Another homemade Christmas

I asked the mothers of my 7 grandchildren about Christmas, and got requests for doll clothes, pajama pants, and nightgowns. Of course!

First request was from the oldest granddaughter. She wanted Christmas pjs and a volleyball uniform for her 18″ doll. In searching online for what the uniform would look like, I noticed long sleeves and a tighter fit all around. Her school’s colors are red and black but I could not find a photo of the girls’ volleyball team online. I made the uniform out of 2 new-looking sports shirts I found at thrift stores.

I used my favorite boxer shorts pattern piece, but cut it a bit tighter all around, with tighter legs. Here is a comparison of the pattern pieces:

I sewed them as usual, it’s a very easy pattern. Sew the center back seam, center front seam, add half the elastic to the waistband of each piece. Sew the side seams, leg seam, and hem the bottom. Fold the waistband to the inside and topstitch in place.

It was difficult, but I finally found a sporty looking shirt pattern. I could have done a typical t-shirt but I wanted it to look different. I downloaded the raglan shirt pattern from http://www.beanbunny.com and with a little modification it was just right. I was able to use hemmed edges of the red so I didn’t have to hem the bottom of the shirt, and I used the ribbing at the neck edge for the neck edge of the doll shirt.

As per the detailed list from this granddaughter, I found shoes, cut the loop off a volleyball keychain for her ball, and added a sweatband.

Same granddaughter wanted a Christmas pajama outfit. I used a basic t-shirt pattern, but had it open in front so I switched the necklines on a back and front pattern. I sewed tiny buttons over the velcro closures. I had gold/white trim and there was exactly enough to trim the pjs. I made slippers from red flannel and white felt, and knitted a Santa hat.

The boys were easy, I used flannel for the two younger boys for their pj pants, and knits for the two older boys. I neglected to get photos before wrapping, but I found monster trucks, deer and bears, space ships and planets, glow-in-the-dark moons with stars, and tie-dye stripes.

Now on to the nightgowns, I found a pink fabric that made me queasy was a small enough pattern for a doll-size nightgown as well as little girl nightgowns. These two sisters love to dress in matching outfits, and their Wellie Wishers dolls want to match too. The nightgown pattern I found was as ruffly as I wanted it to be, but not very simple. Stitch-N-Save 5355, which contained both sizes (6 & 8) that I needed.

The dolls were a bit harder. I finally decided I would have to make the pattern. I have books by Joan Hinds for 18 inch dolls with many patterns. I had read on someone’s blog that printing a pattern for AG doll at 65% yields a pattern for WW dolls. Well, sort of. I finally figured I had better sew a practice one (or two) to get what I wanted. I lengthened the sleeves and bodice pieces and redrew them.

Document – Wellie Wishers nightgown – Created Dec

The link gets you a pdf showing the 3 pattern pieces. I fiddled and fiddled with measurements on the skirt and ruffle. I ended up using 5 by 12 inches for the skirt, but I think it should be a bit more, like 16. I used 2.5 by 18 inches for the ruffle. If you increase the skirt, make the length of the ruffle 1.5 times the length of the skirt for a nice gather. The pattern (from Home Decor for 18-Inch Dolls) gives the directions, including making the bodice fully lined.

Here you can see some of the fabrics I made boys’ pjs from. I decided the bodice was too bulky with 2 layers of flannel, so in the end I lined it with a thin cotton. I also decided the skirt looked too full.

Close enough! My own dolls are not American Girl or Wellie Wishers. The 18-inch dolls are Madame Alexander and the others are Hearts4Hearts, which are similar enough for photography and for trying on the outfits I make.

Now I have to be a sewing machine mechanic, my wonderful Singer 306W needs a timing adjustment and I’m struggling a little bit.

 

Restricted by the landlord, Inspired by my husband

We are renting short-term, and the landlord absolutely forbids anything on the wall. I can’t have shelves that would organize things so well in the sewing room, and I can’t give up a lot of floor space. We have several bookshelves that are doing duty as a pantry because of the shallow (and few) cabinets in the kitchen. I don’t really want to buy more furniture, even used, so a comment by my husband inspired this sewing room makeover. “I could even use boxes as furniture for a while.” So I will.

inspired temporary storage of fabric

I have some plastic bins on the floor with various craft supplies that I can’t seem to live without, but never open the box to access. Anyway, I decided to tape together some of the boxes we have saved for the next big pack-and-move, and use them as fabric storage. All this is supposedly set aside for doll clothing and accessories. I keep going to thrift stores and stumbling onto fantastic sales so I come home with another bag full of tops, tablecloths, and fabric remnants that I just know I can turn into something absolutely cute for a doll.

I stacked the boxes in the corner, and it also inspired me to rearrange most of the rest of the room. I think I can walk through it again. Even though I resent using valuable sewing time to clean, fold, and reorganize, I know I’ll appreciate it the first chance I need something and can immediately put my hands on it.

