Girl's Velvet Swing Dress

Every year I make L something for her birthday. This is actually last year's dress, but before it gets jumped in line by this years garment, I'm carving out some space for it here. This is a modified School Bus T-shirt by Oliver + S. These patterns are a sure thing for fit, and a basic t-shirt pattern can be turned into just about anything. I made it a size bigger than she needed to extend the wear. She wore it to the school Christmas party this year and it still fits great. 

I used the long sleeve option and created an A-line dress by lengthening. and widening the body of the shirt from the underarm seam down to the hem. I measured from L's shoulder to determine how long I wanted the dress to be. It's a little trial and error, but a safe bet as far as rogue sewing goes.

Of course, I made one for Maxine too (#madeformaxine). I used scraps of the valor for the dress, cut up an old pair of L's tights to make Maxine a pair, and used felt to make little bowed slip-on shoes and hair bows. I suspect this will be Maxine's last new outfit, L still plays with her, but she is less popular than she's been in the past (still holding out hope that she'll get a second life with another generation ;). I've really loved sewing for this doll, more than I would have expected. Doll sewing seems so fussy, and tiny, but the abstract nature of Waldorf dolls has given both of us the opportunity to be creative with her style. I also love saving a little piece of fabric from each thing I make for L that will never be outgrown. 

Dress Pattern: Modified School Bus T-Shirt by Oliver + S

Dress Fabric: Crushed Velvet

Doll Dress Pattern: Self-drafted

Doll Dress Fabric: Crushed Velvet Scraps

Sewing for Dolly : A handmade wardrobe for a Waldorf doll.

One week until Christmas and I've still got two stocking to finish, cookies to bake, and a skirt to make myself for Christmas Eve. With the Christmas insanity deadline looming, and a mid-December birthday to sprinkle magic all over, it seemed like a good idea to document every single article of doll clothing I've made in the last year. Documenting old projects is a great use of limited time (smiley face with crazy eyes)!

This is Dolly. Since Dolly moved in with us last Christmas L and I have been working on her wardrobe, making Dolly outfits out of the scraps of L's dresses. Nothing against the more popular doll collection that many little girls will have under their tree this year, but I prefer this doll for now because she is easier to take care of. Her yarn hair doesn't tangle easily, and she's easily dressed because her firmly stuffed limbs still bend. I also appreciate that she doesn't come with a ready-made narrative and props (or a glossy catalogue to aid my kid in developing her shopping habit). L and I like to make things, with this doll as our muse we can make her whatever we want. This simple doll fits our family, and is the perfect project for scrap fabrics. L cuts holes in them, scotch tapes them, or ties them in knots to make a constantly shifting wardrobe for Dolly, and I sew little things out of whatever is left. Here is a recap of my contribution to Dolly's handmade wardrobe inspired by the clothes I make for L. 

The one and only quilt I've ever made. The chambray is from L's second Long Summer Sundress. The pillow has a different colorway on each side. The purple colorway is from the first dress I ever made for L. Both quilt and pillow were made to fit the doll bed J made her a few years ago. 

Left: Coat made with scraps from the 2014 Halloween Kitty. The scarf and beret is improvised with Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Worsted in Papaya. Right: This the most recent make. The top is based on the quilted heart Cocoon Dress, and leggings fabric is from a raglan dress. The boots are red pleather from L's cowgirl costume, and are the closest copy I could make of L's red boots with materials I had on hand. The outfit took an hour and a half to make the boots took days. More detailed photos of this outfit are in my Kollabora post.

Left: Based on the self-drafted rainbow ruffle dress, and a sweater that I haven't blogged. Right: Based on a Ice Cream Dress and leggings.

Left: A doll sized version of the first Long Summer Sundress. Right: A tunic made with scraps of some capri pants, and pieces from her leggings.

With all of these pretty things to wear you will still find her most often naked with crazy things in her hair.