Two of a Kind Doll Dresses

As promised yesterday, it is the final project on my craft project list, right on time.

So what exactly did I save for last?

Doll clothes!

I bought another ball jointed doll a few months ago (see the unboxing here on my doll blog) and she has been in need of something decent to wear. 

For her first outfit, I thought it would be extra cute to make matching doll outfits for both of my bjds.

The tops I made by cutting up an old t-shirt.  They both open in back with Velcro to make putting them on easier.  I used the same pattern for both shirts but there are a few tweaks. 

The one on the left has lace along the neckline with a bow in front, and the sleeves are gathered with elastic.  The one on the right is considerably different.

Here it is on the doll.  The neckline is trimmed with rolled strips of t-shirt fabric.  It’s a look I first saw on a cute t-shirt I have that I have been wanting to try out.  I thought it would be easier to try it on a doll sized piece first.

The sleeves are slashed, I’m not sure how else to describe them.  It wasn’t how I originally planned to make them, but things kind of went wrong with them so I just went with it.  I also gathered the shoulders a little and added the little bows for a touch. 

Now for the dresses.  This one for my first bjd is made the same way as the one from my doll dress tutorial (see Doll Dresses for All, With a Tutorial).  Just with different fabric, different straps, and two bows instead of one.  It was ultimately made to be similar to the next dress with out being exactly the same.

Speaking of the next dress, though it is more of a jumper style skirt.  Pretty simple with straps that cross in the back.  I added lace “straps” connecting the straps in front on a whim.  I think it adds a sweet touch. 

It wasn’t until after I had already sewn the front ends of the straps to the skirt that it occurred to me.  I could have made the straps completely detachable so that this could be worn like this or as a regular skirt.  Why didn’t I realize that before?  Oh well, maybe that might be a better idea for another outfit.

Anyway, now let’s try on the outfits.

Here’s my new ball jointed doll wearing her very first outfit.  Doesn’t it look cute on her?

Her name is Usagi which means rabbit, and she is just as energetic as her name.  So her outfit needed to be cute but a little more casual, less stuffy.

And here is my older ball jointed doll, Hikaru.  She prefers clothing that’s more detailed and elegant (you can see her reaction to these clothes here on the doll blog).

The lace edge t-shirt works well with her new lace trimmed dress.  Perfect to her taste with out being too stifling in the coming summer weather.

Two different, yet matching doll outfits.  They look so adorable together.

Can’t wait to make more doll dresses for them.

Here’s the updated list:

• dress
• hair accessories
• small bag
• pins
• clips
• doll clothes
• video

Seven down and out.  Now to get ready for the next list, and some more surprises.  Look forward to it.

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5 a Week: Tank Tops for Dolls

It’s Sunday, so it’s time for week 4 of…

…The Five a Week Pledge.

If you haven’t been around here, it’s where you pledge to do five things each week of your choice (see the first week for more info).  I pledged to make five small crafts each week.  Feel free to grab a button and join me.  If you already have, post a comment or a link to share what you accomplished.

This week’s craft:

Tank tops. Doll sized ones.

I decided to continue making doll clothes since there are just so much fun.  And I went with tank tops because last week’s skirts needed some tops.  Plus it’s still summer and tanks are much cooler to wear this time of year.  Yes, totally ignoring the fact that dolls don’t have to deal with heat.

Anyway, the first two were made exactly the same.  Mainly because I had more of this lace and wanted to use it up faster.  The lace straps were gathered before attaching to the “arm hole” area to create a sort of flutter sleeve effect.  I wish I could do it on a human size top.  The problem is that most of the lace I’ve seen that’s wide enough is super ugly.  Oh well, at least my doll can have cute tops.

This top has the lace attached like normal tank top straps.  I also ran a strip of lace across the top.  It has a nice effect, but I’m afraid it may make it look a little too much like an undershirt.  Maybe?

This tank top is made the same way as the last, just a different kind of lace.  I’ve had this lace for years now.  I never realized how off-white it was until I sewed it on to this fabric.  By the way, the fabric is from an actually t-shirt.  Boy’s size XL to be exact.  More than enough material to cut five bjd sized tank tops and still have more than half the shirt leftover for other projects.

The last tank top is Hikaru’s favorite and mine.  The lace is the same kind I used for the skirt she is wearing.  It’s just really pretty, at least it is on doll clothes.  And since it is the same, it matches the skirt nicely.  Now all she needs is some shoes and maybe some accessories and it would be perfect.  Maybe that will be for next week.  Look forward to it.

