inch to 15 inch dolls.

Sadly, I don't totally 100% like this pattern.

I like the sleeves, they are really cute. I love doll clothes with long sleeves!

I thought that the neck was too big on Stella, and it would be better with a narrower neck. Which I can fix next time, but not this time.

The dress is meant to be a very loose fix around the waist. It looks cute in pictures, but it bothers me in real life.

The material for this dress is from a blouse I got at the thrift store. I like the fabric.

All I have to do to finish this dress is finish the bottom hem. I have not yet done so.

For one, thing, I do not want the dress to be any shorter than it is. Next time, if I ever make it, I might make the bottom ruffe a half inch longer to compensate for that.

And as I said, the loose fit around the waist bothers me. I am tempted to cut the whole thing shorter and add a fitted waist. Or even make it into a blouse.

Anyway, I can't make up my mind what to do!

KDD Beth Dress for RRFF

 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.

Pattern Review: Liberty Jane Catalina Pattern

 I found this fabric, purple sparkled with gold, at the thrift store. I thought for a while about what to do with it.

I wanted something modern and classy, but not TOO dressy as it is cotton.

I found the Liberty Jane Catalina Crop Top printed out, and decided to give it a go.

I love the finished product! I  like this better than Saige's official hot pink fancy dress.

The bodice has 14 pieces, so it's a lot for a beginner. But it made sense and it came together easily.

I am glad that I had gold shoes (from Lea's collection) that went well with this dress!

47 Keepers Dolly Duds Patterns

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!

Amy's School Jumper

Balmoral Holiday Coat

Beth

Bibbed Playsuit

Bodice Details dress

1930s Buttoned Belle

Christmas Concert

Church Tea Dress

1950s Circle Swirl Dress

Civil War dress

Classy Yoke Coat

Coat Essentials

1927 Coat and Tam

Colonial Day dress

Double Cape and Bonnet

Downtown 1920s dress

Fifties Flair 

Forties Fashion

 

1930s frock

1850s Girl's dress

Home room 1970s

Hooded Cloak

Isla Lass

1850s Jacket and bonnet

Jo's Writing Dress

Library Assistant

Meg's Ball Gown

Nautical Pleats

Parade Day

Pilgrim Boy

1930s Playsuit

1914 Pleated Frock

Pretty Pilgrim

Prairie Ruffles

Reefer jacket

Regency Pinafore dress

Rising Star

Setting Sail

Side Tie Collar Dress

Spring Dirndl

Study Hall pantsuit

Sunday Stroll

Sweet 70s dress

Tea with the Governess

Town and Country

Train Station

Victorian Caroler's Coat

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)

Another 1179

Yet another 1179

Simplicity 1179 Coat

Simplicity 8314 (1960s)

Another 8314

Yet Another 8314