Matching Valentine's Dresses

 I'm sure by now you've figured out Valentine's Day is just around the corner.  I've been posting about it for a bit now.  

To wrap up the Valentine's Day blig fun, I am putting together matching dresses for my favorite nieces for their dolls. One has a #welliewishers and the other a #hearts4hearts.  

I've recently resigned the #elliesstyle Lisle dress for the #welliewishers which allows me to pull this off. 

The #welliewishers dress is white with pink hearts accented with a pink fabric with white hearts (you might recognize these descriptions from the recent #Barbie post). The #hearts4hearts dress is in the pink fabric accented with the white fabric. So while the match, its not exact.

I look forward to delivering this #valentines wish to my favorite nieces.  

Watch for Megan and Shola modeling these looks on Sewdolledup.blogspot.com.  

Trip Through History via Fashion

All anyone seems to be able to talk about right now is navigating these unprecedented times.  

Instead of providing opinions on how that might work, I thought it would be more fun to take a trip through history using fashion. 

This trip will include looks from the middle ages to the Gibson Girl.  And to keep it interesting,  the posts will be in a random order as opposed to following a timeline. 

Distract yourself from the pandemic and enjoy the #Ellie'sStyle history trip.

Megan's Christmas Memory

The #Ellie'sStyle Amalie Dress for #WellieWishers features an empire waist with stitched pleats opening at the skirt.

Interested in the inspiration for this look?  Check out the original post here.

#TBT Wellie Wisher Christmas

The inspiration for the #Ellie'sStyle Penny dress came from a Christmas shopping ad.

The original dress from the pattern was modeled by #WellieWisher Camille in a post from Christmas 2016.

Interested in more details?  Check out the original post.

Ellie's Tulip Dress and Shrug

At a time when everyone is "so over winter" but its not spring yet, the Dolls at Heart Designs pattern Tulip Dress and Shrug published on #PixieFaire.

When this pattern entered the test group, it caught my eye as it is so cute for the days when its almost warm enough to wear a skirt, but not quite spring weather.

This pattern features a shrug that crisscrosses in the front and fastens with a button on the side.  The shrug is made of fleece.  I went with the option to not finish the edges as I was snowed in and did not have the supplies for variation with finished edges in a color that went with the outfit.

The dress has a pleated skirt and a scalloped neckline.  The pleats could be complicated for a beginning seamstress, but the directions were easy to follow. 

The look fit both my #OurGenerationGirl and my #AmericanGirlDoll.   However, the fit was too big on my #JourneyGirl, it was too wide across her shoulders.

Interested in seeing how #AmericanGirlDoll Ellie modeling the look?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Interested in this look for your 18 Inch doll?  Find the pattern on #PixieFaire.

Rachel's Christmas Dress

Inspired by a flower girl dress I saw recently, I began to create the Amalie pattern by #Ellie'sStyle.

The Amalie dress features an empire waist and a pleated skirt.  I really like the way the pleating through the waist gives the look a retro feel.

For Rachel's Christmas dress, I used a shimmery green fabric to construct the dress and the short skirt version.

Interested in seeing how it turned out?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Allie's Camila Dress

In preparation for testing a pattern for the slim waist 18 Inch doll, such as Allie (#JourneyGirl Kayla), I pulled out my Camila Dress pattern by #Dolls@Heart on #PixieFaire. 

This time I cut out the pattern following the small waist lines in a green fabric with white flowers.

The Camila dress is a regency style which features ruffles at the neck and hem. 

To minimize the contrast of my ribbon above the ruffles, I chose a white organza ribbon.  This pulls out the white in the dress without being the focal point of the entire look. 

The sleeves are also trimmed with a white lace. 

This pattern has cutting lines for both the #AmericanGirlDoll and the smaller waisted #JourneyGirl doll. 

Interested in seeing how this look turned out?  Watch for it on SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Think you might be interested in the pattern?  Find it on #PixieFaire.

Emily Dress in Blue

Inspired by my time shopping for Homecoming dresses, I came up with the idea for the Emily Dress.

Using my training from #PatternAcademy by #PixieFaire and my #welliewishers slopers, I created pattern pieces for a halter top style bodice.

The look is completed with a circle skirt slightly higher in the front than the back.

