Down the Path of Idea Changes

 Life has been running smoothly the last while. I have had a bit more time in the sewing room which has been nice. It keeps me balanced and able to cope with the bad days of which have been few and far between. 

First up the 1914 Frock

All the top stitching and hand sewing of the roses was worth it in the end. 

Doll's Wardrobe

When I decided to make a doll's wardrobe for the little girl I sew for I realized it would take me down the path of idea changes. It did which makes planning so hard.

1. Backyard Bibs

I got them made and what a delightful pattern to sew. I used fabric from the stash in a navy blue textured looking fabric. 

The back has a bit of a pleat where you overlap the center backs to close. It is barely noticeable and it shows in the instructions. 

Will I figure out fixing it? After some thinking I don't think so. 

2. Peasant Top Ummm T-shirt

The peasant top went sailing off into the sunset. First of all, I didn't have plain fabric for it and secondly, it wasn't working with other clothing items. So, after a bit of thinking, I decided on a t-shirt. It will fit in with the wardrobe much better. 

After a dig in the leggings bin, I found white leggings for the t-shirt. I also dug out my pattern and I'm ready to start this project. I'm going to add some crystals to the front to glam it up a bit.

3. Sweater vs Cape

A sweater crept its way into the wardrobe and it has gotten me back to knitting. I was asked to test a simple pattern which can be picked up and put down as necessary. No pattern rows to remember. I chose a yarn that has the navy blue in it. 

I'm almost done the sweater now and have the hat pattern to test. I will put white buttons on this sweater unless I find navy ones in the button stash. We won't hold our breath on that one.

I'm not sure if the cape will be made or not. It is on the wait and see list as I may make a winter wardrobe also.

The rest of the pieces seem to be following the plan and I seem to be coordinating them so they can be mixed and matched. Once the t-shirt is done, I have to make a Regency dress for my dolls and cut out an easy quilt top. Then back to the last 3 pieces of the wardrobe.

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

A Doll's Wardrobe

The 1914 Frock is almost finished. I have one rose left to hand sew down and the buttons. Pictures in the next couple of days.

I have decided to start sewing a Regency dress in June but will be also sewing one item of modern clothing also. I am hoping to make the little girl a wardrobe for her dolls. I'm thinking 6 items. All will be from easy to sew patterns.

1.  Backyard Bibs

I am going with the gathered skirt version.

2. Four Season's Skirt.

For this skirt, I will add a fabric ruffle to it in the same fabric as the skirt. 

3. Cape with Hood

3 & 4. Peasant Top

Both the long and short sleeved top. One in white and the other in a color.

5 & 6

The top and capri pants. 

This will not be coordinated as I am using fabrics from the stash. I only have to buy 1 pattern as I have the rest. The goal is to have them done for Christmas so she has new clothes to play with over the holidays. 

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

Edwardian 1914 Frock

 Life is taking a huge chunk of my sewing time. Part is organizing our meals and part is making sure the Spousal Unit is safe.

I am working on Keepers Dolly Dud's 1914 Frock. 

I started off following the pattern and putting on lace trim. My lace refused to cooperate so I removed it and did top stitching. I also chose not to have contrasting collar and cuffs so had to dig in the notions stash for something to break up the monotony of the outfit. I really don't have to follow what the designer does. 

While digging in the notions stash I found these lovely little flowers that were gifted to me by a designer in England. They are perfect for the outfit. 

I glued down the ones in the picture though I have moved one up a bit since taking the picture. I will hand stitch down all the leaves with green thread.

I laid down more of the flowers onto the collar and the over skirt. The extra ones on the collar may or may not happen. Decisions!

The sleeves are done with no picture. The cuff is topped stitched and a rose is on each cuff.

The skirt will have the 2 rows of top stitching. I will hem it first with white thread as it won't be noticeable and then top stitch over it. 

The buttons on the back will be plain white ones as I don't have any more of the blue flower ones. 

I am so looking forward to finishing this dress just to see the final results. I didn't have a vision for this dress so it is evolving as I sew it. 

