Felt Coats for Dolls, for Winter?

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

The final project on my craft list is another doll clothes craft.  Yay! Doll clothes!

I made three doll coats using craft felt.  I know, it’s March, but it’s still a little chilly at night here.  Also, if I didn’t make them now I may never get down to it.

Anyway, I made one for one of my larger ball jointed dolls and two for each of my smaller dolls (you can see their reaction on the doll blog).

The pattern for them is based on the one for the doll sweaters I made before (see From Socks to Doll Sweaters), just with some added pockets and collars.  Plus, they are slightly larger because felt doesn’t stretch like socks.  I used tiny faux pearls as “buttons” on the front and back of each coat.

To personalize each one, I decorated the tiny pockets.  For this one, I made tiny bows from felt.

And on this one, I added some scraps of lace to the pockets.

They look so adorable in their tiny dolly coats. :)

My larger doll looks cute too.

Her coat is decorated with little hearts cut from scraps of the felt.  Adds an adorable touch to it.  I’m thinking of making her a matching hat with hearts too.  Maybe next time.

Here’s the updated list:

• coats
• hearts
• organize
• blouse
• outfit

Five down and out, and just in time too.  Time to start on the next list.  It will be up really soon. :)

Give it a try:

• 9" x 12" Basic Felt by Creatology
• 4mm Round Pearl Beads, White, 240pcs.
• 4mm Round Pearl Beads, Cream Colored, 240pcs.

Read More »

Vintage Floral – Pretty Dress to High-Waisted Skirt

After far too long, I finally finished another project on my craft list.  Not exactly the one I had plan to finish next either.  That one hit a few snags, but I will finish it eventually.

Anyway, this is a dress I made ages ago using a vintage pattern I found at Goodwill (see Knifty Does It and Working with Vintage). 

I love the high waist and the corset style lacing on the back, but the top isn’t as pretty as it could be.  Plus, being a dress, it can only be worn so many ways.  So why not turn it into a high-waisted skirt?  Being able to swap out the top would make it incredibly more versatile.

First I carefully separated the top of the dress from the skirt.  I shortened the zipper too naturally.

I had to replace the interfacing and facing on the waist.  I couldn’t find the original pattern I used for this part, so I had to use the skirt itself as a guide for cutting the pieces.  It’s not perfect, but since it’s on the inside where it won’t be seen it’s good enough for me.

Then came the fun part, adding new lace.  I found this beautiful crocheted lace at SAS a while ago that I knew would be perfect for a skirt.  I used it along the top of the waistband and along the bottom hem. 

And now it’s done!  I now have a beautiful and versatile high waisted skirt.

And what about the top of the dress?  I thought would make a cute little shrug. 

I first took it in a little.

I cut the opening in a curve shape to make it cuter and more flattering.

I thought the sleeves were too bulky, so I cut them at an angle to shorten them and used a zig-zag stitch along the edge of the fabric.

I did the same to all the cut edges.  I set the stitches to the smallest setting to make it looks nicer.  A serger would probably be great for this, but since I don’t own one (yet) this is okay.

After adding elastic to the sleeves, it looks almost cute enough to wear.  Almost.

Now after adding a lace ruffle, more lace trim, a snap and a bow, it is ready to wear. 

One pretty dress, morphed into a pretty skirt and a pretty shrug that can make even more outfits.  That’s a job well done. :)

Here’s the updated list:

• Pink eyelet
• Sunflower dress
• Denim skirt
• Velvet dress
• Blue plaid
• High-waist

Two down, four more to go.  The next one will definitely be done in a couple of days.  Look forward to it.

Read More »

Sewing for Baby

As I mentioned before, I have friends who are expecting their first child this month, so I made a boat load of things for their baby shower which I haven’t shown yet. :)

But first here’s something else I haven’t shown here much. My notebook sketches.

Before I do a lot of my sewing, I like to sketch out ideas in notebooks.  This one page is dedicated to all the baby things I wanted to make.  Some of the things I didn’t actually make, this time anyway.  Let’s save something for later.

First up is the diaper bag.  I designed it based on a tote bag I saw someone using at work.  Large and roomy with lots of pockets on the inside and a useful little one on the outside. The twist?

This is the fabric I picked out for it.  I found it at Wal-Mart, have I mentioned before how glad I am that they brought fabric back to their stores?  I just couldn’t resist the little turtles and elephants, plus it works for boy and girl babies.

