Crafting for Dolls: Pretty Halloween Witch Dress for a Bjd with Mini Hat

I know Halloween was about a week ago, and I should have shared this earlier. But, things happen.

Never mind that, here is the costume I made for one of my ball jointed dolls, specifically for Hikaru. It is made from the black satin and sparkly black tulle I bought recently (see Craft Haul: Quick Trip to SAS). I shared it on my doll blog as part of a Fashion Show, and yes, it is as cute as it sounds.

Anyway, the bodice is trimmed with purple ribbon in a fake lace up pattern, and there is lace along the neckline. I used tulle to make the puffed sleeves. I think the tulle was actually easier to work with than the satin. 

The skirt is a circle skirt trimmed with lace and has a tulle outer layer.

In the last minute, I decided on a mini hat on a headband instead of a full size witch's hat. It makes it look a little fancier, plus it was actually quicker. It's trimmed with tulle and ribbon to match the dress perfectly.

It was so easy and fun that I made a little tutorial for it too, and posted it to my doll blog here. Give it a try. It should work for all sizes and types of dolls, not just ball jointed dolls.

Now it's time to get started on sewing something more wintery. I am planning on making some sweaters and stuff for my dolls, maybe a few tutorials for them too?

Look forward to it!
 

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Looking Back at Old Posts: My Crafting Space

While editing a recent post, I noticed the thumbnail of a much older post that really caught my eye.

It was for this post from 2012 about my New Year's resolutions.

This photo says so much.

It's a photo of my old craft and sewing space at it's absolute worse. Such chaos, but I absolutely love it.

Looking through it all, I can remember so much. For almost every item in this picture, I can remember exactly why it is there and what project it was for if any.

Examples:

The scraps of black and white striped knit fabric were leftover from the t-shirt to dress I made for my nephew's Cabbage Patch Kid doll when he was little (see T-Shirt Redo for a Doll, a Tutorial).

The porcelain doll in the up right corner wearing a blue dress was a doll I found at a thrift store. I gave it a makeover before this (see Prettied Up).

Next to the doll is a Bratz doll that also received a makeover (see Pretty in Pink).

On the desk is a purple pencil box I bought at a back to school sale from Office Max. I was using it for sewing supplies, I later switch to using if for actual pencils and erasers, and now I use it for small electronic items. That's right, I still have it over 13 years later. Those things are built to last.

The chair was given to me by a friend from church. She gave me a ride home and just happen to have it in the trunk of her car intending to drop it off at a thrift store, but offered it to me instead. The desk came from a neighbor, similar store.

Above the small white drawers, you can see a cat face. That's from cute paper book cover I got in high school for my textbooks. I kept it for years before using it to cover an aluminum can to make a pencil holder. 

Above the chair, you can see a basket covered with lace. It's a basket I save from being tossed. I decorated it with lace and used to store my lace and other trims (see Decorating and Launching).

And that's just a handful of memories.

Makes me want to go through all my old photos and posts, maybe there's a few more memories to share later.

Look forward to it.

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Sewing for Dolls: Simple T-shirt and Shorts Outfit for a Bjd

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

My latest sewing project is doll clothes.

Yes, more doll clothes. The perfect tiny project for sewing on the go, as long as you don't mind random parents and grandparents asking you questions about who you are making them for, many assume I'm sewing for a kid.

Anyway, I made a simple but cute outfit for one of my ball jointed dolls (or bjds).

I made a little t-shirt, a pair of knit shorts, and a pair of socks.

Of course, I did make patterns and a tutorial as well. You can find it here on my doll blog. They should fit a 8-10 inch doll.

Here they are worn by my lucky little ball jointed doll. His name is Makoto. He is a yosd sized or 1/6 scale doll, about 10 inches tall.

I got him several years ago, but had never gotten around to making clothes for him. Now he isn't running around in his underwear.

I love how the t-shirt came out. Those tiny buttons look so cute. I found them ages ago at SAS Fabrics in a little bag of tiny embellishments. I finally found a use for them.

The shorts gave me some trouble. I accidently made them a too big for this little guy. I adjusted them and the pattern accordingly, so all is well.

The socks were super easy. It's not the first time I've made socks this size, or tights (see Sewing for Dolls: Socks and Lingerie? Plus Tutorial Links).

The shirt closes in the back with Velcro to make changing easier. Some ball jointed doll owners like to take their heads off to change their clothes, that's not for me.

Now all that's needed is a few little accessories. I was thinking maybe a tiny hat and maybe a little backpack. But, that's a project for another day. 

Plus, I still have some other items to finish up, more doll clothes.

I will share them soon. Look forward to it.

Give it a Try:

• VELCRO Brand Sew On Tape
  
• Loops & Threads Start-to-Sew Kit
• 1/4" Knit Elastic by Loops & Threads

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Scrap Rosette Brooch Tutorial

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

Today, I am sharing a tutorial for a quick and easy use for fabric scraps, making brooches.

So, dig up your cutest scrap fabrics and let's get started.

Scrap Rosette Brooches

Materials needed:

• Colorful fabric scraps, about 5-6 inches long preferably.
• Pinking Shears
• Felt scraps, or felt sheets if you don't have any scraps.
• Pretty buttons that match your fabric scraps.
• Pinbacks
• Scraps of lace and ribbon.
• Thread
• Basic Sewing Supplies

First, using your pinking shears, cut the fabrics into long strips. Roughly about 1-2 inches wide and 5-6 inches long.