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Once Upon a Bag…

A funny thing happened a few weeks ago, I made something and forgot about it.  No not one of my pink pants recons (see A Challenge), really need to get back to that.  My everyday bag has been looking a bit worn lately, so I thought I’d whip up a new one.  I had a shirt my mom dumped on me that I thought would be perfect.

Here’s the before.  The t-shirt had some holes and a few stains in odd places, but it had some sparkly embroidery that was promising.

And now the after.  I cut two large rectangles to sew the body of the bag and cut the embroidery off separately then attached it to the front of the bag.  There just wasn’t enough usable material around the embroidery, so doing it this way made more sense.  I cut strips from the rest of the t-shirt and twisted them into cords for the straps.  I also used some fabric I had lying around for a lining, no photos of that though, not exactly easy to take a picture of that.  Overall I think I did a decent job, except one little problem.  I don’t like it.  The bag just isn’t my style, strange since I made it.  I tried to use it, but it didn’t feel right.  Oh well, at least I can make another one.  I just need to figure out what to do with this one.  Hmm.

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Basic Black

So yesterday I went to Phoenix Comicon with some good friends.  Yay!  First time ever too, so I decided to make something special to wear to commemorate the occasion.  It had been forever since the last time I altered a t-shirt.  It took me a couple of days to complete mainly because I did it entirely by hand.  Yep, still no access to a sewing machine. :(

So here’s the before…

…and after.

Both of the photos were sadly taken by my webcam since my camera is currently out of action.  Anyway, I used a black t-shirt I’ve had for a while.  I was getting a little bored with it.  I first chopped off several inches from the bottom and cut off the collar.  I cut the bottom hem and used it to make a ruffle for the neckline.  It was perfect for this since it already had a finished edge.  Some elastic, straps or neckties, and the original collar was all that I needed to finish up the neckline.  And to finish the shirt, I just had to re-hem the bottom and used a scallop stitch on the hems of the sleeves.  I learned the stitch from a vintage sewing book, it’s really easy and super pretty.  Someday I should explain how to do it. 

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Of Black Tees and Roses

This past week I’ve had two major tests, two major assignments due, plus a quiz, but I still found the time to make three of my projects.  Word of warning, I am still stuck using my webcam instead of a decent camera.:(

I acquired this rather large t-shirt for free along with a large pile of other castaways.  As many of you know, I just adore taking these old tees and making them cute and wearable.  So here’s the before…

…and after.  Ugh, that webcam, you can barely tell how much cuter it is now.  First I chopped off the sleeves and cut the shirt down the size before sewing new seams.  I cut down the sleeves a little before adding lace and some elastic.  Most of the time with these t-shirts I just sew the elastic straight on the fabric, but for this one I used the hem as a casing and threaded the elastic through.  It takes a little more time, but it makes the shirt more comfortable to wear.  I re-attached the sleeves, redid the neckline with some lace, then finished up by attaching two tiny black bows along the neckline.  Now it’s a comfy and pretty t-shirt that actually fits me.  Yay!

Next, I saw these black roses at SAS over a year ago.  At the time I didn’t buy them, but they were on my mind.  A few months later I thought of an idea for a headband using them, but when I went to the store they were all out of them.  Fast forward to now.  I spotted them on my last trip to SAS and immediately grabbed a couple.  After a bit of maneuvering with the wire and some black ribbon (and a couple glue gun burns), I fashioned this lovely headband as modeled by my niece.  The photo doesn’t do it justice, it is beautiful.  So much so that I am thinking of buying more roses to stock my shoppe with some lovely hair accessories.  Good idea?

I found this tutorial for glass head sewing pins and thought it was a fantastic idea since I have tons of plain straight pins lying around and I tend to avoid using them because it’s so easy for them to fall out or get lost.  A few minutes of fiddling with glue and beads, and now I have a handful of custom pearl head pins.  I used faux pearls because I still have tons of them to use up, plus they look so pretty.
Here’s the updated list:

• Pins
• Altered top
• Rose headband
• Doll
• Bracelets
• White dress
• Gift

Three down, four more to go.  And only a little over two weeks to finish.

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T-shirt Redo Redo

A couple years ago, I altered one particular t-shirt (see Like Sunshine).  It was probably one the first ones I did that involved lace.  Anyway, since then that particular shirt has met with disaster.  Disaster involved being covered in red, yellow, and blue stains that would not wash out.  No picture of it, it was depressing.  Luckily the stained bits could be cut off.  However, this would leave behind a shirt that would be impossible for me to wear due to lack of fabric, but not impossible for my niece.  So with some additional cutting and sewing and new elastic and lace, a new shirt has be born.  Now she has a cute new top to wear with those pretty skirts I have been making for her.  Problem solved.
Here’s the updated list:

• Sunflower skirt
• Present
• Video
• Little t-shirt redo
• Pincushions
• Pants redo
• Bear pants
• Hair accessories
• Red skirt
• Wristbands

Four down, six to go.  The project should be up sometime this weekend.

