Regency Dress Update

 The Regency dress bodice was done when I sewed the appliques onto the front bodice at the end of June. It wasn't hard to do once I got the rhythm to it. 

I will have to say the sleeves went in like a charm. No gathering at all and a perfect fit. 

The appliques were laid out with the center front marked. I fiddled a bit as they are not exactly the same. 

The skirt was easy to sew but I spent at least 6 days sewing down appliques. Some sessions were short but on good days I could do an hour. On respite days I could hand sew for 2.5 hours before my eyes and hands started to get tired. I finished the appliques today. All I can say is hurrah.

I have started to hand sew the hem down and have one back done. 

I have decided to line the skirt for two reasons. One, the waist seam will be hidden. Two, the hand stitching on the back of the skirt will be hidden. The fabric is light weight enough a lining will help with the drape. 

Once the hem is done and the skirt lining cut out, I will be ready to assemble the dress. Here's hoping it will be done this weekend. 

It really was never my intention to do all the handwork on the dress but when I saw the overlay fabric I knew I had to use the remaining flowers on the dress. What is left is now in the garbage. Nothing worth keeping. 

On a side note -- I ordered enough insoles and soles to make 6 pairs of shoes with white soles and the same number with black soles. Yes, I finally fell down the rabbit hole of making shoes. The first pair will be of quilting cotton and the 2nd pair will go with this dress. More on this later as the materials required is coming from Texas to Canada. I will buy the pattern for the shoes once the materials arrive. 

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

S9438 - Regency Dress Begun

With the hot weather coming, it was time to start the Regency outfit so one of the dolls could walk the promenade. 

I chose to make my first Regency outfit using Simplicity 9438. 

View C was my choice as I wanted an overlay and plain sleeves. 

I knew exactly what fabric I was using for the dress; ivory satin that looks a bit like silk on the wrong side. The overlay was going to be a bit of a mystery as I needed to dig in the tub of fancy fabrics to see what I had. 

As I was looking/digging for the satin, I found a piece of lace left over from a doll's wedding dress made in May 2017. It was a piece left over from the center as I had used the border for the skirt of the dress. It had a few embroidered flowers on it and was perfect for the overlay.

But, did I have enough? Out came the pattern and I had enough with some scraps left over for later on. 

I decided to make the overlay first. I carefully cut out the skirt and bodice pieces and started to sew it up. A lot of time was spent basting a 1/4" to turn over to finish the arm holes, neckline, front and hem. The white thread showed but I was prepared. Trim I was gifted was perfect for edging the openings and hem. 

I carefully prick stitched the trim onto the overlay and the end result was as I had hoped for. I closed the front with a hook and eye.

Other than a good pressing, it was done. 

I started the dress yesterday. The pattern was traced onto pellon tracing material and then the pieces were cut out. 

The bodice was done first. After 2 false starts of sewing the wrong sides of the back to the right side of the front on both the outer bodice and lining, I got the shoulder seams done. I next stitched the neckline, clipped the curves, turned it right side out and pressed it well. Onto the doll it went and, of course, I had to see how the flowers cut from the overlay would look. 

The overlay covered up the flowers.

I fiddled around until I got something I liked but am not sure if I will be putting them on the dress. 

The next step is to serge the side and back seams of the bodice and the side seams of the sleeves (they are lined). I can then attach the sleeves, sew the side seams and the bodice will be done. Next will be the skirt.

So far I am enjoying this pattern. I have taken it one stitch at a time and am pleased with the results so far. I need to cut a piece of bias so I can cover the waist seam as I'm not a fan of exposed/serged waist seams. It is just me. And I have plenty of fabric left as I started out with 2 meters of the satin. 

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

First Three Pieces Are Completed

 The first half of the doll's wardrobe is complete. To recap, I made the Backyard Bibs, a t-shirt, and a sweater with hat. Pictures of the Backyard Bibs is in the previous post. 

T-Shirt

I used the Liberty Jane t-shirt pattern that is free. I've done a tutorial on how I changed the pattern. I posted a 4 part tutorial in May 2021. I used a Micotex needle and laid the fabric out fully to do the neckline and sleeves and tried not to stretch them.

On this version of the t-shirt, I add some hotfix crystals to the neckline. I wanted a bit of glam but not a lot as the jumper covers a lot of the crystals. 

It looks great under the jumper. 

Simply Sweet Sweater

I am a tester for this pattern and it was an easy pattern to make. I could put it down when necessary and not worry about a pattern row being missed. I had to make the sleeves 2 rows longer than called for. 

I added a cat button to the hat (blue eyes to match the blue in the yarn). 

It also goes well with the jumper. 

I bought the leggings and fabric for the next 3 pieces that I hope to sew in July. 

The leggings are an Xlg and I should be able to get a t-shirt and capri out of them. The t-shirt will have yellow crystals on the front. The blue and yellow fabrics will be made in this pattern. 

At the moment, I'm sewing a Regency dress and will report on it when I'm closer to being done. 

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

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...............................................................