Wearables Sewing Project: Basics [ Round 145 ]

And, once again, I really SHOULD join in, but - we'll see.

Teddy

 

I'm in!

I will be continuing the project I worked on last month.
I have two mature tiny Asleep Eidolon dolls named Ting (Kiir) and Konstantin (Cordelia) who has only been with me for about a month and a half and they still need a lot of stuff.
This is where they are at right now:

Some of what they are wearing was made last round, some before that and some of the things are borrowed from other dolls and needs replacing.

The highest priorities are for Ting:
Socks and possibly shoes.
For Konstantin:
Waistcoat, socks and shoes.

Bonuses:
Wigs for both, some kind of jacket or outerwear for both, new and improved bodice for Ting, New and improved pants for Konstantin.

I may or may not follow these lists... I have sort of already started on wigs for both of them, but i don't know if they will be usable or not, since I'm not much of a wig maker.

@Teddy I'd love it if you joined, your projects are always a joy to see!

 

I have a 26cm mature tiny Asleep Eidolon, Ding Dang sculpt, I've been calling her Bee. She's pretty new and doesn't have any clothes! Or hair! Or anything! And also I need to finish her face up lol.
I'm still getting to know her, but I'm hoping to make her some pretty basic basics this month. T-shirt, leggings? shorts?, socks, uhh not totally sure what else, if anything.
I have some life stuff I need to prioritize the first part of the month, but really hoping to get Bee set up.

 

@Vivianne Oh, how fun! Ding Dang is super cute.

 

I'm planning to join in this round! Quite a few of my dolls need additions to their wardrobes.

 

I'd like to join this round, but I'm not really sure what to make.

I think the project that matches the theme the closest would be the recreation of the Volks DD default slip dress I wanted to make. I've been keeping tabs on Mandarake for one to pop up but I haven't seen one available, so I've been wanting to make my own version.

I have some discount bin satin for it, but it's so slippery and frays like crazy, so that's why I haven't tried to make it yet.

The garment itself should be easy to make, but I hate working with shifty, slippery fabric. My machine can't do anything other than a straight stitch, so I don't really have any edge locking / anti-fray options either unless I try to hand-sew the edges of seams, but I don't know if those kinds of stitches can be done by hand.

 

You could try a french seam. That only requires a straight stitch.

Or, if working by hand a whip stitch would probably work. If it's extremely fray prone a super narrow rolled hem can work to seal seam allowances.

 

OKAY! We're coming in hot this round. Goal: Undergarments, shirt, and pants for my Halfling bard, Trym (Minifee Alan on a POPO 30cm body). Stretch goal: boots and doublet.

Spoiler: The lady in question, spoilered because she has no clothing yet

I've had this planned since long before I got her on her current body, so I've got all my supplies and whatnot just waiting for me to adjust the patterns to her new body.

The underwear will be the top of the fantasy overdress and the close-fit bloomers for Littlefee available for free on Ithilear.com. (A ton of free fantasy patterns there, many with tutorials; highly recommend!)
The shirt pattern will be modified from the SID-sized poet shirt also from Ithilear.
The pants will be modified from my own pattern I've made free for sharing here (not in its original scale, but with instructions for sizing it to any doll).
The doublet will be modified from the EID Shakespearean doublet by PamSDminiCostuming on Etsy.
The boots... I don't have patterns for. I suspect I'll end up looking at like 20 human-sized patterns for Renaissance footwear and free-handing my own for her measurements whenever I get that far, be it this month or some other time.

 

Oh wow, what a fascinating combination doll, she's awesome!!! Looking forward to seeing what you make!

 

You beat me to it , this is exactly what I was goign to say.

Great concept!

Teddy

 

I might suggest tracing your pieces onto the fabric, then applying fray check or a thin glue along the cut lines to help with fraying before you cut it out and have to sew it. If it's a polyester based fabric, you can also cut it with a heat tool like a soldering iron, wood burner, or similar that melts the fibers as you cut to prevent fraying while working with it.
There are hand sewing overlock stitches, though the easiest is probably a blanket stitch. I'd second the suggestion of French seams if sealing edges before sewing isn't an option for you though.