It's good to cut several strips of varying widths, it makes the next steps more interesting.

Here is my video tutorial for lace rosettes. You will need to follow the same steps to turn your fabric scrap strips into fabric scrap rosettes.

While you're at it, make a few lace rosettes too to pair with your scrappy ones.

When you're ready, gather all your rosettes and buttons and start assembling.

Stack together at least 2 rosettes in colors that work to your taste to create a cute brooch.

Sew a button in the center, sew through all layers of your brooch. Feel free to add any other embellishments that you wish.

Cute a circle of felt and sew to the back of the brooch. This is demonstrated in my lace applique brooch video tutorial. Attach a pinback to finish up your brooch.

Now go make some more, they make great little gifts.

I made several varieties. These black and blue brooches are my favorite, I love the cute heart buttons.

I also love how well the lace works with the pattern of the fabric on the green brooches. The purple and blue fabrics are an interesting combination too.

I hope you enjoyed this post, my next one should be up soon. Look forward to it.

Give it a try:

• Loops & Threads Pinking Shears
• Loops & Threads Start-to-Sew Kit
  
• 1" Bar Pin by Bead Landing
  
• 9" x 12" Basic Felt by Creatology
  

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Cute and Simple Matching Laptop Case

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

So a few months ago I bought a new much smaller laptop computer to use for blogging on the go.  It’s this one from Lenovo, my niece has the same one for school.

I just needed a cute case for it, and why buy one when I can sew my own?  This case is actually just a simple zippered pouch, the classic craft project.  Just a little larger and with a lining.

Since it can be tricky to make a pouch with a lining, I found this lined zipper pouch tutorial.  And if you need more help, I found a video tutorial for a lined zipper pouch too.

Anyway, I started by cutting four rectangles of fabric approximately 1.5 inches (about 4 cm.) larger than my computer.  I used fabric leftover from my new tote bag (see Cute Navy and Pink Pocket Tote Bag with Tutorial).

I cut two pieces of the cute pink flannel for the lining of the case and two pieces of navy blue for the outside.  I could have cut some batting for padding too if I wanted, but this was fine.

I also cut a smaller rectangle of the pink flannel for a cute outside pocket.

I hemmed the top and added some lace before pinning it to one of the outside pieces.

After sewing, the pocket is finished.

I then started adding the zipper.  Instead of just pinning along the top, I let the zipper go partially down the sides and around the top corners.  This will makes it easier to get my computer in and out.

I had to carefully curve the zipper at the corners.

After pining and sewing the zipper to both sides, this is what it looks like.

After sewing the outside and lining to the zipper, I added the lace along the edge.

You can see it is the same lace I used for my tote bag and my 2DS case (see First Aid Kit to Cute Nintendo 2DS Case).  Now all my bags match!

Anyway, then I just stitched around the sides…

…Turn everything right side out…

…And the case is ready for my computer.

Here’s the updated list:

• Costume
• Case
• Doll and Kitty
• Little Halloween
• 3 Skirts
• Accessories
• Socks
• Overalls
• Ornaments
• More Cases

Three down, seven more to go.  The next couple projects should be up soon, and there will be lace involved.  Look forward to it!

Give it a try:

• Coats & Clark Polyester All Purpose Zipper 22 in
• Coats & Clark Dual Polyester Thread
• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's

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Sewing for Dolls: Some Last Minute Halloween Costumes

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

I cut it really close for this next craft project, but at least they are finished.  Just in time for Halloween.

Doll sized Halloween costumes.

I got my 1/6 scale ball jointed dolls all ready for Halloween.  Or should I say they got themselves ready?  Check out the doll blog to see, also to learn how to make some of these costumes for your own dolls at home. 

For this one (Yuna), it’s a super easy ghost costume.  Just need to cut some sheer gauzy fabric and slip it on.

My sister thought I should do it like on the Charlie Brown Halloween special, maybe next year.

This little boy is just wearing the cat eared headband I made previously.  Check out my doll headband video tutorial to make one, it works for dolls of all sizes.

For the next costume, you can see here how the doll (Sakura) “made it herself”.

It started as a simple robe, that could work for a wizard.  Don’t forget to check out my doll blog to see how to make it.

But, flip it around and throw on a hat, and it’s a classic witch costume.

The next costume (for Momoko) started as a doll swimsuit with a tutu, instant ballerina.

The tutu is made from a long piece of tulle folded in half with some elastic. 

But, take one of these butterflies from Dollartree and glue on a clip…

…Then clip it on my doll’s clothes for wings…

…And now it’s a fairy costume.

All the dolls dressed and ready for trick or treating, but one more thing.

These little buckets.  I was lucky enough to find them at Goodwill, but they actually sell them at Party City.

You can find the pumpkin buckets here and the Cauldrons here.

They are just the right size for my dolls, and add just the right touch to my doll sized Halloween.

Here’s the updated list:

• Costume
• Case
• Doll and Kitty
• Little Halloween
• 3 Skirts
• Accessories
• Socks
• Overalls
• Ornaments
• More Cases

Two down, eight more to go.  Happy Halloween everybody.

Give it a try:

• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's
• 9" x 12" Basic Felt by Creatology
• ArtMinds® Fashion Mini Glue Gun
• Floral Garden Sheer Butterflies and Flowers
• Pumpkin Trick or Treat Candy Pails 12ct
• Black Candy Cauldrons 12ct

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