Wearables Sewing Project: Designer’s Choice! [ Round 133 ]

@PoeticSoul Can't wait to see your dress !!

I will try to finish the mori dress and the dark mori outfit for this round. ^^ I have many things to do (like pack my stuff for moving into a new place XD) but I want to finish this for my lovely Ybeedoll. ^^

 

I won't have time to start until sunday at the earliest, but I'll join this round anyway.

My plan is to continue where I left off last month.
My model is still Petronella (Withdoll Emma) and this month I'll make a nice blouse to go with the skirt I made last month.


The plan is a white blouse, simple rectangle cut, and a bit of embroidery.
I am chosing between a multi coloured floral motif to match the skirt, or a monocrome geometric design. Like, a bit more traditional, folk style.

If time allows I'd like to make some more items to go with the outfit, but we'll see.

 

I'm going to try and use this round to help me start a project, likely wont get it done in the month but going to try. (My sewing table is a mess and machine sewing might not be doable till that's sorted.)

This is Lt Ryvik Harper, a Star Trek O.C. and he needs a uniform badly.
Very funny now beam down my uniform.

I have patterns to 3D print him a com badge, type-2 phaser and a tricorder those will be the easy part.
My sewing goals are to make him a Lower Decks style uniform so jacket, black pants, gray undershirt, and boots. For this I will need to find a pattern for the jacket, or gods forbid try and make my own.
I also kind of want to make him a desert uniform (as shown in DS9), which might be easier as I have a hooded robe pattern around here somewhere.

So yeah going to use this month to at least try and start this.

 

My plan is to make a techwear outfit for Billie - pants and a jacket, perhaps some accessories. I have a handful of doll-sized plastic clasps that would fit perfectly for this and I'm thinking of getting some reflective fabric, too.

 

Ooh, yes, I've been waiting for this one!

It features, yep, Clover again. She's great for frilly dresses. And a while back, I found some tiny pom-poms at the thrift store and got the idea to put them in a dress. In a pretty literal manner, I want to sandwich them between the lining and a gauzy, sheer outer layer for a poofy skirt and sleeves!

I'm not sure what pattern I'll use yet, but I suspect I'll have to do some frankensteining. I fear the sleeves will be the toughest part; not that they're often easy, but layering plus poof plus slippery fabric? It's gonna be interesting.

I have another dilemma first, though, and that's the lining fabric! I'm torn between a pretty floral silvery slippery thing and some plain but reliable purple cotton. I have enough of both to make a dress no problem, but decisions decisions...

Here's the rough plan and Clover sitting with her (potential) goods:

 

I'm going to try this round! I recently got a Pukifee Ante that I named Rose Petal and I am working on a series of flower dresses for her. I just made her one tonight, but I used a pattern that I made a couple of weeks ago before this project started, so that one won't count. The next dress is going to be inspired by Daffodils and that's what I will work on for this round.

I'm excited to see everyone's projects! @JaxxCapta - what company and sculpt is Clover? She's such a sweet doll!

 

@pepperonipizza Rose Petal is such a cute name, Antes are adorable. And I'm excited to see the daffodil dress; a very timely project for the season!

Clover is a Dream Valley Olivia! She's the rabbit version, specifically.

 

@JaxxCapta - I'm so excited to see the pompom dress come together!

I dug out some materials today to see if I can do this in a no-buy manner and I think I can manage.



I am not 100% sure of how I'll go about the jacket - hood? No hood? How many pockets is enough pockets? Pants seem pretty straight forward 3/4 wide leg low waist ones so I guess I'll start there and figure the harder things out later

Spoiler: Drawings

 

@JaxxCapta I look forward to seeing your bunny's dress the idea seems really neat and love the materials you have they look nice together.

@cobaltconduct Somedays there is no such thing as "enough pockets". however you might try making the line how many fit on the piece before it seems too bulky.

I'm going to buy my Starfleet uniform fabrics this weekend, I'm going for command red as Ryvik is a conn officer (helmsmen/pilot).
Oh also Happy First Contacted day to any fellow Trekies in the sewing room XD

 

Hi everybody I've been gone too long from the BJD hobby due to 'life' and have lost all my dolls in the process! I'm strapped for cash ATM so have just ordered (from Alice's) the cheapest doll I like, rather than love, which is Angel of Dream Shang Nai (1/4 size) purely to motivate me to start sewing again! I need a creative hobby & lack motivation without deadlines so I love the fact that the sewing project gives me a deadline.

I haven't got my Shang Nai yet (need to think of a better name for a start) but I'm going to try to make some simple, unstructured garments, using what I have not spending more cash (because I'm full of good intentions which come to naught). Hopefully they'll fit her OK when she arrives, which will make a change from my usual habit of having naked dollies sat there looking cold and sad for months on end! Let battle commence...

