Thank You

Thank you so much to everyone who made a purchase from my shop during the last few weeks! A sold Halloween costume, a custom order, and several sales items make for one happy shop owner :) Stay tuned for upcoming listings! My Halloween sewing is almost complete, which means I can get back to making things for dolls very soon! Stay tuned . . .

Last Chance!

Use the coupon code LASTCHANCE for 40% off everything in my shop--plus shipping is still free for each additional item. It's the last chance--this sale will last a week and then all listings will be cleared to make room for new stuff! Thank you so much for checking out my shop--I sincerely appreciate it!

SALE!

There's a big sale in my shop!

There are new discounts on several listings--including the silk dress for Samantha and the Renaissance Halloween costume. I'm also offering some things that I've made for my personal collection--such as the dress pictured here. Also, shipping is free on each additional item. So go check it out!

Falling For the Frontier

There's a new listing in my shop:

It's a frontier-style dress in the perfect fall colors. I used my favorite pattern of all time: Kirsten's school dress, and the shawl and ribbons are included. I'm really anxious for Fall to get serious and officially settle in around here. We've been teased with a few days of crisp and cool weather, but today is as hot as the middle of summer. Maybe now that Kirsten is modeling the perfect fall dress, the days will really cool down. This dress is just perfect for a doll who wants to stay warm while kicking crunchy fallen leaves down the trail. Hopefully soon!

Montague Blue

There's a fun new Halloween costume listed in my shop:

It's a Renaissance Maiden costume--or Juliet-style dress. Although in my mind, it is definitely more Montague than Capulet. According to me, Juliet always wears red as seen here. But this blue costume velvet goes perfect with all the silver trim and is just the right outfit for a doll who would rather be sweet than scary for Halloween.

Hopefully I can list another costume in my shop before October, but the Halloween sewing machine must start soon because the kids who live here need costumes :) Of course Julie will get a costume to match my daughter's. It will be fit for a princess--pink not blue--who danced with you once upon a dream. And then fell asleep for a really long time . . . 

Samantha's Party Dress

I have a new listing in my shop:

It's Samantha's classic party dress! I know that with her return this month, Samantha is getting all kinds of pretty new things, but I have always loved her party dress--especially because it is red. For this dress, I used red dupioni silk and sewed it up faithfully following the old Pleasant Company pattern. The whole outfit here reminds me so much of my sister who leafed through the Pleasant Company catalogs each time they arrived in the mail. She was always pining for Samantha.

Maybe it's time she finally got her, because at the end of next week, she can! Welcome back Samantha!

Back to School

There's a new dress in my shop:

It's a back-to-school dress perfect for either Kit or Ruthie. This is Kit's official debut in my shop--it's about time she got to work:)

We are excited for the new BeForever launch and release of Samantha! Samantha is the doll my sister always wanted. Maybe my mom and I will just have to make that dream finally come true . . . Until then, I will be listing a few outfits in Samantha's honor this month. Plus Halloween is on the radar--stay tuned for new costumes!

Blue Silk

I've listed another of my silk ball gowns in my shop. This one is made from blue silk the color of peacock feathers:

I think this is may be the fifth or six silk ball gown I've put in my shop. I love sewing the crispy silk and choosing interesting trims to put at the hem--the ball gowns are definitely some of my favorite things I've ever made for dolls.  And this particular silk is such a pretty shade of blue. The black and silver trim at the bottom is also quite lovely.

So check it out if your doll needs a ball gown. And really, what doll doesn't? Ball gowns are kind of a must if one is a doll!

Dance Dresses for Julie and Ivy

There are two new listings in my shop:

Perfect little dance dresses for either Julie or Ivy. Or any doll who needs a new dress to wear to the school dance. I made these dresses in honor of Ivy, who is soon to be retired from American Girl. Sad. What's a world without Ivy? My daughter says she's mad at American Girl--just think of all the girls out there who won't get to have an Ivy. Well, she loves her Ivy doll. Her Ivy and Julie dolls are the original sweethearts around here. I'm glad they get to model the latest listings in my shop:)

Stripes for Marie-Grace

There is a new dress in my shop:

It's a lavender and white striped dress trimmed with lace and black ribbon perfect for any doll who prefers mid-nineteenth century style clothes. When I finished it and put it on Marie-Grace, it reminded me of an old-fashioned circus or ice cream parlor. I guess because of the stripes. Maybe it needs an apron. Or a top hat and overcoat? Maybe not. But it turned out pretty cute and looks great with Marie-Grace's black and white two-toned boots.

