Dress With Cameo

There's a new listing in my shop:

It's made from one of my favorite reproduction fabrics and even has a pretty cameo at the collar. I kind of really like cameos and have a small collection of different sized ones that belonged to various grandmothers in the family. So I really like this dress. I might have to make another one to keep . . .

Free Shipping

There's free shipping in my shop for the month of December. Just use the code MERRY at checkout.

Thanksgiving Sale

There's a Thanksgiving sale in my shop. Use the coupon code TURKEY and take 25% off your purchase. Happy Thanksgiving!

Girls In White Dresses

Lately I've been wondering why several of my Christmas albums feature the song "A Few of My Favorite Things." There isn't anything holiday-ish about that song in the Sound of Music is there? Maybe Maria was just being kind of vocal about her own Christmas wish . . . Well, at any rate, it has rubbed off on me because I have a new listing in my shop:

Yes, it is a girl in a white dress with a blue satin (grosgrain ribbon actually) sash. I also have another dress listed:

And several Vogue Linda Carr patterns:

Back in the day, I made my daughter two Linda Carr soft-bodied 18" dolls. They were the first dolls I ever made and I loved making them. But that was years ago and although I really love my Linda Carr doll patterns, I really don't see myself using them. So I'll give them a chance in my shop. I've never sold anything but actual doll clothes in my shop, so we'll see how it goes . . .

A New Dress (and Marie-Grace's debut)

A new dress is listed in my shop:

This is also Marie-Grace's debut. She came to our house awhile ago and is just now being put to work.

I pulled out her pin-curls and tried to rename her Sarah. But my daughter says you can't just rename dolls. Not even Sarah Marie. Or Sarah Grace. No. This is Marie-Grace. Well, whatever her name is, she better pull her weight around here and help sell some dresses--especially all of the Civil War-era patterns I want to try soon.

I'm excited to have her--she's cute. And I guess we'll just call her Marie-Grace. That is her name after all.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Well, not really. I haven't decorated my house and it hasn't snowed. But, it is getting Christmas-sy in my shop. There's a new listing--perfect for Molly or Emily!

I just love this little dress--it might be one of my favorite things I've made recently. (I think it's the stripes!) 

A Christmas Dress

A Christmas dress for Josefina is now listed in my shop:

I have a few more things I want to make for my shop for Christmas, so stay tuned (I'm thinking for Kit and Molly?) I also want to make some nightgowns, because a doll can't celebrate Christmas Eve properly without a nightgown . . . So, yes. Definitely nightgowns.

Cleopatra

When I first started sewing doll clothes, one of the first things I made was a pirate costume for Julie that matched my daughter Abby's. Made from leftover scraps, it was the first time I kind of "drafted" a doll pattern and to this day remains one of my favorite doll outfits that I've made. 

Since then, the dolls who live here have received all sorts of costumes: a witch, a black cat, Little Red Riding Hood, a Jack'O'Lantern, Supergirl, and Goldilocks. But since Julie's pirate costume, I haven't made a doll version of Abby's Halloween costume . . . until this year:

Presenting Ivy as Cleopatra! Ivy has just the right hair for a Queen of the Nile look-- the only thing missing is some thick black eyeliner, but there's no way I was drawing on this doll . . . 

Ivy's costume was made from the scraps of Abby's with leftover trim and rhinestones. And then I decided she needed gold sandals, so those had to be found of course. I had so much fun making Abby's costume, but I have to admit that putting Ivy's costume together was just as exciting. 

And now Ivy and Julie are ready for Halloween night:

Good thing too, because Halloween night is coming up pretty fast! Thank goodness all the dolls who live here have costumes--oh, and my kids do too. We're totally ready.

Happy Halloween!

This Porridge Is Too Cold

It wasn't too hard to come up with a costume for Caroline . . .

She looks really sweet in this fairy-tale ensemble, but let me remind you that Goldilocks was kind of a selfish trespasser who almost got eaten by a family of bears . . .

Hopefully when she goes trick-or-treating, our Goldilocks will knock before barging in to find out which Halloween candy is just right for her . . .

And she better watch out for bears who hold grudges against little blonde girls with curls . . .

Caroline isn't the only doll around here who got a new costume! My daughter and Ivy have matching Cleopatra costumes plus our dolls got a little crazy with their Halloween party as only dolls can. Stay tuned--Halloween is coming . . .

It's Getting Spooky Around Here . . .

Yes, it's getting spooky around here because the American Girl dolls aren't the only dolls who throw a Halloween party. More than one Halloween doll party is . . . kind of spooky! Oh well, can't leave Barbie out of the fun. She's too awesome for that.

Just a quick note: my shop is in vacation mode for a few days, but will reopen next week. And then it's time to start sewing some Christmas things. Or, at least start thinking about it . . .

Queens of the Nile . . .

Costumes are in progress . . . Just need to finish the cape for Ivy/Cleopatra and then add some bling!

