Well my first attempt at making doll clothes wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be and I am pleased with the outcome. Now the reason it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be was because of the help of my wonderful mother-in-law. I still read an instruction and it would go way over my head, but then Mom would explain what part we are adding to where and then the instruction would be a whole lot more clear :) I think I will need my pattern interrupter for a while, but I am hoping to pick up the lingo with more practice :) Yup, that's right, I want to do it again :) I can't wait for my daughter to get to pick out the fabrics and patterns, we are going to have so much fun!!!
Since I was sewing with mom she took some pictures along the way. Gotta love that tongue stuck out in concentration :) That ruffle just kept trying to get away from me :) These are some of my daughter's favorite prints from my stash, I think she is really gonna love it :)
And this picture represents a valuable lesson learned. When attaching the bodice to the skirt, it is best to pin down and not up. Pinning up results in a lot of pricked fingers :)
So here she is, ready for Christmas Morning. I picked this dress because it seemed like the least complicated outfit for my first try. The funny thing was that as soon as I was done, I started thinking of way's that could dress it up a bit, like a tie in the gathered neckline, or gathering the sleeves, or a ruffle on the sleeves :) I guess with practice, I will learn to see these things before it is all sewn up :) But for my first attempt, I am quite pleased and excited for my daughter to find my old doll on Christmas Morning :)
Here's to hopefully a few more outfits next year. Have a Happy Quilting (and happy clothing sewing) Day!!!
Nice work! I'm still planning on a few dresses before Christmas Eve!
ReplyDeleteGreat job!
ReplyDeleteYay! Now you can sew anything.
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty in pink. :)
ReplyDeleteWell done! She looks great.
ReplyDeleteHow old is your daughter? Last year, when my daughter was 11, I bought her the Janome "Sewing Pretty with Hello Kitty" machine. It's mint green and CUTE! It also sews really well. She can do everything herself, including thread it and wind the bobbin. I highly recommend it. Even my mom, the Sewist Extraordinaire, is impressed with it. So, we're teaching my daughter to sew, and she's making her own doll clothes and stuff, some of her own design. But now she hogs the JoAnn's sale flier when it comes in the mail.
ReplyDeleteLooks cute! My oldest has never really gotten into dolls, so I haven't gotten to make many doll clothes. Maybe my three-year-old will let me...
ReplyDeleteVery cute, you did a great job.
ReplyDeleteI remember making Cabbage Patch Kid doll clothes many years ago when my daughter was young. It was fun but time consuming.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! Great job! Watch out cause she will want a matching dress for herself next. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood for you!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Melissa!!! You should be proud! Your daughter will be very thrilled! :)
ReplyDeletegreat job Melissa. You have also bought back lots of happy memories of making clothes for my daughters dolls and later teaching them how to make them themselves. It was also a good lead in to the girls learning to make their own clothes.
ReplyDeleteGood for you. I'm sure she will love it. We aren't quite at that doll stage yet but I know our time will come. Thankfully my BFF makes clothing so she'll end up being my pattern interpreter via phone.
ReplyDeleteLiberty Jane makes some adorable AG doll outfits. Also, Joan Hinds has great books for the dolls.
ReplyDeleteSee, told you you could do it :o)
ReplyDeleteYou did a real nice job on her new dress! I didn't do a lot of sewing for my daughter's dolls, because my MIL made most of them for her. It's was nice of your MIL to help you out with directions. I have a wonderful MIL too! Hope you have a very Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! Doll clothes are so much fun, especially since they delight the little girls whom they are for! You did a lovely job!
ReplyDeleteI just came across this website with American Girl patterns that are free. I thought you might like to check it out.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.agplaythings.com/AG%20Patterns/DollDressPatterns.html
Oh! Good job! It is really cute. It looks perfect on the doll. Oh! I wish I know how to sew.
ReplyDeleteShopAtOliviasDollCloset.com