Sewing Sewing for Fairyland Minifee

Hello, everyone! I love all of these outfits, some tries are really impressive. I so wish I could sew I only crochet, this is my passion, so I hope to post some pictures of my own designs in here soon But I must say (of course) that Eglantine's works are true masterpieces. I just ADORE the steampunck (clockwork) outfit she made. It's something amazing, not often you see such finesse. I'm charmed!

 

How have I missed this thread? I mostly sew for Minifees, both boys and girls.

Here's a boy outfit including silk dupioni kneelenght trousers (there's also a vest, but Lynn is not wearing it in this photo), a cotton shirt with lace decorations and a corset made of silk dupioni.


A very old regency inspired outfit made of print cotton and silk dupioni.


A corset and mini skirt made of golden silk dupioni.


A rococo inspired outfit made of silk dupioni.

 

You guys have talent!! lovely dolls outfits!!

 

I absolutely love to sew for my dolls, I just have a hard time finding patterns that fit. I used barbie patterns for my yosd and also for MSD. It's a little harder making the pattern bigger than smaller because if you cut too much off you can't put it back on.
I also found that when I purchased from China I had a really hard time printing them off to be the right size to cut out and the instructions were non-existent.
Crocheting clothes seem to be the best bet for me, I can make it fit exactly how I want by trying it on every step of the way.
I really wish I could knit better because I just love how the finished product looks. It isn't as bulky as crocheting and looks more like what I would wear.
I keep trying patterns, one day I will find the perfect pattern that I just love.

 

I tend to make my own patterns. I take the measurements and draw the pattern and then I sew a 'prototype' of the clothes. Sometimes I need to make changes to the prototype sometimes it fits well immediately. Its a bit time consuming but it works for me.

 

Yep, I make my own patterns too (too lazy/impatient to read other people's instructions) - wish I knew more about darts and such though ...

Here's a sweater and dress I made two of my gals out of a pair of socks:

friends by ban sidhe, on Flickr

 

This thread makes me want to sew stuff for my incoming girl. But I have absolutely no idea where to start for patterns. I'm terrible at making my own. And a lot of other people's patterns are just confusing. I'm best at printing patterns and then using those, but I can't find many in MNF size. XD Do you guys know of any?

 

adams harris has some though you have to check each pattern to find out whether it is for minifee or souldoll

 

The corset here started with a pattern by Gracefaerie, but I've altered it so much to fit Minifee that the pieces are barely recognizable as from the same source. The rest of the outfit was done using a technique my mom always laughingly called, "by guess and by golly", meaning that you take a wild stab in the dark and, well whatdaya know, it fits!


Bohemian? by wovenflame, on Flickr

 

Love all the sewing! Wish I could sew this well

 

I've oogled those patterns. I'm afraid they would be too hard for an inexperienced person like me XD Plus, I don't really have $16 to spend on a pattern. I kind of want to try making my own. Especially stuff like cute easy dresses. But I have no idea where to start XD

 

I just find patterns online of what I'm looking for, and just eyeball at drafting them doll sized. Has worked pretty well so far. I'm the first person to say google is your best friend. You can make the best garment out of what you find in google images.

 

Hi! I made Elphy a Halloween costume. They eye mask is a mask, not a blind fold but her eyes are so dark and the lighting isn't the best that it's hard to see. Hopefully I'll get some non rainy day light this weekend to take pictures of her.

 

AnimePudding; I'm absolutely terrible at drawing. So if anything I might have to get my mom or my grandmother to help me make drafts out of stuff. XD But I'll keep it in mind :P

MelancholyWings; Super cute! I love the pattern on the skirt.

 

Hmmm, I made this corset top and boots for a swap

Swap by ban sidhe, on Flickr


MiniFee Boots !!! by ban sidhe, on Flickr

 

I love the boots, how did you make them?

 

You made the boots!? That is so awesome! I love how they came out.

 

After much trial and error, I finally got my pattern right - they are made out of felt

Awww, thanks - I'm pretty happy with them ... here's one of my trial pairs:

snow boots by ban sidhe, on Flickr

 

Fantastic! I LOVE the boots Ban! The corset top is really great too, but those boots! :-)

 

those are great boots ban!

