Sewing for Dolls: Pink Sweater Set with Navy Skirt

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After way, way too much time away, I finely have gotten around to posting my next project.  More doll clothes!

One of my ball jointed dolls has been long overdue for a new outfit.  I had visions of pink and navy blue in my head, so I made this cute and classic set.  There’s a pink “sweater set”, a navy blue half circle skirt, and a tiny bow pin.  I wanted to add a cute beret, but my fabric choices weren’t cutting it.

Here’s the new doll outfit worn by it’s cute owner.  (By the way, the headband she is wearing is made from this tutorial.)

The sweater set was made from a pair of pink knee socks (like these).  I just made another sock sweater and whipped up a knit top to go underneath.

The top is sleeveless because this is Arizona and Summer temperatures last into “Fall”. :(

The easiest piece to make was the bow pin.  Just make a tiny bow with ribbon (here’s a video for it), then flip it over…

…And sew on a tiny gold safety pin.  Easy doll sized pin done!

The skirt is another doll sized half circle skirt, just made smaller for this 1/6 scale doll instead.  I used more of the poplin fabric leftover from other projects (a dress, a costume, a bag, and still counting).

If you’re interested in making this outfit for your own yosd sized ball jointed dolls or similar sized dolls, I whipped up a tutorial for the whole outfit with patterns for the skirt and top, instructions and other links.  You can find it here on my doll blog.

Here’s the updated list:

• 3 piece outfit
• Holder
• First aid cases
• Umbrella
• Tea set
• Tote

Five down, just one more to go.  So close!

Give it a try:

• Girls' Knee-High Socks 2pk - Cat & Jack™ Pink
• Singer Sewing Kit Beginner's

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From Socks to Doll Sweaters

Well, two weeks later (argh!) I finished the next project on my craft list.  A recycling project too!

For this project, I had some old socks and tights to turn into something new and cute.

Doll Clothes!

The socks became cute little sweaters using this tutorial, sort of.  The pattern for the tutorial was for 1/3 scale ball jointed dolls, mine are smaller than that.  They are 1/4 and 1/6 scale dolls.

So I had to make my own patterns.  If anyone is interested, I decided to post the patterns on my doll blog.

With the tights I made actual doll tights and socks.  Two pairs black tights, two pairs of white tights in two sizes, and three pairs of white sock in two sizes.  Whew!

But they are quick and pretty easy to make, even by hand.  Actually I made all these sweaters and legwear by hand sewing except the first sweater.  Machine sewing is not recommended at all.

Anyway, this first sweater (for Hikaru) is made from a navy blue knee sock that didn’t fit right.  Knee socks are great for this because you get plenty of material to work with.

The sweater has lace along the neckline and a row of faux pearl bead “buttons” down the front.  It closes with sew-on snaps.

The tights, I think are pretty much fool proof to make.  The material is stretchy enough to fit well and hide any goofs you make while sewing.

Now doesn’t her outfit look so cute, and perfect for an Arizona “winter”?

I made this sweater (for Usagi) with the other navy blue sock.  It has thin ribbon along the neckline and bottom hem and closes just at the top with a snap.  I added a “large” button at the top “to close” it.

In addition to tights, I made this doll a pair of thigh high socks.  They are basically tights with the top cut across and hemmed, and no elastic needed.

Paired with a plaid skirt, it kind of looks like a school uniform.  She just needs more appropriate shoes.

And finally, I made these two cute white sweaters using little bobby socks.  Smaller socks for smaller dolls.

They are both embellished with ribbon bows and more pearl “buttons”.

The tights came out just as well on this smaller doll as with the larger dolls.  It makes me wonder how easy it would be to make tights for fashion dolls, like Ever After High dolls.

The socks are knee length and are super quick to make.  I found they look cute both when worn to the knee and when scrunched down at the ankle.

