Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Tuesday's Halloween Creation Made from a Sock!


American Girl 

Spirit of Halloween





I spotted a pair of striped Halloween socks at Joann Fabrics and I wondered what I could create? Here you go - a one of a kind costume! I made a simple orange tulle underskirt by knotting orange tulle around a 10.5" black elastic waist, and then I made an easy black lace overskirt (just a long rectangle with elastic casing).



To make the socks I cut the top part of  one sock off - the pumpkin part and that left me with a tube of stripes. I cut the tube in half, then stitched the seams and rounded the seams at the foot. Presto! Instant thigh high doll socks!





With the remainder of the sock, the picture part, I made a sleeveless stretch top. No pattern was needed. I cut the tube up the back so I had one piece. On each side of that pumpkin piece I added 2 striped rectangles for the back. Then I pinned it to the doll (ouch!) and trimmed the arms and back neck. Next I basted the arm and neck seam allowances (turned under 1/4") before I zig-zagged the top stitching. I finished the back as usual for a tee and added the Velcro closure. Presto! Instant adorable costume!


Meggie

Comments make me happy!

Monday, October 21, 2013

I'm in a craft fair state of mind!



Doll Clothes on Parade !






My first craft fair, I don't have a clue what I'm doing, I may be the newest and smallest doll clothes maker on the block, but I'm loving it!



My dolls, Kit and Harper, enjoyed themselves immensely. 




Here is the reason for all my pleasure in the day, this little girl was so excited about picking out a new outfit for her doll - she brought her doll shopping. How cute is that! She tagged around behind the table, made astute comments about fashion and asked me if I liked Justin Bieber. *Do I like Justin Bieber?* Like . . . who is he?



Life's little moments, when you are so happy you can't sit still!


It was a great day to start a little business. The crowd was friendly and the vendors gave me tips on what craft fairs to enter in my area - you know, like their favorite ones - all good. In fact, they gave me quite a list and I think I might commit to several more this season.

It gives me a good excuse to keep sewing!


Meggie

Comments are like finding that prize in the cracker jacks box !!!

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Last Push for Saturday's Craft Fair . . .





But


I finished these leather leggings!

Post brought to you by my grand-daughter Diandra and my doll Harper. Thanks girlz!


Meggie


Monday, October 14, 2013

Sewing Labels You Have to See . . .


Add a Touch of Class to Your 

Sewing Projects




I am delighted with Jewell Star's brand new sewing labels, they add an extra special touch of class to all my doll clothes. And they make me feel good because when I finish a garment and sew on that finishing detail I celebrate another job well done. 



I purchased my labels from Inked Papers, an Etsy shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkedpapers). Service was very fast, very helpful and just plain friendly. I am a happy camper. 

Read more about Michelle, owner and creator of Inked Papers, as she tells her story on her Etsy page http://www.etsy.com/shop/inkedpapers/about/. She sometimes offers specials, which you can find on her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/InkedPapers.etsy.

I like to support women who have their own small business and do a fabulous job.



Meggie

Friday, October 11, 2013

Leotards for an American Girl


Sewing Like Crazy

Friday's Finished Projects





A big batch of leotards!


Harper is shopping for leotards, what will it be - black, blue, green, purple, red, silver, white or orange?




Hi All! I am just having too much fun making American Girl leotards. I used to think they were hard to do but I have developed my own little production line that seems to speed things up ... cut 20 leotards, cut 20 neck elastics, cut 40 leg elastics (eek, that's a lot). I bag them up in ziplocks and go for it, a few a day. 

It is a pleasure, though, to start something entirely different. I am planning to sew some jeans with appliques on the cuffs. Today I hand washed the fabric to get the dye out . . . so my hands turned blue, really blue. Stay tuned, I'll have some pics next week!



Meggie

Thursday, October 10, 2013

Sew, Today is my Birthday



When Sewing Was Civilized

October 10, 1949



I have to go dust my fingers, see you'all tomorrow! Would anyone like to comment?

Meggie

Saturday, October 5, 2013

October Craft Fair Sewing


I Must Sew Faster! I have 2 craft fairs this month!









Tewksbury is in Massachusetts in case you're wondering, a suburb of Boston, where the leaves and the acorns are falling and it's apple picking time. And it's craft fair season again!

The air is bright and cool - and my sewing machine is heating up. Today I cut out and chain pieced over 20 doll leotards. I need a hug.

You'll be seeing some pics of my offerings as the days grow short. Therefore, in no logical order here is today's outfit that I just completed, a Christmas outfit . . .













Sew - Sew - Sew

Meg

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Invite to "SEW ALONG WITH ME" from Karen Mom of Three


American Girl Doll Witch Cape Sew Along



Hi All!

Today I made a cape - well, I made two capes - to share on Karen Mom of Three's blog. You can read more about her sew-along here Karen Mom of Three's Craft Blog: SEW ALONG WITH ME Month 10 OCTOBER-Witches Cape.

I wanted to add some finishing touches to the two Halloween costumes I posted about yesterday, when I found Karen's blog and bingo - there was an easy and cute pattern to sew. Here you go . . . two new capes and (my idea) two new masks! I think I'm done; but to my faithful reader Melody who reminded me to make them a little skirt, I'm all sewed out on these outfits. Yup, I sure get myself side-tracked, but that's fun. I'm getting ready for a craft fair and time is tight. Next time, Melody, I promise.




My adorable little burglar Harper with her loot




Kit's got a stash of candy too





"Do you think I look like Bat Girl?"





All dolled-up for Halloween




Two mysterious bandits




Two capes, one lined with pale green cotton, one with silver Dupioni




Two masks, one is fluffy white fake fur, one is shiny black satin


A View from the Sewing Room





The pattern fits very well as it is, however I made two slight adjustments. I wanted the cape to drape with a more ruffled effect so I cut the neck bigger. In the photo you can see the cut out cape on my sewing machine. I made two chalk lines to experiment. Ultimately I chose to cut and sew the biggest neck circle and it came out just the way I wanted. After I sewed the 2 pattern pieces together, I turned it right side out. Then I sewed a channel at the top for quarter inch elastic, and voila! I added black ribbon ties.