 

Another corset, skirt, hat combo I've done. This time it was for Kristo's Luka, "Rose" as part of a swap arrangement.



I also sewed the detached sleeves and tights.

 

I think that color looks great on her actually!! really nice job : D

 

great combo!

 

those boots are amazing!!! good job!!!!

 

Depending on the bust size I can find sewing so frustating hehe because if the bust size is too big you really hafta work around it. =/ My sewing machine LOVES eating the fabric, so i just need to cut the fabric where the sewing machine sucked it into itself. Maybe I have the tension wrong or maybe my sewing machine just sucks -_-'' Any advice?

 

Yes, if you have a throat plate for your sewing machine that has a small hole instead of a slot, use that. Also use the foot that is meant for straight sewing. It will also have a small hole instead of a slot. Make sure you are using a needle appropriate for your cloth as well. For doll weight fabrics it will likely be a fine one. If it's a knit, then a fine ball point needle. Don't start sewing right at the edge of your fabric if you can help it.

Hope that helps!

 

What a beautiful designs in here! Since I haven't found any crochet threads I'll share one of my earliest projects here. There she is - sweet Auri in my Mint On Ice blouse and necklace I called Tears Of An Angel:

 

I love this thread, there's so many amazing skills... I prefer to only make sweaters, socks and tights so far because it's easy XD I hand sew, though, so it might not look too professional and it takes time, but it's so much fun! I make my own patterns from scratch, it's a real hit and miss sometimes. :3c These are commissioned pieces. I learn so much from sewing these too!


Untitled-3 by Poudrin, on Flickr


Untitled-2 by Poudrin, on Flickr

 

Everything looks so great ^_^ I cant wait to post some things up here, I'll be making my last payment on my girl in a week.

 

Cesia, they look very professional..! *o* The model is a cutie, too.

 

Wah, thank you! That makes me really happy sdjfkgkhg

 

About to embark on a quick shirt dress for my girl, so she has something simple to wear while I get used to posing her ^^

 

Even your trial boots are amazing! Where did you get those tiny grommets?

 

I found this thread today 33
So many nice clothes to minifee.

Here I upload some of mine.

 

they're sold as eyelets in Joanns and Michaels

 

lovely dresses DajmDumle i like all the lettuce hems!

 

Ive tried so many times to sew by hand but it usually fails miserably

 

in awe of the awesome awesomeness that is these clothes 0_0

 

it's nothing special but Amy is quite fond of her new shirt (I've been looking for some MSD sized Kanji for a loooong time!)

company by ban sidhe, on Flickr

 

nice color combos

 

Just an update, I finished that shirt dress awhile ago



And I literally just pulled this one from the sewing machine, so, sorry for lack of eyes

 

Can anyone tell me where I can find some patterns for MNF?

 

Try looking at the patterns by Addams-Harris. The patterns would be sized for Tonner's Ellowyne Wilde but can fit MNF.

 

Do most Ellowyne pattern fit Minifee's? I' looking to make a custom wardrobe for "Beca" (Minifee Mirwen.. Or Luka... Based on the pitch perfect movie!) And I've made a few things so far, but I don't have the doll! I was wondering if anyone here might want to try my patterns and tell me what needs to be fixed?

 

if you're anywhere close to me I'd be willing to try them on my gals and take pics for you ... I've got cutie, small and large busted girls.

 

they work not too bad for stuff that isn't fitted, but if the close need to fit closely you will have to take them in. i've only tried a couple of ellowyne patterns and they were not bad as a starting point but did need adapting (which i always do anyway, but that's easier to do once you actually have the doll) i don't know the movie though, what styles are you thinking of?

 

Ban: Thank you so much! , That would be amazing! I'm in WA, I could mail them... I don't know when I'll actually be able to afford her though, so I may be dreaming/sewing for awhile! Auntbear: Her style is more alternative/punk... Nothing gothy just a lot of dark denim and simple plain tee's... I drafted a jean pattern just based on measurements.. I'm sure it won't work, but it will give me a good start... I used the Liberty Jane free tank and tee pattern for Ellowyne, the tee is actually a good fit for my littlefee, just really long...