 

Welcome back @elve ! And Welcome here with us. =)
You can make some clothes with stretch fabric or with elastic, if you have. It will fit better on your doll. Or like a simple corset to lace behind and you can lace as you want to.
Good choice for an AOD, my first doll was an AOD. ^^

 

Thank you Moonycat31 Good idea with stretch fabrics - I can cut up an old t-shirt or socks - Got no elastic though so it'll be drawstrings only as I'm refusing to buy any stash till I've proved I'm not a total flake LOL

 

@Tippetarius - there are never enough pockets

@elve - exciting about your incoming doll! Never a bad idea to have some garments waiting for them


I have managed to make the pants! Terrible fabric to work with but it's leftover from my own pants and at least I won't need to wash them for dolls (I had an unfortunate shrinkage problem with mine ) so it'll probably be okay. I added some extra loops and embroidery and might still add a knee patch perhaps?



They pass the sitting test and have quite a good amount of space for leg movement overall so I'm pleased with the outcome.

 

@elve Indeed, hello and welcome back!! I feel ya on the not wanting to leave 'em naked, hopefully some stretch stuff works out well! If you'd like, I don't have an AoD doll, but I have an Impldoll with similar measurements who I made a super basic pants and shirt sloper for, and might be able to digitize them if you'd like those to work off of? (Fair warning that I haven't digitized my pattern stuff before!) I've been generally successful in making leggings and t-shirts for my gang off of them out of knits and other stretch fabrics, or playing with the pants sloper a bit for wovens.

@cobaltconduct Woo pants! They look very nice, and props to you for doing belt loops. Also, on the jacket - always more pockets!

@Tippetarius Oooh cool, Star Trek! Ryvik is adorable, too.

I polled my friends on fabrics and they said silver, so I guess I get double slippery fabrics this month. Might be doing a lot of hand sewing...

 

Thank you @cobaltconduct wow those pants are impressive - with pockets too!

Thank you @JaxxCapta That's really kind of you! I'll stick to a nice easy gather skirt for now I think - can't go wrong there


OK so I've copied Shang Nai's measurements from Alices website to get me started - and also to see if I can actually still manage to upload a photo after all these years! shangnai stats by elve, on Flickr

or is it... shangnai stats[/url] by elve, on Flickr[/IMG]

Well now I know how to upload pics

So here's the plan for an outfit for incoming AoD shangnai (who desperately needs a new name!)

Using only what I have, which is no fasteners or elastic (unless I cut up a pair of knickers or socks) So that means tie waists, cuffs etc.

But I have nothing thin enough for drawstrings so...? Maybe I can use knitting yarn?

Got lots of 8 inch squares of pretty fabric, plus tee-shirts and socks i can cut up

So I'm thinking a gather skirt with drawstring waist.
Plus stockings made from socks
And a boob tube plus matching detachable sleeves
And a fancy collar and cuffs to match the skirt

Make the skirt first, then the boob tube and sleeves, then the collar and cuffs and stockings - and maybe some shoes and a headdress

 

Thank you so much @PoeticSoul It's good to be back! As Shang Nai was an impulse buy (like all my dolls seem to be) I have no clear idea of style for her yet - although the FIRST thing I must do is think of a better name before 'Shang Nai' sticks forever LOL - The wig I got for her in Alice's $ sale is a blonde, childlike looking, slightly Victorian looking one & I got her on the small bust body (hope they comply with that) so I'm thinking she's around 12yrs old - which is a great age for a massive range of clothing styles IMO - It's nice to have something to think about other than 'Life' now!

So - going off the waist measurement on Alices website, AoD 1/4 girls have a 14cm waist (ish). I've got bundles of 8" (20cm) patchwork fabric off amzn which is pretty but not big enough to make a gather skirt, so I'm going to make a 'bo peep' gather skirt instead - from Anna Maria Horner's book which I had umpteen years ago. Always wanted to make one of these for myself LOL - well maybe I'm not too old... Maureen Cracknell Handmade: A Bo Peep Skirt : :

A gather skirt is apparently (googled) 3 times waist measurement so for the bo-peep skirt I need 3 pieces of fabric measuring 8" (20cm) by about 6" (15cm) plus another piece 6" (15cm) by however deep I want those frills to be, plus scraps for waistband and binding on frill edges.

How to fasten a waistband it with no fastenings though? Maybe make a button from something and make a loop for it? Or maybe just ties like an apron which tie in a bow at the back - IDK yet

 

@elve Yes you can tie it behind. =) I make that sometimes when I have no elastic band lol. It works very well.

