Hollywood Tracksuit A Success

 The Hollywood tracksuit was completed yesterday afternoon. I learned a few new things when making this outfit. 

    Basting tape is great to hold small pieces in place for more accurate sewing. Though 1/8" tape is recommended, the 1/4" tape worked well for me. It was all I had on hand. 

    Sewing in separating zippers is easy once you know what to do. I use to hate putting them in as I couldn't sew the bottom plastic piece in place. The instructions showed to use the small holes in that plastic piece and hand sew the bottom of the zipper in place. Leave long threads and use them to hand sew that bit in place. 

    Leave the zipper long until you add the hood/collar/facing to the neckline. I back stitched over the zipper tape so it was very secure and the cut off the excess zipper. 

    The hood is sewn onto the neckline burrito style and it leaves a lovely finished neckline. 

The jacket went together well though I will use the zipper foot to sew next to the zipper teeth on the hood. The foot I used would not get that close and I have a bit of an overhang. Other than that, all went well. 

The hood is large and will fit over most doll's hair. Just not Julie's as she has a thick wig which is long.

The jacket is cute even if it fits Julie snug. She is happy with it. 

I watched the videos on how to make the gymnastic's mat, the balance bar, and the uneven bars. I don't do accessories but have saved the videos and patterns just in case I decide to make them to give away. 

February is sewing for the Tudor era and I am looking forward to doing those videos and sewing what the pattern. 

Track Suit Pants Are A Success

 Yesterday I made the track suit pants. I cut out the three pattern pieces from one leg and part of the other one. I cut out the waistband on the second leg using the rotary cutter. 

Sewing the pants was done carefully. I used basting tape on the pockets so the folded under pieces were held firmly in place when they were top stitched onto the pants. Nice way to get the pockets on easily. 

The pants went together quickly and I did read the instructions several times to make sure I was doing it correctly. I do like how the waistband was added in a circle. Instead of serging the raw edges, I topped stitch the seam down. It worked well. 

These pants fit tight but that could be the fabric I chose. They have very little length stretch. Also Julie is one of my chunkier dolls. Most patterns fit her on the tight side. 

From start to finish it took me about 4 hours to make the pants. Not too bad for the first try. I will be making these again as they are easy to make and smart looking. 

The t-shirt I made 4 - 5 years ago and blinged it up. I have since perfected the pattern to how I like to sew it. 

Next up is the jacket. I hope to cut it out today and start sewing it. I would like to have it ready to install the zipper when I stop for the day. I still have 2 days of sewing left this month. 

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

Sewing With Cinnamon

 Here it is almost the end of January. I have not sewn for the dolls in a long time. I was busy doing other things. Now that I am caught up I am ready to sew something tiny.

This year I decided to try Sewing With Cinnamon. It is a subscription that you can buy different ways. I decided to try it for a year as I wanted to see how many different outfits I could make. The first one is for a track suit. The course started off with making a tumbling mat which needed us to buy a pattern. I don't do accessories so didn't buy that. I did look at the video and it is well done. 

The second week was to make the track suit. They called for stretch velour which I didn't have in the stash. As I'm not buying a lot of fabric, I had to dig around to find something. I chose to use a pair of knit leggings. The pattern has been purchased and printed so I am ready to start. I watched the first part of the video on making the pants. Cutting out the pants will begin today. 

Yesterday the lesson is on how to make uneven bars which I will watch the video but not make. There is one more week which will be a balance beam. I won't be making it. 

I will be downloading the videos so I can watch them when I want to. I am looking forward to what we will be doing this year with the hopes of making 12 different outfits/items for the dolls. 

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