Isla Girl Outfit Completed

I finished the Isla Girl (Lass) outfit. I am thrilled with how it looks even though it is not era correct. 

The shawl got ties added to it so it can be tied at the back. 

It keeps the shawl closed when doing chores or out and about. 

The shawl was not worn in the 1700's but in the mid 1800's. People wore cloaks in the 1700's. It wasn't until after the shawl was finished that we discovered this. 

A bit of research showed that these people did not wear shoes and if they did, they were something along the lines of the Plain Jane shoes I have been making. 

The socks I made 7-8 years ago from sock yarn and are a bit on the heavy side to be era correct. They would have been knit on very fine pins (needles). 

Julie is very happy to be wearing this outfit and is feeling toasty warm on cool fall days. 

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

Almost Done Isla Girl

 I am slowly getting more pieces made so each outfit is compete in its look. I am working on completing the Isla Girl outfit when I have time. 

I completed this outfit Sept. 2021 and, though happy with it, I felt it was never complete. There is an apron and hat to go with the dress. I have revisited the outfit several times, did many searches on the internet for a shawl to go with it and found nothing. One day, this pattern popped up in my search.

I started off knitting it in grey silk yarn and didn't have enough to get the size I wanted. I dug in the sock yarn stash and found what I wanted. Using tiny needles, the sock yarn and a lot of patience, I finished the shawl just over a year after making the outfit. I used 50 grams of yarn and don't ask me how many stitches were on the needles when I cast off. I refused to count them. 

I love the centre back where you increase, knit/purl and increase to get a lovely pattern that is simple to do. 

I now have pantaloons to make in cream coloured broadcloth and this outfit will be complete. I am thrilled with it. It is just what I had envisioned when I sewed the outfit. 

When I finish this outfit, I will start making items to finish the Regency dress. It needs a shawl, parasol, and pantaloons. I'm going to dip my toes into crocheting which I can do but am not as well as I can knit. Practice will be the name of the game. 

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

Outfits Nearing the Finish Line

I have been remiss at updating this blog. I have been busy in the sewing room. In the evenings I have been knitting. 

I have been thinking about how I want to sew doll clothes. I have decided to sew more complete outfits rather than single items of clothing. When I became obsessed with the Regency Dress and then with Lemon Bay Doll Co, I knew the path I wanted to take. It will mean going back to clothes I've made and add more to them. It also means spending more time planning patterns and fabrics in the future so I can sew a complete outfit for the dolls. 

1. Soutache Dress

I got the embroidery done and the dress sewn with no problems. The adjustments I made were to lengthen the bodice by 3/8" and cut that much off the centre back seam. I got a nicer bodice doing that. 

I cut the skirt 1/4" too short but I'm living with it. It is short enough that the lace on her bloomers show. That I wanted. 

I have cut out and started to make matching shoes to go with the dress. I would love to make a necklace and the Plumfield Cloak to go with it. I will put white ribbons in her hair if the pink ribbon I have doesn't match. 

2. Aspen Sweater

I knit this as a test pattern for a designer who lives in Halifax. I love her patterns and was so happy to be a tester for her. 

At the moment all I have are grey leggings to go with this sweater. That is fine but I need to make a t-shirt to go with it. I may keep this all in grey and use some bright crystals on the t-shirt. I have grey boots to go with it. At this time, I don't know if I have enough yarn to knit a hat. If I do, it will finish the outfit. 

3. Outlander Shawl

This shawl is still on the needles and I am making progress with it. 

It is to go with the Isla Girl outfit I made quite a while ago. All I need to make is pantaloons and this outfit will be done. 

4. Regency Dress

This outfit is still a work in progress. I have to see if I have the off white yarn to knit the shawl on large needles. I also need to sew pantaloons which I'm thinking of doing out of the satin used in the dress. 

So the list of items yet to sew between now and then is

1. Pantaloons for the Regency Dress and Isla Girl outfit. 

2. Cloak, shoes and necklace for the Soutache Dress.

3. T-shirt for the Aspen Sweater (I may make another pair of leggings also. 

4. Finish the shawl for the Isla Girl outfit. 

Not too bad for a list of items to make complete outfits. 

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

Finishing Outfits

Life has had a dramatic change for me. The Spousal Unit passed away on Sept. 21 and I have been slowly getting back into the sewing room. I do miss him visiting with me while I sew. We have done that for many years and I do cherish those times. 

Regency Shoes

I had started these shoes and then they sat while I was busy. I had decided to add tear drop pearls to them which was a good choice. I also used up some of the trim on the soles to make them more "expensive" looking. 

One thing I did learn was to measure the top part when attaching them to the soles. One top is 1/4" shorter than the other one. 

I may make a stole out of the satin that is 4" x 28" and do a rolled hem on it. I would then call this outfit done. 

Outlander Shawl

I decided to knit the Outlander Shawl to finish the Isla Girl Outfit. 

I started it in a silk sock yarn and didn't have enough. I will use the small shawl on another outfit. The one I am knitting now is more rustic looking and the colours are wonderful. 

I am not quite half done so have about another week of knitting. Maybe more as this shawl is increased by 4 stitches one row and 2 the next row. 

Next

Once I have finished hand sewing the binding to a quilt, I will be starting the final version of the Soutache dress. I am looking forward to making it and figuring out what to make for accessories. Silver leather shoes? Necklace? Maybe. 

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