 

Yes, you can make ties out of the skirt fabric, or use a thin narrow ribbon or a tigtly spun yarn.
Or you could make a button out of a bead and either make a button hole or a thread loop to close it.
If you make a generously sized modesty panel, you can adjust the size by just moving the button if it turns out it doesn't fit perfectly when the doll arrives.

 

Thanks @Moonycat31 I guess it's like an apron, but not quite - I think that's what I'll do as it's quite a flouncy kind of skirt so a bow on the back will look appropriate

Thanks for those great ideas @Lillith I'll allow myself to buy some beads or buttons IF I get this project finished - I'm a notorious flake! Meanwhile no harm in loading up my amzon basket

 

I tackled the jacket yesterday and it did not quite turn out what I wanted but I'll add a detachable storm guard/vest with pockets/hood thing on top in the hopes that it'll make it more interesting. Note to self: adjust the pattern before cutting pieces out.

Spoiler: Back

 

Thanks @PoeticSoul Yes I've always wanted to make MYSELF that skirt but somehow never got around to it - not sure if I'd have courage to wear it either! That's what dolls are for LOL

@cobaltconduct that outfit looks really cool The jacket looks super complicated though - I wouldn't know where to start sewing that even in human size so well done, it looks tricky!

 

Thank you @PoeticSoul & @elve ! The jacket looks 'complicated' because the free basic Dollcandy jacket pattern I used didn't fit well and I kept making weird haphazard alterations instead of starting over I added a few seams to make it narrower in the back and created a fake yoke type thing to make the shoulders fit better. I wouldn't know where to start sewing if I made this on purpose, either

 

@cobaltconduct That's some great progress in such a short time. The pants look great and so does the jacket!

I am only just beginning my project. I've decided to not over plan.
The fabric I've picked out is a thin crinkly cotton and I know from experience that it tends to work best when I don't over rely on patterns, as it stretches a bit but has very little spring back, so neither patterns for wovens or knits work as is. Instead, I'll just make a simple blouse and make it to measure.
And I'll do the embroidery on the finished blouse, rather than on the flat pieces, since the fabric doesn't really work in an embroidery hoop anyway. I have a good amout of leftovers from other embroidery projects, so I'll pick colours as I go.

Materials:


This will probably not be an eficient project, time wise, but who cares? I'll just take my time an enjoy the process.

 

@Lillith - the crinkly fabric looks so interesting! Do you have an idea what you are going to embroider yet?


I have made a hood! I've been interested in detachable hoods for a while so it was nice to try one out. It should act as a rain guard of sorts, if Billie was a real person wearing real person clothes.

Spoiler: Side and back

 

Not really. I'll probably just start simple and build it up as I go to get some sort of a border design. That's what I usually do when I don't have a clear plan for an embroidery.

I've cut the pieces for the blouse and I am slowly putting it together. It will be mostly machine sewn, but any gatering thread need to be put in by hand, because it works best if the gathers respects the ripples in the fabric. I hope to finish most of the construction tonight.

That's a great addition to the outfit!

 

Sorry about the double post.

I've finished the majority of the construction of the blouse. The side+sleeve seams are just basted, because I may want to open it up while embroidering and there are no closures yet, but otherwise it's done.

 

It's so flowy @Lillith ! A perfect summer blouse

 

@cobaltconduct I think your outfit is really cool, and the hood looks nice. I think it's really neat that the hood is optional.

@Lillith The blouse looks nice so far, can't wait to see it done.

I have my fabrics! I also found something in scale to work as rank pips so yay he can show his rank.
I am hunting a jacket pattern I can make work. I found one Starfleet uniform pattern from ST Prodigy, it's a close enough to the ones in Lower Decks that think I will buy it and try to scale it down.
Making patterns is always my bane in these things. I can do minor adjustments, but drafting my own patterns is not one of my dozens of random art skills.
Also I did find my hooded robe pattern so the optional desert uniform might happen as well, we will see how things go.

On a side note the 3D printing him props to go with the uniform is going well the gray plastic came on Tuesday, and his phaser and tricorder will be printed soon as tweaks are made to sizing. My S.O. used some of the white we have and printed an in scale com badge for me, I'm going to try and get it a silvery/chrome finish.

 

Love that idea @cobaltconduct - reminds me of those hoods people wore in medieval times - practical and stylish

@Lillith Wow well done - that fabric's perfect for that style of blouse - drapes so nicely on a doll too

Speaking of which, had a look at my fabrics yesterday (trying not to buy anything and with next to no stash or indeed possessions in general) and really the scale of the print is way too big for a midi sized doll, and they are quilting cotton so not really fine enough to drape at all but I shall just cobble something together so she won't be a naked dolly when she gets here!

