Pattern Reviews

SD
Pattern Company or Website Name: Affordable Designs
Website URL: http://www.affordabledesigns.ca/
Pattern Name and/or Number: JAPANESE GARMENT SET - PART 1" SUPER DOLLFIE/SUPER DOLLFIE 13 PATTERN
Sewn For: Lovelyhouse ShinE
Alterations: None so far (not entirely finished)
Reccomended
Review: The pattern instructions are written in what I would call nice engrish. Theyre hard to follow and rough, but the designer is more than helpful and willing to send you emails and help you as much as he can (he even sent me some diagrams which were helpful). If you have patience, are an experianced sewer, and can translate engrish - its worth it. Its beautiful so far, so it was worth it. Btw - packaging is beautiful, very nicely presented although kind of pricey due to bad instructions and no supplied diagrams.

 

MSD
Pattern Company or Website Name: McCalls Betsy Mccall doll clothes patterns
Website URL:
Pattern Name and/or Number: M4334 and M4743
Sewn For: Dollmore Asha and MSD sized dolls
Alterations: I need to add a little length when length is an issue, but for skirts and capris, i don't bother
Reccomended
Review: these are easy patterns to try, they come with two sizes, i use the 15 inch size for the MSDs, but who knows what the 8 inch size would fit?
I've made shirts and pants and am going to try the dress soon. i will keep everyone posted. For those of us here in the states, Jo Anns is having a sale next weekend where these patterns will be drastically reduced (read: $15 bucks down to $2)
Thanks for listening.

 

Size: SD 13 boys
Company: Volks
Website: http://www.volks.co.jp/en
Pattern Name: Coat/Shirt/Pants/Cravat for SD 13 boys from Volks Pattern Book 3
Sewn For: SD 13 boy
Alterations: None needed, but see below
Recommended with caveats (see below)

Review:

Overall: This pattern makes a lovely Edwardian-style outfit for SD 13 boys. As with most Japanese patterns, the biggest hurdle is the language barrier. While Volks pattern books have gotten much better about including detailed diagrams, many of the directions are only in writing (Japanese only, of course). I strongly recommend working on these patterns only after you have some experience constructing doll garments, as a basic understanding of how pattern pieces go together helps a great deal.

The photography in the book is great at making the dolls look good, but not very good at showing the details on the clothes.

I made one global alteration: as I was tracing the pattern pieces from the Volks sheets to my Pattern Ease, I added approximately 1mm to all seam allowances, so I could sew them with a 1/4" (6mm) seam allowance, rather than the 5mm they are drafted with. I find that if I simply trace just outside the pattern lines, it adds the extra 1mm I need.

Pants: These are pull on pants designed to be made of stretch material; I made them of a cotton/spandex blend that is so popular right now. The curly line on the pattern pieces shows the direction of stretch. Other than the material being a veritable magnet for cat hair, the pants were constructed very easily. They are a little high-waisted for my taste, but I think that's part of the style of the outfit.

Shirt: If you've constructed a doll shirt before, this is also reasonably straightforward. It has 4 double darts and curved seams which makes it very fitted, so accurate sewing is a must.

Coat: Get out your notes from your tailoring classes, because this one has it all - lots of blind stitching, handsewing linings to seam allowances, all the classic finishes. It gives a beautiful result, but it's a challenge, and again, this pattern is not for the novice.

The coat has 28 pieces, including one piece I never did find on the pattern sheets, the "back belt". A clear diagram is given for how it is to be sewn, and I strongly suspect the measurements for the piece are given in the instructional text since it's just a rectangle, so I just winged it from the diagrams.

I added some interfacing to the lapels and cuffs because the silk I was using as the contrast just didn't have the stiffness I wanted.

I followed the Volks directions to the best of my ability, but should I ever attempt this pattern again, I will probably work out a different method for attaching the lining to the shell. The method in the pattern book works fine and is the classical way, but it involves more handsewing than I think is strictly necessary.

Pictures of the outfit in this thread in the Gallery: http://www.denofangels.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25154

Marcia.

 

MSD
Website: Undead Threads
URL: Undead Threads

Pattern Name: MSD Shirt
Sewn For: Volks SDC
Alterations: none
Reccomended: Highly
Review: Nice easy to follow pattern, cute basic blouse/shirt. The only thing to note is when making the front part, where it says make 2, remember to put two layers right sides together before cutting out. It's been a while since I followed a pattern, and I had two left sides! Otherwise, I hand sewed the first shirt, and while a sewing machine is usually the better choice due to speed, this was quite easy to work by hand.

 

MSD and Serendipity Sharmin
Website Name: Den of Angels – archived patterns
Website URL: http://www.denofangels.com

Pattern Name: MHDress
"Knit Halter Dress for Mini SD
with Matching Arm and Leg Warmers
by Laura Gilkey"

Knitted For: Serendipity Sharmin
Alterations: none needed
Recommended: highly!
Review: This is a fantastically easy and fun project for the beginning/intermediate knitter. The stitches are basic - seed and stockinette. The making and dropping of stitches is straightforward. You will positively need a row counter and two markers. The size 2 needles aren't popular right now, but if you're going to be knitting for a msd-sized doll, you will need them so they will be a good investment. I used an eye & hook closure for a neater look, but there are directions for two crocheted ties. The dress is fitted and looks very nice!

Some photos of the dress, but not the leg and arm warmers are in the Gallery:
http://www.denofangels.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=22886&highlight=halter+dress