Authentic AG Made Vs. Handmade

[chrstnwmn7]

I have purchased handmade outfits from several of the very talented seamstresses on this board. I have been 100% pleased. More than 100%. I love the outfits because they are one of a kind. And they are a unique part of my collection. I HIGHLY recommend all the wonderful board members who have been mentioned here!!! [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/thumbs_up.gif[/img]

[TaffyCheerful]

I have purchased a ton of non-AG clothing for my dolls, choosing the items because I like the style or cut of the outfit. When I find a doll dressmaker whose work I particularly like, I often ask them to make specific items my "girls" would favor. This includes pajamas, school and cheer uniforms, summerwear and a lot of simple dresses.

My girls are not fond of the tea-length dresses a lot of doll dressmakers produce for AGs, finding that length particularly unattractive. They like dresses cut in the style of Chatty Cathy's, short and pouffy.

Definitely, AG brand clothing constitutes the smallest part of their wardrobe.

Taffy

[samish]

I bought some things AG, but my grandpa made Kirsten's bed, table, chair, trunk, and school bench for me. I made rag rugs and a quilt and a paper fireplace and a window that changes with the seasons, and I also buy little things in Swedish shops (such as candles, pottery, and Christmas ornaments). So I guess most of my stuff was handmade or at least looks authentic.

[Stephanie31802]

Most of my doll's clothing is authentic AG, although I do not hestitate to buy handmade. Most of the handmade items I buy are things that AG doesn't make (like various costumes). I also LOVE to knit for my own dolls. A lot of the clothing Marisol wears is handknit by me. One day I would love to purchase clothing from Dolly's Dressmaker or one of the seamstresses on this board but right now I am unable to afford to. It's great to have handmade things because you know that no one (or not many) have the same outfits you have. It gets boring seeing the same outfits all the time!

[Samanthasmom]

HI just wanted to say that you ladies do amazing work, the dress links were beautiful , your all so talented!!!

[rachie421]

Generally I prefer authentic AG for a few reasons. Number one, it is usually the most historically accurate. Two, I know what Im getting and what I can do if I dont like it. And finally, Im not a country style person and many homemade outfits have a country/craft woman look to them that I dont care for. But thats simply a matter of aesthetic.

However, extremely high quality handmade stuff that looks accurate, whether its furniture or clothes, I do appreciate. For example, my uncle owns his own small contruction company-strictly for homes-and he is also a very good carpenter. He has made lots of beautiful things over the years, including a gorgeous quilting rack for my ma last christmas. But anyway, when I was little I really wanted Addy's school desk so he made me one and its beautiful. It does not have the metal parts on it that the real one does, but the rest is dead on. The spindles on the bench are also curved and fancier and I actually like it better than the real thing. But anyway, thats my take on handmade stuff.

[SweetSam]

I haven't bought *any* doll clothes yet--I just have the dress that came with Felicity, but I'd be fine with buying homemade as long as it's quality.

The only thing I dislike is when dressmakers choose fabric for dolls with a large pattern that's meant for people's clothes. Oftentimes the print gets chopped up, and it just doesn't look right to me.

[AG Seamstress]

Sweet Sam...I agree with you. One of my pet peeves is when I see clothing on Ebay, made out of fabric where the print is way out of "scale" for dolls. I shop constantly for fabric for the doll clothes I make, and I'm shopping now for next fall and winter. One of the hardest things to find is tee shirt knit, in holiday prints to make turtlenecks for dolls. I buy adult turtlenecks,(the biggest size they have) in holiday prints, when they go on sale, and take them apart to use the fabric. I just can't seem to find it by the yard, so I find I have to get creative! I also use this fabric to make winter pajamas! I think a lot of people use whatever they can get on sale, or fabric that is donated to them, and they don't think about the scale of the prints.

[AG Seamstress]

Sweet Sam...I agree with you. One of my pet peeves is when I see clothing on Ebay, made out of fabric where the print is way out of "scale" for dolls. I shop constantly for fabric for the doll clothes I make, and I'm shopping now for next fall and winter. One of the hardest things to find is tee shirt knit, in holiday prints to make turtlenecks for dolls. I buy adult turtlenecks,(the biggest size they have) in holiday prints, when they go on sale, and take them apart to use the fabric. I just can't seem to find it by the yard, so I find I have to get creative! I also use this fabric to make winter pajamas! I think a lot of people use whatever they can get on sale, or fabric that is donated to them, and they don't think about the scale of the prints.

[mystere]

I have a lot of Dollies Dressmaker dresses, and I daresay I like them better than AG. Overall, I love her Felicity gowns much more than the recent stuff AG introduced (except the reintroduction of the riding habit). I'm not a huge fan of pink and so I like finding earth toned gowns for Felicity.

I'll be getting one from Nann soon- hi Nann! It's horsemom but I forgot my password here it's been so long! I'm really excited about it, because her work is lovely.

I also have some Carpatina gowns coming in the mail, and two faery costumes from Australia, and a few other people's. I've seen a few other seamstresses work on ebay that I adore, but it often goes beyond my price range.