Caroline's New Summer Dress

I have a new listing in my shop:

It's a white dress perfect for Caroline. I wish I had a better camera (or was a better photographer) because the photo doesn't really show all the great details on the dress. It actually has a white-on-white print of small flowers, white satin trim on the sleeves and skirt, and two growth tucks at the hem. My favorite part about the dress though is the vintage ribbon at the waist. I've had it forever and always thought it would bring out the green in Caroline's eyes--and it does!

The dress is perfect for any doll's summer plans. My summer plans do include some sewing (mostly because my sewing room is in the dark, cool basement), so please watch for more listings soon!

Spring Sale

I'm having a spring sale in my shop. Use the coupon code SPRING for 25% off your order.

A New Regency Dress

There's a new Regency-style dress listed in my shop:

I originally bought this fabric with the intention to make another Bunnybear 1850s Signature Dress. I made one awhile ago for Kirsten, but didn't love the waistline. So after cutting it all out, I realized I had enough fabric for another dress--and I thought the color would be really pretty on Caroline.

Sometimes I make something and like it so much that just for a few seconds, I hope it doesn't sell. Maybe I jinx it when I do that, but sometimes I'm just so pleased with the outcome that I feel selfish and want to keep it! And this is just the kind of doll dress that I like--simple, understated, and true to the time period it represents.

But alas, it is listed in my shop and I truly hope someone wants it. Now I'll just have to get to it and make that dress again for Kirsten.

Work Dress for Cecile

I've listed another work dress for Cecile in my shop:

This outfit is based on the illustrations from Troubles For Cecile although it is modeled by Josefina. But just pretend it's Cecile, okay? I recently made this ensemble as a custom order and liked the fabric so much, that I made it again to offer in my shop. I feel like the fabric is a pretty close match to the illustrations--even if my choice of model is way off! Oh well. Josefina has to pull her weight around here and might as well wear an apron while she's working so hard.

Je ne parle pas français . . .

In spite of four years studying French in school, I sadly no longer speak it. Not that I really ever did, to be honest.  But that doesn't stop me from being a sometimes Francophile who reads French cookbooks and novels (in English of course!) I also try to perfect every now and then a batch of madeleine cookies so I can use my cool madeleine baking pan. Maybe someday I'll get to eat one of those cookies in France. Until then, I keep myself happy by buying fabric like this:

This new listing in my shop features the prettiest fleur de lis print. I almost made something for Caroline out of it (being that she's such an anti-British kind of doll) but decided it would actually be best for either Marie-Grace or Cecile. 

So there you have it--a dress with a French flair perfect for a spring picnic. Also, there are additional discounts in the shop . . . 

A Work Dress, A Dance Dress, and Some Discounts

I just completed two really fun custom orders for my shop. The first is my version of an outfit worn by Cecile on the cover of Troubles For Cecile. Some people call it her orphanage dress, but I call it her work dress. Unfortunately for me, I don't have a Cecile doll. So Josefina got to model:

The thing I'm most excited about is that blue fabric. I found it at the last fabric store I visited during an intense Cecile Workdress Fabric search. It's so close to the illustration and is the prettiest shade of blue! I also learned a little bit about the history of the head wrap or tignon for women of color in colonial and antebellum New Orleans. Pretty interesting. But the history of clothing always is. At least I think so . . . 

The second order I finished was this fun dress and belt for Julie:

Another one of my go-go dresses made out of some pretty groovy bright pink peace sign fabric. My daughter loves this one and was hoping it wasn't for sale when she saw it. Maybe I'll make one for her and skip the actual American Girl version that is currently offered at $64.00. Yeah, I think I'll definitely do that . . .

ALSO, there are reduced prices on several of the listings in the shop. Check them out if you want to. More listings are always on the way and I still love to take custom orders:) 

MVC "Schoolgirl" Denim Dress

There's a new listing in my shop:

It's another Melody Valerie Couture "Schoolgirl" dress, but this time it's not made out of velveteen! I have one more of these little dresses all cut out (think green and pink) and then it's time to sew one for my daughter. Maybe then I'll cut some corners and skip the hand sewing. . .

