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Playing with Dolls

Sep 19th, 2007 by Kathy

Sometimes I’m a little slow on the uptake. I finally caught on last week as I finished up these 18″ doll clothes for the raffle my American Sewing Guild Chapter conducts each year. The real reason you join ASG is not to hang out with other enthusiastic sewers but rather to have an excuse to buy yourself a doll and make it clothes all year.

I had to borrow Molly from my neighbor for the photo shoot. As soon as I put the clothes on her I knew I wanted my own doll, I can’t wait. I used patterns from Joan Hinds’ Contemporary Wardrobe book. A light weight lavender linen for the jacket and my favorite Superbuzzy mini-flowers for the skirt. The shirt should look familiar.

I used my Snap Source tools to put the snaps on. Every time I use this thing I’m completely amazed and relieved at how well they adhere. I’ve tried so many brands of snap setters over the years, this is the first one that actually works. I love all the colors they offer too, so bright and cheery.

I’ve been warned by my fellow members that before long I’ll be buying stash fabrics just for the doll!

Posted in Sewing | 22 Comments

22 Responses to “Playing with Dolls”

on 19 Sep 2007 at 11:37 am1Jen

It’s funny how she’s posed rather like you in the little picture off in the corner… She can be your third daughter, the one who didn’t get the curly hair.
on 19 Sep 2007 at 11:41 am2Patti

I keep threatening to ask my husband for an American Doll for Christmas one year. The only thing stopping me is trying to choose which doll! I can hardly wait until I can buy one for Sophie! Maybe I should order this book to be ready LOL?
on 19 Sep 2007 at 11:55 am3Adrienne

Cute doll! My daughters love those!
on 19 Sep 2007 at 12:16 pm4Dee Light

Such an adorable outfit!!! Aren’t American Girl Doll’s the best!!!
on 19 Sep 2007 at 12:41 pm5Lemon Tree Tales

Ah, just wait … the addiction to making doll’s clothes will soon transform into the habit of making the dolls themselves. Adorable little jacket.

–Tami
on 19 Sep 2007 at 1:22 pm6Michele

I thought I would pass on this story to you. I was in Purl patchwork on Saturday to buy the book with your pattern. A man came in and said “I just saw the most amazing knitting needle holder in the window of the Purl kntting store. I’d like to buy one”. The salesclerk told him “Oh, that needle case is in our new book, it’s also a pencil case. We don’t sell the finished cases; you would have to make one”. He was crestfallen
I thought it was a wonderful compliment to your great pattern!
on 19 Sep 2007 at 5:29 pm7jenn

I love your blog, it is so inspiring! But, I really wish I hadn’t of seen this…. I feel a new addiction brewing.. and I am thinking this will feed my need for more instant gratification. Little people clothes, love that idea…jenn
on 19 Sep 2007 at 7:23 pm8Carrie

That’s an adorable outfit! Two my of younger cousins have American Girl dolls and they would love that. I actually tried knitting them doll sweaters (from a pattern online) but I didn’t have a doll to try them out on and lo and behold the necks wouldn’t go over their heads. Sniff.

I’ve seriously thought about getting one just to make clothes for it because how fun is that? But the cost and some of the wordage on their site annoys me so I’m not sure!
on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:51 am9Megan

I have been eyeing the doll clothes books in the library. I may well have just been pushed over the dge.
on 20 Sep 2007 at 6:26 am10Administrator

Patti: I’ve already asked for an American Girl doll for my birthday and Greg just started laughing hysterically!

Michele: Thank you! xo

Carrie: I was warned about that! A friend told me to make sure the backs of over the head garments had really big openings. Before I made the t-shirt I didn’t really understand how BIG their heads really are.
on 20 Sep 2007 at 6:54 am11Paula

As a kid I had the famous “Barbie”. My grandmother made clothes for her and they were endless delight to me. Gold lame evening gowns and stoles, you name it, I had it. I have never ceased to be amazed by the tiny close work, I don’t know how you do it !!!! Looks beautiful.
on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:53 am12Kristin

Wow, those clothes are beautifully made. Thanks for the tip on the snap setter. I’ve got one I picked up at Joannes and it’s awful. I tried it once and almost ruined a project and haven’t had the nerve to try it again. I think I’ll give the one you mentioned a go!
on 20 Sep 2007 at 8:10 am13sue

My grandmother and mother also made me a whole wardrobe for my “Barbie” doll. I never knew how they did all that detailed, beautiful work. The clothing they had for her when my kids were small were so cheaply made and basic, I wish my mother hadn’t sold my Barbie when I got older! It would be worth a fortune.

Lovely job… you are so talented.
on 20 Sep 2007 at 11:32 am14Ann

I wanted to make American girl doll clothes to sell, so I bought a used one on Ebay - she came without clothes but was in great shape at a fraction of the cost. Also, the Gotz dolls are the same size and cost half the price. They are the original makers of the American Girl doll.
on 20 Sep 2007 at 2:18 pm15thehomelyyear

Hi, what fantastic dolls’ clothes…there’s such a lot of work in what you’ve made!
Margaret and Noreen at THY
on 20 Sep 2007 at 5:55 pm16Angie

Very cute, love the outfit. you do a little of everything don’t you?!
on 20 Sep 2007 at 7:10 pm17sappmama

Love the doll clothes and loooove them snaps! What size do you use, 14 or 16? You just know I’ve gotta have that tool.
on 21 Sep 2007 at 7:34 am18Administrator

Angie: I’m a clothes sewer at heart, I wish I could fit myself as easily as I fit the doll.

Sappmamma: I used Size 16. I didn’t realize they had Size 14, I may need those just for the doll clothes!
on 21 Sep 2007 at 6:46 pm19Regina

Having two boys makes me want a doll again. Love her clothes!! The jacket is amazing!!!
on 24 Sep 2007 at 12:10 am20mrspilkington

Great outfit — She is stylin’!
Oh doll clothes…I haven’t made anything photo-worthy yet, but it’s just so much fun!
And the Inchies project is so cool!
on 24 Sep 2007 at 5:31 am21TheDomesticDiva

What a great job you did on that jacket!
on 24 Sep 2007 at 8:58 pm22Selena

Our life seems to revolve around Molly at the moment. My daughter’s Halloween costume is going to be Miss Liberty from the Molly books and her birthday party in January will be a winter luau because Molly was a luau girl for Halloween. I’ll definitely be in on the raffle.