They both are so adorable now all bundled up.  All the dolls look so cute, it makes me want to make more sweaters.  I guess it’s time to dig out more socks.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pink dress
• Accessories
• Socks
• Headbands
• T-shirts
• Tank Top

Four down, just two more to go.  And I will either have it done by the end of the week, or just postpone it until January.  Christmas is coming quickly after all, and I need to start working on those crafts.  Look forward to it.

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My Favorite Things: Knee Socks

If you happen to run into me on the street, be it winter or even in summer, you will look down and see these…

Knee socks.

That blue pair in the photo? I have at least two pairs.  I also have several others that are white, cream, black, dark blue, etc.  Most of my socks I got at Wal-Mart and 99 Cents Only Store. Wal-Mart usually sells them for about $2 and then clearances them about this time of year.  99 Cents Only Store socks are always $1 and I frequently see them for sale throughout the whole year. The problem is their socks are prone to pilling, wash very gently.  I wear my knee socks almost everyday of the week, and in all weather.  I just think they are so cute, and very useful.  On cold days they obviously keep my legs warm.  And sunny days they actually help protect my legs from the effects of the sun, something many people don’t seem to think about much.  I remember reading somewhere that the back of the leg at the calf is a common place for skin cancer to appear in women.  If I remember the source I’ll post it.  The reasoning is that that area does get a lot of exposure to the suns rays, just like your nose, cheeks, and shoulders.  However, most people aren’t as careful about applying sunscreen there, same goes for the neck and chest area which definitely show the effects of sun, but that’s going way off topic.  The point is that wearing knee socks year-round make sense, plus it’s still fun. 

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Sock Couture, The Swim Suit Edition

Several months ago, I found a project for making a one piece swimsuit for a doll using a sock in a book called Things to Make for Your Doll by Kathy Ross.  It didn’t specifically say so, but I think all the projects were intended for 18 inch dolls (i.e. American Girl) and not 11 1/2 inch, but I still thought it was a good idea.  I guess I’m really getting into making doll clothes from socks, at least since the dress (see Sock Couture). 



For a smaller version, I used one of my niece’s outgrown socks.  It was just the right size to make this vintage looking one piece suit. 

I just had to cut off the cuff and slide it on her, then pin it and stitch at the bottom.  Of course I did take it off her to sew it, it would have been a pain to sew otherwise.  Looks pretty good, and it would make an adorable romper too.



And since I had some scraps leftover, I started to play around with them and accidentally made this two piece swim suit as well.  Again not bad for an old sock, almost wish I could find a giant size sock to make one for myself, almost.

Here’s the updated list:

• Pillow
• card bracelet
• charm necklace
• netbook sleeve
• doll swimsuit
• bum bag
• sleep mask
• picture frames
• dress

Five down, four to go.  The next few may take some time to accomplish.

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Sock Couture

One day, I found this simple tutorial on making a cute doll top or sweater dress using an old sock. I thought it was really cool and wanted to try it out.

So a couple weeks later, here it is.  This doll by the way is a My 2003 Graduation Barbie doll, if it isn’t obvious she was a graduation present. 

She now has a lovely dress made with the cuff of an white sock.  The hem of the sock was folded down and stitched to form a lovely and very open neckline that look fabulous on the doll.

Just add a few choice accessories and it makes a perfect outfit, though perhaps a little too warm for this weather.  It’s not as if these dolls melt, do they?

Since I was still in to mood to play dress up, and I still had plenty of sock scraps, I decided to make something more suited for warmer weather.

The tube top is inspired by a top I used to have and has yellow straps made from embroidery floss that ties in front with a bow.  The skirt is made with another cuff that was turned inside out because I liked the texture on the inside better.  The hat and bag were made sort of by accident while messing around with some scraps.

Add some slides and she’s ready for the sunshine.  I made the shoes years ago with some felt scraps and foam packaging.  I made a pair for one on my nieces at the same time along with some other doll clothes as a gift.  Funny how I’m getting more use out of mine than she is out of hers.

Here’s the updated list:

• baskets
• doll clothes
• foil bracelets
• swatch book
• embellished pins
• Video
• woven tote bag

Two down, five to go.   The next one might take a little longer, mostly due to work. :(

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