Go-Go Julie

So there is a new listing in my shop:

I'm actually really excited about this one. When my daughter got Julie for her birthday several years ago, she also got a simple little dress from a local doll shop from my sister. I called it Julie's "Go-Go" dress because it came with a cute matching headband and some shiny red boots. (I'm not sure go-go dancing was a 70s thing, but oh well . . .) That little dress was the first thing I really studied when I started making doll clothes. I even drafted a pattern from it and since then have made lots of "Go-Go" dresses for Julie.

When American Girl released a very cute but very pricey dance dress and belt for Julie over the weekend, I pulled out that old pattern and made another version for my shop. I'll probably make yet another one for Julie here. What can I say? I'm just so sentimental about Julie. We love her.  She can never have too many "go-go" dresses.

Valentine's Dress--MVC "Schoolgirl" Pattern

I decided to try a new pattern--the Melody Valerie Couture "Schoolgirl" pattern (found here.) I have always been interested in MVC's sewing--the design and construction are both eye-catching and really unique. And I'm always intrigued by finer hand sewing techniques. I thought trying a MVC pattern would be a fun way for me to practice my "couture" sewing skills without committing to a larger project.

So of all the MVC patterns, I picked "Schoolgirl." I thought it was the cutest design--and one that could be made in a variety of looks for dressing up or dressing down. I also chose a piece of deep red velveteen that I had in my stash and got to work.

So here is what I liked: First of all, the pattern is excellent. It's well-written and each step is illustrated clearly. I enjoyed taking the time to carefully piece together the bodice and the lining. I loved how each seam is finished. It was also fun to hand-stitch the blind hems. I forgot how much control hand sewing can give you--it leaves everything inside so neat and tidy. I also liked inserting the invisible zipper. It looks great and makes the dress so easy to pull on and off. The pattern is definitely worth the price, in my opinion.

But there were a few things I didn't love. Like velveteen. The pattern lists velveteen as a suitable fabric for this dress, but I hate sewing velveteen. It sheds and frays. I got tired of taking the lint-roller to everything in my sewing room: my clothes, the ironing board, my cutting counter, my son in his fleece footsie jammies . . . even my cat was covered in the red dust. I also think velveteen is hard to press well and so this dress isn't as crisp as I would have liked. I also thought sewing the sleeves into the armscyes was a bit tricky. I struggled with that and the armhole binding before I realized I wasn't following the instructions exactly as pictured. Go figure.

But overall, this pattern is great. I didn't attach the bow on the front because I thought it would look cute with a pearl necklace. And now that I have made this little test-run and worked out the kinks, I'm excited to try it again and make one for my shop. But not in velveteen. 

So Happy Valentine's Day from McKenna and her red dress:

It's not often she gets dressed up and combs her hair. McKenna is usually a bed-head pajama kind of girl. But she looks good in red. Maybe we can keep her looking nice at least until Valentine's Day is over.

Laura Ingalls Is Pretty In Pink

I recently finished a custom order for my shop.  It's a sweet pink calico dress and pair of bloomers inspired by a pink dress made and worn by Laura Ingalls in These Happy Golden Years. My customer had this dress in mind when she contacted me. Luckily I was able to find just the right fabric, which was half the fun of making this dress.

So this is just a reminder that I love to do custom work. If you have a certain idea for your doll, I would love to help you! You can convo me through my shop, or email me at sewedhermind@gmail.com. 

And I think Charlotte makes a pretty cute Laura Ingalls--I may have to flip through the rest of the Little House books for some more ideas . . .

A Little Margaret Dashwood

A couple of months ago I decided to reread Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility. When I finished the book, I watched the 1995 film version that stars Emma Thompson. When it comes to Jane Austen's novels and even the films based on her work, I have to admit I am only a somewhat moderate fan. But I do have to admit that Regency-style movie costumes and clothing are pretty exciting! 

I particularly loved a blue striped dress that was worn by the character Margaret Dashwood--Elinor and Marianne's little sister. I loved the color and the how her shawl was wrapped around her shoulders and crossed in front. I loved the girl's wild curly hair--it suited her love of being outside and her innocent conversational outbursts.

So I made this outfit--now listed in my shop--out of some striped fabric I had in honor of Margaret Dashwood--the little sister who spoke her mind, hid from unpleasant people, and climbed trees. If your doll is of the same temperament, then this outfit may be just the thing for her!