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The Hind patterns are great! That's exactly what I was going to recommend. I'd start with the "Essential Wardrobe" book.
Heather
p.s. ETA-- Watch your seams. If the pattern calls for 1/4" seam allowances, err on the side of 1/8" rather than even a bit larger! Joann Hinds books have easy instructions, and I've found if I follow them to the letter, the garments turn out great every time!
<font color="#051E50"><font size="1">[ August 15, 2005 11:14 AM: Message edited by: jrtmom3274 ]</font></font>
<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ August 15, 2005 11:18 AM: Message edited by: jrtmom3274 ]</font>
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Chrysa1is, here is an idea that I use when I want to test a pattern but dont want to waste fabric. If you live next to a clothing thrift store, I usually go to Salvatoin army, Pick out a cheap piece of clothing with a cute print that has about enough fabric to use on the pattern. Take it home and wash it. If you dont it might smell really weird. Hand washing works. Then just cut it up and test your pattern. It always works for me! Hope you like this idea and hope it helps!!
[img]smile.gif[/img] [img]smile.gif[/img]
~ [img]graemlins/rose.gif[/img] Anna~
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Thanks for the advice!
Those Hinds patterns do look like a good option.
Cut out one of my dummy patterns last night and planning to work on cutting and sewing a gown out this evening. So thanks for the sem advice too.
Only one question... how do you keep hold of the fabric when making such a small sem margin? I mean, 5/8 or 1/2 is easy to guide through, but 1/4 and 1/8 I'm worried about my fingers getting in the way. [img]redface.gif[/img]
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I pin everything. I am the pin queen of the free world.
Because I'm like you - I'll get that sucker caught right in my fingers if I'm not careful, but if I pin it, I don't have to worry so much - I just sew from pin to pin.
Just be sure you don't sew OVER the pin...a couple of popped needles cured me of that REAL quick...and place the pins left to right and not up and down. (Seems obvious, yes, until you do it the wrong way...)
If I ever get any better, maybe I won't pin so much!
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I PIN TOO! (my fingers might look like swiss cheese from that needle if I didnt) lol!!! [img]tongue.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]
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Pins! Ah... hopefully that will help. Headed to feed my mewing cat and then cut and give the old/new sewing machine a whirl...
((old because I've had it for a few years/ new because it's never really been used. The extra feet are still in their plastic baggies! ))
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Hint for sewing 1/4 inch seam allowances -- the distance from the center position of the needle when doing a straight stitch and the outside of the presserfoot is 1/4 inch.
I wouldn't recommend the Pleasant Co. patterns for a beginner. I have them all and each one has something nastily difficult in one of the outfits. Simplicity is my favorite for AG patterns because they make up well and whomever designs for them makes really neat clothes!
That said, I make a point to buy every new AG Vogue pattern but that's just being obsessive.
If you can find any Dolls' Delite patterns on ebay, those are designed specifically for beginning sewers. And Joan Hinds' patterns, as everyone has said, are pretty simple as well.
Good luck. Have fun!
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[img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] Not doing so good so far. I get so frustrated, because I ahve no place to spread out. I'm staying with my mom this semseter ebcause she recently had hip replacement, so I'm playing nurse, but we took out the dining room table, so she wouldn't ahve to move around it, leaving me no large table surfaces.
Thanks for all the advice though... I'm determined to get something made, I just have to try and be patient with myself and my small table. [img]redface.gif[/img]
At least it's finally cut out! [img]smile.gif[/img]
Question though... do y'all iron your hems before you sew them?
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I absolutely iron my hems!! It makes it much easier to sew, and can eliminate the need for pins in straight seams. [img]smile.gif[/img]
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Ok, count me in for a North Carolina AG Sewing Day. [img]wink.gif[/img]
Things I always do when sewing doll clothes:
=Take DAYS to make a garment. I rarely have enough time to put together something from start to finish. So the pattern gets cut one day, fabric gets cut another, various gathers and stay stitching is another day etc.
=Yes I use pins where necessary, mostly when sewing gathered edges together. That keep the gathers from shifting.
= I keep the ironing board and iron set up and on nearby and iron each seam. An ironed seam is way easier to work with and keeps the dimensions of the finished project accurate.
= I cut most items out with a small rotary cutter and cutting mat. Rotary cutters are easier to use than scissors when working with slippery fabrics.
= Keep the sewing machine stitches small. When working with tiny items, small stitches will make the project move slower under the needle and also keep the seams tight later.
= Always serge edges or finish them with zigzag stitches or other finish. 1/4" seams may fray easier so a finished seam will help the garment last through lots of wear and tear and washings.
Julia