Thriving on thrift

I’m seriously addicted to thrift stores, and I don’t want a cure.

I found a girl’s pink t-shirt for a quarter. I knew I would repurpose it for doll clothing. I wish I had a before picture, but here is the after:

• one doll’s tank top
• one knit ruffle scarf for dolls
• one knit ruffle scarf for girls
• two knit braided headbands for dolls

Just think what I could have made with a larger t-shirt! I also saved a bit of pink knit fabric to use later, and the sparkly M (for Missouri) to applique on something else.

This past weekend I found these two 18″ dolls at a thrift store, for a combined total of $6.50. I already cleaned the skin of both of them using lens cleaners for glasses. I figured (correctly) the alcohol would rid them of most of the smudges. I need to figure out something to use on the purple marker that wasn’t easily removed. The picture above is an almost-before picture of the dolls. I have to do something about their hair, and I’m going to use the ONE shoe as a pattern for making shoes for dolls.

Making do with what it is

I love thrift store shopping, and crafting. The two go hand in hand, quite often.

I am an elementary reading teacher, and right now I have 50 students. I always put up a small Christmas tree in my classroom, and usually have ornaments on the tree that students can choose to keep.

I found a bag full of small round “gold” rings, and my thought was that they were snap-together frames for a craft project. Knowing there were plenty in the bag for one per student, I bought it. Little did I know, they were actually curtain rings. No snap together parts.

No worries. I got them home, fiddled around a little, and decided there was plenty of gluing surface to cut paper in a circle and glue to the back. I got out my new crafty circle cutter and found 1 5/8″ is the right measurement.

I plan to print a photo of each student to put in the center of 50 of the rings.

I counted out 50, and found at least that many remaining in the bag, so I found some scraps and this is what I did. Simple, cute, and I may revise it at some point.

I had a small scrap of pine tree fabric and it covered the backs of three of the rings. A little bit of ribbon, and it’s a simple ornament. I will probably work up a small tribute on the back saying it’s a gift from Mrs. M.

Three tops and a quilt

No, not quilt tops. Clothing.

First, the quilt. The fireworks quilt is finished and given away.

When I mentioned to my husband that I needed a different fabric for a narrow border, he promptly scrutinized the fireworks fabric and suggested a bright green. I think he was right on with that suggestion, it brings out the brightness in the colors. The mother and father-to-be laughed when they realized I had used fireworks for their July baby.

This top I’m very happy with!

I made it from a thrift store sheet, purchased for $1.25. I have plenty of fabric left over to make something else, like a skirt, or summer pajamas, or incorporate it into baby quilts. I love it when a plan comes together like this!

Two more tops finished, and I’m not as pleased with them, but they will do. The dark floral print below was yardage purchased at a thrift store.

I followed the pattern according to what would be my size, and it ended up far too big to wear. I’ll have to adjust a couple of things.

This plaid fabric was also yardage from a thrift store. The sizing is right, but I think the pattern was a poor choice for me. I may wear it around the house only, or I may grow to love it.

Replace as refashion

I’m feeling more like myself again and had a great thrift store shopping session last Saturday. Among my finds were two tops I could wear to work that were ready to go, no altering needed. Another is too small and there’s nothing I can do about it except get on the exercise bike and lose that weight!

Today’s post is about a repair to one shirt. I fell in love with how simple it was, a v-neck button-down white cotton shirt with lace at the cuffs and hem. When I tried it on to show my husband, he pointed out that some of the lace was coming apart.

Close up of the lace problem

I found a great rose patterned lace in my basket, which was actually a leftover from some curtains I had made about 17 years ago.

I set my serger to do a rolled hem, and I did it successfully, I might add. Sometimes I don’t notice all the steps I need to change on something. I made a rolled hem at the bottom and sides of the lace piece, pinned it right sides together with the shirt without even cutting off the old lace, and simply serged it in place. I let the serger cut off the old.

I stitched over the seam with a narrow zigzag to keep it from flipping and allow it to hang straight. I’m very pleased with the results! I didn’t have enough lace to do the cuffs also, so I just cut off and serged the ends of the sleeves. I’ll figure it out later.

Busy day

With the heat reaching upper 90s and the heat index even higher, I knew I didn’t want to be in the sewing room in the afternoon. It’s upstairs and heat rises, and the upstairs a/c isn’t working at this time. Ugh. Anyway, I decided to get an early start on things.I had two pages of the mystery quilt to work on. Thank goodness there was no cutting this time! I have no idea if all the cutting is finished, or if it’s just a couple of simple steps in a row. One step had me sewing a rectangle to a sashing strip, and the other had me sewing a light/dark combo to a light/dark/sashing strip. I ended up with what looks like a 4-patch with a sashing strip.

