Pioneer Girl Outfit Completed

 The outfit is completed and I am quite pleased with it. It took longer than expected due to the small amounts of fabrics I had. The only large piece left is from the poke bonnet which is being kept for the time being. The rest of the fabric is either gone to a quilt group or in the trash. 

The poke bonnet pattern was a fun make. I put in 1/2" elastic at the back and would put in 1/4 -3/8" elastic if I make it again. 

I also would have liked to have seen a bit more pouf at the top of the bonnet but I'm okay with how it looks. A wonderful pattern that isn't too difficult to make. 

The shoes were cut from scraps of fabric and I'm really proud of them. They fit well and match the dress. 

In all, the outfit is cute and I do like the fabrics I chose or it. Not historically correct but I'm over that for this one. 

The next doll's outfit is planned but I can't start it for a bit. I have to finish the projects I have on the table, prep some bags and then I can start cutting out the fabrics. 

As I hunted for the fabric for the next outfit, I have put 7.3 meters of their stash into the donate pile for the quilting group. I still have way too much fabric for them so am going to work on sewing each of the doll's a new outfit over the next many months. Some will have several pieces and others will have one or two pieces. My goal is to sew up at least 10 meters when I'm done making these new outfits. 

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

Working On A Historical Outfit

 I am sewing up the last of the winter fabric I used to make placemats, etc. I decided to make a pattern I got for Christmas. 

Simplicity 9516

I made the apron first and it is cute. The hardest part was cutting it out of scraps of fabric. I did succeed though I had to line the bodice with broadcloth. The sewing was fairly easy; the hardest part was the square neckline. The instructions were a bit vague but I got it figured out. 

The apron fits a bit big so it can go over the dress. The doll is wearing a skirt that got tucked between her legs when I stood her up. I enjoyed making the apron and did learn how to do the back seam a different and more simple way. 

The dress was next up and I squeaked it out of .5 meter of fabric. That was a miracle and I had scraps of fabric left over. Let's say enough to make the insoles on 2 shoes. I have another scrap I am hoping to make the shoes out of. 

The bodice of the dress fits a bit tight in the sleeves on my doll. But it isn't too small in the back which is great. I did sew lace onto the sleeves where the hem stitching is and then hand sewed the lace to the neckline. 

When I lined the bodice, the instructions said to stitch the sleeves into both pieces of fabric. I didn't choosing to hand sew the lining down to hide the sleeve cap seam. It was slow and time consuming as I had such a small space to work in. But so worth the time and effort. 

I love the skirt as it has a curved waist line that is gathered to within an inch of its life. It took me 2 days to get it onto the bodice due to time restrictions. I spent a lot of time teasing the gathers to lay straight and sewed the skirt to the bodice at a turtle's speed. When pressing the dress, the iron spit a rust mark on the back of the skirt. I had to race upstairs and wash it out with Dawn soap. A disaster was diverted. I put it out to dry under the deck umbrella. 

Sewing the dress ended at that point. I have to press the dress, hand sew down the bodice, sew up the back seam, hem, add lace to the hem, and sew on snaps. That won't happen until Saturday. I have to work on getting a quilt ready to take to the quilt shop so it can be quilted on a long arm machine. 

I am looking forward to seeing how this dress turns out. Though not sewn in my usual fashion and not exactly historically correct, it is really a nice change from sewing my usual way. 

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

 

Using Up Fabric Remnants

 With trying to get some fabrics used up, I have spent my time working on them. There is enough fabric left to make a doll's outfit. Not the one I wanted to make but another one. 

Simplicity 9516

I have some of these fabrics left over from the placemats, table runner, bowl cozies, pot holders, and mug rugs I have been working on. 

I have not decided which fabrics will be used where due to the amount I have left. Once I trace the pattern pieces I will know. I am hoping that I will have enough of the bottom fabric to make shoes to go with this outfit. 

All of the fabrics are heavily starched so I need to launder them. Once that is done and I have the last of the placemats binding hand sewn down, I will be ready to start on this outfit. 

I know this pattern has a historical look with the dress and apron that a girl in a small western town or farm would have worn every day. How historically correct it is I am not sure about as I can't find simple dresses that the girls wore. It is too long for sure as girls wore their dresses much shorter than this until they were in their teens. They also wore a poke bonnet vs the hat on the doll. 

I am looking forward to making this outfit with maybe a poke bonnet from another designer. It will use up the remaining fabrics I have and the doll's will love wearing it. I am glad they aren't as fussy as I am. 

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