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.
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......................................
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