Wearables Sewing Project: Leftovers and Recycling [ Round 136 ]

I think I would like to try joining this challenge! I tried to make a cozy sweater for my Migidoll Sun a few years ago and never finished. I'd like to try again and see if I can't reuse some of the old fabric. Not sure yet if I'll try for a regular sweater pattern or a dolman. This sounds fun!

 

I'm definitely joining this round.
I got a new doll at the end of June - Thel by Bardo Research / Oxana Geets, a 27 cm elf. Her name is Amadis and she needs everything (I hope to also work on her faceup and wig this month).
I also have a LittleFee, who is 25 cm, and compared to Thel has a bigger head and thicker child-like proportions, but is still roughly in the same size range.
Aaand I have the bad habit of cutting everything too close, with no ease-over-body tolerance, which results in clothes that are a bit too small.
So there are a couple sewing projects - 1 finished, 1 abandoned - that don't fit my LF, for whom they were made, but can be adjusted to fit Amadis.
There are also a couple projects that got stuck for some reason that I hope to repurpose and finish.
Here's Amadis with potential hand-me-downs:

Spoiler: naked doll under cut

Amadis and hand-me-downs by helgie, on Flickr

The first thing I plan to work on is this dress / nightie:
yellow-white dress original by helgie, on Flickr
It is entirely hand sewn out of cotton that was marketed for patchwork, so it's a bit thick, which is especially noticeable at cuffs and collar. I messed up the armpits by not adding gussets, so my LF couldn't lift her arms - it is not such a big problem with the looser fit on Thel. And the color just wasn't working with my LF's tan skintone.
I think I'll cut the sleeves to 3/4 and make then without gathers. Maybe widen the collar. And remake the closure. Actually I may just cut it all the way down the middle of the front, add buttons and make it into an outer layer with some kind of sleeveless dress underneath.
The question is: lace or no lace? (at sleeve cuffs and on the front on both sides of the closure). If yes lace, should I use the slightly whiter or the slightly yellower one? Advice welcome.

 

HAHAHA !It's just the right month for me ! Hope I will be able to finish some unfinished projects with all this fabrics I have here. x)

 

Okay! Take two on the quilted skirts I have cut out but not finished. I cut the pieces from leftover quilting strips, but haven't done anything with them in a while. They're sized for Minifee, but I'm not sure who's going to wear them when done.

 

And, once again, I really SHOULD join in but am unlikely to get a chance to.

{sigh!} Ah well, I'll live vicariously through everyone else's creativity once again for this round.

Teddy

 

Lovely base to start with! My vote will always be "lace", and I think I like the yellower one better: harmonizing with the colour of the dress will make it easier to match with accessories, versus the starker contrast with the white.

As for myself, I have about 3 almost-finished project laying around, which I have been putting off due to health stuff, but darn it I should be able to finish at least one in a month's time!!!
We're talking: a scarf (needs 1 hem!), a skirt (needs one hem + closure), and a beret (haven't started yet, but so simple, should be able to do in an hour or two). All for my Unoa, Charlie. Good luck to me!

 

I make almost everything for dolls from leftovers and Billie got a new body last month that needs more fitting clothes so I think I really should join! I guess I have some sewing to do after I'm back from holidays! So far I'm thinking of a hot leotard made from the old t-shirt I've been slowly cutting up to make doll socks and underwear... I think I should also engineer her some panties that don't get stuck in her hip joints. I also found that I had kept some scraps from making my pants shorter so perhaps something comes from that, too.

Here's the victim:

 

I'd say the same

Teddy

 

@tsukibun Welcome aboard!

@helgie I agree with the others: Yes lace! And while I think either wold look good in it's own way, the yellower one does blend in with the fabric really well. I think it will look very intentional with very little effort.

I think I will use this months theme to make a new lolita dress for Daisy.

She is a lati Cara head on a Kid Delf body.

Now, Daisy is probably my best dressed doll with a warderobe easily bigger than the other dolls her size has put together. Does she need more clothes? No...
But: A while back I was given a pair of these really cute black and white shoes as a birthday present from the lovely @Elfvan88 and they absolutely beg for a classic black and white old school lolita outfit to go with them. I only have two dolls who would wear that style and out of them, the shoes fits Daisys feet the best. So, if the shoe fits... Right?

The main fabric will be IKEAs DITTE, a plain weave cotton. My household tend to buy it by the bolt and use it for anything from curtains and bed sheets to mockups, because it's cheap. All substantial scraps goes in a big bin and is used whenever smaller pieces are needed. Only the smallest scraps are ever thown away. So I have plenty of material.

