Wearables Sewing Project: Basics [ Round 145 ]

Tadaa!

 

This is very cute! He looks adorable!!

 

I hope it’s okay I’m a bit late to the party. I did have my pattern almost entirely worked out last week, but forgot to post till I saw it on my sewing table tonight.

Anyway~ here she is. Macha is the sculpt, made by Volks and I named her…Macha. Super creative naming, I know. To me basics screams blouses, under things and accessories like socks. Since I don’t have any short sleeve blouses for her yet, I’ve decided to make one, and matching socks of course. It’s getting hot where I live, so that long sleeve blouse she came with won’t cut it for long. For inspiration I looked at a lot of MA*RS and Liz Lisa branded items; my design is mostly based on the two blouses pictured below. I ended up spending way too much time making a little doodle of the blouse I wanted to make, and much less time on the actual pattern. I’m sure that’ll come back to bite me this weekend when I make the mock up. I have yet to pick what materials I’ll be using out of my stash, but I’m pretty certain I’d like the base of the blouse to be white. I want to commit to the skirt I have drawn as well, but I have a lot of projects going. Seeing everyone else’s beautiful projects has given me such motivation so it could still happen.

 

@RabbidBunnies Thanks! He is slowly taking shape and I'm having fun.

@SunnyPinkSky Welcome aboard!

 

{applause!} Yay!

The more the merrier - Happy blouse-making

Teddy

 

Thank you.
Your waist coat came out fantastic. I love it on him.

Thank you. I thankfully lucked out with buttons I had on hand.

@SunnyPinkSky She is adorable. I can't wait to see what your photos as you progress. Your inspiration and sketch is cute.
Also sometimes the sculpt name just feels perfect for the sculpt and every time you see it you just think of that name. That is totally fine. Let her be her.

 

That looks great and your doll looks so well dressed, so cute! When I see material choices and ideas in the post, I try to envision the end result but of course, I’m always left with my jaw down, in a good way.

 

Thank you all for the warm welcome. I love everyone’s creations so far.

@nekoKaori Thank you. All of my dolls name’s start with M. I don’t know how, it just happened that way. I tried to change her name to Eileen for a bit actually, but it just didn’t feel right. You’re correct that I couldn’t think of anything when I saw her except “Macha”



An update to my project: I decided on white and lavender. I was originally going to choose black, but I have a really cute lavender fabric I want to use for the skirt eventually. Plus being right before Easter, I thought it an appropriate color. I’m not entirely sure I’m happy with this color pallet, or the lace and ribbon choices, but I’ve already started so it is what it is at this point. I had to really dig through my stash, as I can’t buy anything new for my project. I’ve already spent all my dolly budget this month. Anyway, I’ve cut and fray checked the fabric, painted the buttons I’m going to use to match the lace, and started sewing. I did end up doing French seams, but forgot to add extra allowance for it, so it’s a bit tight in the bust area. I’ll have to add a larger placket than originally planned to accommodate for that. I’ll definitely reuse this blouse pattern one day with better materials.

 

Beautiful work! Everything is so neatly done; I wish to have enough patience one day to make so many nicely pleated ruffles. The fabrics work so well together, it looks great on your girl.

 

Thanks! I know exactly what you mean, it's a little bit magical to se how a pile of flat fabric and a few notions can turn into a three dimensional, wearable garment.

@SunnyPinkSky That blouse is coming along nicely!

@PoeticSoul Oh, that's so cute!

 

I absolutely love the doll you’re sewing for, her face has that flapper lady look, very elegant in my opinion.
The outfit is so adorable the material colors match so well. I was looking forward to see what you’d make and it turned out so well. Love it ❤️!

 

That skirt is so adorable, I’d wear that myself!

You have some awesome skills to put that all together, I love the materials and colors you’ve chosen. Very pretty doll, name and project!

 

I’m so glad this round is basic because although I’m still very under the weather, I occasionally have a moment of able-ness try at making something and I’ve been playing around with the blue apron that turned into a dress actually oops, it’s now purple and no matter the color, the material is just not a good material. I’m done and need to take a picture. I made a simple under garment to go with it. I’ll probably never have my dolls wear it but not everything turns out for me, I have many garments I’ve made I’m not fond of but had fun making.
Here’s something I did just for fun!

