Free Doll Hat Pattern and Dress/Top Pattern

Happy Valentines Everyone!!

Two entries in one week. Will wonders never cease?  I found some cute patterns and I wanted to try them. Since I tend to sew for two girls that have AG dolls, I decided I needed an extra model to help out. I got both my dolls on Ebay for decent prices. They match my nieces Rayne and Chloe so I figure I can name mine Jayne (the blonde) and Zhoe (the brunette). Odd spellings but I figure I can be creative in other areas besides sewing. I have been out of the sewing loop for a while so I want to get back into it a lot more. I would like my items to be good enough to sell for top dollar. I don't want to sell, but I want them to be good enough anyway.

Anyway....I found some cute patterns I wanted to share with you and a couple of them are FREE.
I made these cute hat patterns and they were fun to make. I say 'fun' but my hubby heard me grumble more than once about how they were small and a bit of a pain going around corners and such with the sewing machine. I keep forgetting to use my own advice of pin, pin, PIN !!  Let me show you these cuties...

The turned up corner was added by me but I will show it to you later how I did it. I think my own dolls need one of these to wear. If you want to try this out, it's only a 4 piece crown so it's a fairly quick sew. I did line mine and top stitched which is not mentioned in the pattern. The blog site for this pattern is http://daydreamdollboutique.blogspot.com/2012/10/trendy-newsboy-cap-free-pdf-pattern.html

I also did a cute "Izzy" top for my Bitty Baby. It's also a freebie for kids and a very easy sew as well. I doesn't come in a doll size but you can take it and reduce it.

I used scraps I had left over from an apron I made for a friend and this turned out so cute. Here is the site for the free Izzy dress. This goes from 18 months to size 12 !! And did I mention FREE !!. It has been tested by testers who did a wonderful job. I recommend you take time to enjoy some browsing on this site, I think Teri is very generous in offering her pattern to us at no cost. Thank you Teri!! I did reduce this pattern to fit. I had intended to to fit my 18 inch doll but it fit this one much better. I reduced the size two  to 65% and I reduced the size 18 to 65% also to fit the 18 inch AG dolls. I'm getting ready to sew one of those up, so I will post later when I post the hat tutorial.

I did sew up a cute skirt as well. Not a free pattern but not an expensive one. I'll share that link in a moment as well.

This is a Liberty Jane pattern at this site..  http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2009/11/liberty-jane-mini-skirt-pattern-for-american-girl-dolls.html

A very quick and easy sew. 

Well, that's it for this entry. I have a few projects to sew up so I will come back and enter them later. 

Tiny Back Packs

I purchased this pattern sometime last year with the thoughts of making a few for fun gifts. It took a little longer to get to them than I had hoped but at least they are finally finished. I think they turned out quite cute. As much as they are cute, they were as much of a hassle to do. All I can say is if you plan to make these, pin, pin, pin around the curves!! I thought the instructions were well written and easy to follow. If you are interested in getting the pattern, you can find it here on etsy at this link https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/114323172/school-backpack-pdf-pattern-for-ag-doll?ref=shop_home_active_1

Here a couple of pictures. I'm afraid I didn't hold the camera steady, so some are a tad blurry.

They look nice and full because I have them stuffed with bags. There are two side pockets and one main pocket on the front. I thought about adding a few other features and inside pockets but I figured I was doing good to get the main bit done. I know two little girls at church that are going to like these :-)

Well, I need to get a few stockings done this year since I try to make one or two a year for family. This year I needed to make one for the hubby. There's a "stalking" contest going on at Pattern Revolution that I decided to try and enter. Rules are you find a designer and make a stocking that resembles something you like of them. I have been told you may enter as many times as you wish. My first one is and idea from TenderFeetStitches using the Patches Impatient Pants patter. It is a cute pair of shorts with a cuff and the technique of reverse applique. Instead of squares, I reverse appliqued some holly leaves. Turned out kind of cute, I think.

 Terry is very pleased with his new stocking. I hope the details show up. Here is the link to the pattern. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/78713893/patchs-impatient-pants-shorts-mid-length?ref=shop_home_active
Here is the link to the contest and rules if you want to play along
http://patternrevolution.com/blog/2013/11/22/contest-announcement-stocking-challenge

Well, an earlier post mentioned I was in a sew along and I had a bit if a snag before finishing. My nieces had the nerve to grow. I asked not to but they forgot and did it anyway. Good new is We could use part of the project and make skirts. Next time, I will but a brick on top of their head to keep them shorter. I will have to do this when their mom isn't looking, though. She may have objections.

I forget I have a blog

It's not like I have tons to do but things are going on around me. We are having new siding put on the house and the deck is in need of repair, so that is getting done as well. I am still working on the dresses for the sew-along even though the time is up, but the dresses are turning out cute and I think my nieces will look cute in them. I have a new serger my sweet Hubby got me for our anniversary and I am going to have to re-learn how to use one. First, of course, I need to get the thread. I can't wait! It's a Brother 1034d machine and has good reviews from the ones on the sewing pages I am on on Facebook. This post will be short since I need to get back to the dresses. I will post pics when they are done.

Preparing Bias tape for My First Sew-a-long

First of all I want to wish my Savanna a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY today. She 26 today :-D


Well I have decided to join a sew-a-long. I have attempted this in the past but things happen to keep this from happening. I have even gone as far as to have the fabrics and trims prepared before "life" happens. This week is going a bit smoother than most so we will try this again.

I am joining the sew-a-long hosted by Candy Castle Patterns.
https://www.facebook.com/candycastle.patterns.5?hc_location=stream    It's a cute wrap dress and they are going to give an option of making it a swing dress. Very popular for little girls to twirl. The actual name is the "Bubblegum Dress" and it comes in a pdf file, easy to download onto your own printer.

First, I have my fabric washed and pressed and I have chosen the bias binding I will need for the two dresses.

Next, I prepared the bias binding by pre-shrinking it. I always pre-shrink my trims and interfacings. I know that may be over kill but I have had problems in the past with slight shrinkage and my fabric "curls" at the corners and angles. Here is how I do this. Please be patient as I am new to downloading pictures. Thank goodness for Minion for helping me.

First, you will need an empty gallon pitcher, a bowl of hot water (with a splash of white vinegar added) and some skewers of some kind. I used chopsticks. 

Next, and VERY important, coffee to lure Minion out of her room and away from her computer gaming.

Gently bend the cardboard that hold the trim.

Slide your finger through and prepare to remove the cardboard.

Gently remove the cardboard from the bias and set aside.

Slide the bias trim on the skewer.

Gently dip the bias trim in the hot water until completely saturated. I did add a splash of white vinegar to the water to keep the colors true since they are so vibrant. Also helps keeps the colors from bleeding later. 

Gently spread the bias out making sure not to stretch or twist. Do NOT wring or squeeze the extra water out. It will drip dry quick enough since it has a good amount of polyester in it. It's very light weight so there should be no stretching while it dries.

Set the skewer across the top of the pitcher and let dry. You can do several at once if needed but be sure to let there be enough room for air circulation. Mine sits on the counter under the heating/cooling vent. If I were in a huge hurry, I'm sure I could talk Minion into holding a blow dryer over it on low setting but I'm not going to push my luck today ^_^

So far, this is as far as I have gotten. I need to trace the top part of the dress on freezer paper in the two sizes I need for this project. I will keep you posted as I go. 

Whew! This was exhausting! Time to have Minion to get me a Diet Coke! :-)