Help and Tips Needed...

[Starearedkid]

I'm 26 and I've never sewed or knitted or crocheted anything, well except maybe 7th grade Home Economics, but that doesn't count. [img]smile.gif[/img]

Anyway, I'm really interested in making some clothes for the dolls. My grandma is a fabuluous seamstress, so we have tons of material and such at my parents house, but what would everyone suggest to get started on it.

What tips? Ideas? Materials would I need?


Thanks in advance [img]smile.gif[/img]

-Jordyn

[Ds9jullian]

I am 25 and have sewed most of my life, I come from a long line seamtresses. Personally I would say that unless you have a sewing machine I would recommend starting by learning to knit. I managed to learn that in a few hours.

If you have a sewing machine I would say starting with something as simple as a pair of doll PJ's. I love the pattern's by Joan Hinds. Simple but elegant.

Ashley

[Pat B]

You also can make doll clothes by hand . In some cases it is easier because of the narrow seam allowance and small detail.

[horsemom]

I agree- I had sewed a little but found the tiny parts (like sleeves) of doll clothes difficult when I first tried last year. My plan for my next gown- whenever I finally have the time for it- is to do the larger parts like the hemming of the skirt and whatnot on the machine and do the sleeves and trim by hand. FYI as well- I find that the AG patterns are more difficult, but some of the patterns from Joann's aren't nearly as hard.

[AgLight]

Sleeping bags and pillows are easy- you could try those. As for materials, felt is very stubborn and not good for clothes and things. Fleece is hard on sewing machines, so unless you have a fantastic machine or the patience to hand-sew it shouldn't be your main choice of fabric.

[kitandkat]

First of all I would suggest getting comfortable with your sewing machine... if you know anyone who knows how to use the machine, get them to show you how to thread the bobbin, etc. Get some cheap fabric first, to practice on. And I agree, start with something simple like PJ's. Other cute no-sew projects that I've done are with fleece, I've made ponchos for the dolls by just cutting out a square, then a slit in the middle for their head, and cutting fringe and attatching beads. You can make a scarf by getting two strips of different colored fleece, lining them up together, sewing one long line down the middle and then cutting fringe on both sides. They look really cute. I also decorated both with fabric paint. There are some doll patterns out there and what I do is buy a bunch when they are on sale and then mix and match them. Unfortunately I'm not that good of a sewer, so I just send the projects to my grandmother. Right now I'm making her sew Hogwarts uniforms for the dolls. But I am finally taking the initiative to learn how to sew well so I can make matching outfits for me and my dolls this summer! I just hate my sewing machine, but we are borrowing good ones from girl scouts for another project so I'm going to take over and make cute boho skirts for my dolls. My grandmother made them T-shirts, which were pretty easy, I assume - just two sides and the back was cut in half and attatched with velcro. I used iron-on printer paper to make decals for the front. We also did the same thing to make hospital gowns, which were just longer versions of the t-shirt and not with fitted material, and we made brownie/junior sashes with felt by just cutting out strips again and sewing them together at the end. I'd get used to creating your own patterns, especially for really custom stuff or trendy items, or resizing girl/adult patterns to doll measurements. For the boho skirts I am going to buy fabric that is pre-tiered (sold at WalMart) and just get a simple doll skirt pattern. If you want, I could send you the measurements for the poncho/scarf or try to scan in the hospital gown/sash patterns.