 

It's so pretty!

Scrumptious - Those buttons on the bib go so well with the fabric too.

Nice!

I'm off to Belfast fr a week to attend the British National Science Fiction Convention (EasterCon, since it's always held over Easter weekend) I usually take some sewing and/or knittign projects with me to work on while in the audience of talks, panels, and author readings, so I MIGHT actually get somethiing done for this round, or at least make a start on a dress for Lula. If I do... well I'll be leaving a trail of orange glitter wherever I go, Just folding the fabric meant my husband aand I were finding orange sparkles for the next three days.

Teddy

 

Yep, and at costume events it's talcum powder. A friend once spotted a set of talc footprints on the black floor of the backstage area at a big costume competition and, jokingly, exclaimed, "Look! Teddy-tracks!" And the group she was with followed them.... all the way back to my dressingroom.

But, whatever, I'll gladly put up with the glitter if it means i actually get around to making Lula's First Dress.

Teddy

 

Embroidery in progress!



It's a little bit more pink in real life, for some reason I couldn't convince by rather limited photo editing program of that, but whatever. It's coming along nicely and I think I will be able to finish it in a day or two, if real life lets me.

 

It's going to be so nice!

Teddy

 

That’s so neat, do you have the material secured with a hoop? I’ve never see this done, I’m so intrigued. Very nice and very interesting!

 

Yes, I use a hoop, you can see a little bit of it at the upper left corner.
I'll try to get a better picture of the setup for you tonight.

@Teddy Thanks!

ETA:

Spoiler: About embroidery hoops.

Here is how the embroidery setup works.
The embroidery hoop is basically just two rings, one fitting inside of the other. The outer ting has an adjustment screw that allows it to be expanded and tightened as needed.
This is what an empty hoop looks like.


To mount the fabric in the hoop you first remove tho outer hoop, then place the inner hoop under the fabric, centered on the area you want to work on. Loosen the screw to expand the outer hoop and place the hoop on top of the fabric, and then push the hoop on to the inner one, pinching the fabric between the two rings. Tighten the screw.
It's a simple solution, very low tech, but it works beautifully.

This is what my current embroidery looks like, with the entire hoop visible.
From the front:

And from the back:


I don't have a lot of the printed fabric and it was rather expensive, so I want to be able to work close to the corner. In order to be able to mount the fabric like this, I basted some scrap fabric on to the good fabric, creating an extra area where needed, so that it could be mounted comfortably in the hoop.
This is a good trick for working close to edges.

I'm sure there are plenty of youtube videos showing the process if you want to look further into it.

 

Thank you for the explanation, that looks rewarding. I have a hoop my mother gave me and had no clue what to do with it. I also have a lot of that color string. It would be nice to try to make a design on something in the future. I love how you show what to do to get the material to fit, very clever! Thank you again

 

Thank you everyone for the kind and encouraging comments. It inspired me to finish my project. I can’t say I’m 100% happy with either part, especially since the blouse has a bit of a gaping issue (it’s just a tiny bit too tight on her bust still). Neither piece is fitting my original vision. However, it’s still great for a seasonal outfit, as intended. She’ll really only be wearing it for the Easter holiday at my family’s home. I think it’s safe to say they won’t scrutinize my work the same way I do. I also had challenges with the tailors chalk I used. It says it washes out with water, but I found that not to be true, even when solvents are used. If anyone has tips for getting out orange chalk I’d be forever grateful. I’m thinking of using what I learned during my project for a second attempt in different colors, but incase I don’t, I’d love the orange marks to be gone from this one.

 

Any time.
I do find embroidery very rewarding. It's time consuming, but it's the slow, relaxing kind of work that can be done with a cup of tea and an audiobook, or while hanging out with a friend. Quite pleasant, really.

@SunnyPinkSky That outfit is absolutely adorable! I love the colors you chose, it goes so well with her wig and her face-up and I don't think the gaping you mention is very noticeable in the picture, the pretty buttons and the ruffle hogs the attention.
I've had more luck with agitation and rinsing than with detergents when it comes to removing stubborn chalk, but it can be difficult sometimes. And I have managed to accidentally seal chalk marks in when using fray check once or twice.
I think it's a case by case, thing. You could test different methods of removal by marking some of the left over fabric, so that you don't risk damaging the finished garment while experimenting.
I hope you'll find a method that works.

