I’ve been working on this doll for a while because there are so many pieces to it – first the doll, then her underclothes and then her outerwear. She was made from Make Your Own Southern Belle Cloth Doll and Her Wardrobe. I’m not crazy about the book. The clothes don’t fit very well, mostly… Read more »
Posts Categorized: sewing
Cutting table
While not exactly a craft, I did assemble this and it’s certainly part of the craft room. I was looking for a nice cutting table to put in my spare bedroom where I do my crafts and my mother came up with the idea of using kitchen cabinets. It makes a beautiful piece of furniture…. Read more »
Paisley dress & cape
The dress looks OK from the front but it doesn’t close right in the back. This particular envelope of patterns calls for “facings” all the time – pieces that are supposed to be folded over and back and sewn in so many ways that I can’t figure out what they’re doing. I came out with… Read more »
Dolphin
There’s something not quite right about the top of his head. The pieces didn’t join together the way they should have. I faked it and it shows. Maybe I was supposed to blow that piece up larger than I did. Having now done a few stuffed animals from the Adventures in Toymaking book, I’m taking… Read more »
Octopus
This octopus was made from the same Adventures in Toymaking book as the elephant. The most fun part of making it was picking out the fabric. The fleece on the top part has little fishes swimming on it and the cotton on the bottom has spirals like suckers. The worst part of making it was… Read more »
Stuffed elephant
I got an old book called Adventures in Toy Making from a library book sale (actually got it for free because I turned in eight boxes of books for their sale). It’s full of patterns for stuffed animals. This elephant is the first one I’ve made. It’s asymetrical, with the legs being different on each… Read more »
18″ doll clothes
Making clothes for 18″ dolls isn’t as fussy as making Barbie clothes and the patterns are more like real clothes, so this was an interesting change. On the other hand, you need more fabric. This nightgown was a simple pattern made out of muslim with a lace trim. The entire neckline is elasticized, meaning no… Read more »
Barbie wardrobe
The pattern included scrubs for both Ken and Barbie. Ken had green scrubs and Barbie had pink. The hell with that. Barbie doesn’t have to be a nurse. Everyone on ER wears blue. Besides, blue was what I had. This was a McCall pattern. Making that pocket was tricky. It’s just so tiny! Then came… Read more »
Chair reclaimed from trash
Twice a year my town has what we call “big trash day” where you can put out large items for collection. Pickup trucks and strollers will cruise the neighborhood, checking out the sidewalk sale. On the last big trash day, I contributed a couple of items that were claimed almost immediately. Then Todd and I… Read more »
Barbie’s blue silk evening gown
I love this gown. I wish I had the tiny waist and long legs to look as good in it as Barbie, not to mention enough of that material to make it. I don’t even know where I got the material from. It was obviously cut from something because there was a seam in it,… Read more »