Here’s the finished bag.  The straps go most of the way down the sides of the bag for security, plus it makes the pocket look good.

Here’s the inside.  There are six pockets all ready to shove stuff in and carry.  That’s exactly what I did.  I crammed it with all the other stuff I made plus some essentials I bought on sale.

Now the blankets.  Here’s the baby blanket…

…and receiving blankets.  The receiving blankets were just a single square cut from a knit fabric and hemmed. The baby blanket involved a layer of sweat shirt fabric sewn with the softer side facing outward.  I used this tutorial as a guide.

Here’s the fabric I used.  I got it at SAS. Dalmatians and fire trucks, perfect for a new little boy. :)

Here are the finished blankets.  In addition to blankets, I made some birth cloths and wash cloths.  The wash cloths are made like the receiving blankets but smaller and using plain white knit fabric.  The burp cloths are made like the blanket only smaller and rectangle shaped.

Now the best part, the teddy bear.  Because every kid needs a stuffed best friend.

Here’s the finished bear.  All ready for hugs

I made the patterns from scratch using newspaper.  It was easier than expected, I must be getting better at making patterns.

Here’s the fabric I used.  It’s fake fur from SAS.  It’s a perfect off-white and super soft.  I have plenty of leftovers so be prepared for more teddies in the future.

Some in progress photos just for fun.

Sewn and turned partially right side out.  The legs were a pain to sew.

And now the jacket.  Sad thing about it, I seem to have lost the finished photo.  I have search all over my computer and it seems to have totally disappeared.  It looked totally adorable and almost exactly like my sketch except I put a turtle applique and an elephant applique on the front.  Obviously I cut the appliques from the bag fabric.

Here’s the patterns I made, they are based on a dress pattern but were perfect for a jacket. 

And of course this the fabric I used, I used it for the blanket as well.  I got it a Goodwill.  It’s always nice to find good fabric at thrift stores.  I have plenty of it leftover so I will probably make another one soon.  Look forward to it.

Read More »

Fluffy Fleece

So I do love, love, looove making my pretty dresses with big poufy skirts.  The problem is that when it gets cold it’s hard to wear a jacket over those skirts.  The solution?  A dress coat or jacket.



Like this one.  I used off-white fleece and a basic jacket pattern with a few tweaks.  Basically I made it about waist long, added a skirt, and added a panel in front to make the neckline higher.  I had intended to make it collar-less that is until I saw what the neckline looked like without one.  It wasn’t pretty. 

The final results are something I can be mostly proud of to say the least.  The buttonholes I’m not too proud of, but at least they show improvement.  Also, the lining gave me some problems here and there especially in the skirt. 

Otherwise I am happy with the results.  Plus now I have plenty of leftover fleece to make accessories like mittens and stuff.  I already started with the bow pin on the collar.  I'm not sure if I should leave it there or wear it somewhere else.

Here’s the updated list:

• fabric car
• hankie holder
• birdies
• cat bed
• tiny mittens
• tiny stockings
• doll makeover
• blue dress
• knitted bag
• jacket

Six down, just two more to go.  The last two should be done by Wednesday at the latest.

Read More »

Soft and Glittery

I finished my jacket, looks pretty good, right.  I boiled it in tea to fade the color and give it a brownish tint.  Very subtle.  I used an old sweater for the new collar and cuffs.  The sweater was dumped on me a while ago, and it was hideous but oh so soft.  Perfect for a cozy warm jacket.  I covered the buttons with scraps from an old dress I had use before to make doll clothes.  The appliqués on the pockets were cut from that same fabric.  I used fabric glue to stick them on, and don’t worry, it is washable.  Just a touch of sparkly gold fabric paint on the appliqués and it’s all set.  I just wonder if anybody will notice the change when I wear it to church tomorrow.  We’ll see.
Here’s the updated list:

Altered jacket

doll house

sleeping bags

hat

Glittery makeover Just four to go.
Here’s a look at the progress on the doll house.  For those who read my last post, if you guessed that I would be using cardboard, you were right on the mark.  I used an old cardboard guitar box I found downtown.  It was the right size and had an interesting shape which I incorporated into the design.  You’ll see what I mean when it’s finished.  Hope you can wait that long.

Read More »