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Better Late Than…Oops

Sorry for sort of disappearing for the last few weeks.  If you read my last post, you should understand partially why I disappeared.  Or there’s a possibility that you wouldn’t understand, people can be funny about those sort of things.

Anyway, I got back on track with crafting and feel all the more better for it. 



First up, some of you should remember my Monster High doll, Draculaura (see Old and New Dolls).  I had been meaning to make some clothes for her for the longest time and had never gotten around to it until now.  She should have something to wear besides pajamas. 

So I whipped up this wrap skirt and top.  The top is basically a tube made with wide lace and open in the back.  I cut a piece of the lace in half to make the straps.  The skirt is cut from a scrap of white felt.  I covered the edges with black ribbon.  All she needs now is a pair of shoes to match.  She’s still stuck wearing her bedroom slippers.



Next up is this skirt.  I promised my niece I would make her a pretty new skirt if she got a flu vaccine.  It’s mostly light blue with a pink panel in front.  Trimmed with some lace and bows, she feels just like a little princess.  Of course it needs something.



Like a shirt.  This was the bodice for that dress I messed up a while back (see Too Small? Nooooooo!).  After shortening it and adjusting the neckline, it was perfect for my niece to wear.
 

Next is another skirt, for me.  I got the fabric at Goodwill and thought it would be perfect for a simple-ish skirt for me.  Plenty of fullness with the slightest touch of lace along the hem, it makes for a lovely and versatile skirt.



Another Goodwill find, a flat sheet with lace on the border.  My first thought was that it would make a very pretty apron.  I was right.  It was so easy to do too.  I just cut off a section of the sheet, leaving the hems intact, and added the waistband after gathering the top edge.  Now I have a lovely apron to twirl around in and possibly do some baking or whatever.



Last but not least, remember that clock I decorated before (see Clocked In)?  I had another one that also needed a touch of something.  I also had some flocked bears that I needed to do something with.  Combine the two and what do you get?



This cute bear clock.  I just covered the clock with scraps of this cute “nature-y” fabric, added some lace along the edges, and glued on the bears.  Now I have possibly the sweetest looking clock ever.

Here’s the updated list:

• Doll clothes
• Black headband
• White headband
• Blue skirt
• White skirt
• Apron
• Clock

Seven finally completed.  Plus there’s a bonus one, I’ll show it tomorrow.

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Just a Couple of Sweaters

I still haven’t finished drafting my new list, that should be up by tomorrow assuming I can finally decided on a few of the projects.  Anyway, this morning I decided to work on a few little things I had lying around.  Call them “mending” projects.

This is a sweater thing I got for free from a thrift store downtown.  See why it was free?  The crocheted edge was ragged and had come undone in various spots and some of the buttons were missing.  It was mostly a job of removing the rest of edge and buttons in order to fix it.

So after removing the “mess” shown here and adding some ribbon…

…I got this.  Noticeably better.  The ribbon was threaded on a needle and “sewn” on with a running stitch.  I tied it in bows at the ends on the bottom and at the neckline to tie it close.  It’s cute, but sadly it looks very Spring.  Just when we were finally starting to experience Fall weather here.

I guess that where this comes in.  I forgot to take a before photo but it was a pullover sweater made of the softest cashmere ever.  I got it from a friend as a hand-me-down, aren’t friends wonderful?  Anyway, pullovers aren’t quite my style so I opened it up.  I just cut down the front, then sewed some peach-colored ribbon along the edges before turning them under and sewing them down.  After that, all I did was sew a hook and eye to the top and glued two faux pearls.  This was to cover the stitches from the hook and eye which weren’t entirely hidden.  Plus it makes it prettier.  Now I have two similar sweaters for Fall and Spring, and they didn’t cost me a dime.

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Super Five

Yesterday I had intended to blog about a finished project.  Instead, today I am blogging about five finished projects.  Yep, I’m been a busy little bee the last few days and got a good chunk of my list completed.

First up is the wristband.  At first this doesn’t look like much.  A simple stretchy wristband made from scraps of fabric I had lying around right?  What’s so remarkable about that?

Possibly the pin cushion on the other side.  This was my intended purpose.  I have seen several pincushions that go on the wrist like this and had always thought them to be extremely useful, not to mention really cool.  Now why would I go out and buy one when I can easily whip one up with a spare pin cushion and a stretchy wristband. 

