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 . . .