Then I decided it was time to alter some clothes. I bought two pair of cotton pants at a thrift store. One was my size but too baggy, and the other was too big and needed more than a little alteration. I’m pleased with how they came out. They are both a gingham check, one is a mossy green and the other is purple, though I’m sure it doesn’t show as purple in the photo. Here are the after pictures, on a hanger.

Later, in the dreaded hot afternoon, I had the brilliant idea to make a business card holder. I wanted something to make it simple for my business cards to be displayed in the toe ring boutique, and if I sew it, it will reflect the kind of work I do. Tutorial follows, and I hope you enjoy!

DAY 23 OF MY 50-DAY CHALLENGE

Thrift store score, and 2 more purses done

The exotic book purse was almost complete yesterday, and I decided I needed a much different strap for it. While my mind was on other things, it occurred to me that a gold chain would be the perfect strap. I could even weave a colorful ribbon through it. Among my errands for this morning would be a stop at the local thrift store to see what I could find.

I should have taken a photo of the store, it’s totally crammed with goods. I pawed through the belts hanging on 6 large nails on the wall, but knew it would be nearly impossible to find the location of the correct belt to pull it out of the mass. I considered taking every belt down so that I could take what I wanted and put the rest back, but I happened to glance downward. Under a rack of pants I saw a tub of belts. I pulled it to a spot out of traffic and pawed through that instead.

I like the webbing belts for straps, and the bonus of two D rings is very helpful. I scored these 4 belts for $2. The chain with the scarf woven through it was just what I imagined.

This is what I had when I quit working yesterday.

This photo shows how well the chain and scarf go with the book cover. I decided to use it as is, and not replace the scarf inside the chain.

In this case, I glued the ends of the scarf to the inside of the spine of the book, then I glued the rest of the book purse over it. After the glue dried, I tied a knot to the end link of the chain using each end of the scarf. I think it’s gorgeous!

Moving on, I wanted to get another book purse complete. I thought the lavender/teal paisly web belt would go great with this book cover:

I can see in my imagination that the purse part needs a great design on the fabric, such as burgers and shakes, or maybe something similar to Steak-N-Shake decor that patrons would immediately recognize. I set it aside to work on another time.

I pulled out the Labrador book. This has been a favorite of mine, and I am finally ready to work on it. I found a few belts that I thought would make great straps for this one, and I decided on the narrowest, tooled leather one. Looked like a leash or collar to me.

The chocolate brown fabric behind makes up the box portion of the purse, and I got so “into” the working of it, that I forgot to take a photo showing the inside cover fabric. It’s a great tan color, rescued from a man’s shirt. Here’s the book purse after concentrated work (and a little bit of sweat!).

Needless to say, these purses will both be listed on Etsy and also for sale at a boutique in Kansas City. I did a great day’s work today!

DAY 22 OF MY 50-DAY CHALLENGE

The Pledge to Refashion

The Pledge

I, Quilt in Progress (Donna), pledge that I shall abstain from the purchase of “new” manufactured items of clothing, for the period of 6 months. I pledge that I shall refashion, renovate, recycle preloved items for myself with my own hands in fabric, yarn or other medium for the term of my contract. I pledge that I will share the love and post a photo of my refashioned, renovoted, recycled, crafted or created item of clothing on the Wardrobe Refashion blog, so that others may share the joy that thy thriftiness brings! Signed Quilt in Progress (Donna)

This will not be difficult, I’ve shopped thrift stores for quite a long time. I did recently purchase some new items (shorts and capris), but only because I couldn’t find adequate things in the thrift stores, and this is not something I want to sew for myself. Since then, of course, I found items in a larger size that I can cut down and use quite satisfactorily. My thrift store shopping began when I was gaining weight and didn’t want to commit to a larger size for myself. I figured if I spent an average of $2 per item, I could have “new” clothing in my “temporary” size. I always intended to lose weight. That “temporary” size has only increased since I’ve been thinking this way, and I lately found out medications had a lot to do with it.

Now, I ‘m on different medications, and as a teacher with the summer off and time on my hands, I have no excuse not to exercise, workout, and lose a bit of this weight. I’m handy with a sewing machine, and I think I can make bigger items of clothing into smaller ones,  no problem.

Sewing fun!

I mentioned sewing domestically yesterday and I had a great time today adding to the pile. After updating my blog, I found myself back in the sewing room and whipping up these great little Swiffer duster handle refills. Today I decided to make more of the duster refills to fit the ubiquitous blue handle, and sell them in my Etsy shop. Thanks to Sew Much Ado for thinking this up and posting the tutorial on her site.

I have a few listed in my Etsy shop and I plan to make even more in as many great colors and styles as I find. The ones pictured above are my own, and sewn from flannel  that was a bed sheet, repurposed. It’s all soft, broken in, and ready to pick up my dust bunnies! Great thing to pick up at the thrift store.

Day 16 of my 50-day challenge.