I will have to make a dive through my stash for some good lace, though. The lace can make or break an outfit like this and will be the trickiest part to pull off.

But on the bright side, Daisy is an experienced lolita with an extensive warderobe, so I shouldn't have to make a lot of basics to get a full coord. I can probably get away with just making the main piece and a few accessories.

 

Good luck with the lace-hunt, @Lillith

Teddy

 

I've ended up taking several months off due to sewing burnout and real life obligations, but I may make a triumphant return this round and actually try to get some work done on those kid's nightgown into doll clothes circusy sets for my flower siblings I drew out designs for ages ago, lol. I was able to find a good shirt to wear underneath the vest I want to make for Crocus, and it's going to be delivered probably tomorrow or the next day. So once it's here and I can get him out of his sad hand-me-down casuals I'll post a fashion victim photo of what I'll be working with, lol! For now here's the designs, yet again, lol, since it's been ages:
Round 133 Designer's Choice, Crocus and Iris by Jules B, on Flickr

 

This round is promising to turn out a very nice range of projects. Good luck to all!

As for Amadis, she (almost) got some clothes, but lost her head (I did start her faceup and try to touch the faceplate as little as possible to minimize contamination between layers).
The last couple of evenings were very productive. I cut the sleeves of the yellow dress and added the yellower lace at the cuffs, and cut the front down the middle, so it is now some kind of robe/coat. Didn't put lace on the front because the underlayer turned out more textured than expected, I didn't want to overdo it. I went looking for material for an under layer and found a piece of very thin cotton with white-on-white machine embroidery (is there a specific term for this kind of material?), I bought it a couple (?) years ago and somehow completely forgot I had it. Then I made a mock-up of a sleeveless dress without darts out of paper towels, drafted a pattern and got to sewing, all by hand.
It seems making clothes mostly for my MSD in the last 3 years has spoiled me, sewing for 1/6 is hard I miscalculated bulk added by folds of the skirt and embroidery, so the dress is a bit thick around the chest and arm holes. (it also somehow gives the illusion that the doll has big breasts? in the no-bra peasant manner. weird). The skirt doesn't drape well, hope washing it will help at least a little. It turned out I don't have any white buttons, had to use light yellow ones. And I need to finish the bottom hem. But still, almost done, and all in all it looks nice.
Yellow-white dress - underdress in progress by helgie, on Flickr

 

My unwitting victim and his fabric!
Round 136 Recycling starting point by Jules B, on Flickr

The shirt is slightly more cream-colored than I was hoping for, but it's still the perfect base for this project! It's got the ruffles I wanted for extra interest to compliment the vest I'll be making. Here he is with his new shirt and the fabric. I think I'll be starting with his pants first, this is becoming quite the jigsawed-looking piece of fabric lol so I need to make sure I can get those long leg pieces mapped out more or less intact before I do any further cutting. I may end up being able to reuse a pattern I made pants with a few years back if I can locate it. Before I try hunting it down, I gotta try the actual pants out on him and see if they fit and what adjustments I'd need to make.

 

@helgie Oh, that is so pretty! What a good start.

@Mamo I recognize that fabric from previous rounds. It's very cute.

For my own project, I think I've found a solution to the lace problem and I've cut the main parts of the dress out.

 

Here with an update!



I've cut my pieces (from an old shirt) and thus far have sewn the shoulders and collar. I've made a little more progress than the picture shows. However, I am LOSING motivation so fast because of dealing with the sleeves. It's a knit fabric, and I think I need to re-cut the slope, and I kind of want to try it with the sewing machine but also don't want to ruin what I've done so far...

How are everyone else's projects coming along?

 

From the look of the proportions in the picture - Unless you're planning to gather the sleeve heads down to fit the armhole for a puff-sleeve look, it seems like you either need much bigger armhoes or much smaller sleeve heads - the sleeve heads look nearly twice the size of the armholes.

Teddy

 

Did you make a mock up? And/or did you do seam tests on the machine before finalizing the pattern and cutting the pieces?
I'm asking because what you learn doing that is what will inform you on what width of seam allowance you need to cut the pieces with and that in turn can influence how the sleeves fit into the arm holes. In a perfect world it shouldn't matter, because the seam line is the same regardless of allowance, but in reality, with curves like that the extra fabric has to go somewhere and can make it dificult to match up the seam lines and it can interfere with how the machine feeds the fabric.
I do agree with Teddys observation about the relative size between the sleeve head and the arm hole, but it's hard to say for sure without knowing more about what you are aiming for and not knowing you process, it's hard to say when, if at all, things went wrong.