 

Everyone's work so far looks great!!

@SunnyPinkSky I second agitation being better than soaps for getting rid of tailor's chalk. You could use an old, soft toothrbush to help break it up. I usually stick to the water or air erasable markers in general though, because chalks can be so stubborn. I've found i have better luck with the blue chalks than ones of other colors though, and in a pinch, I've used artist's pastel pencils (usually when I can't find my tailor's chalk and found out in the middle of marking something that my marker didn't show up enough lol).

 

Your embroidery is so neat, it's looking very nice so far!

The full outfit is SO cute!! I think it came out really great!

 

Everything about this outfit is perfect, it’s so adorable! I love the details, the fit, design, colors, everything! I’d love having a lot of this outfit in different colors for my dolls! Very nice work!

 

She looks beautiful. I love her Easter outfit! I like the style of her plaid shirt and those little hear buttons are adorable!! You did a wonderful job on this, it is so pretty!!

 

This is such a cool idea! I'm excited to see how it turns out.

Thank you both so much! I was able to get the marks out with your advice. I'm used to marking pens, but never used chalk before. It turned out I did just need to better agitate the fabric.


Also, thank you to everyone else who said my outfit was cute. My confidence in sewing has gotten a lot better, and I think I'm ready to try my pattern again in black and white. I'll have a great excuse to buy more doll shoes next month to match all Macha's different outfit colors.

 

I've taken a detour this month from my overalls idea to do a spur of the moment human-scale embroidery project, lol. I still have a week to regroup and get this together, but it was such a delight to come back to this thread after a few weeks and see how fantastic everybody's projects are turning out!!

 

I haven't made much progress this round >< Things have been really stressful lately, so i haven't felt super motivated. I did make Faolán's belt, and drafted a pattern for his pants and cut them out. I started sewing them, but remembered after i did the inseam that I need to hem doll pants before i sew it, so I have to take part of it out and do that. I also started sewing the alternative top for Vanora, but in a first for me, melted part of it when i went to press it >< Normally my iron doesn't heat up that fast! Luckily only one layer melted some, so I can recut and sew that too, but that was frustrating enough for me to stop. 30-ish years or so of sewing, so I really shouldn't have tried playing that game of chicken, but there's a first for everything xD
I did enjoy making the belt though. It went a lot faster than I was expecting it to. I'd say i have a new hobby, but i'm not sure i really have enough embroidery thread skeins with enough in them to make a lot. I took the picture while waiting for the glue to dry on the weft tails because I'm impatient. I hit a snag weaving them back in, so it's not as smooth as i'd have liked, but If I wrap and tie it around his waist right, I should be able to hide it. And i need to unravel the tails for more of a fringe

 

@PoeticSoul Love those inspiration outfits. I look forward to see what you'll be making!

@Mamo I call them "crafting accidents". When you start out, having every intention of working on one thing, but somehow what happens is something completely different. It happens to me all the time. This month I've been sidetracked by accidentally trying to figure out how to build a jacquard loom that can read punch cards (it's semi related to my doll project, because it's for weaving silk ribbons for my own traditional outfit. A project that is part of the inspiration for the style I chose for my dolls for this round.)
It was an accident, I swear.

@quilleth Oh, pretty! That looks so neat.

Myself, I am finishing the embroidered bodice. I just need to close the shoulder seams and see if I can do a better job with the closures, this time. At least now I know to avoid the black wire and I have already dug out a better one and placed it here on my work table, so that I don't get lazy and use the wrong one out of convenience. I know myself.

 

I finished up a new jacket for Nori, and I'm really proud of it It has TEENY WELTED POCKETS. He can fit at least a single skittle in each one



And a closeup of the pocket lining, which matches the rest of the jacket's lining:

 

Ok I have to know, how did you make the pockets?! They're so tiny!

 

I just used a method that I saw in a tutorial video, but I do find that it helps with doll-scale items to use a bigger seam allowance and trim some away after you stitch!

