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

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

October Craft Fair Sewing #2

My Life

From Meggie

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! 

American Girl Dance and Gym Costumes

Outfits of the Day

I am on a roll sewing dance skirts, gym togs, leotards and tights!

Today I made this midnight blue outfit with sparkles on the front.

Harper all dressed up in her bright orange dance skirt and black leotard.

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

More Scottie Love

Emerald green corduroy slacks paired with a pretty blouse! I really like the easy-fit of these doll pants and they sew up in a jiffy. You can download the free pattern from Milo Mila here http://www.milomila.com/free_pants_pattern.asp.
The blouse is Butterick pattern B5587. It has a cute pleat in the back. I decided to add lace to the white collar and sleeves.

The shoes are red felt. They are okay for my first try, but I'm not fond of making shoes. I'm not sure why, perhaps it is because they need to be glued and I make a huge mess. I cut the craft foam soles with scissors however I think an Exacto knife would have done a neater cut. Some people love to make shoes and they do such a beautiful job. I don't think I have the gift!

Happy Trails, Meg

Doll Skirt

From This

To This

I bought this fabric on the internet and I thought the scale was tiny. Well it's huge! What to do? A skirt of course. I used the free American Girl pattern for Josefina's Birthday Skirt found here http://www.agplaythings.com/ag%20patterns/dolldresspatterns.html.

It is a quick and easy pattern and fits perfectly. I think it is ridiculously cute paired with a polka dot peasant blouse.

Best wishes, Meg Jewell

Sewing Begins Here

I learn about American Girl Dolls

First Sewing Project

It all began with this girl's skating dress that I made for an 8 year old this winter. She also wanted a matching outfit for her American Girl doll. And that is when I learned about the fascinating world of American Girl dolls.

I could not find a girl's pattern I liked so I combined a dress bodice with a very short full circle skirt. The bodice is fully lined. The sleeves have coordinating semi-transparent fabric and you can see the cap sleeves peeking through. The satin skirt is sewed to the bodice, making it a one piece outfit. The skirt has an overlay of sparkling blue sheer fabric, and underneath -although you can't see it- there is a full slip with 2 gathered layers of tulle to make it twirl!

Then I purchased a doll skating pattern at Joann Fabric's, borrowed a doll and set to work. I was hooked! Fun, fun and more fun. It turned out super cute.

My husband noticed how much I enjoyed the project. One day USPS came to the door with a package. Yippie! He actually bought me my very own doll, Kit!  I love you Dick Jewell! Maybe the happiest present ever! And I have been sewing doll clothes ever since.

Back of girl's skating dress, with zipper and sash

First Day of School in Tewksbury, Massachusetts!

Kit has a stunning new blue suit

The Birthday Dress for American Girl Kit

Doll Clothes - The Final Product

I am so happy when they are finished, packaged and ready to go to a new home.

Sewing Vintage

Here is Kit trying on a muslin mock-up of a vintage 1950 pattern for a coat and hat I am planning to make out of linen. It looks pretty cute so far.

American Girl Party Dress

I Heart American Girl Doll Clothes

A New Dress

Ready for a Rodeo

Perfect outfit for Saige

For Little Feet

So soft and furry on the inside, ultra suede on the outside, they fit like a glove! The moccasins slip on easily and the boots fasten in back with a strip of Velcro. 

All American Girl!

Kit - My American Girl Doll