If you did all the prep work and is just nervous about putting the good fabric in the machine, you can always prectice a bit on scraps to build up confidence. Or you can do it all by hand and skip out on the machine alltogether this time. Either works.
If you skipped steps, then it's less of a mystery why things may not add up. (Not judging, we all do it.)

I made the bulk of the actual JSK today. This is what it looks like right now:


I started sewing and just went on autopilot and suddenly it was mostly done.
It still needs closures and the shoulder staps are just pinned in the back. It also needs some more details. I'm thinking detachable waist ties, a large bow pin at the front of the waistline and some small decoration at the upper part of the bodice.

Then she "only" needs some accessories. Mainly some kind of head dress. I am thinking either an old school rectangle head dress because it's so in the spirit of the dress, or a small-ish head bow. Lace wrist cuffs and a bag of some kind would also be nice, but has a lower priority.

What do you guys think? Did I miss anything?

 

@Lillith gorgeous, she looks right out of a GLB street snap! I think that's a perfect set of accessories, only thing I could think to add is, if you're making wrist cuffs anyway, you could make a second set to be sock toppers if you like!

I don't have much progress to report yet, felt a twinge in my wrist yesterday that signaled a mandatory day off from crafty pursuits. Might give it a few more hours then take a crack at it!

 

Oh, good call! Lace topped, knee high socks would be perferct. She may allready have some, but I will have to check. If not I will have to make her some.
Thanks!

 

I think it looks great, and doesn't need accessories, but since you want to maki it loli... then the suggerstion fo the lace topped socks would be ideal to go with the rest of the accessories

Teddy

 

I'm going to be joining and making some basics for my newly assembled girl, Fei.
She's an ANother Secret 媋 (I think it's Chun in English?) on an old Volks SD13G WS body. The resin doesn't match, but she's a cyborg, so it somewhat makes sense.
As I've just moved house, I only have what fabrics and notions I've been able to dig out so far, but I'd like to make her a top and pants for a cyberpunk scavenger, maybe some accessories if I have time.
I'm giving her a faceup today, so hopefully the sewing can start tomorrow.

 

@helgie What a cutie! It's so convenient when dolls can take the projects that didn't work for others. The texture of the lace fabric works great, and dang, those are some tiny buttons.

@cobaltconduct Hip and knee joints love eating clothes like nobody's business, I swear. Best of luck getting a leotard that avoids those issues.

@Mamo Hehe, his hair matches the fabric! Here's to hoping your wrist feels better soon; never fun to experience the consequences after a bunch of crafting.

 

Round 136 Pattern pieces and main cuts by Jules B, on Flickr

The preexisting pants were a great starting point for getting a pattern for this project. Made some adjustment to the leg until I was happy with it, then cut my pieces. I admit I've never been much of a mock-up person, but I tend to draft patterns cautiously then make trims and corresponding adjustments to the draft as needed instead.This time around that meant centering my pattern pieces on off-center fabric seams, lol, but it ended up giving me these really interesting, decorative-looking seams on the cut pieces! I'm looking forward to seeing how it looks once it's more or less wearable. And if I end up hating it, well, the pieces are mirrored, so the seam sides can just be the back. I still need to cut the band and make the drawstring, but I like to do that last once I have a better idea of what my final waist measurement will be with everything more or less pieced together.

When these are fully finished I can get a better idea of what the ease/dimensions will need to be like on his vest, and I can start drafting that!

 

I discovered that when I basted a sleeve in :'(
I'm making my own patterns and was too impatient to do all the math. I wanted to have a large armhole but I think I didn't cut the torso pieces right for that. So I'm removing a lot of the sleeve cap since that seems easiest.

Thank you so much, that makes a lot of sense. It was probably due to impatience. I'm trying to build a better attitude towards math since it's so useful for patternmaking.
That dress is SO CUTE!!!!

 

I’m just coming back from a 2 year hiatus,

I picked up some scrap brocade fabric from a fabric restore a while ago with the intent on using it to make something.


I’m thinking a dressing gown for my (only doll) an FID grace named Peregrine, her time period is set in the 1880-1910’s

I’m going to base it off of “The Dressing Gown” ™’ from Our Flag Means Death.
dressing gown concept (working on getting the photo to upload, I dont use this format enough to remember D: )

realize it's based off of a traditional kimono, but there’s enough YouTube videos on it from the wonderful historical/cosplay community, that drafting a pattern will be easier .
black/gold/silver polyester brocade, and lining is a black cotton lawn, something light weight, but will protect her from scratches/color dyes. (scrap paper for notes XD)

 

Yes, wrapping gowns are relatively quick and easy to make. My own (full sized) one went together really fast. I found this video very helpful :


Teddy

 

I really should join this round... I have a huge box of old clothes I've been hoarding to use for sewing later, and it is high time I used at least ONE thing from it. Will I?? Remains... to be seen... I don't even remember what's in there that I have to work with!

