Simplicity 1391 View B

Samantha has been waiting to try out the new Simplicity pattern #1391 created by Keepers Dolly Duds.  And she's finally gotten her opportunity.

She chose the view B dress from the pattern and we cut it out in a green fabric with a flowered print.

A pink lace encircles the collar pieces.  Pink soutache braid was stitched along the style lines on the pattern. 

The dress was put together following the instructions provided.  The belt was cut from a pink grosgrain ribbon instead of fabric and has a rhinestone buckle sewn onto it.

Summer Sew Along Week 3

So it's week three in the summer sew along with Wren Feathers....

This week's pattern is for a jumper or pinafore.

Given that the waist is rather loose on the look, rather than have Zelia wear a blouse under the jumper and risk being able to see her underwear looking down the waist band I made her a black sequin a-line dress to wear underneath.

As for the jumper, I cut it out exactly following the pattern in a pink zebra print.  For the front buttons, I used pink glitter heart stickers.  It fastens down the back.  

This combination gives the look a day-to-night quality too.  For day she can wear the jumper over the dress for a cute sparkly zebra look and at night take it off and be all sparkly.

Depending on how the week progresses, I may attempt this pattern in lace also as a pinafore.

Summer Sew Along Week 2

Its week two of the summer sew along with Wren Feathers.  This week's pattern is for a blouse or dress with a scoop neckline and puff sleeves.

I chose to make it both ways using the same bright pink printed fat quarter.

For the blouse, I cut the pattern at the dress bodice line and then cut a two inch ruffle for the bottom.  I pleated the ruffle and attached it to the rest of the blouse.  Then on each of the flowers in the print, I added flower shaped pink sequin.  This look was then paired with Zelia's shorts for the photos.

The dress was cut with the sleeves patten slightly off the fold to add a little fullness.  The skirt was cut at 6 inches long and was box pleated with the top couple inches stitched in place.  The dress was then accented with a silver ribbon belt a the waist seam.

Zelia decided to remain barefoot and wear her hair in a ponytail for the photos of both looks.  And she decided to play around in the rock garden by the strawberries for the dress pictures. 

Check out Flickr for a picture of the top and more views of the dress beyond the one posted on Sew Dolled Up.

Summer Sew Along with Wren Feathers - Week 1

This summer I'm sewing along with Wren Feathers.  Check out all the fun of the Summer Sew-Along on Flickr.

The week one challenge is pants for my Hearts for Hearts doll.

Using a piece of denim with butterflies on it (and 2% spandex in it), I cut out the pattern.  The I threaded my sewing machine with gold thread as all my jeans are sewn with gold top-stitching.  I altered the pattern slightly to create pockets. And I stitched the front placket as if it was a zippered placket, even though the jeans fasten in the back instead.  To finish the look, I added a line of jewels along the pocket stitching on both sides.  Zelia paired her butterfly tank top with the jeans to make her outfit.

 And then I decided to give myself an extra challenge......by doing a second pair with a 70s twist.  I flared the hemline on the pattern a little and added a triangle piece to cut out of a fun print and stitch to the side seams.  All the stories I've heard people tell about their jeans in the seventies involved splitting open the side seams and adding fabric to get an even wider hemline.  For the top, I took the same fun print and created a halter style mock-smocked top with pink rick rack along the "smocking".  Then to finish off the look, Zelia's hair has two braids from just above her ears coming around her head and meeting in the back with a star shaped barrette.

Caroline in Houndstooth

Caroline is headed to a summer birthday tea party and wanted something cute an cool.

For the skirt, she picked a fat quarter in a pink and white houndstooth print.  Then she chose the pleated skirt from American Girl Molly's jumper.  Following the directions, the skirt was cut out, pleated and sewn.

Caroline's top is a pink camisole made from a re-purposed camisole.  It was cut out in a rectangle and then draped on her to get the armholes.  Once the fit was correct, the edges were finished, tri-ribbon straps were a added and a matching lace was placed along the hem.

Caroline has accessorized her look with shoes from the American Girl Sweet Spring outfit and a silver purse from the Springfield dolls collection.

Regency Sunshine

After staring at a fat quarter of yellow fabric with pink flowers for upwards of a week, the idea of a regency style dress started taking shape.

Along the hemline of the skirt, I added two rows of ribbon.  The pink ribbon is half opaque and half sheer.  This ribbon is also used at the waistband. 

The bodice has a square neckline and puffed sleeves. 

To finish off the look, Zelia added pink ribbons to her braids.