A Few Thoughts

I've been doing some thinking while sewing other projects. It has come out of the dress I this month. It was a difficult sew but I'm glad I did it and mastered it. 

My Thoughts

I keep wondering what I should do with all the doll clothes I make. The tub I put them into is getting full. I don't need them all. That is a given. 
At first I thought of trashing them as I'm very critical of my sewing. Nothing is good enough I am always saying. But, someone might like them I'm told. Sell them, I'm told. I have a war going on in my head all the time. Sell, keep, trash.

What to Do

While the war is going on in my head, I've cut way back on sewing for the dolls. Especially the Gotz dolls. I've made them nothing for quite a while. The American Girl dolls get more as I test patterns. Most of those items go into the tub after being worn for a few weeks. 

The Gotz dolls are wearing dresses made 3-24 months ago. The American Girl dolls are wearing outfits made recently to last year. Nellie is still wearing the dress she arrived in. 

Gotz Dolls

These dolls have a lot of clothes. I spent a lot of time sewing for them before I started testing patterns. Selling their clothes might be hard. These dolls are not as popular as the American Girls dolls. What I need to do is pull their clothes together and make a list of what they need. I'd like to have a small wardrobe for each of the dolls. It would be their own and not for sale. I can work sewing their clothes into the monthly to do list. They need

• Leggings
• Sweaters 
• Pants/overalls
• Coats

I have a nice number of patterns for them with little interest in buying more. I will test patterns for them if more come out. 

American Girl Dolls

I fell into collecting these dolls when I started pattern testing. I got one doll and then, when I needed more, I chose the dolls I wanted. I have one more I want but if I don't get her, I'm not going to worry about it. 

These dolls don't really have or need a wardrobe as I alternate dressing them in the test patterns. I try to keep two for historical clothing, three for the rest of the clothing. All 5 can wear any outfit I sew within reason. 

I keep filling the bin with their clothing. That is when I started to feel I needed to do something about it. I did trash some items I truly did not like. One or two are in a keep bin but I need to remember that what I keep needs to work with what I sew. Hence, I'm trying to make outfits now. A blouse or top with a skirt in a specific look or era. A dress that could work alone or with a sweater or coat. 

I'm really thinking this through, especially if I want to sell these items. I'm thinking of buying several easy patterns to sew -- skirts, pants, and simple tops. I have dress patterns that I can sew easily. 

Another idea was to make stand alone items that can be paired with other items. I'm not sure if that will really work or if I am dreaming. Right now, I'm doing outfits. Anything that is stand alone will be fancy dresses. 

How to Sell

The big item in my brain. I can advertise and sell via mail. I can advertise for craft bazaars. My client base would be children, parents and grandparents. Not doll collectors. Then I can keep my prices low for quick sales. 

The Future

I have a monthly list of items I want to make. I always include one doll item. At the moment, it is a test pattern. I try to make it as neatly as possible. That allows it to go into the sell bin.

The Mary Laura dress is on hold as I make a test blouse. But, I'm using the underskirt of the Mary Laura dress to go with the blouse giving it a Victorian look. The next test pattern is up and I need to prep for it. I'm going to do it in red as I have plenty of red fabric. I'll get back to the Mary Laura dress when I have some time as I really want to make it. I do know there are two more patterns in the line up to test. I'm sure they will be out in the next couple of months. 

I'll be back with more ideas for sewing for the dolls. I have a few ideas in my mind as I sew doll clothes. This was pressing on my mind and I needed to write about it. 

Happy Doll Sewing......................................

An Easy Sew is Next

As I admire the last dress I made, I decided to choose an easier pattern to sew. I mulled over it for a while before choosing my pattern. 

From Pixie Faire

I am staying with the Victorian era but more of a country girl vs the city girl look. 
The pattern has been printed, cut out and taped together. The fabric has been chosen - an orange gingham look print. The neck ribbon could be navy blue and I need to look in the jewelry fixings for the cameo. Lace is in the stash. I'm ready to start when I have three days clear on the calendar. 
I'm looking forward to sewing this pattern. I may lay the pattern out while the sewing machine is stitching out an embroidery design. 
Happy Doll Sewing..........................................

Sewing Beyond Your Comfort Zone

I'm back again with something has been on my mind this month. Do you sew beyond your comfort zone and choose a challenging pattern?

This question popped into my head when a tester posted a pattern that I knew was an intermediate level. I knew it would be full of detail and techniques. Was I ready to commit to sewing it? Would I bomb it or would I succeed? 

To Succeed

To be successful, I knew I needed to do several things. 

1. Read the pattern through prior to printing and cutting out the pattern pieces. Have an understanding of the pattern construction is important to being successful. 
2. Press the fabric well so there are not wrinkles or creases in it. 
3. Cut out the pattern accurately. The more accurate you are the better the fit. I should have traced the pattern pieces on to freezer paper for better accuracy. 
4. Sew in doable chunks of time or steps. 

Details and Techniques

The dress is a Victorian period dress and the designer puts a lot of detail and techniques into her patterns. This dress was full of them. 

1. Pleats on a curved shoulder seam. 
2. Underlining on front center bodice for proper shaping.
3. Princess seams in front and back.
4. Beret sleeves which were very full and odd shaped.
5. Pleated skirt with an attached hem that was padded with yarn.

Those Doable Chunks

Most days I sewed for an hour or less. Once I felt the stress level rising, I would quit even if I hadn't met my daily goal of sewing.

1. I read the instructions prior to sewing and then again while sewing. 
2. I would take the pieces to the computer and work the steps while reading. 
3. I sewed slowly. Very slowly. 
4. I pinned, basted, measured and probably over did it. But it did help me get an accurate fit. 
5. When the tension was thick or I had finished what I had set out to do, I stopped sewing for the day. I never left the sewing room feeling overwhelmed. 

Would I Make It Again?

I would love to make this dress again with the plain bodice and a large lace collar. I'm certain the second time will be easier. I won't feel panicky doing certain steps (the sleeves were panicky for me). I will trace the pattern onto freezer paper and iron it onto the fabric for more accuracy in cutting and pleating. As the fabric for the second has a white background, I will use white cording to pad the hem. 

I often chanted "One stitch at a time" as I made this dress. Am I ready to take on another challenging pattern? I think I am. But not tomorrow as I need to destress and do something simple. 

Happy Doll Sewing.............................