One More Witch

There's one more witch costume listed in my shop: 

The dolls who live here are dressed in their Halloween costumes already (except for Ivy--her costume isn't cut out yet!) 

Which Kind of Witch?

One of my favorite Halloween decorations is a fridge magnet with a picture of both Glinda and the Wicked Witch on it--in bold letters it asks, "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" Every year I ask myself that very question. Do I feel like being "good" or "bad" for Halloween this year?

While I'm still a bit undecided for myself, the witch costume I just listed in my shop  is more sweet than scary:

And what's even sweeter is when the party is over, the costume can be removed and your doll still has a blouse and skirt to add to her wardrobe. If only my kids' costumes were that practical. Maybe my four-year-old boy can use his Spiderman muscle costume as a snow suit too? 

So what about you? Are you a good witch or a bad witch this year? It's a serious question . . .

Tricks or Treats?

There's a new Jack O'Lantern costume listed in my shop. Not only does it come with a cute trick-or-treat bucket, but the listing also includes a black turtleneck and leggings--comfy basics that any doll could use in her wardrobe.

Yes, the Halloween sewing train has started to roll. Stay tuned for a few more listings in the upcoming weeks! (Not that I'm putting off starting that slightly elaborate costume my daughter has ordered or anything . . .)

Girls In White Dresses

Before I switch the thread in my serger from white to black for Halloween sewing, I thought I'd make something for my shop:

It's a simple white Regency-styled dress made with Caroline in mind and since I have so much ribbon, I  thought it could use a few different colored sashes. Although the blue is my favorite . . . It goes so well with those cute blue shoes that come with Caroline's birthday dress.

But like I said, Halloween is coming. And some of the dolls who live here will need some new costumes. Someone will definitely be Cleopatra (made in miniature after my daughter's costume) and someone might possibly be Goldilocks, if--and that's a big if--I'm on top of things and little boys around here take some good naps.

As for the shop, I'm hoping to add a Jack O'Lantern based on McKenna's costume from last year, another of my traditional witch costumes, and if the Halloween stars truly align, some sort of ghost bride or corpse's bride--I have an old (and really, really small--yikes!) wedding dress that I bought at a thrift store years ago. I think it needs to be cut up and transformed into something spooky . . .

Another Lydia Christmas Dress

I've made another version of the Lydia Christmas dress, this time in a pretty burgundy:

It's now listed in my shop. You know, the holidays are just around the corner. Sort of.

Dresses For Lydia

A few weeks ago, I finished a custom order--two dresses that the character Lydia wears in American Girl's Caroline series. Lydia is Caroline's cousin, and if you ask me, she wears some of the prettier dresses in the illustrations. The green dress is based on Lydia's work dress in Changes For Caroline, and the red dress is supposed to be Lydia's Christmas dress. I think it's really fun to sew doll outfits from the American Girl book illustrations. It's fun to find just the right fabric and trim, or draft part of a pattern to get just the right look.

I often take custom orders. So if your Caroline needs a Lydia and that Lydia needs some of her own dresses, I'd be happy to help you with that! Or, anything else you might like . . .

I know these two look kind of Christmas-y standing next to each other--they remind me that Christmas is indeed coming. But not before Halloween! The Halloween costume wheels are starting to turn, so stay tuned . . .

Pattern Review: Heritage 1850's Summer In Blue Dress

For the "Year of Kirsten", I wanted to make a dress based on Kirsten's Midsummer purple polka dot dress. But I didn't want it to have purple polka dots. Would a pioneer girl in 1854 have a purple polka dot dress? Maybe, but I don't really like purple. I wanted a blue polka dot dress. So when I saw this pattern from Heritage Doll Fashions, I knew it would be exactly what I wanted.

But wow, this is one fluffy dress. It actually was really fun to make, although there was a lot of gathering ruffles. I don't really have any actual complaints though--the pattern is pretty much perfect. It involves a lot of sewing and not many shortcuts, but I especially love how all the seams are finished--everything is lined or binded leaving a very clean inside finish. I can't wait to try this in different colors for my shop (with Marie-Grace or Cecile in mind of course.)

I'm a big fan of Heritage Doll Fashions. Whenever I browse through the Liberty Jane pattern site (now Pixie Faire apparently), I'm always drawn to the Heritage designs--I just love them. So I highly recommend this one too.

I also made a little hairpiece for Kirsten's Midsummer celebration that clips in just above her braid:

Our Kirsten technically missed Swedish Midsummer, but that's okay. I'm so happy with her new dress, she'll probably wear it until Christmas. Or at least until Abby tells me it's time to change her clothes . . .

A Lavender Dress For Caroline

There's a new listing in my shop--a lavender dress for Caroline. It's a simple design, but the reproduction pattern is so pretty! I've reduced prices for my other listings as well, especially the two pioneer dresses modeled by Kirsten (this one and this one). They've both been in my shop a long time, so it's a last chance kind of offer before I do something else with them . . .