More items made from the same fabric scraps.  I needed more pairs of comfy shorts, so I made this pair with some of the leftover fabric from the pajama pants I made (See Pjs and a Long Awaited Photo).  I also made a simple little skirt using leftovers from the top I made for class (See Catching Up, Again), so I can pair them together easily.  They were both super easy to make and really comfortable to wear which was the point.  Funny thing about the shorts, when my nephew saw them he thought they were like Dora’s shorts from Dora the Explorer.  He thinks his sister would like a pair, should I oblige?

Here’s the blouse, it’s being held up by my nephew in the photo.  See the cute curly hair peeking over the top?  Anyway, it’s a simple blouse with a gathered neck line and poufy sleeves.  It was a vintage pattern that had to be tweaked or else the sleeves would have been huge.   For some reason the pattern originally called for using a zipper.  I’m thinking “why?!”  I can easily pull this thing on over my head and not because it came out too big for me, the shape is like that.  Sometimes I wonder about pattern makers.  I still like it though.  I think I can make it work for me.

And of course the broaches.  I enjoyed making button broaches (See Button Broach, a Tutorial) before so much that I made even more, eleven more to be exact.  The hardest part about making these ones was finding the buttons.  I got them at SAS like the other ones, but for these I had to dig through their button barrel thingy to find just the right ones.  It was worth it though, I love to see them all gathered up like this.  I plan on listing these in my Shoppe, hopefully their new owner’s will enjoy them as much as I do. 

Here’s the updated list:

• hair combs
• napkins
• headbands
• wrist band
• short sleeve blouse
• doll clothes
• skirt
• shorts
• scarf
• more broaches
• dress

Eight down, just three more to go.  Almost done! 

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Catching Up, Again

So I’m a little behind on things again, what a surprise.  Sort of behind on blogging too.  I had truly intended to post something yesterday, but I was too tired from Monday.  Happy Independence Day by the way.  Enjoy yours?  I enjoyed mine.  Got completely soaked without actually going into a pool.  Also got a candle knocked over on me, no burns but got candle wax all over my clothing.  At least I got a couple of bucks for it.  And I also found out I have strong beginner’s luck when it comes to card games.  It was a good holiday.

Moving on to more important things, here’s the top I made for sewing class.  Another “basic'” project so it’s a simple tank top.  No fuss, no knit.  The only problem is I made it too big for me and it bagged out around the neckline.  To fix that I added some elastic to the center of the front and back.  That cinches it just enough to fit perfectly while making the top just a little cuter.  Not too bad and you can never have too many sleeveless tops this time of year.

Here’s the updated list:

• Needle case
• Mug cozy
• Pants
• Hair accessories
• Brooches
• Necklace
• Other jewelry
• Food
• Top
• Skirt

Nine down, just one more to go.  Last one should be finished by Monday, kind of late but it does involve zippers. 

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Clocked In

Been busy this past week, and I’m about to get busier.  Tomorrow starts the last week before taxes are due which means our office is about to get swamped with last minute filers.  For those who may not know, the due date for taxes this year is April 18th instead of the 15th, or have I mentioned this before?  Apparently the 15th is Emancipation Day which is a government sanctioned holiday in Washington DC, hence the extra few days to file.  Anyway, I managed to find some time to finish a couple more projects.

I got this clock about a year ago in a goodie bag from a picnic.  I had intended to do something with it, but never got around to it.

Finally did something with it.  First I drafted a quick pattern by tracing the clock face part with notebook paper and tracing around.  I used this to cut the fabric just right.  I glued the fabric on with Mod Podge being careful not to get it on the face.  After it dried, I used a glue gun to add lace around the front and also on the sides.  Finish off with some bows and now I have an adorable little desk clock.  I still can’t decide what to do with it.  Should I keep it, give it away, or sell it?  Any suggestions?

I got this shirt for less than a quarter at a small thrift store.  I loved it for the sunny yellow color.  Problem was that is was too big for me, plus I like to cute things up a bit.

I took care of this shirt sort of the same way as that red t-shirt (see Red?) except that I didn’t chop off the collar or add ribbon.  I did add lace around the collar and along the sleeves on the outside of the hem this time.  While working on this one I notice the washing instructions on the tag.  I think it’s a little odd that a cotton polo shirt needs to be dried laying flat.  I guess it could be worse, it could be dry clean only.

Here’s the updated list:

• Red shirt
• Red skirt
• Hair bows
• Clock
• Yellow shirt
• Headband
• Bag
• Big bunny
• Wristbands
• Little bunnies
• Easter dress

Five down, six to go.  The next one might have a little bonus to it.  That is if things go well.

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