Sarah's Wedding Dress

Going into her 20th anniversary, Sarah came across a picture on a vintage #wedding gown.  She shared this image with me indicating that if she'd had a church wedding, this is the dress she would have chosen.

This conversation inspired me.  Taking the picture, I began shopping for fabric, a #Barbie and flowers in her favorite color.

After studying the picture for a while, I began to create pattern pieces.  I then cut out the pieces in the main fabric and in the lace overlay.

After putting together a strapless dress, I began to piece together the lace to create the look of a v-neck with sleeves. Both of these pieces are sewn on by hand to the strapless dress.

To finish off the look, a veil was created out of the lace.  The hair of the #Barbie was braided on each side then brought together in the back.  The veil was sewn to the braid and then a flower crown was created by threading flowers into the braids.

Flowers were also banded together with the stems wrapped in purple ribbon.  Streamers of this same ribbon was cut to fall from the bouquet, which was then placed in #Barbie hand.

This look was accessorized by the necklace, bracelet and matching shoes originally worn by #Barbie.

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.