Tea with Dolly

Don't faint.

It really is me.  I have not fallen off the face of the earth, yet.

I have really enjoyed being unplugged for awhile.

I may, or may not, share some of my thoughts on that at a later date.

I may, or may not, stay plugged in after sharing this post.

Time will tell.

In the meantime, I wanted to share a little something I whipped up in my sewing room today!

For the past few years, I have made and donated a doll garment to an auction raising funds for a hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.

Here is this year's contribution.

This was not my original plan.

Funny how often that happens, isn't it?

I decided to try and be a little more trendy than usual, and began making something completely different.

Then, frustration set in.

The pattern directions were lacking.  I could tell the garment might not fit.  While it was meant to slip over the doll's head, little impatient fingers might have a difficult time.  My larger, and supposedly more patient, adult fingers were already having problems with it.

So, I turned to a beloved tried and true pattern -- a doll sized version of Children's Corner Mary De.

I also turned to one of my favorite fabrics, pinwale pique, for the bodice.

Adding lace and Swiss embroideries only made it better!

I was a happy camper, and the sewing machine was humming again!

The skirt is Garden Pindot in Azure by Michael Miller.

Embroidery floss is woven through the entredeux borders of the Swiss embroidery insert.  It is further embellished with Spanish lace edging on either side.

Spanish lace is a little heavier than the French laces often used in heirloom sewing.  I felt these were a better choice for a slightly more casual dress, and sturdier for a little girl's play time.

I decided it needed a little fun punch of color, and added lime green microcheck gingham piping at the waistline.

There are also three folded tucks at the hemline, to add one more finishing touch!

One of the sweet features of Mary De, is the wrap back closing.

The dress opens completely down the back, hopefully making it easy for little fingers to dress dolly.

Two fun flower shaped buttons close the back.

Her stylish bonnet began as a plain, and rather rough looking, straw hat purchased at a local hobby store.  I dug through my box of trims, finding a lime green ruffled trim that echoed the color of the dress's waistline piping.  I also discovered a floral ribbon garland, with tiny pearls decorating each flower's center.

Of course, we know everything is better with a bow, too!

This adorable miniature tea is the final part of my donation.

I used to sell these in my store, and still have a few left.

It makes me happy to know some little (or big!) girl will enjoy sharing tea with her dolly.

I made two little cloth napkins, using one of the decorative stitches on my machine to finish the edges.

It was good to be sewing again, and especially for a worthy cause.

Thanks for visiting!

Maybe it won't be as long before I have something else to share.

Have a wonderful week!

It Started with Bunny Slippers

These bunny slippers!

Aren't they uber cute?

They even have fluffy bunny tails!

How could I resist?

You may remember that last year, I made and donated a nightgown and little outfit to be used in a hospital fundraiser.  This year, I volunteered again to make something.

I just happened to spy these sweet slippers shortly afterwards, and decided they would become a part of my donation.  My original thought was a pair of pajamas and matching robe.

Now, comes the part when I have to admit to procrastinating, not finding a suitable pattern, and a deadline quickly approaching!

So, I turned to the trusty pattern used for last year's nightie.

Inspired by the Old Fashioned Baby Retreat slip dress that I am still working on, I incorporated many of those design details.

I omitted the sleeves from the pattern and added Swiss insertion and French lace edging to the bodice.

At the seamline of the skirt and bodice, I used large entredeux beading that I borrowed from a well aged and unfinished class project kit.  This nightgown needed to be completed, and I knew that class project would most likely remain in the basket of UFO's for a very long time.

Sweet pink and white gingham ribbon was threaded through the entredeux and tied in a bow --

because we all know a bow makes everything better!

While bows and long ties might not be a wise choice on a nightie for a real live little doll, I figured this dolly was not likely to encounter any harm.

The hem is finished with folded tucks and Swiss edging.

Last, but definitely not least . . .

bunny slippers!

Wooly bunny slippers may not be the normal choice for a delicate summer nightgown.

Let's just overlook that small detail, okey dokey?

Hoppy Monday!

Nighty Night!

As mentioned in a previous post, I am making a few doll garments for an upcoming fundraiser.

After modeling all her gorgeous outfits contributed by other seamstresses, I figured the dolly might be ready for a good night's sleep!

So, I made a little nightgown out of a pretty floral lawn.

The sleeves and hem are trimmed with snippets of Swiss Edging from my overflowing stash drawer!

I used an out-of-print Simplicity pattern, also found in the depths of a sewing room drawer.

The pattern shows gathered lace at the neckline.  I was afraid the lace might suffer greatly with time and play.  Also, the type of edging I selected for the sleeves and hem is not suitable for gathering.

Instead, I decided to use a coordinating microcheck and bind the neck.  I also added microcheck piping to the skirt and bodice seamline to tie it all together.

And here is where I have a hopefully helpful hint!

I often make my own piping, as I love to use the same fabric elsewhere in the garment -- just like the neck binding and piping on this little dolly sized garment.  When not making my own piping, I do enjoy using Susie's Ready to Sew piping. 

This time, I did not have any of the light blue microcheck gingham fabric on hand to cut my own bias for the piping or neck binding.

Not to worry!

I used Susie's piping in Light Blue Gingham.

I pulled out my trusty seam ripper which, truthfully, is never too far from reach.

I picked out the stitches on a small length of the ready made piping, and removed the piping cord.

I then pressed it flat and had a piece of bias for the neck binding that perfectly matched the piping at the skirt/bodice seamline!

Normally, I strive for teeny tiny bindings at the neck, sleeves or other areas.  However, this time, I wanted the contrasting microcheck to be more of an accent or design feature.  It was taking the place of the gathered lace or a collar.  So, I made it a teensy bit wider than usual.  Overall, I think it helped to add a little something extra and was balanced by the longer length of the nightgown.

And please pardon my dolly's bed hair!  It is not that she has actually slept in this little nightgown.  I rescued this Samantha American Girl doll from a bin in a thrift store.  Her hair was even worse before a few sessions with the proper type of brush and a few mistings with a detangler.  We still need to have a few more beauty parlor sessions, but she was anxious to model her new nightgown for you -- and I was anxious to get the little nightgown sent on its way to the join the rest of the wardrobe being raffled!

I am participaing in Sew and Tell.

Hop on over to view other sewing projects completed this week!

Playing Dolls

As a favor for a friend, I am stitching some doll clothes.

They will be part of a raffle to raise money for a hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

A very worthy cause, in my opinion.

This was a quick casual ensemble that I whipped up in just a couple of hours! 

I love that the skirt is called Easy-Peasy. 

It really is!

I used dotted swiss for the little peasant top, and added a small bow

at the neck.

For the skirt, I used two early Amy Butler prints from my personal stash, accented with

hot pink baby rick rack.

The pattern is ModKid's Mini Nina, a dolly-sized interpretation of Patty Young's

child-size Nina pattern.

The Mini Nina may be found here.

I have a few more doll duds in the making.

They are such fun!