 

Thank you!
I found a different one and had already started thread marking, but I might use this if/when I make myself one

 

Fei has a face, shirt and overalls! The shirt and overalls were both new patterns to me, with some adjustments made and lessons learned for next time. The flesh-pink sewing test fabric doesn't even look bad on her. Hooray for dolls with yellow skintones!
I'm thinking of making her a vest or jacket, as well as some jewellery if I can find any elastic thread in my sewing stuff.

 

@castironteapot Looking good!

 

Yay! They look good on her.

Teddy

 

I think the pink looks great! I would even use that as a finished product, especially with the cute buttons.

I've made less progress than expected on my sweater due to some other life events, but I finally got both sleeves sewn in! Now what's left is the bottom hems, the side seams, and the underarm seams. I'm also considering sewing the wrists slightly narrower than planned to give the sleeves a more interesting shape, but I might just keep it simple.

Spoiler: Pics!

 

Eeep, somehow I've not gotten notifications for the thread and missed quite a bit of people's progress!

@castironteapot Fei Looks adorable in those overalls! I love her pink theme!

@tsukibun - well done with the shoulders, only the easiest bits left now

I took a bit of time to sew today myself as well. I wanted to make a leotard/body but I think the old t-shirt I was sewing from isn't stretchy enough... with some makeshift closures it sort of fits close to the body now, though. I found a cutting of 4-way stretch pleather and made a pair of pants to go with it - but again I ended up with closure troubles so there is a gap at the back I'm so glad dolls can get away with unfunctional garments!

Spoiler: Don't tell anyone what's going on at the back

 

That looks great. I'm glad you were able to recut the sleeve heads so they'd fit.

That happens to me on a regular basis - It's been happening for years. I suspect it happens if you don't click through to the forum form the notification - if you just red the email and forget to click through to the forum, it doesn't start notifying you again until youctually visit that thread.

Well, at least they look good from the front even if they have a little gaposis at the back. Well done for persevering with them.

I hate working with stretch fabrics - I used to make (full sized) body suits and cycle suits back in the early 90s (when I was stick-thin) and while I loved wearing them, I hated making them. These days I hardly ever use stretch fabrics.

Like you I've managed a little sewing for myself (new shorts for going away next month!) and a bit of progress on costumes for friends, but nothign for dolls, despite receiving a new girl who needs to be sewn for as no nregular clothing fits her (she's currently wearing an American Girl Doll sized aprong as a babydoll sundress (only fits because smocking stretches AND, being an apron, is open up the back!) and the only pair of stockings I had that would go around her thighs, and are now so stretched out they will never fit my SD13 boy again.

Teddy

 

You'd think they would be the easiest parts left, but somehow I messed them up anyways D,:

I screwed up the bottom hem on one side and had to cut some material off completely, then that led to a pattern mismatch and weirdness around the armpits when I tried to sew the sideseams. This sweater is not agreeing with me, lmao.

 

Well poop! Some projects are just like that - do you have enough fabric to cut out another sweater so you can regard this one as a test-piece...?

Teddy

 

Great progress so far, everyone

@Maud looking forward to seeing the completed product, very nice fabric!

@cobaltconduct cool outfit! Is the Sandy from Grease cosplay intentional?

Here's where I'm at:


Finished scarf/ascot. Used vintage woven ribbon off etsy, sewed invisibly along the diagonal to match the pattern, then unraveled up to the line of stitching, and cut the fringe on a diagonal. Was a bit iffy on the result initially, but it's really grown on me!

Also cut out the pattern pieces for black corduroy beret. Debating whether I really need to fray-check the raw edges before I continue sewing, because I really don't want to! It's probably fine, right???



Anyway, then my back started acting up, so that's all for now. Small progress is still progress!

 

Nice idea! I might have to steal that one for future use.

Teddy

 

@castironteapot it looks so good on her!! I love the buttons you picked for it!

@cobaltconduct I love the top's ribbon closure, like a secret detail! It reminds me of punk tshirt upcycling tutorials from the early 2000s. And those pants look phenomenal! Do you think a hook and eye clasp would help bridge that gap?