 

Standard pattern seam allowance is 5/8 of an inch. You can make the seam allowance smaller than this, sew the seam and then trim the raw edges off to make a seam allowance smaller than the machine can sew. For collars, trace the collar on a double layer of fabric. Do not cut it out. Sew on the seam line, leaving the inner curve unstitch. Now cut the collar out. Be sure to snip the curves to the stitching line, evenly before your turn and press the collar. The closer the the snips are together, the smoother the curve. Hope this helps.

If you are having a problem sewing dresses, etc. by hand, it is best to use straight pins to hold the fabric together. Always pin seams starting at both ends and then pin the middle of the seam and start pinning from either side of the middle. Check to see the seam is laying flat. If you just start pinning from one end, you wil find that you end up with the end of the fabric not meeting. This is because the fabric slips a bit, so always match the ends, then the middle, pin from the middle, check that the seam is flat before sewing. You may remove pins after you have sewn past them. This is also true on a sewing machine.

Lighter weight/thinner denime would work best for small jeans for BJDs.

Absolutely loverly dresses. Great use of French lace..

If you are having trouble sewing by hand, remember to pin the top and bottom layers together as I described above. When you take a stitch be sure to pull the needle down through the fabric and then come up from the bottom for the next stitch. If you push the needle to make two holes at once, and pull, your seam will not be as smooth. There is a fairytale about three sisters competing to sew a shirt for a prince. The sister that used shorter lengths of thread, finished first. Longer lengths of thread tend to twist and knotup. Always, sew the hand seam away from you. You tend to pull too hard if you sew towards yourself. If you have to keep rethreading your needle, take both ends of the thread and knot them together.

One of the best free on line source for patterns is The Bleu Door Portal website. This has patterns from 1905 to 1960 for 10 1/2 inch antique BJD called Bleuette. This doll was given as a subscription promotion to the Catholic Girls' Magazine La Samaine de Suzzette. The newsprint magazine published a pattern for this doll almost every week. These patterns will fit Littlefee, if the waists are adjusted around the waist. To make them fit a 16 inch BJD doll, lengthen the waist by an inch and add an inch or more to the hem. Some of these patterns are very simple, just a rectangle of cloth. Check the 1920s for the simplest styles. Don't be afraid that the directions are in French. Look to the right for the English translation, that you can print out. You can print out the original pattern with the French directions. And it is FREE.

 

To add to jolipat's suggestion of lighter weight/thinner denim, I thought I'd mention that I go to the thrift store (goodwill) and look for mens 'denim' shirts. they are perfect weight for doll jeans, skirts, etc. I do the same for suede and corduroy.

 

sure thing - just PM me

I've done that too - and I also use worn jeans my kids grew out of; they tend to be thinner as well !

 

So my very first girl arrived yesterday. I'll save you the large amount of expletives I shouted upon seeing the box sitting on my coffee table. Instead I'll show you the hoodies I made for her about 4 years ago when I decided so buy a Chloe, about 3 years after I had discovered the hobby in general.



It's the only item of clothing I made for her she'll easily slip into. Probably because it's cold outside. >.>

 

Such cute dresses! I am jealous of your sewing skills!

 

amazing stuff in here

 

So much beautifull minifees clothes here ^^
I love to sew for my mnf girl :3

 

Love seeing all these wonderful outfits and talent Love these outfits too Bykashka, very sophisticated!

 

For a lot of my doll fabrics, I hit thrift stores. Worn, thin t-shirts are perfect for getting nice drapey fabric, sometimes with prints or patterns.
Just discovered this thread!


So far the most ambitious thing I've made for my Minifees is Aithne's prototype green gown. I am not very comfortable yet with knit fabrics so it warps a little off to the side. Next attempt will involve a fabric stabilizer, I think.
Anybody got their own tips for handling knits? I'm used to woven fabrics only, coming from a medieval sewing background.

 

BykaShka,

Beautiful outfit. Her hairstyle is perfect with her hat. Like the necklaces also.

 

made another sheerling - these are SUCH a PITB even though they look so simple *pulls out hair*
sheerling by ban sidhe, on Flickr

 

I'm a sucker for fairyland dolls and this is uber cute! Lovely job

 

sometimes the simple looking things can be the hardest, but it looks really good