Suggestions for Beginner Doll Patterns?

[chrysa1is]

Thanks for the advice Julia! Will definitely count you in for a sewing day.

So far... I'm not having a great deal of luck. Finally had everything cut out and sat down to sew only to find out my needle was bent in storage.

Bought a new one at Hobby Lobby... wish I ahd known about that furniture sale then!

Now I'm having difficulty attaching the elastic to the wrist of the gown. How are you supposed to sew it on straight, while stretched?!? I'm used to making an elastic channel and running it through after the fact. Seriously considering it even though the pattern says to stitch the elastic directly to the fabric.

Ah well.. Betsy Ross I'm not... but I'll keep trying. Thanks for all the advice!

[supernonamegirl]

I was actually wondering the same thing. Thanks to everyone for the advice and tips, I'll be sure to remember them.

I can't wait to get sewing. I fully plan on messing up quite a few times, but maybe these ideas will help prevent that.

[chrysa1is]

YAY!! I did it! I finally made the gown.

Mari's New Gown

And I only had to replace on sleeve!

Granted, I haven't attempted to overedge the seams and there are some mistakes with the sleeve elastic... but over all.. a good first attempt I think!

[historylover]

Congratulations! You did an excellent job. For sewing the elastic on the sleeves, I always do it with my machine. I tack it on and then stretch it out as I am sewing directly onto the fabric. The dolls never seem to mind the elastic being directly on their arms. I've done it by hand and it isn't fun. If you are using a machine, you can get a quilter's foot which is used for 1/4" sewing. I use mine and never have any problems making 1/4" seams. I've done it with a regular A foot and never had a problem, but I tend to have a good eye for seeing a 1/4" seam. I always finish off my edges, not to prevent unraveling, but because I think they look more professionally done. My machine has a stitch that can be used for finishing so I don't bother with a serger anymore. Like someone said you can use a zigzag stitch if you don't have a serger or a machine that will make finished edges. I actually love sewing doll clothes for all sizes. To me it is easier than sewing for kids and adults.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ August 17, 2005 01:10 AM: Message edited by: historylover ]</font>

[chrysa1is]

Thanks... I'll have to look for a quilting foot, as I'm not that great at the 1/4" hem thing, though the suggestion about the edge of the standard foot helped... ALOT!

I did finally get the elastic sewn on with the machne, the main problem was stretching the elastic while I sewed. Probably just takes practice. Plus it was easier once my mom suggested using a zig-zag stitch to stitch the elastic on.

Thanks again for everyone's advice. Though now I'm inspired to try the other outfits! Wish I wasn't going away for the weekend.

[JuliaAM]

I love the nightgown you made! Very pretty. [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

I know what you mean about getting the elastic stretched and stitched down. One of my sewing machines works better than another for that procedure. I think the difference is the presser foot and how it holds down the elastic and fabric. Depending on the size of the project, I often make a casing for elastic using seam binding tape. Seam binding tape is thin so it doesn't add a lot of bulk when it gets scrunched up with elastic. To use seam binding tape, I simply sew it along the line where the pattern specifies to sew down the elastic. Then I insert the elastic and secure both ends before stitching the garment seams together.

All this talk of sewing for dolls and seeing other people's sewing projects is quite inspiring. I'm in the process of remodeling my work room so I can't do sewing. But I'm inspired to get that remodeling over with faster for sure.

Julia

[chrysa1is]

Actually, Julia, that's what they had us do for the neck, which is MUCH easier.

If I can't get the hang of it for the sleeves, I might just have to stick with that for the wrist gathers as well.

Good luck on the remodel, too!