Sewing Doll Sweaters

 I went to a thrift store where they sell clothes by the pound and looked for clothes to cut up and use for doll clothes. I am really excited with what I found there.

I feel like getting the texture right is important in making realistic doll clothes, and using real clothes is one  way to do that!

I used the Liberty Jane T-shirt Variations Pattern.

Here is sweater # 1, modelled by #62, Stella: 

And here is sweater #2, modelled by Tenney.

I am really happy with both sweaters! My wallet would be in much more danger if AG made more realistic everyday clothes like these.

I love pretty dresses, but sometimes a doll just needs to relax and stay warm.

Pattern Review: KDD Jo's Writing Dress

 I made a dress with Keeper's Dolly Dud's pattern Jo's Writing Dress, which is sold on Pixie Faire.

This is my first time using the pattern. 

I used some reproduction Civil War fabric that I meant to use for a quilt. After ten years, I decided it was fair to use it for a doll dress instead. The fabric pattern was from a collection associated with Clara Barton. It has lines of music written on it and shields that say "peace."   It's mostly red with some gold accents. It's perfect for a dress for Addy.

The pattern was easy to follow.

One thing that I did not realize from looking at completed dresses from this pattern is that there is a ruffle where the sleeves meet the bodice. I think it would be better to make this ruffle a contrasting color, because otherwise it does not show up well. The ruffle could also easily be left off if desired.

The pattern calls for the stripes on the sleeves to be set at a diagonal. I chose not to do this.

It's so dark this time of year that it is difficult for me to take a good picture.

Addy's classic Christmas dress is still a classic and has a part in my collection and my heart. I think this one is pretty special too.

I am very happy with this pattern and would make it again. I also look forward to making the other "Little Women" patterns by Keepers Dolly Duds.

Halloween Clothes

 I swear I made these Halloween dresses in time for Halloween. I posted them on Instagram and forgot to put them on the blog!

I was inspired by someone else's sewing project to want to make some long sleeve Halloween dresses.

This fabric was the best doll scaled Halloween fabric that they had. I paid $2.50 for a half yard and made two dresses out of it. So much better than AG prices!

I used 123 Mulberry Street Baby Doll dress pattern yet again. It's so easy and it has long sleeves, that makes it tempting.

I think I may have made the skirts a little too long and I am tempted to shorten them.

I am also tempted to add a belt or something a jazz it up a bit.

I made the leggings out of a T-shirt and a Simplicity pattern.

So not my favorite project ever, but quick and satisfying.

Jess and Zia are still wearing these dresses. I need to change their clothes.

I made the tiny books too. They are The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch and Hocus Pocus and the All New Sequel. I do love tiny books.

1920s Frock

 I had this scrap of fancy fabric, and I wanted to make a basic 1920s dress that would be fancy from the fabric used, not from the pattern.

I used some of the pattern pieces from the Keepers Dolly Duds Nautical Pleats pattern for the bodice and sleeves, and for the length of the dress.

I made my own Peter Pan collar pattern to go with it.

I added a black velvet Peter Pan collar and sleeve cuffs.

I am happy with it. I feel like it's something a girl could reasonably wear to a jazz concert with her parents in the 1920s.

Both Phryne Valancy and Claudie got to try it on.

Who do you think looks better in it?

Hawaiian Quilt for Nanea

 I made a Hawaiian quilt!

I have always loved Hawaiian quilts, but I never thought I would make one, they are so intricate.

The Connecting Threads website sold these pre-made 16 inch appliques for quilts.

I ironed it onto a background, stitched around it, and voila! A stunning quilt!

I love it, and I plan to make more in different designs.

These appliques are made by Aloha Quilt Designs, and can be found here.

They are Nanea approved, and the perfect size for a doll quilt!

Pattern Review: KDD Nautical Pleats

 I made the Keeper Dolly Duds Nautical Pleats pattern. I was already planning a different 1920s sailor dress when this pattern was released, but this is the one I made first.

I have to admit, it took me months to finish this one. I made the top, and pleated half the skirt, and took a break. I left the half-pleated skirt under some cookbooks for the pleats to get really set in.

Then the whole project sat all summer. Finally, I finished the other half of the pleats, couldn't find the top, panicked, found it again, and finally finished it.

I still haven't added the bow on the front. I am just going to make it out of ribbon. That's one reason why I went with blue and white. Also I just like the classic look.

I am still not totally happy with the pleats, but I was using a very slippery fabric that I got at a yard sale. I am not even sure what it is. Presumably this might work better in cotton.

I want to make one of these for Claudie, anyway. This dress is for Phryne Valancy. Claudie will probably get to try it on, though.

So hopefully next time will go better!

Meet Claudie

 I got Claudie! I ordered her on release day, but it took me a while to take pictures and longer to post them.

Claudie is really adorable. I love her sweet face mold.

I am glad that there is a new African American historical, and that there is a 1920s historical.

I love her meet hat, I had one like it, minus the ribbon, in college. I still have it, actually.

Addy was happy to welcome her.. Addy is like a protective big sister to Claudie, even if they are from different eras.

I wish that Claudie's book hadn't ended on a cliffhanger, with unresolved issues. I thought that was silly, since it's not a thriller or anything.

I love Claudie's meet outfit, and I like that her black Mary Janes will go well with other dresses.

I am going to remove her painted eyelashes eventually, but I wanted to enjoy her as is first.

I strongly recommend Claudie if you are thinking of getting her!