@tsukibun if all else fails it could be a cropped sweater! Those are very in-style, and it would be perfect for layering a cute top or some high-waisted dolly pants underneath it.

No photo update from me yet but the pants are coming along well! I made a silly mistake and didn't account for his butt's extra oomph when I drafted the pattern, so I had to make an ultra-tall waistband to make up the difference lmfao. I like how it turned out, it kind of reminds me of the fake layered look yoga pants sometimes have where the thick top band is a different color. I made a quick waist tie for it out of some white yarn, looping slip knots into decorative end loops and knotting over them to secure. All I've got left to do now is sew up the inseams and he'll have pants, lol!

 

@babezoid OOH the tiny weaving on that ribbon is absolutely perfect!!! If it were me I'd do a test portion of sewing to see if I could get away with it without fray-check first lol

 

Thank you both! The pants are, as of yet, still closureless as I can't move her legs much without the slit up there I'm thinking of maybe small eyelets and a corset-type closure with elastic maybe?

Thank you! I have never seen Grease so definitely not intentional The body kept not fitting tight enough so I had to... improvise... with the shoulders a little.

Depending on the fabric it's probably ok if the material isn't super fray-prone - you could also finish the edges with some stitching instead, I think? It's a nice colour and will definitely look great on Charlie

 

Round 136 pants! by Jules B, on Flickr
Pants photo time! I admit I'm less in love with the shirt in natural light, BUT HEY the pants are done. I forgot to get a detail pic of the waistband situation, I suppose I'll include that next time. Next up is the vest, but even a one finished garment per month situation is a win! And it didn't even need to roll over into the WIP pile; now that's the real victory

 

Nice!

I'm always a fan of a ruffled shirt. My boys need more of them.

Well done!!

Teddy

 

This month has been much busier than expected, with little sewing after the first week. But I did manage to finish the outfit with yellow overlayer and white sleeveless dress, and will take pictures of it tomorrow.
I also finished the maroon bermuda shorts (at least, that's what I think this type of garment is called? they are knee-length, but made of a rather thick material):
Maroon bermudas by helgie, on Flickr
The bermudas were too small for my LittleFee, but fit Amadis perfectly with minimal adjustments (I slightly took in the waist along the back seam). I made the closure with two buttons, intentionally placed off-center, hemmed the bottoms and closed all seams against fraying. The material is a bit too thick, but the fit is very good anyway, I will need to reverse-engineer the pattern
Amadis also got a faceup and wig (though in this photo she is wearing a scarf in place of hair), a set of underwear (the pink top and panties) and socks.

 

@helgie Amadis is looking lovely! I like the thicker material on her, the shorts drape like sturdy but comfortable bottoms ready for all occasions!

 

I finally finished the sweater...
It turned out okay. A little weird but not too bad.

(I made the pants earlier)

And I like it a lot better after adding a few other accessories (not made by me).

Spoiler: more pics

 

Well done!

Nice - I really like the look of them.

Yay! Well done. And it works nicely with that collar, so that's a bonus.

Teddy

 

Everyone's project are so cool ! In the end, I couldn't be able to sew this month again. v_v This time I have an elbow neuralgia and so I can't bend my elbow and craft. :/ (well, I tried but it was very painful so I stopped ^^')
But it was very great to see everyone enjoying this sew month. ^^

 

Oh no! I hope it eases soon.

Teddy

 

@Mamo Yay, pants! They look lovely.

@helgie Wow, you got a lot done this month! I am impressed with your productivity.

@tsukibun I think it came together nicely in the end.

@Moonycat31 Oh, that sucks. It's always so frustrating when health issues get in the way of what you want to do. I wish you a smooth and fast recovery.

For my own project... Well, life kept happening and crafting somehow didn't happen at the same rate. But I did finish the decoration on the dress and I did make a rectangular head dress.

It turned ot pretty good and I'm happy with what I made, but I do wish I had more accessories for her to go with this outfit.
The planned pieces will probably still happen eventually, but for now I will call it done.

All the fabric came from the scrap bin and I did manage to use up a number of very tiny scraps of lace that were really too small for anything else, but too nice to throw away, so as far as the theme goes, I think I did all right.

 

Oh! pretty!

Teddy

 

@Teddy Thank you!

@PoeticSoul Thank you! It's a striking combo, but unforgiving, fur sure. Small mess ups or an imbalanced design shows up so well. I must admit that I was not entirely sure that I would be able to pull it off.
And lucky? Spoiled, more like it. This doll has so many dresses.
But she is fun to make stuff for, so it's not like I'm going to stop any time soon.