Sewing for Dolls: Socks and Lingerie? Plus Tutorial Links

My latest craft project is doll clothes, so why did it take so long to post?  You will see shortly.

First I made several pairs of tights and socks, several more pairs to be exact.  I made some before out of old tights (see From Socks to Doll Sweaters), but I’ve gotten more ball jointed dolls since then.  Meaning more itty bitty feet to cover.

No complaints though, doll socks and stuff are fun to make and so cute.  Look at these adorable thigh high socks I made for my newest doll (her name is Misako).

And I made this pair of crew length socks for my only boy ball jointed doll (the last thing I made for him was these cute t-shirts).

And finally I made two pairs of tights, a pair for my newer doll and a smaller pair for this one (her name is Momoko).  I used a cute lacey pair of tights that had dots all over them.  I found them at 99 Cents Only Store.

The best part is that this time I managed to make some printable patterns for all theses socks and tights.  They are sized for msd (1/4 scale) and yosd (1/6 scale) ball jointed dolls, and are included with this tutorial posted on my doll blog.

Now for the more interesting part of this project. 

Doll Lingerie

As expensive as ball jointed dolls can be, sometimes they don’t even come with underwear.  So you either have to buy them separately or make them yourself. 

Naturally I went with making them.  And if I’m going to sew doll sized undies, then I’m going to make them cute!

I made these two sets from t-shirt scraps, lace, ribbon and a bit of elastic.  They were actually pretty easy to put together.

To make these underwear sets, I first did a bit of “research” mostly to figure out how to make a doll sized bra.  I found several cute doll tutorials (mostly videos), including these:

• How to Make a Monster High Doll Bra – This video does as it says, it shows how to make an itty bitty bra for a Monster High doll with lace and ribbon and such.
• How to Make a Miniature Doll Bra for Monster High Dolls – Same as above, are you noticing a pattern?
• How to Make doll panties - Victoria's Secret inspired Doll Lingerie – The matching underpants for the above tutorial, also more Monster High.
• How to: Cute Doll Underwear - DIY Bralette & Lace Underwear for BJD / Barbie – This is underwear set made from stretchy lace.  Depending on the lace you use, you could make this for almost any sized doll.

This one was the first set made.  I use thin lace for the band and the straps of the bra and used the same lace on the matching underpants.  It’s simple and cute.

For the second undie set, I used thin ribbon for the bra straps instead of lace.  Then I made little bows for the front of the bra and underpants.  For the other set I threaded the elastic through the waist, but with this one I stitched decorative elastic on to the fabric.

Because they were so cute and fun to make, I made a tutorial for MSD (1/4 Scale) ball jointed doll sized underwear and bras on my doll blog, feel free to check it out if you or someone you know has dolls around this size (or if you just want to laugh at my doll’s crazy antics).

Here’s the updated list:

• Dress makeover
• Doll undies
• Cameo and Hearts
• Blouse makeover
• Phone case
• Outfit
• Mother’s Day
• Costume fix
• Jammies
• Bonnet

Four down, six more to go.  I should have the next project up in about a week, but first there may be a little surprise.  Look forward to it!

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Sparkly Tulle Phone Case with Tutorial

This post may contain affiliated links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Here’s another makeover project. 

This time I’m taking my plain old cell phone case and making it super pretty.  And I made a tutorial, so you can try it too!

Here’s what you need:

• An old phone case
• A large scrap of tulle or another pretty lightweight fabric
• Scissors
• Tissue paper
• Pencil
• Various glues, see below for recommendations.
• Something to spread glue (sponges, cotton balls, etc.)
• Gems, beads and other embellishments

Here is my old phone case.  I ordered it online, but it didn’t look quite as pretty as the product photo.  It’s suppose to be rose gold, however it looks darker and blander in person.  Time to change that.

First you cover the phone case with tissue paper and trace around it to make a pattern for your fabric.  I’m using gift tissue I got on clearance last Christmas.

Mark areas that shouldn’t be covered, like the camera hole thingy.

Then carefully cut out your paper pattern and compare it to you case.  Trim off edges and such as necessary.

Pin the pattern to your fabric of choice and carefully cut out. 

I’m using this pretty sparkly tulle.  I’ve used it for this fairy costume dress and this wrap skirt (also for a costume), and now it’s being used for a phone.

One thing that will help make this part easier is ironing the fabric (yes, tulle can be iron on really low heat).  If it helps, you can also try tracing your tissue pattern on thicker paper if it’s too hard to use otherwise.

Next is to glue on the fabric by spreading the glue on the phone case and then apply the fabric, smoothing it down as you go. 

I recommend using Mod Podge, but you can also use Tacky Glue.  It’s best to water down the Tacky glue so it’s easier to spread.  I forgot to do that, and it shows.

Let the glue dry for a few minutes, and then dab more in areas that seem to need it.  This is also a good time to trim off any excess fabric that you might have missed before. 

Then set the case to the side to dry some more.

After it is dried completely, you can have fun gluing on gems, pearls, and anything else you want.  I recommend using Aleene’s Jewel-It for this part. 

Let the whole thing dry for about a day, then show off your pretty new phone case.

Here’s the updated list:

• Dress makeover
• Doll undies
• Cameo and Hearts
• Blouse makeover
• Phone case
• Outfit
• Mother’s Day
• Costume fix
• Jammies
• Bonnet

Three down, seven more to go.  The next project may take a while to put up, but hopefully not too long.

Give it a try:

• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue-4oz
• Aleene's Jewel-It Embellishing Glue
• Mod Podge Matte-8 Ounce

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Jewelry Makeover: Turning Earrings into Cute Necklaces

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

My last craft project involved altering old clothes, so this one involves changing up accessories, specifically jewelry!

If you remember my Comicon Haul video, you will recognize these cameo earrings from the Victorian Folly grab bag.  The heart earrings on the right I bought at the CVS I work at, they were on clearance fro $2.99.

I don’t actually like wearing dangling earrings, so what do you do with really cute but unwearable earrings?

You make necklaces!  I picked up some clasps and two different chains at Joann’s, and gathered some jump rings I already had and my jewelry tools.  They come from this basic jewelry kit.

Just had to remove the earring hook to start.

For the heart I had to swap out the ring for a slightly larger jump ring.

Then just cut a bit chain to my desired length, and add the clasp and now my new heart necklace is ready to wear.  I think it will go well with my new dress (see Clothing Makeover: Altering a Pink Bodyline Dress for Easter).

The cameo necklace was quicker to make, because I didn’t need to use a larger jump ring.  I already have several cameo jewelry pieces, but I can always add another necklace to my collection.

I chose to make only one necklace from each pair of earrings and save the other pieces for later.  Maybe I can make other accessories with them to make a matching set.  Otherwise, I could have easily made pairs of necklaces to give away as gifts.  Kind of like those friendship necklaces and bracelets you see at Claire’s.

Here’s the updated list:

• Dress makeover
• Doll undies
• Cameo and Hearts
• Blouse makeover
• Phone case
• Outfit
• Mother’s Day
• Costume fix
• Jammies
• Bonnet

Two down, eight more to go.   The next project should be up by the end of the week.  Look forward to it!

Give it a try:

• Jewelry Starter Tool Kit

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