Progress On The Top

Love From Lola

The Antheia top is a fairly easy pattern to make once you figure out the front pleats. Yesterday, I read the instructions 3 times before it clicked but I was tired. If you make it, you might just whiz through that step. 

The bottom front bodice went on easily enough but I missed the mark at folding it back. I need to go back and correct that. I need to fold the front a little deeper than I did to get it looking like the picture. I am going to say I was exhausted and missed that part. 

I should have been drinking Coke rather than fizzy water. 

I worked on the back today and it turned out perfect. I didn't take a picture of it as I ran out of time. I have the shoulder seams sewn again perfectly and will now add the back yoke lining tomorrow. 

Tomorrow, I need to fix the front by folding back the bottom piece about 1/2-3/4" and add the back yoke lining. Once that is done, it is the sleeves. 

I am hoping that I can get some royal blue buttons for this top but it remains if I can get somewhere to buy them. If not, I will be using black buttons. 

As I really like this top, I am making it again with a different lace, and a long Edwardian walking skirt in a light blue fabric. I really think this top can be both modern and historical. I'm thinking outside the box or I hope I am. 

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

And the Luck Stopped At The Pleats

 I finally got to sew after a lot time out of the sewing room. I am dealing with the Spousal Unit and have run from good days to bad days and back to good days. Keeping him busy has meant my self care has been on the back burner. 

I got to sew today. I had time after lunch to cut out an outfit and start sewing the skirt. I chose the Liberty Jane pleated skirt which I love. I spent a lot of time getting the pleats in neatly and am thrilled with the results. 

I have to say that my good luck stopped shortly after that. I interfaced the upper top as per the instructions. I drew the fold lines on the interfacing as per the instructions and the lace line to the proper side. My luck stopped there. 

I pinned the lace on right side to right side of fabric but I put the edge of the lace facing the arm hole not towards the center front. I then proceeded to fold the pleats towards the arm hole and not towards the center front. It looks cute but is totally wrong. 

So, lucky me, gets to pick it all apart tomorrow and start again drawing lines, basting on the lace correctly and pressing it well before basting it down well. I will put a copy of the instructions on to the laptop in the sewing room. 

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

Little Picot Sweater Outfit

 I finished the outfit and got it modeled on Jennie. 

The dress was easy to finish. When I hemmed the skirt, I pinned it in place on the wrong side, pressed it on the right side and stitched it down. I used Glide thread for the buttonholes and they turned out beautifully. 

It is a perfect basic dress if you don't want a tightly gather skirt. 

I put the Little Picot sweater set with it and it is a cute warm day outfit.

This was a fun outfit to make and I'm sure it will be well received by the little girl whom I give these outfits to. 

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

A New Basic Dress

 I finished with the gingerbread fabric and there was just enough fabric left over to make 2 potholders. 

It was time to make a doll's dress to go with a sweater and hat I made. The sweater has pinks, yellow, aqua, and white in it so I chose a polka dot fabric from the doll's stash. It is white with tiny aqua dots on it. I bought it 5 years ago when I put it on clearance for around $5.00/meter. It is a nice full bodied cotton and perfect for Keepers Dolly Duds' Church Bazaar dress. 

The dress is a lovely basic pattern that has a lined sleeveless bodice and a skirt that has 2 pleats in the front and is lightly gathered. 

I was able to get the skirt and bodice ready to sew together which was a feat unto itself. The Spousal Unit wanted to finish his puzzle and I was voluntold to help. Thank goodness the pattern has basic sewing techniques. 

I put the sweater set beside the dress and I feel it is perfection. 

Perfect for a church bazaar. I'll show it on the model when it's done. 

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

Boardwalk Boutique Apron Hack

 The apron is done and is cute. 

I did the adjustments to the pattern piece as per the instructions. I didn't shorten it as much as called for and if I make it again I would cut the pattern off for the ruffle length. The top of the apron has a upward curve to it and I would be inclined to make it straight across.

I made my own bias binding for a custom look. I used this bias maker from Clover. The bias in the picture is the width before folding it over. It was a perfect width for the apron.

I followed the instructions after I made the error of adding some horrid trim to the bottom of the apron. I picked it out and started again. 

I took my time attaching the binding. I sewed it on to the back side of the fabric and folded it over to the right side before stitching it down. Top, sides, and then the ties. I sewed on the lace last. 

It is cute but needs to be worn with leggings and a t-shirt. It is modern not historical. 

This apron is for the little girl I sew for dolls. I'm sure her dolls will enjoy wearing it this coming Christmas if she bakes with her Nan. 

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

Pattern Hack (Once Again)

 In February I made historical bloomers using Oh Sew Kat's Boardwalk Boutique pattern. This month I made the pattern as shown in one of the ways it can be made as sold. 

This extremely cute well fitting pattern brought about some discussion on making the top into a dress. That lead me to look at Oh Sew Kat's hacks. There are 10 of them for this pattern and you can find them part way down the page. The hacks make this a very versatile pattern. 

One of the hacks I am taken with is the apron. I have fabric left over from this month's quilting project and will make it. But, I looked at another hack and there are the cutest Christmas outfits using the pattern. I see the gingerbread outfit in the making later on as I need to get the fabric for it. I also see making the ruffled halter dress as I have lots of fabric that needs sewing up.

Once again, I really enjoyed sewing this pattern and looking at future ideas. It is great to see how this designer works with her patterns and shares her ideas. And I enjoy sewing them between more difficult historical patterns which I also enjoy making. I call this balancing my sewing. 

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