 

Thanks! It is a little bit see through, but I think with the embroidery to distract the eye, it will be ok.

Thank you. I'll start on the embroidery tonight.

Thank you. I like this fabric a lot. It is very light, so sometimes you have to sort of "sculpt" it a bit to make it look like it drapes right on the doll, but the texture makes it want to crease, so it's fairly easy to sell the illusion of drape.

Thanks! I'll post images as soon as I have anything to show.

 

Finally picked out the 4 fabrics I'll be using for this 'bo-peep skirt' which I'm limited to due to not allowing myself to buy supplies till I've actually made something! The scale is all wrong for a 1/4 doll as it's just patchwork fabric from a pack, but it'll do. From left to right the fabrics are for the front and back of the skirt, the side panels, the binding, and the frills.

Not sure what kind of a top I'll make to go with this skirt though. I've decided to call my AoD Shang Nai (when she arrives) Daisy - it just popped into my head and stuck. A twitter mutual suggested Loretta, which I also like so that's her middle name - Then I did a search on 'common UK surnames' and somehow 'Green' seemed the perfect partner for Daisy!

So then I got to thinking of her character and decided she's about 12-14yrs old. Contemporary. Her parents? Deceased was too tragic so I decided they were travelling for work, her dad being a wildlife photographer and her mum being OF COURSE (she's called her baby Daisy - hahaha) a botanist!

Then it occurred to me that my dad was a photographer & my mum is a botanist (among many other things) and that Bellis perennis is the first Latin flower name my mum taught me as a child! So maybe Daisy is me? Oh the knots our subconscious ties - creating this backstory was fun but now onto dressing the poor child!

DoA sewing project by elve, on Flickr

 

@elve I second everything PoeticSoul said. Great name (allthough, I also have a doll named Daisy, so I might be biased ), lovely background developement and very pretty fabrics.

 

Thank you @PoeticSoul I've cut the pieces out assuming her waist is about 15cm (6 inches) and her legs are apparently 23cm (just over 8 inches) so with that in mind I cut 5 inch squares as I want it approx knee length. So I cut 3, 5 inch squares for front, back and sides, then cut the side piece in 2 vertically to make 2 side panels. The frills are really a bit hit & miss - not sure what I'm doing there LOL - probably cut them too short or something as my brain wasn't working LOL

Thank you @Lillith Daisy rocks (which also sounds like a good name for a doll)

 

@elve The fabrics you choose are so cute ! Really want to see your project done ! =) And you choose a gorgeous name for your doll.

 

Thank you @Moonycat31 I now have a progress pic! Although thinking maybe I should prioritise sleep next time LOL

So after The Battle of the Frill at midnight last night, I have even more respect for Chinese BJD clothing makers than I did before - frills are fiddly

The skirt pattern's really simple to remember (bearing in mind I read Anna's book over 20yrs ago) Cut 4 pieces of fabric the same measurement as your waist, by however long you want the skirt, and cut one piece in half lengthways - these are the front, back and sides. Cut the 4th piece in quarters widthways - these are the frills.

The frill binding is therefore half your waist measurement by however deep you want the binding & I think it had an elastic waist? I remember the frill pieces are folded in half widthways so no hemming needed but I decided it would be too bulky for a doll if done like this so made a hem on the frill & kept it single thickness fabric.

In fact maybe it was 5 pieces of fabric (for human size) and cut 2 pieces in half widthways for the frills as they're then folded in half to make a double thickness of fabric? Guess I'll have to make myself one too and find out LOL - but for doll size I cut it in quarters.

So then you construct the sides first, which is what I'm doing - only it's a lot more fiddly in miniature than for human size! The binding is just tacked on ATM - I decided sleep might be a better idea LOL

frills by elve, on Flickr

 

Think I might make a pair of these for Daisy Green as well although my fabric's not very 'drapey' - they're super-easy and adjustable fit - I made them years ago for myself and they're a great idea if you have a spare single duvet cover to chop up - 2 pairs of wrap pants from one duvet cover! Need to think of a top for her though too LOL - glad AoD send them in underwear!



ETA a bit more progress as I'm too tired to do much else today! These colours are realistic - the ones by artificial light are much brighter than IRL - So this is one side done and attached to the front and back pieces - nothing is straight LOL but hopefully it won't show once it's hemmed and gathered etc.

progress by elve, on Flickr

 

@elve Great progress!

 

Thanks @Lillith I said I wouldn't buy myself any sewing supplies till I'd made something but I'm thinking this skirt might be better with an elastic waist - so I've just treated myself to a £3 pack of elastic from amzon - I think 10 metres will last me a while!