 

Woah! Those tiny pockets are incredible. And even sewing on such a small scale, your stitching is so neat.

 

I love your designer welt pockets. How many skittles can one doll eat anyway?

 

Nori would have me believe that he can eat a whole bag solo, but I sincerely doubt that.

I also got a burst of inspiration yesterday and made a new outfit for my girl Seth!



I didn't make the bag, but I made her bralette, jacket, and skirt

Her jacket also has welted pockets (because apparently I'm a glutton for punishment and want to practice sewing them), and her skirt has built-in undies!

 

I love that jacket and the skirt is very pretty the idea of built in undies is great! She looks awesome!

 

Sorry so inactive, I’ve been ill all month so it seems and barely feel better. I finished awhile back and was hoping to do more but my energy level is zero. I put a cute sheep on the pants as a button.

 

@kaschan502 Oh, so many pretty details!

@mydaffer That's a lovely outfit.

I have finally managed to take some pictures of the finished bodice.


Over all, it turned out pretty good. The front closure is much better on this one, compared to her old one.
And here is another picture, from the back, since these kind out outfits are meant to look good from all directions. I still have to finish a wig styled with this in mind. I am working on it but... well. We all know how inspiration and motivation tends to behave.

 

I love this and it’s so perfect for your doll, the look is fantastic, well done!

I love both dolls style, I love the look they have as it seems so classy to me, very nice!

That turned out so nice, I love the entire outfit, very nice! Looks professionally made!

 

I only managed to buy a bunch of fabric and get my sewing machine looked at. I just have too much school work with the end of the semester coming up. Ah well. It is nice to see everyone's work though.

 

I forgot that I wanted to say and photograph the inside of the dress that was supposed to be the outside lol I made a mistake and since I didn’t have the back sewn at the time, I ended up accidentally making it reversible. I just need to dye the white thread or sew something there to make it blend.

Flickr is blurring my photos with their new changes.

 

Awe thank you for your kind words, I really appreciate them!

I really love these themes for sewing and am happy to participate. Always give me second chances when a new theme rolls around. Although I’m still under the weather, I’m definitely going to try to make something nicer next month, maybe not so tattered although I’m not sure I’m capable, I’m always dreaming though!

I need to stay away from the dye though.

 

Thank you all for the kind words! I'm really happy with the pieces I've made this month.

 

wow! Your doll has the sweetest face and this outfit looks so perfect on her, what a lovely outfit and that hat fits so well with it! ❤️

What a better way to use up those scrapes, love the pinafore!

 

How cute! I love the combination of all the colors and patterns!

 

Well done! It looks awesome.

I attempted to make a start on the first dress for my Magikademia Talia, Lula, but I didn't have time to get the groundwork done at home before we had to leave for Belfast, so I took other (OffTopic) dolly sewing projects with me to work on during the 8 hour ferry crossing each way and while in the audience of programme items at the convention. It's a shame as that was a lot of sewi ng ti me, but I didn't want to rush and get Lula's dress wrong.

It's great to get back after nearly two weeks away (we went on to a second event almost as soon as we got home from the first) to see everyone else's progress though. Yay!

Teddy

 

Oh that sounds like it was a lot of fun!!

 

I honestly forgot I was participating in this round (oops) but I remembered yesterday and managed to at least get the pattern drawn out!
I used the bodice of this pattern as a base to help me correctly size and draw out the actual pattern overtop after I tried to analyze the construction of the volks dress from a few pictures.

I'll have my first attempt at putting it together tomorrow hopefully!

 

I often find that it takes me longer to sort out the patterning stage than it does to sew something together (although finishing hems and fastenin gs pushes up the sewing time a lot)

Good luck!

Teddy

 

I got Emily's outfits finished. The doll doesn't exist yet, so I put the clothing on dress forms. I am very happy with the way the hoodie turned out. It's from the Smart Doll hoodie pattern. The clothing below is mostly shorts, a skirt, and a couple more shirts. Pretty basic.

I am working hard on Ophelia's clothes and they will be finished sometime today. Then I have just Alice's outfits to go. Next month I am not doing such a big project. But, the girls did need a basic wardrobe.

IMG_9275 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr