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!

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 !!!

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

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.

Halloweenish AG Sewing Fun

Preview of a Halloween Costume

Today I sewed this Halloween set, but maybe I'm not done yet. Something tells me to keep adding-on and that's why my mini projects turn into massive projects; I make work for myself!  I'm thinking about a black velvet cape. How about a mask? Um mm . . . a bubble mini skirt? etc., etc...

A View from the Sewing Machine

These are the leggings - to show you how I sew knit seams without a serger. First I sew my quarter inch seam. 

Then I sew another seam very close to the raw edge.

Last, I zig-zag the edge. It's strong and neat.

Here I am basting the elastic to the leotard leg. That's right, I baste my elastic. I just use a few galloping stitches and it seems to compensate for my tendency to stretch the elastic too tightly. Hey, it works for me! 

Monday, Monday

Every Monday

for years, and years

Yup, Papa's got the kid addicted to Monday Night Raw.

Happy Monday night,

Meg

Introducing Little Miss # 40

I  AM  IN  LOVE

Look who showed up at my house today . . . a little stranger with no name. She is American Girl doll # 40. I am so happy Kit is no longer an only child!

So today will be her birthday, September 26, 2013. And I am going to call her Harper.

Harper and Kit

Enjoying the sunshine together

All ready for gymnastics class in their matching black leotards

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas . . .

The Elves Have Been Busy at Santa's Workshop!

I bought this fabric from Home-Sew Inc. (http://www.homesew.com/) because I couldn't resist the little paper dolls! 

Who doesn't love pinafores? This pops right on over the mini dress. It's made of the whitest Kona cotton.

I found black and red stretch fabric at Joann's that matches perfectly for the leggings.


It's not even October yet but it's not too early to start a Christmas Collection. This is the third dress I have made, but I'm looking for more ideas. There are a few on my Pinterest Board (http://www.pinterest.com/mjanddj/american-girl-christmas/). If you have time please take a peek. I'd love to have some suggestions!

Fancy Yellow Gown for an American Girl Doll

New Dress Form

New Yellow Gown

I Made a Liberty Jane Dress Form!

A New Dress Form to Fit 18" Dolls

Here is my version of Liberty Jane's dress form pattern. I made it to display my doll dresses because I only have one American Girl doll. I've been hinting around but Kit may have to be an only child.

The fabric is silver silk Dupioni and I added a permanent skirt. I gathered the skirt, basted it on the form and then hot-glued it.

I used a heavy ceramic pillar candlestick for the base. It took me a while to find a suitable one - I tried Walmart, Salvation Army thrift store, the Dollar Store, but finally found this at a discount store for $5.00. I thought it would be way easier to find a candlestick!

There is a thick transparent glass bead glued to the top to make it look official. I bought a bag of aquarium glass at the dollar store, and it worked! Again, glued on tight.

I read reviews of this dress form and some folks seemed to have problems with it being too limp. When I made this I wanted strong seams so I interlined the silk with muslin and sewed twice. Then I really packed it with fiber fill, and I mean a lot! I could have stuffed a couch before I was done - practically a whole bag. But it was well worth it as you can see, very sturdy.

Doll Clothes slip on and off easily and fit perfectly.

Happy Sewing,
Meg

Kit Kittredge

The year is 1934

Depression era outfit

During the Depression mothers sewed handmade clothes.

The Red Hat

A 60 something learns to knit

Woo Hoo, I made a hat! What I go through for this girl! Thank you to my sister-in-law Nadine, a fabulous knitter, for the lesson.

I, on the other hand, am hopeless with knitting needles. That is why I'm giving myself a big pat on the back for finishing this little hat. I am so proud of myself.

Should I actually attempt a scarf, or should I quit while I am ahead?

Your friend, Meg

Kit Visits the Country Club!

A gorgeous September morning at Tewksbury, MA Country Club!

I feel like dancing in my new red ruffled skirt and asymmetrical blouse!

Photoshoot at the golf course!

Should I click my heels?

Smelling the petunias!

I hope I don't fall!