Sewing for American Girl Dolls

[Aestrae]

Hello from this newbie from North Texas. Glad to be here.

This is my question for those with more experience in dealing with these lovely dolls. I've got 2 girls, 7 and 10, who are interesting in learning to sew. They saw the American Girl TV specials and fell in love with Samantha and Felicity. I've gotten 2 Samanthas (one in original meet dress and the other au natural, she's got a flesh body and is pre-Mattel). We're using a red-haired Battat doll as a clone for Felicity until we luck into one at a price we can afford. Suddenly I realized that I should teach them to sew on 18 inch dolls and not Barbie as my mom taught me (hated turning those teensy sleeves). I'd appreciate it if y'all know if there are any good sites to get us started. I've gotten a free pattern for Samantha era dresses but am looking for Felicity era dresses. They'd also like to make "modern" clothing for the dolls as well.

Also the Samantha I picked up today has a little marker on her lips (just a dot) and some marker? on one arm. Any suggestions of what to do and what NOT to do?

[jrtmom3274]

I think the best source for patterns is when Joann's has a 99 cent or $1.99 pattern sale. I've picked up so many that i got "just because" they were cheap, and they turned out to be great, useful patterns. For example, an accessories pattern: I never thought I'd use it, but I've made several pair of mittens adapted from this pattern this winter, and they're cute and EASY!

[vew-tori]

I don't know the answer to your sewing question but it did bring back memories. I learned to sew for Barbie too. I can't remember how old I was and I was wondering when I should introduce DD(8) to sewing. She recently bought a pattern on ebay without asking. She had to pay for it and now that it is here she wants us to make it. I don't really like to sew but we may take the plunge this summer.

Oxzy10 Acne cream seems to work on marker. Put it on the doll and put her out in the sun. Keep repeating until it's gone. Others have used Mr. Clean Eraser but I've never used that.

From one Texan to another I'd also like to welcome you to the board. Keep us posted on the doll and sewing projects.

[megaagfan1]

Well, Welcome to the board!! {Samantha was my first doll to!}
Well, I think to get the marker off, some members have said that oxy10 works {I think it;s oxy10} But you should probably aks wrx_girl . I think she might be able to help!

[Aestrae]

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll keep an eye out for the Jo--Ann sales. I hadn't thought about getting an ACCESSORIES pattern. Duh. Mittens would be insanely easy to sew if I cut out the pieces. Last week I went to a sewing board and they suggested that I don't use the kid-lockstick sewing machines I already had but recondtion the old machines I do. So far I've gotten two older Singers (1951 and 1960's) up and running so we're just waiting for patterns.

My mom started me on these neat pre-printed fabric Barbie patterns she got from mail-order. The main trouble was that the fabric didn't "flow" right for a small doll. I got my 14 year old Esmeralda Disney printed fabric which was essentially the same idea. I suspect that this turned her off sewing.

How do I ask wrx_girl for her tips? I'm new here.

<font color="#051E50" size="1">[ January 30, 2006 09:59 PM: Message edited by: Aestrae ]</font>

[only1genevieve]

I have good patterns from the 1950s, the great thing about it is that it's mostly one-piece stuff, so it really relies on the sewing to work (plus, I get bored cutting things out [img]wink.gif[/img] ). I'll check the number...

Simplicity - 4347 - basic, 1950s style items.

Simplicity 5276 - basic pajamma type clothes. Good because it has a blouse.

[Molly-Felicity]

Welcome to the board.

There is an Ebay seller who makes her own patterns specifically for American Girls. She currently sells them for Addy, Molly, Samantha, and Felicity. Her ebay name is alltimefashions. If you do a search for sellers on ebay, you'll find her.

One of our board members made quite a few dresses from her patterns. I think it may have been BeccaChris. You can do a search on the board and find her most recent post which may have a link for her albums.

Good luck.

[mdb]

Hi,
Your girls are the perfect ages to begin machine sewing, mine started at 7 and 8. Here's some tips you may want to use.
First let them get used to the machine by sewing along the lines of notebook paper, just to get the hang of what a machine does .
Then make sleeping bags or bedding such as pillow cases, pillows and/or comforters, at this age anything will do for a bed even a box.
Then they should be ready for a simple 2 pc. pattern such as a pair of pj bottoms. My girls love to make matching flannel pants.

Good luck to your girls,
Mary D

[stacird]

Welcome Aestrae from another North Texan.
My 10 yo has started with some beginner patterns and loves it. There is a pattern by Kwik Sew that is great for beginners. I don't have the number handy, but it's the one with the beanbag chair on it. I think they only 2 or 3 doll patterns in their book. I've found these at Hancocks. Their patterns are also on the heavier paper and easier for beginners to work with (I think). It won't tear as easy as the tissue.

Good luck.

Stacird

[moderator]

I second the advice of waiting for a JoAnn sale. They used to sell patterns for 99 cents, now it seems to be $1.99 pretty consistently; you can buy up to 10 at a time. If you get on their list (free), you will get flyers in the mail and know when to go to take advantage of the sale.

This is the most economical way to teach sewing, but I recommend it only if you are an experienced sewer and will know how to walk them through the steps. The instructions in these patterns can be very off-putting to someone new to sewing (I know--I've tried in my 20s--and had to keep asking Mom for help!). They're also intimidating since the papers are HUGE, all folded up like a big map.

My best suggestion for EASY patterns is http://www.morrisseydolls.com . Theirs are very easy to follow, a smaller format, and I used their patterns to teach myself how to sew--never needing any help or advice or feeling intimidated.

This sounds like a wonderful mother-daughters project. I hope you have fun! [img]biggrin.gif[/img]