I will post when it is done. Hopefully I can squeeze in sewing time this weekend. I do have to make potholders and a fabric pouch before I can start on the Regency era outfits I want to make. 

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

Edwardian Walking Outfit Completed

 The Edwardian walking outfit is done and it turned out just as I had envisioned it would look like. 

The bonus was finding the perfect matching buttons in the button stash. 

The back of the top fits over the pleats in the skirt perfectly. 

All that is needed is a parasol for when she goes for a walk/promenade in the park. 

So, I did some searching for that parasol. 

Umbrella - can be bought here at Amazon. I am going to get a couple for future use. 

Embroidery file - can be bought here. What a surprise to find this lovely file.  

Instructions - are here. This will be a big project as you have to do each panel separately and then soak in a tub of water, let dry, and sew each panel together.  

I'm adding this to my to do list for the summer. I can sew while the Diamond stitches out the panels. 

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

Edwardian Promenade Outfit Nearly Completed

 The Edwardian outfit is almost completed. Just snaps and buttons to put on the top. It has turned out very close to how I thought it would look. 

The skirt is a simple skirt with darts in a smooth front.

There are pleats in the back to give it a bit of fullness.

The back has a small train meaning it touches the ground where as the front doesn't. 

The Antheia top was a delight to sew the second time. I did insert the lace into the pleats as it was calling for it. I did a lot of pressing to make sure the pleats were flat and in place. 

 I was going to extend the pleats on the back to 2" but left them at 1.5". The top fits perfectly over the pleats on the skirt. 

I marked where the shoulder seam would be off by 1/4" so the yoke facing fit correctly. I also marked where the fronts folded back just above the lower portion of the skirt. The sleeves went in easily and I'm pleased with the look.

I need to look in the button stash and find flower buttons for the front. I know I have blue and clear ones. I also need to put 4 snaps on the front so it closes correctly. 

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

One Fabric Two Outfits

I have been working quietly in the sewing room when I have time. I'm pinning and cutting out items right now. It has been slow as I have had to do other things. 

I have 2 pieces of piping cut out which is an easy sew for me. I send it to our daughter so she can hoard it. Really, I send it to her for her western shirts. 

The Antheia top and Edwardian walking skirt are cut out. I have to cut out the interfacing for the top fronts. It is basically ready to sew. I have the serger threaded with white thread so I can start on the skirt. 

The top is still in the designing stage. I will be sewing the lace on the top and am wondering if I will sew clear beads over the stitching line to give it a more finished look and a bit of bling. I don't do a lot of bling on doll clothes so there will be a trial run to see if my idea works. 

When I did my research on Edwardian walking outfits, this pattern is not really historically correct. Edwardian walking outfits had a wool skirt that was more a-line, a plainer shirtwaist, and a jacket. My doll will wear this outfit for a walk around the park and then will go for tea with her friends. 

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There was enough fabric left to make another dress for the dolls. Tucked in with the Edwardian walking outfit was this Keepers Dolly Duds pattern. 

Keepers Dolly Duds 1914 Frock

I will do the cuffs and collar in white broadcloth and try to trim it with white lace. This will be the second time I've made the pattern as I tested it using a new collar pattern the first time. I still have 1 more version I can sew before I retire this pattern. One day I will make it. 

I am excited to be sewing two historical outfits. I may have enough Victorian/Edwardian outfits to dress all the dolls. Next up will be the Regency era with some modern outfits thrown in for the little girl I sew for. 

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

Antheia Top - Modern Version

 The Antheia top is done and I think it is the cutest top ever. 

I didn't have royal blue buttons and the white ones were to stark. It was suggested I use mother of pears and they are perfect. 

The back of the top is really cute with the pleats sewn down 1.5" It adds a neat and almost old fashioned look to it. 

My advice for this pattern is to read the directions and follow them carefully. 

I love looking at what others make for their dolls. My favorite site is Keepers Dolly Duds. Another site I found is American Doll Outfits. And lastly MHD Doll Outfits. More designers in another post. 

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