I only needed one fat quarter to put this look together. And chose a blue flowered print for this dress.

Interested in seeing how this look turned out?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Rachel's Young Martha Washington Robe Battante

And now for the culmination of #AmericanGirlDoll Rachel's journey to dress as a colonial girl, the Young Martha Washington dress from pattern by Thimbles and Acorns on #PixieFaire.

I started with the adjustable pannier petticoat in a cotton print.  The petticoat is rated confident beginner.  On each side of the petticoat is an opening for accessing the hidden pockets inside the panniers.

I also cut the Stomacher out using the same cotton print.  It went together simply and has six snaps sewn to it so that it could fasten to the inner bodice.

And the most complicated for the finale.  The Robe Battante pattern is rated intermediate.  It features a series of pleats extending down the back and hangs open in the front to expose the stomacher and petticoat.  The pattern features pleating under the sleeves which hides the side seam pocket access.

Interested in seeing how #AmericanGirlDoll Rachel appears as a colonial girl? Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Interested in this look for your #AmericanGirlDoll or other 18 inch doll?  Find all three patterns on #PixieFaire.

Rachel's Underpinnings

The second part of getting dressed as a colonial girl is the underpinnings:  the stays and the pannier.

For this step of the process, I chose the Underpinnings pattern by Thimbles and Acorns on #PixieFaire.

Since I am planning for the stays to be an undergarment, I continued with the white cotton.

The stays are supported with boning and close in the back with ties similar to a corset.

The panniers are strung on a tie around the waste and boning helps them hold their shape.  Each pannier features a pocket.

Interested in seeing how this step goes with the shift?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Interested in taking this historical journey with your #AmericanGirlDoll?  Check out #PixieFaire.

Rachel's Fancy Shift

I decided to pursue the idea of a history lesson via apparel.  For this journey, #AmericanGirlDoll Rachel is going to model the facets of getting dressed in the Colonial Era. 

The first step is the shift.  I chose the Fancy Shift pattern by Thimbles and Acorns on #PixieFaire.

I chose a simple white cotton and a half inch white crochet lace.  I used the faux gusset sleeve style. 

This shift features lace at the neckline, a drawstring neckline and a tapered sleeve edged in lace. 

The pattern features a summary of the shift and its role in Colonial Era dressing. 

Interested in seeing Rachel in her Fancy Shift?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com

Interested in making your own Colonial garment from the skin up?  Check out the patterns on #PixieFaire.

Meggan's Waikiki Waves Dress

After checking out the Waikiki Waves Dress by Frog Princess Fashions on #PixieFaire, I decided to try out the version with the sleeves.

While the pattern suggests doing complimentary prints for the look, I was not feeling creative enough to pick out two fabrics.  So for the look I picked out a green print fat quarter for the entire project.  The pattern also comes with the option of adding embroidery.  I chose not to as the embroidery does not compliment the print of my fabric.

The dress features godets in the front and the back skirt and over the shoulder ruffles.  Due to the size of the dress capturing the ruffles in the seam was a bit complicated.  However the finished look was worth it.

Interested in seeing this look on Meggan, #WellieWisher Willa?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Interested in trying this look out for your #WellieWisher or #Hearts4Hearts doll?  Check out #PixieFaire.

Emily's London Mod Coat

While going through some projects that got started, but never finished, I came across the London Mod Coat pattern by #Forever18Inches on #PixieFaire.

The main coat was cut out of a houndstooth fabric and the lining a matching plain fabric.  This coat features a pleated skirt from an angled bodice, cuffed sleeves and a hood.

The coat displays a matching button, but fastens with snaps. 

Interested in seeing how this project turned out? Watch for the pictures on SewDolledUp.Blogspot.com.

Interested in this coat for your #Hearts4HeartsGirl or #WellieWisher?  Check out #PixieFaire. 

Alicia's Petals and Pleats

While scoping out the new patterns on #PixieFaire, I saw the Petals n Pleats pattern from Fashioned by Rebecca. This 1930s style dress has a pleated front and back with contrasting cuffs and collar.   

