My son was invited to a birthday party for a girl this week. I asked him what she might like for a gift. He is so observant that he was able to tell me how she wore her hair in case I wanted to make hair things and also that she brought American Girl dolls to school for show and tell. We decided on a princess ballgown for her doll. He went to JoAnn's with me (along with the other two) and helped select the fabrics. He also found the perfect thread match. It makes me proud! So, here is the ballgown, modelled by Lily's doll. It is based on the McCall's Craft pattern 9671. Now he is ready for the part he will enjoy the most, the bouncy house and cake!
I am not eager to sew on this type of fabric again. I said this once before, last fall, when I made Lily a pink princess dress to wear for her birthday. And I said it again at Christmas when I made her a satiny red dress. I really need to remember and not buy this kind of fabric again. It ravels so badly! With the quarter inch seams used when making dolls clothes, pretty soon you find yourself without any seam allowance! I assume that this is when a serger would come in handy? I used a small overcast stitch and it worked pretty well but it was still messy and painstaking.
This is definitely one of those times when a serger would lower your frustration level.
ReplyDeleteDespite the bother, though, it turned out beautifully! I am hoping to start making some doll clothes to tuck away for Christmas gifts...this was some good inspiration...thanks. :)
The outfit looks beautiful I am sure the girl in your son's class will love it. It was so nice of him to be so in tune to what the girl would like for her birthday.
ReplyDeleteYes a serger would work great for satin type fabrics but you can still make the outfit look good with a finshed look by stiching an overcast stich at the edge and then folding it it over so the 1/8" stiching is on the inside you will have a 1/4" edge that you stitch down with a straight stitch near the top folded edge. resulting in a neat finished edge.
It will surely be the talk of the party!! What a sweet boy...you are doing a GREAT job raising such a kind and considerate son! I can only hope that mine will be just as sweet! I am SO lucky to have my serger...I look at stuff I've made prior and thank my parents everyday for such an AWESOME Christmas gift! I have yet to "really" try satin fabric...maybe it is time! xo
ReplyDeleteGreat gift! Just a word from a mom who made LOTS of dresses for American Girl dolls, when my almost 18-year-old was in first grade, The Best Doll Clothes Book will keep you from having to ever purchase another pattern, although you may find yourself looking for other Hinds and Becker books. Easy, practical, great looking clothes that REALLY fit!
ReplyDeleteAt one point, I made a lil sweatshirt for DD's doll, with iron-on printing on the front that matched the spirit wear we were purchasing from the student council. BIG HIT! And easy, if you think it thru to begin with. We also used them for fundraising after all of the girls in Liz's class had them.
Just an idea! Joan