Sunday, September 2, 2012

It feels good to be sewing again!


Summer was a busy time filled with visits from Grandchildren and several trips.  I did not get to
do a lot of sewing.   I didn't realize how much I missed sewing until I started working on these outfits for the Dolls.  
 


The pattern for the pink top just became my favorite top pattern of all time.   It is so stinking cute, I want one for myself.   Sadly,  I must deal with the fact that I no longer have the "girlish figure" to
wear ruffles around my mid section.   The pattern is by "SEW Urban" and can be purchased at Liberyjanepatterns.com.  The denim skirt is a Liberty Jane pattern also.   The floral dress was made from a pattern from www.etsy.com/shop/KottonCandyPatterns.  Check out the Kotton Candy Etsy shop.   


Sunday, June 10, 2012

Teacher's Pet School Dress

Purchased a cute pattern made by http://www.etsy.com/shop/KottonCandyPatterns.   In the process of sewing a dozen of them.   I've streamlined the sewing process by making up all the collars and pockets first.  Currently working on  sewing all the lower halves of the dresses, then I will do all the upper halves.   Not sure if it saves me time...but it feels like it does.   Making matching headbands too.  The PDF pattern is very detailed and has tons of "step by step"  photos.  I'd give this Teacher's Pet School Dress pattern an A+.  

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Printable - Shoppings for your doll

LibertyJane Patterns were used to make
the shorts, skirt and tops.
I have made some small adjustments to the bags shown.
Ex.....the picuture shows B&B Works (Works has been changed
to Shop). I left the Pink bag without a shop name so you can
personalize it with your own name.

Click on the Computer Crafts tab at the top of this page and
it will take you to the links to download these bags and
other free printables.   Enjoy

Monday, May 7, 2012

New shopping bags to print for AG Dolls

2 new bags for your Dolls to enjoy.
Click on the link below and save it as a JPEG to your computer.
Graphics by Gina James, Bath and Body Set.
 Print in Landscape mode.


 Click on the link below and save file
as a JPEG to your computer Graphic by Gina James, Bath and Body Set,
Print in landscape mode


Sunday, May 6, 2012

FREE "printable" Shopping Bags for your American Girl Doll






I  made the bags in 2 sizes and will be posting several layouts over the
next few days.    Join my blog so you won't miss any of the free stuff.

Click on the tab "Computer Crafts" at the top of the page to see/get
any of the printables you like.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Diva in Pink

The skirt cost $6.00 at BAB and took 5-6 minutes to alter.   The purse is another BAB item.   I made the necklace from jewelry supplies I purchased at Michael's.   Picked up a package of charms and some silver chain.   The pink knit top was made using Libertyjane pattern.

IPAD - PDF doll clothes patterns


Why I love my IPAD 2!   I have to travel a good distance to visit my Grandchildren.   I go so often to CO.  that I have left a wardrobe there so I can travel light.   I  have a spare sewing machine stored there too, so I can enjoy visiting my Grandson and not miss sewing.   Neat thing about the IPAD is that I can take all my PDF patterns for AG size doll clothes with me.   When I want to sew all I have to do is print the pattern and with the IPAD I don't have to pick and choose which pattern(s) to take.  I can bring all 120 plus of them.

For more Sew Savvy tips, ideas etc click on the link below
or the Sew Savvy tab at the top of this page.

Saturday, April 28, 2012

How to alter a Build-A-Bear top to fit your AG doll

Now that I am retired and have more time to sew I am working on altering several "tops" that I purchased at Build-A-Bear to fit my American Girl Doll.   The Tops cost between $5.00 - $7.50.

A little information about BUILD-A-BEAR (BAB).  If your not a member of their Stuff Fur Stuff club I highly recommend that you join.   I'ts FREE!  Here's the link to see all the benefits you get as a member: 


It begins with selecting the right top to alter.

For the rest of this post click on the link below or the
"NOT" just for Bears tab at the top of this page.


Friday, April 27, 2012

Tissue Boxes for your AG Doll and you.

Always have tissues handy for both you and your AG doll.    Free printable layouts for  Kleenex "Boutique" box for you and a matching mini one for your doll.



layout
prints 3 on 1 sheet 
Click on the link below and save as a JPEG on your computer.
Print in portrait mode
Supplies

Card stock, printer, glue or double sided tape, scissors,
Bone Folder and a little bit of tissue or toilet paper.


Boutique "Doll" size

Kleenex (flat box)
3 different layouts on 1 sheet. "NO" glue needed
Click on the link below and save as a JPEG to your
computer.   Print in portrait mode.




                           Boutique "People" size layout
2 pages
Click on the links below and save as JPEG to your
computer.   Print in landscape mode.







Click on the link below to see "you've Got Mail" another printable layout to share.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

At last! I finally got to organize my fabric

I had fabrics stashed everywhere.   The fabric was spread out in dressers, cabinets, linen closets and bedroom closets on all 3 levels of our home.   I'm not quite finished but I am off to a good start.   I picked up 2 Martha Stewart cube units at Home Depot and put them in a closet in one of the Guest bedrooms.  This will make my life so much easier.   I plan on getting one more cube unit and I will still have hanging space for guests clothes.


Updated 5/15/12 to show 3rd (last) cube unit closet finished...for now.

Friday, April 13, 2012

American Girl Doll Clothes Patterns.

With my current interest in sewing clothes for American Girl dolls, I've seen my collection of patterns grow by leaps and bounds.   In order to reign in the chaos of over  120 plus PDF patterns I have resorted to using 2 inch binders filled with clear plastic sheets .   Each binder holds 18 - 20 patterns.  With so many patterns it was necessary for me to sort them by categories:  Tops, bottoms, dresses etc.  Each plastic sleeve is home to the printed out PDF Pattern instructions and the the cut out pattern pieces which I printed on card stock and laminated.   I trace the pattern piece onto the fabric with a fabric pen.   Secure the traced outline with  2 - 3 pins and cut away.

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Pleated Top, Tunic & Sundress


Found a great pattern by Kotton Candy doll fashions -   PDF sewing pattern.   Easy to sew, clear detailed instructions and a great fit - what more could you ask for.   Oh yeah, reasonably priced and since it's a download pattern, I printed the pattern pieces on card stock and laminated them for easy tracing and cutting on fabric.   I've made about a dozen of them in the 3 different lengths.


Top

Tunic



Dress
                                                                                                      

Monday, January 30, 2012

Fun fabric + bright colors make a trio of AG dolls into Diva's

Top (center) was made from LibertyJane pattern.  Tops and pants  were made using patterns from a book titled "Love to Dress Up" / 18" Doll Clothes by Lorine Mason.

Baby Doll Pajamas

 I am making 2 piece baby doll PJ's.   Have lots of flannel fabric in my stash.  I have some green flannel that I will be using next.  Simplicity pattern 9381 / 0603 was used to make this outfit.   Playing around with the length of the bottoms...can't decide which length I like the best.   The dolls don't seem to care either way.