For making the dress, I picked a green fabric with white flowers and a white eyelet.  The pattern calls for a half yard of fabric for the main dress,  a 10" by 15" piece of scrap fabric, a 7" invisible zipper, and 12" of contrasting ribbon.  I chose to leave the ribbon off.

One option in the creation of the dress is using a contrasting thread at the yoke and the top of the pleats.  I did not use the contrasting thread. However, the next time I make this pattern, I plan to as it adds a little more interest to the look.

This pattern fits most 18" dolls.  For the pictures, Alicia (#JourneyGirl Kayla) is modeling the dress.  On her it is a little looser than it would be on a #AmericanGirlDoll.

If you're scared off by the invisible zipper, the pattern also works with velcro, buttons or snaps down the back. 

Does this look sound interesting to you for your 18" doll?  Get the pattern on #PixieFaire.

Want to see how it looks on Alicia first?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

WellieWisher Lollipop Garden Party

Emily (#WellieWisher Camille) saw the #Forever18Inches pattern Lollipop Garden Party dress on #PixieFaire, she was determined to wear the dress.

Emily picked out a pink gingham fabric, dark pink ribbons and light pink buttons for the dress.  The dress is a two piece dress with optional bloomers.

The skirt is a faux wrap skirt with a ribbon accent around the hem edges.  The top features buttons at the shoulder and a ribbon/button detail at the waist.

Emily paired it with light pink shoes for the photo shoot.

Want to see the how cute Emily is in the dress?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Want the pattern for your #WellieWisher or other 14-14.5 inch doll?  Check out #PixieFaire.

Rachel's Lazy Daze Christmas in July

And in another Christmas project, the Lazy Days Dress by Just 4 Us Dolls on Pixie Faire. 

Once again I used a combination of red polka dot fabric and #Christmas fabric, only this time I used the polka dot fabric as the primary fabric and the Christmas fabric as the accent fabric.

This dress has a fun zig zag design in the front.

Not that the long wait for the pattern to publish,  Rachel is celebrating Christmas in July.   Want to see how Rachel looks in the dress? Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Want to make it for your doll?  Get the pattern on #PixieFaire.

Anna's Southside Blouse

As a test for #PixieFaire designer Originals by Gaby, I chose the blouse from the Southside Dress pattern. 

I used a pink flowered fat quarter for fabric and the style with pintucks on both sides. 

The instructions were easy to follow and the blouse turned out really cute.

Interested in seeing how it looked on #OurGeneration Anna?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Check out the pattern at #PixieFaire.

Matching Christmas Dresses

#Christmas is coming, 'tis the season to order doll clothes as presents.  I received an request for matching #WellieWisher #Christmas dresses.

After thinking on it for a while, I decided to use a pattern I designed last year.  This pattern features a sleeveless dress with a sheer yoke and a full skirt.

The yokes were cut from a red sheer organza with sparkles. And the remainder of the dresses were cut out in this years #Christmas fabric, green with a penguin print.

The red was repeated in the ribbon at the waist and again in the ribbon at the hem.

Interested in seeing how cute Emily and Megan look?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Meggan's Nutcracker PJs

Another order for #WellieWisher pajamas came in.  Once again I chose the #CrabapplesBotique Pajama Party pattern from #PixieFaire.

This time I chose a printed fabric that makes me think of the Gingerbread Town in the Nutcracker and I paired it with a solid green fabric. 

Want to see how this look turned out? Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Want to make the pjs for your dolls? Get the pattern on #PixieFaire.

Plaid Christmas Pajamas

I received an order to make pajamas for #AmericanGirlDoll Logan as a granddaughter was getting him for #Christmas.  While once upon a time I had the #OurGenerationGirl boy doll, he got lost in one of my last moves.  So this would be my first foray into making boy clothes in years. 

Fortunately, Logan wears the same size as the #AmericanGirlDoll and I have a plethora of patterns in this size.  And one of them was Simplicity 5276.  After doing some research, I discovered that view F would work with one pocket on the left and in a masculine fabric. I chose a red and green plaid for the fabric.

I finished the look with red buttons that are just for appearance, though, as there are snaps underneath each button.  

Anna offered to model the pajamas for the pictures. 

Want to see how they look on Anna?  Check out SewDolledUp.blogspot.com.

Want to make the look for your doll?  Check out the pattern at #Simplicity.