Kit's Ruffled Dress, v.2

I posted pictures of a dress I made for Kit the other day, the 1930s Ruffled Play Dress from Eden Ava Couture.  Since I had been intending to make a belt with a black buckle, I used black buttons to accent the dress (and then forgot to change Kit into black shoes to tie it all together - oops!).  Well...the black buckle didn't work out, so I had to find a different buckle that would fit the bias tape belt.  I found a clear piece from a lingerie strap (that I found at Tuesday Morning - 2 straps for 99 cents, a much better deal than the notions aisle at the fabric store) and I painted it with some acrylic paint I had from a previous project that just so happened to match the fabric of the dress. I sealed it, and time will tell if the color holds and doesn't transfer.  I also changed the buttons to a more neutral color to match the overall color scheme.  I took pictures outside today because it was a beautiful day...almost too sunny (ha ha just kidding).  Here is the updated version:

Thanks, as always, for taking a peek at my humble little blog!

American Girls

Hellooooo...anyone still there?  It has been a busy year, moving with my family, looking for a job outside the home, finding that job, and balancing it with everything else! I have managed to do some sewing, and my focus has been on the American Girls...my youngest daughter recently got her second doll and so I've been inspired to sew and refill my shop.  A few items have sold from my Etsy shop; if I was better about keeping it stocked, I'd have more to talk about. :-)  For now I'll display a few items that will stay in my collection.

 First up is the Salina Dress made from the Liberty Jane Pattern of the same name.  I've used a purplish and green print rayon.  To add a bit of detail to the deep neckline, I found a bracelet kit in the clearance bin at JoAnn Fabrics and thought it might work as a doll necklace.  What do you think?  Ivy is my model, a new girl in my collection.

My second outfit is a 1930s Ruffled Playdress from a Eden Ava Couture pattern.  I love this dress, simply because I find it to be adorable!  I experimented with this one, altering the collar to a rounded one, but then found it to be lacking in detail, so added a bow.  The bow in the picture is tacked on; if I get favorable feedback, I'll adjust it to make it a permanent detail!  I used a (what I think looks) vintage aqua print cotton with contrasting collar and bias tape trimmed hem. I chose black buttons and bow because I originally attempted to make a belt and the "buckle" was going to be black...that however, is still a work-in-progress.

Thanks, as always, for taking a peek at my attempt-of-a-blog!

Using leftover fabric

I made my youngest daughter a Halloween costume using fabrics to match the costume of a certain doll she likes.  I used some of the leftovers to make a coordinating dress for her American Girl Doll.  The dress pattern is from Simplicity.  More can be made, I have lots of extra fabric on hand.  Inquiries are always welcome!

Name change!

Hello friends!  I've decided to change the name of my blog to something different, hopefully more personal, unique and memorable.  I am ready to open an Etsy shop of the same name (it plays off my eBay name, where I originally sold fashions for dolls)...however, I would love feedback!  The shop will feature fashions for a variety of dolls and other misc. crafts every now and then.  Let me know what you think of the name!

Slumber Party PJs for American Girl

Happy Holidays to all!  I was commissioned to make matching PJs for a friend's nieces.  They are both getting American Girl dolls for Christmas and their aunt thought it would be fun if they had matching outfits.  So I made 2 sets of 2-piece knit pajamas (Simplicity 4297) for them, using fabric I found years ago that has all those favorite girly things seen at slumber parties on it.  I also attempted making slippers (McCall's 3469), made of plush felt and foam soles.  It is amazing how limited the color selection is for plush felt (at least at the one store I looked for it in!!).  I chose pink soles to add a bit of color.

Simply Summer for BJDs

Last year, my local Craft Warehouse closed, so I took advantage of the slashed prices and found some coordinating fabrics (I had to dig to find something I liked and something that matched!).  With them I created this outit for Espree from Bobobie, an exlcusive BJD for Denver Doll Emporium.  She has what is called an immature body, so it is more childlike, which works best for the Simply Summer Pattern from gracefaerie.

PJs for American Girl

Hello, Friends!  Sorry it has been a while.  Nursing school is time consuming, but I did manage to create a few outfits over the last six months.  I'll try to catch up with some of those now...mostly American Girl outfits, since my youngest daughter received her first doll for her birthday and I had to make her some clothes.  First I had to catch up and make my oldest daughter some pajamas for Kanani, since we waited too long to order some from American Girl (my bad!!).  I used a pattern from Liberty Jane to make the top, and created my own pattern for the leggings.  Luckily I found some floral fabric that I think works with the Hawaiian theme.  The model shown for this outfit is Kanani, 2011 Girl of the Year.

Next I made a skirt from the Harajuku Station pattern, also from Liberty Jane. It has an elastic waist, a yoke with an attached ruffle skirt layered with tulle.  I thought it turned out a bit short, so next time I plan to add to the length. It does look cute with capri leggings, though!  The model wearing this outfit is a My American Girl doll.  The t-shirt and leggings were also made by me, and the sneakers were purchased at Michaels (in-store - not online).

Most recently, I made the girls denim skirts.  Brother had a pair of jeans that were too short, but otherwise fit, so we cut them off into shorts and I reused the hem pieces to make pre-hemmed skirts for the girls' dolls.  I trimmed them to an appropriate length, then made a casing, thread elastic through it, secured it and stitched the casing closed.  I regret not making a tutorial, but hopefully others can figure it out if they want to do the same.  The models for these are McKenna, Girl of the Year 2012 (left), and Natalie, a My American Girl (right) named by my oldest daughter.  The t-shirts are from American Girl Place Chicago, McKenna's shoes can be found at Michaels, and Natalie's shoes are from an American Girl outfit.