 

@elve Looks good so far.

 

@elve - I love the fabrics you've chosen and great progress as well! It'll be such a fun garment once it is done

 

Thanks @Tippetarius

Thank you @cobaltconduct - Here's hoping! Although really must do some chores today I guess LOL

 

I'm checking in to say I'm still alive but I may be taking the round off, my father is having heart surgery tomorrow and I start a new job on Friday so it's been a week of ups and downs personal news-wise I may get something going if I spend time with him at the hospital during his recovery, but it's unclear right now when he'll be allowed to start having visitors. I did have an idea all ready to go for this round that I'd been looking forward to, but y'know, sometimes that motivation just disappears lol. I'll upload pics later once I'm back at a computer.

 

@elve It looks great ! I had these pants when I was young, my mother sewed some for me and my sister. ^^ I loved them, there was very comfortable. Maybe I will sew some for me for this summer. ^^

 

Thank you @Moonycat31 Those wrap pants do look so easy and there are subtitles in English for the more tricky bits

Meanwhile some progress with Daisy Green's 'bo-peep' skirt! Managed to do chores AND get another side panel made and joined to the rest of the skirt, which is now just needing a channel for the elastic (which hopefully will be delivered soon) and a hem.

I'm planning on making a tee shirt for the top, out of socks and also some stockings or tights from another pair of socks - socks are SO useful for tiny clothes! Back to chores now though - I've had enough fun for one day (and only drew blood twice LOL - totally winning at sewing!)

nearly there by elve, on Flickr

 

@Mamo I hope everything goes well! The dolls will still be there when motivation comes back.

@elve That skirt is coming along nicely! It's such a fun combination of patterns and colours.

I have started the embroidery. It's slow going, but I don't mind.
This is what I've got so far.

 

Thanks @Lillith - Wow such teeny stitches! Beautiful work

 

@Lillith thank you! His surgery went perfectly and so far so good in recovery, a huge relief.

Here's what I had in mind for this month: I wanted to use more of that nightgown fabric to make matching outfits for my two newest family members, my Senior Delf Cian, Crocus, and SDF Flora head, Iris/Lily (was gonna name her Iris but I keep calling her Lily no matter what I do so that may stick lol). Crocus' beautiful custom faceup and 3D deco job and the beautiful soft rainbow on Lily, both by the talented Dybbuk, put me in mind of performance and carnivale, so I decided to make them brother and sister performers in what is now a little family unit of circus-themed dolls, lol.

Before they arrived I designed their outfits last month. I honestly CBA to make white collared shirts for them so those will probably be purchased later on, along with striped stockings and white maryjanes for Lily.
Round 133 Designer's Choice, Crocus and Iris by Jules B, on Flickr

Spoiler: My models

Round 133 Designer's Choice, Crocus and Iris by Jules B, on Flickr
Crocus, SDF Cian ver 2 w gorgeous deco faceup by Dybbuk

Round 133 Designer's Choice, Crocus and Iris by Jules B, on Flickr
Maybe I'll just call her Lily Iris, idk at this point, but a lovely SDF Flora head with beautiful soft rainbow makeup, also by Dybbuk

 

Glad your father is doing well @Mamo - I hope you're new job is also going OK

Meanwhile I got my elastic delivered and managed to finish the hem and sew a channel for the elastic today, so this is now finished! Looking lovely on the only model I could find today - a very cute 150ml can of Dove pomegranate deodorant - now all my deodorants will want skirts LOL

finished skirt by elve, on Flickr

 

@elve That turned out great! Your incoming doll will have a good start.

I have worked some more on the blouse embroidery. I finished the red and I am now outining the entire thing in yellow. I still have some way to go, but I like how it looks so far.

 

Thanks @Lillith - Well done to you too

Although I hope the skirt fits my incoming doll, if it doesn't I will just be forced to buy an AoD tiny Really like the look of their new one Meng Chu

 

Hardly crazy. Ask any lolita and they will tell you the value of having a few really good blouses in your warderobe. And having options for building different coords out of the same main piece is a great way to extend a lolita warderobe.

 

Thanks @PoeticSoul I've just washed the clothes I'm intending to cut up to make a tee shirt and stockings for my doll so hopefully will finish an outfit by the end of the month even if it doesn't fit her LOL (likely!) Well done with 3 tiny blouses though - very fiddly work

 

@elve thank you! all good so far, i'm just very tired lol, still adjusting to the schedule. Your panels are so fluffy, I love the volume!!

@Lillith your symmetry is amazing, you are so skilled! And I love the leaves