 

I've got a new baby incoming! I just got confirmation from Dollyteria that everything in my order was still in stock and being assembled into a parcel for delivery! Very exciting, as that gives me something to work on this round. I had considered rolling over my progress from last round too, but I wasn't super enthused about that idea, haha, and now I've got a new fashion victim to welcome into the fold (haha, fold) coming soon! So I think my plan will be finishing the vest work-up to pass the time until new kiddo gets here, but then I'll have an adorable Bambicrony Kumi to sew some basics for! Once she arrives I'll share a pic of her. I'm hoping a welcome-home project will help me decide on what to name her.

 

Okay! I have no idea what I am going to do this round! I do know that I am horrible about neglecting my girls wardrobes. They have maybe one dress each, that I messed up on and 'fixed'. Alice can't stay in the maternity dress after the twins are born, and Ophelia is wearing an outfit from Walmart's 'My Life As' dolls. Not to mention in a couple months I will preorder 'Angel of Dream - Zixi' and she will also need clothes. Ah, why do I feel so uninspired with the girl dolls? Either way I need three basic outfits for them.

What do you all think? Shirts? Skirts? Shorts? Dresses?

It's going to be everyday basics, so maybe two shirts a long and short sleeve, shorts, and a skirts, and maybe a colour scheme for each??? I really don't know how to dress the girls as well as I do the boys! lol

Anyway here is two of the three, because I am still planning on number three... I'm just going to use some of the material I have laying around. I have tons of it that I need to use up.

IMG_9266 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

 

I'd say fitted t-shirts, socks and underwear. Anything that can be "the rest" of the outfit if you get hit with the inspiration for a more elaborate main piece (shorts, skirt, dress etc.) later.
Things like that are easy to make and can always be mixed and matched with other items later. It is a good way to pad out a wardrobe quickly. And if your girls are similar in size it's a good way to experiment with color schemes as well, as the chance that it will work for at least one of them is reasonably big.

 

Hmm, maybe a mix of a couple of shirts and a couple of bottoms that can be interchanged, that way it feels like they have more options?

 

I’d love to try and make another dress and apron like I did for my Imda Natassa a few rounds back. I want to make an apron the same way but I’m not sure I can copy my own from scratch sewing.

The dress I’d like to turn out pretty, not sure what I’ll come up with for that. I’d also like to make pantaloons and something for her head and stocking as well.

I will be sewing for my Volks Shiratori.





Here’s my inspiration for the apron.

 

Exciting - have fun working up their basics!

I'd say mix-and-match separates like shorts T-shirts, skirts, socks... especially if they're similar sized enough to share clothes.

Sounds like a good plan to aim for.

What I really need to do, if I find the time to join in thisround, is make a dress for Lula, my Magikademia Taliea, who has been in borrowed clothes since i got her last year.


She needs something that looks "designer" and at least two sizes too small for her. I have some stretchy orage fabric that sheds glitter if you even look at it, which earmarked for an over-tight mini-dress fr her, but have yet to make a start on it. Finding shoes for her is difficult as she has feet the same length as your average SD sized doll, but MUCH wider. She's a perfect fit for American Girl Doll shoes but her character demands OTT "designer" shoes, not little-girl shoes.

Teddy

 

I love her, what a unique doll to have and sew for! I’m happy to see you join in, glad you have the time to have fun and sew since you’ve been so busy lately. I’m looking forward to your progress!

 

I made three piles of material for the clothing. I'm thinking plaids and neutrals for Ophelia, Pastels and pinks for Alice, and shades of gold and brown for Emily, who I don't even own yet, but want to advance make her ward robe.

IMG_9267 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

@Lillith This is great, I'll make then some thinner t-shirts and some bloomers to go under their shirts
.
@quilleth Making them colour coordinated pieces is a great idea! I'll do at least two shirts each, a skirt and some long shorts, maybe sort shorts as well, and I really want to do each of them a jacket. I'm feeling more ambitious about this.

@mydaffer Oh, I love the inspiration apron that you put up. The material that you put out for the new one is very pretty!

@Teddy Thank you! I'll do the mix and match for them, poor girls really need clothes. - I love your girl! Lula is adorable! I'm sure she will be happy to get her own clothing!! I noticed that my Alice has slightly larger then SD feet. She is currents wearing MaryJanes that are older type dress up doll shoes. I found them online, they also fit my SD boys (The ones with 8.2cm feet) They are wider then the standard SD shoe but not as wide as American Girl. You might want to check different kinds of doll shoes for her feet, closer to something that would fit a porcelain doll as they have wider feet.

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's projects!

 

IUt's still depemndent o n my finding the time to join in, but thanks.

Thanks - I hace many types of doll (and therefore doll shoes) in my collection, and already know the ones that will fit. The problem is that Lula needs improbably impractical platforms and other high-heel designer/catwalk type styles of shoes, rather than flat-footed "dolly" type shoes. I can get shoes that fit but none of them are of the right type/style.

Teddy

 

@mydaffer She's cute! That apron pinafore dress looks like it's be really sweet!

@Teddy She's so unique looking, and her style sounds like a lot of fun!

For this round, I'm going to work on finishing up Vanora's top and testing it in the different material I cut out right before the end of the last round, but my main project for this round is going to be making the outfit for her friend, Faolán. (i don't have a separate image for his outfit that doesn't also include hers xD)

It's thankfully pretty simple in terms of silhouette, and it's meant to be purposefully looser/ oversized, which will be good, because I'm not sure if I'm going to order a different body for him than what I currently have or not >< I think the most complicated part is going to be weaving his belt, which I have a little rigid heddle kit on the way for. I thought about doing fingerloop braiding for it, but it wouldn't have the right look I think.

 

Tucking that lil snippet of wisdom about shoes away for my roomie who has one of these amazing girls. I'm very excited to see what you make for her, she's gonna look amazing!

 

@Teddy Wow she is so pretty ! I didn't know this sculpt.

Can't wait to see everyone projects again. =) I'm not sure to participate again, my health is still bad these days. v_v

 

I'm not familiar with most of these stitches/techniques (other than blanket stitch) but I'll look them up and try some of these options on a piece of the fabric and see what works best. Thanks for all the recs! Hopefully one of them can tame the absolute fray-monster of a fabric that it is.

 

I didn't know about it until I saw them on the maker's stand at the nu kBJD convention. I circled back a LOT to lok at the display and ended up strting a layaway befoe leaving the event.

Her style - well... That's down to an author called Janet Evanovich. Lula is based on a charachter in the Stephanie Plum mysteries.

Thanks, Although I do also plan on making her a belly-dance outfit at some point, just because.

Nice. Tunic and trousers. I like the belt detail.

They're useful techniques to have in your arsenal. I'm particularly fond of Fench Seams, as they are so neat.

Teddy

 

OMG, you’re doing Lula! I really look forward to seeing how you put her together!

 

How could I not, when presented with such a doll...?

Teddy

 

I always look forward to what you make during these themes! Love the dolls you’re sewing for.

A new doll to sew for is very exciting! Hope they get here quickly!

Love your material choices! Best part of starting a project for me is picking the material!

Briana is such a pretty doll to sew for, she’s Peakswood?

Looking forward to your sewing project!

 

I've been super stressed by life so I am drifting back to my hobbies. I am hoping to sew something, probably a simple dress. I have fabric and printed patterns, so I'll see.

 

Been an up and down sort of few days, life stuff. Having this to do has been a good way to turn my brain off and just exist calmly for a bit. The vest is fully assembled and the sleeves hemmed. I'm now pinning bias tape for a decorative finish around the raw edge. Wish me luck and patience tucking, pinning, and hand sewing these tiny corners... I think it'll turn out very worth it in the end, at least.
Round 145, plaid set continued! Vest by Jules B, on Flickr

 

Although opposite of your issue, I told my husband this morning over coffee that my brain was still in bed and not awake yet, I feel for you!

You got this, the outfit is lovely and the vest looks great so far, it will definitely be worth the efforts in the end!

 

I got everything ironed and cut out. The pinking shears gave me a blister. One of the jackets I am making is soft and fuzzy so I took a strip of the material and wrapped it around the handle. Hopefully that will save my hand next time. I don't know if it's just my pair of pinking shears or if they are all like this, but they can be difficult to open and close sometimes. I don't know if I am going to try sewing today. I need a bit of a break after all that cutting. I am mostly excited for Emily's jacket, I am using different materials and textures for it with this piece of fabric as the back piece that looks like graffiti.

IMG_9270 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

I am super excited to see this the material is awesome! I love Jade, I have the tiny YOSD version of her. Mine has sharp little teeth. I hope yours gets to you soon so we can see her in the new outfit!

I love the drawing. Are these D&D inspired characters. Asking because I'm a nerd. lol. I'm looking forward to seeing them together in their new outfits.

I had a lot of fun going though my pile of material and scraps. I got to use up a lot of stuff that I picked up from a second hand store, as well as using some old clothing that family members didn't want anymore. It's nice to watch my fabric pile go down a bit. Although I still have a lot of fabric laying around. I don't know why I keep buying more.

It already looks awesome. Those delicate stitches can be so hard to do. You got this!! Good Luck! I know you can do it!

 

Spring loaded pinking shears!
I don't have any pinking shears yet, but they're on my list - spring loaded ones specifically.
I have a condition that gives me joint issues and my hand therapist introduced me to spring loaded scissors. They are a total game changer for me.

 

That’s common I believe with them hurting fingers and being stiff as well. I found an almost new pair that are smaller then the normal ones and they are perfect for doll clothes.

 

I've gotten a couple of things done, but one of my pics is bugging and refuses to show properly.

For now, I can at least show the strawberry bag I made today!



Wisteria was less than excited about modelling, but she worked well for a size example.

 

That’s awesome, I love it and it does look perfectly like a strawberry, reminds me of “back in the good O’l days,” strawberry shortcake everything! ❤️

 

@RabbidBunnies what a smorgasbord of fabric!! The girlies are gonna be dressed to the nines

@kaschan502 omg I ADORE that bag, I love your use of ric-rac for a decorative strap! Total genius!

And I went ahead and finished the pinning, even remembered to make sure the tucked corners face the same directions as their opposites lmao. Pic turned out crusty, but it does the job

Round 145 Vest pinning by Jules B, on Flickr

 

@Teddy What a fabulous doll! I can't wait to see what you make for her. She sounds like one of those loud and colorful and fun people that it's impossible to be bored around. I have a few friends like that.
Would making shoes for her be an option, or it it too much work to be worth it?

@RabbidBunnies That's a great collection of fabrics, that bunny fabric is adorable! Working with different color palettes sounds like a good way to approach it. And you got all that cut out already, this has potential to be an epic project. Your girls are going to look great!

@PoeticSoul That's such a sweet design, it going to look so pretty.

@Mamo You are making good progress. That vest is going to be so neat.

@kaschan502 That strawberry bag is adorable.

For my own project, progress is slow.
I thought I had a good fabric for Konstantin's waistcoat, but the stripes turned out to be a little bit too wide on him, so I'll have to rethink that. I believe I have other candidates it the stash, but I'll have to go dig for them.
I have also been working on wigs for them, but no pictures yet.

 

Yes! Vanora is my water genasi barbarian and Faolán is her childhood best friend, who she's looking for in game after he mysteriously disappeared, and she seems to be the only one who remembers him. Technically he's an NPC and I share custody of him with our DM, because I came up with some basic things for him and left a lot of his backstory up to her, so i joke that I just get visitation rights whenever he comes up in game I had to have a doll version of him too, though, or my girl would be lonely

Also, that is a lot of fabric to pink! i hope you were able to give your hands a rest!

@kaschan502 That bag is adorable!!

@Mamo That looks so nice! And the color matches perfectly!

@Lillith Fabric issues are frustrating :/ I hope you find something that you like that will work for him!

For my progress, I haven't done any sewing, but did make Vanora's charm bracelet, and the loom for making Faolán's belt arrived yesterday, so I'm going to try setting something up and playing with it this week. It's technically sold as being for bracelets, and the kit should make one roughly 8 inches long, which is around the right size to go around his waist once, but I want to double it, so I'll need to figure out exactly how long I need to make the warp threads based on that and the directions it includes, and hope I have enough of the thread colors I want to use. Sadly most of my embroidery thread I wound on spools well after I bought it and I didn't write down all the numbers for them to be able to rebuy them if i need to ><

 

Ohh, I think I am going to jump in for this round. I just got my new girl in last week and she does not fit in any bottoms I have on hand. Thankfully I have a dress that works for now.

She's a Harucasting Ade and if I have time maybe I throw in some shorts for this boy as well who is a Harucasting Lime.
Its will be a good way to get to know their style.

I have some fabric on hand but I will have to make some patterns and get some inspiration going.

 

My goodness - what a lot ofo posts since I last checked in here. Glad to see we have alot of activity on this thread and the creativity is flowing.

Teddy

 

Well, I've wrapped up my catch-up work! The outfit I began last round inspired by clothes worn by some childhood dolls I had is officially finished. There were a few mistakes along the way doing the trim, but nothing too visible really I don't think. Once I got her all dressed I took her outside for some quick photos!

Leaf and Lady by Jules B, on Flickr

I really like how they turned out, so I'm seriously considering making a gallery thread for them.

New-to-me dolly is chugging along through the mail, made it through customs and tracking hasn't updated since then for about a day. For me that usually means it'll likely turn up an update tomorrow morning that says 'out for delivery,' but I'll be at work all day so I'm really hoping someone will be home to sign for the package. They know to be on the lookout, but it'll depend on when the delivery is made. Or, if she doesn't pop up tomorrow, I've got my weekend on Wednesday and Thursday and I'll be home to meet her! I think I might try my hand at some overalls for her part of this basics round, it's been aaaaages since I did some and I suspect they'd turn out better now, lol. I'm also thinking about names. Estella? Fern? Something else entirely? We'll see when she gets here!

 

Well done - it looks LOVELY! The contrast of the bias trim really makes the outfit pop.

Have fun getting to kow the new girl when she arrives

Teddy

 

@Mamo That turned out so good. She is adorable in her new outfit.
Good luck with your new doll, let's hope she arrives quickly and safely.

 

She looks beautiful!!! I love her outfit! The trim is spot on. I hope hope you new doll gets home to you soon. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures of her.

 

@Teddy thank you! I agree, the trim really adds something!
@Lillith thank you! Best thing I've made in a while I think!
@RabbidBunnies haha I really lucked out with the trim, just perfect right off the shelf!
@PoeticSoul I'm really happy with how the trim turned out, it's a liiiittle bit of sophistication and structure to break up the busy print!

I had to do a prison break this morning from post office package jail, because they just left a notice in the mailbox and didn't come to the door to even attempt a delivery yesterday. I know firsthand how the federal cuts are hitting frontline services hard here in the US so I'm sure they're drowning in workload. She is SO stinkin' cute, home safe and sound. I decided I do like the name Fern for her, it's perfect and she's ready for adventure! But first, overalls! To start, I'm bringing back the Unfortunate Fish Flower Fabric from round 139 because I like the scale of the pattern better on this smaller doll, and because I like to dress my tinies in comfy-looking play clothes (or play pretend dress-up!) for everyday wear. Today's plan is to enjoy her company a little, then get to work on patterns!

Round 145 Basics, Fern overalls! by Jules B, on Flickr

I'm really glad I worked on the vest rather than use a stand-in model, as the model I had in mind turned out to be WAY bigger proportionally. I had forgotten that Bambicrony kiddos run small for yo-SD size, rather than large like most do these days. NONE of these kids would have been a good model, hoo boy. But the size comparison turned into something more like a summer camp group photo!

Spoiler: Disaster averted

Tinies group photo! by Jules B, on Flickr

 

She is so cute!!! I love the whole tiny group below. The little children are all so cute. I like the fish fabric, the overalls are going to look great. I love making play clothes for the little kid dolls.

 

@Mamo Congratulations to your new arrival. Fern suits her.

 

@Mamo She's cute, and that group pic is adorable!

 

@Mamo The outfit you finished looks awesome. Your girl looks so lovely in it. Congrats on your new arrival as well. She is super cute. I agree that fabric fits her scaling.

I did some inspiration looking for my girl and I am think I am going to go with an outfit style like my inspiration board below.
I started with making a skirt pattern last night that still needs some more tweaking but the first draft is a good start.
The skirt fabric will be a corduroy I have on hand. I have a couple to choose from but I am leaning toward a red with white/tan flowers on it.

 

Yay!

Have fun sewing for her.

I see what you mean about the group shot, and they have a good variety of sizes between them all. I just have Petite Ai and LittleFees who are notica bly different in size, but no others of that scale.

Sounds very pretty.

Teddy

 

So, I've finally decided on fabric for Konstantin's waist coat and I've finished the pattern.

This should be a quick and easy one, but we all know how that tend to turn out.

I've also picked out materials for a new and improved bodice for Ting. This time I'll do a bit of embroidery to give a nod to the decorative ribbons usually used on the original garments I am inspired by. I have every intention of keeping this simple, but again, we all know...

 

I’ve been sick for a few days and this thread has exploded with projects and updates, what an exciting round this is.

I felt a bit better today so I attempted to work on my apron that’s supposed to be like my inspiration photo, well, I failed that LoL but I’m not done as I have a few things to add to it. Also, since my theme is blue, I dyed it blue. That material is the worst fraying material so it was extremely hard to even make an apron at all. I’m happy with the out come though considering that.

I’m having a hard time keep up this round, with posts and sewing, my apologies.

 

@Lillith I look forward to seeing how your embroidery comes out. I feel like that would take more patience than I have.

@mydaffer I really like that blue. Sorry about it fraying so much. That sounds so frustrating.

@Teddy Thank you you can see it in my photo below.

I drafted a skirt pattern this week and tried it with the fabric. Happy to share it worked out. I made a mistake with keeping the seem around the pockets the same width on the both pockets but it's not really noticeable at a quick glace so I am going to let it be for now. Next onto the top...

 

I don't know, it's not that different from your inspiration picture, and I like the cute little ruffle detail at the waist.

No need to appologise. Some of us (like me) haven't even made a start. Sorry to hear you haven't been well.

That is a really sweet fabric - it works well for the skirt.

Teddy

 

No need to apologize, just post when you feel up to it, that's what I do and no one ever complained. These rounds are just for fun, after all, they are not meant to be a chore.

I think the apron is adorable. Too bad about the fraying, if you haven't lost too many threads, perhaps you can fix it after the fact, like with a tiny bit of fray check and then trim the frayed edges, or something? Or maybe just cover it up with a bit of lace, or ribbon or something and pretend it was meant to be like that all from the start. We won't tell anyone.

My current plan is to do two tiny rows of chain stitches around the edges, so it shouldn't take too much time, but we'll see. I'm not best known for my ability to stick to simple plans, they tend to grow complicated on me if I let them.

Your skirt looks great!

My own status update:
I've cut and sewn Kontantin's waistcoat and am currently working on the button holes. I should be able to easily finish it today unless too many other things get in the way and eat up my limited energy supply.
I've made a pact with myself that I can't start the embroidery for Ting until the waistcoat is finished and the left over fabrics are put away.

And, not sewing but, I've mostly finished a wig for Konstantin (it can still use some more trimming and styling, but it's close enough) and a pair of glasses. So he is starting to look like what I envisioned. Pictures as soon as the waistcoat is done.