Today’s blog post is short and sweet. (At least, I hope you think it’s sweet!)
I haven’t had many comments on my website lately, and frankly, I miss you guys! So I’m reaching out with a simple question: What are you working on right now?
Or maybe your summer is filled with family gatherings, and you just haven’t had time for sewing. That’s okay. Tell me what’s up in the comments if you feel like it.
Here’s what I’m working on…
I’ve cut out a whole batch of doll clothes, using my own pattern designs, and I’m just making a few extra items, using mostly vintage fabrics, just for fun.
A. This will be a summer top and matching purse in vintage avocado green with pink linings. I’m hoping it will fit Skipper or maybe Francie, because it’s sort of Mod in style.
B. This will be a yellow gingham puff-sleeved baby doll dress, and you can see that I’ve already finished the reversible diaper that goes with it.
C. This is probably my favorite pattern, so I make it all the time! It’s my Barbie party dress — the same one that appears on the dress form mannequin in a lot of my stop motion scenes for my YouTube videos. Again, that’s truly vintage fabric from my mother-in-law. (Thank you, Anita!)
D. This will be a sundress for 18 inch dolls like American Girl and Our Generation dolls. I’ve been meaning to provide this simple sundress pattern to you guys for a LONG time, so it’s time I created that tutorial. The fabric looks vintage, but it’s actually a reproduction pattern on that fabric.
And that’s what I’ve been sewing lately. Now it’s your turn! Leave a comment! Whatcha workin’ on?
I’m creating a wardrobe of fun outfits for my granddaughters pre k classroom elf. The entire school uses the elf in every classroom during the crazy season. In progress right now is s grinch outfit for him, complete with a tiny grinch mask.
Adorable! 🙂 Is the “classroom elf” an Elf on the Shelf?
Dear Chelly, I haven’t been working on any sewing projects lately because of personal problems but I will get around to it as soon as possible. I’d like to work on an American flag dress for Barbie from a pattern I found in the now defunct Barbie Bazaar magazine and other clothes from the Simplicity patterns that I bought from Walmart, Joann Fabrics and eBay for the Queen of Fashion Dolls. Wish your blog had a section for us followers to show our work.
Trisha
I used to have a “Share your creations” page, but I discovered it would be too easy to get a virus from other people when they would email me their photos. (A tech buddy of mine warned me about this.) So I quit doing that because I need to make 100% sure that the patterns I upload to this website are virus-free, so when you guys download them, you don’t get a virus from ME!
Did you know that I have a Barbie flag dress pattern on my website? It’s right here.
I am working on my KY State Fair entries as I finished the county judging circuit last Saturday. I have made a 14 inch page, 18 inch knight with armour and lance, 18 in horse, and I am almost finished with the princess. I am making a replica of one of my former theatre studens graduation gown, motorboard, cords, sash, medals, shoes, and the dress she wore. Her mother posted a picture of daughter walking down the side walk to her car in her cap and gown with 8 18 inch dolls looking out the storm door window. I am also making Cleopatra, a bride, victorian, baby doll, Barbie doll, and several more. I have until Aug. 11th to finish them.
Holy Moses! I thought my sewing goals were grand, but you’ve taken the cake!
Good luck with your projects!
I have been working on some Audrey Hepburn inspired designs. I synthesized your pencil skirt dress with the poodle skirt patterns to create a gown Audrey wore in Sabrina. I don’t think I can attach a photo.
Oh, way cool! I love the gown from Sabrina!
I did an Audrey Hepburn-esque photo shoot with my Asian MTM Barbie on this website once. (I’m also a fan of A. Hepburn!) Here’s the link to the blog post for that one, if you’re curious to see it.
Hi Chelly,
I had a Crissy Doll as a child and was shocked to discover a g/f had actually kept her Crissy and her sister’s Velvet dolls. She was telling me how expensive clothes are to buy. So me being a sewer, has been secretly making clothes, in 60’s/70’s inspired fabrics and using your patterns. Once finished it will be presented to her.
Thanks for all you do, Chelly.
Aww… I love that, Lynette! I’m so glad my patterns have been helpful for your kind project!
Just leaving a thank you for creating the patterns and the website. Im in the process of making clothing for my hand Puppets and Im able to adapt the designs to fit.
You have to start somewhere and then make adjustments.
So thank you for the patterns and videos.
They have and are a great help.
Awesome! One of my daughters used hand puppets when she was earning money as a babysitter during high school. They can be a lot of fun!
Hi, I’ve not so many time now. I’ve made a pair of trousers for my new Ken doll with long hair. I’ve started making a skirt and halter for my Madra doll but I’ll finish it in September. Now I’m making a cute dress for my new Velvet doll using a old pattern by Enid Gilchrist. I was afraid to have a issue with big dolls clothes, but it seems I only have with Madra & Co, I cannot focus, every pattern seems to be too difficult. Now I prefer to make something for my Barbie bellybutton (a secondhand, some child must have cut her hair so I had to become hairdresser, love her with white balch and pink hair, I have never seen a similar, even with google images search), even if I find way easier make clothes for old Barbies. I have to trace a shirt from a dress I have for Cinnamon doll, so I’ll be able to make a overalls in next momths.
You have quite an impressive collection of dolls, Marco! I’m going to have to look up Enid Gilchrist… I wasn’t familiar with this pattern maker. Thanks for teaching me something new!
She was from Australia. In several ways she recalls me your patterns.
I’m honored! 😊
I just found her doll clothes patterns on Etsy! Neat!
Hi Chelly!
Love all your posts. Keep em coming! Right now I am in the beginning stages of adjusting patterns for a 4″ micro BJD. I’ve decided it might be best to sew with non-raveling fabrics. What are your thoughts?
Oooh… four inches! That’s tiny!
My thoughts? When I sew for tiny dolls, I like to keep the pattern simple and the fabrics lightweight. The best fabrics to use with tiny dolls are lightweight cotton fabrics or cotton-poly blends that are lightweight. And yes, working with non-raveling fabrics is a good idea.
Good luck to you, Amy!