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A Sad Tale

Instead of having a great "en forreau" dress for my shop, or even a pattern review of the Thimbles and Acorn pattern I tried, all I have is a sad tale.

This is my borrowed Felicity--don't let that smile on her face fool you. She is only half dressed. I should have been smart and tried this pattern out first by sewing a muslin. But I hate sewing muslins--especially for dolls. No, I cut right into the fun 18th-century cotton print and started sewing . . .

Things were going well until the pleats in the back--that is, the actual "en forreau" part:

I'm not going to lie, those pleats were tricky. And while trying to get them just right, I unpicked a seam that was the gown's undoing. I ripped a big hole in the fabric with my seam ripper. Grrr.

So this dress is scrapped for now. And borrowed Felicity is returning to her home. So no more "en forreau" gowns for awhile. The pattern is great and the design is really appealing, but I'm giving it a rest for now. Besides, an "en forreau" gown is also known as a "robe a l'anglaise" (English gown), so maybe Felicity's patriot conscience wouldn't allow for such things.  Although, the style is French and French fashion has always been the rage, so . . . maybe.

Oh well, on to another dress--a lavender dress perfect for Caroline. And with no sophisticated pleating in the back, I'm sure I won't have another sad tale to tell. Bye Felicity . . .

Felicity in Yellow

Well, one colonial-style gown is finished and listed in my shop. It is the prettiest cotton print and looks pretty good on my borrowed Felicity, don't you think?

Soon I'll post reviews of the patterns I tried--one kicked my butt and one was very nice to me. This dress has elements of both. The pinner cap is from the Pleasant Co. patterns and was super easy.

I loved sewing this--it reminded me of how much Abby and I enjoyed reading the American Girl Felicity series by Valerie Tripp, set in 1774 Williamsburg. She still cracks me up when she randomly says, "I'll take no tea today."  You know you're kind of nerdy when you and your daughter have inside American Girl jokes!

Mini-skirt

So, I should be working on the colonial dresses that are cut out on my counter, but suddenly Abby's doll wanted a denim mini-skirt. And then her friend wanted one too. And then I made one for a church camp fund-raiser. Then I thought why stop there? Why not just list one in my shop? So I did. Voila:

Super simple and easy. Very much unlike those colonial dresses that are staring me down . . .

Up Next . . .

I've kept myself busy lately sewing a few non-dolly things--I finally learned how to miter a corner properly (yay!) and I also just finished making a dress-up for my daughter. This is huge because I haven't made a dress-up in years. (I also haven't sewn anything that isn't doll-sized from a pattern in a looong time either.) She wanted a pioneer dress complete with apron and bonnet to play in. Maybe I can talk her into being Laura from Little House On the Prairie for Halloween too this year . . .

But while I was mitering corners and thinking about pioneer-wear, I was making plans for my shop as well. My next project is going way back in time (pre-pioneer) to try out a pattern I've had my eye on for  awhile. So, I ordered some lovely prints from a fantastic Etsy shop Nauvoo Quilting Co. and can't wait to get started.

I also have plans for some cornsilk blue polka-dot fabric and this pattern. For Kirsten. Because it's still her year and she needs more dresses, of course!

Summer Skirt In the Shop

Instead of saying "Sally sells seashells by the seashore" five times really fast, why not try: "A simple separate summer skirt in the shop"? Because there really is a simple skirt in my shop, and it's the first separate I've ever listed (besides some flannel petticoats, but those don't count):

I was using this fabric for another project and had just enough left over for two doll skirts--one for our doll and one for my shop. I don't usually turn every leftover scrap of fabric into doll clothing, but I love this fabric so much, that I thought it deserved a second use instead of lingering forever in my scrap pile waiting for that quilt that I will probably never make.

So there you go--a simple summer skirt. Perfect for selling seashells by the seashore . . .

Pattern Review: Bunnybear Route 66 Dresses

I've just finished two very cute "Route 66" dresses for my mom. She's had Molly for awhile and just got Emily for Christmas, and the poor dears have been dressed in their wintery Christmas clothes ever since. So they needed spring dresses. My mom loved this pattern right when she saw it, but after she purchased the pattern and the supplies needed, her sewing machine died a sad death. So I sewed them for her. And they are really, really perfect for spring:

The pattern is called "Route 66 Dress" and can be found at BunnyBear. It was designed by Joni Lynn of Kindred Thread fame who I believe based the design on the Route 66 dress created for Molly by American Girl. 

Again, BunnyBear patterns pay close attention to historical details--the history of this particular look is well-detailed on the website. I love the design, I love the pleats, and I really love the little bows in front and back. There were a few discrepancies between the printed pattern pieces and correlating photos, and all of the interior finishing felt like a lot of steps, but the end result is so great that I would certainly make this dress again. In fact, Abby has already ordered a blue dress for her dolls . . .

I've also decided that if our dolls are going to model 1940s style dresses, they will each need a pair of saddle shoes. And no doubt Molly and Emily will want more dresses, so saddle shoes are just a must-have. I'll get right on that . . .