Wearables Sewing Project: Leftovers and Recycling [ Round 153 ]

I really MUST try to actually take part in this one instead of just cheering from the sidelines

Teddy

 

I want to join this round!
Things have been chaotic around here for a while but it seems to finally be calming down, so I think I will be able to.
And, of course, there is always plenty of scraps lying around that I'd love to use up.

I haven't decided on doll or project yet, but I do have a few options in mind.
I'll dig through the scraps tonight and decide.

 

Yay! I knew this round was coming so I spent yesterday cutting up scraps to make badly needed basic shirts and some pants for my boys! I don't know how much of this I will get finished with, but hopefully most of it. I have some more scraps left over and would like to make a few things for my badly neglected girls as well. But I don't want to be overly ambitious. The girls are going to scream at me eventually, but the boys really need more basic clothes.

IMG_9351 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

 

Joining in...

 

I'm going to have to start late. I've caught a cold and am currently stuck in bed with a fever.

 

Poop! Get Well Soon!

I bet you'll feel better and make a start beforfe I even approach starting (if I start at all!)

Scrumptious fabrics!

Way to get ahead on the project!

That looks like a lot of garments!

Welcome to the fun!

Teddy

 

Thanks for your kind words, both of you. I didn't have the energy to reply when I read them but it meant a lot!

I am still stuck in bed, but I think things are going in the right direction.
So to bring this back on topic:
I still haven't been able to hunt for fabrics, for obvious reasons, but I have had plenty of time to think and I have come up with a plan!

I know I have a bunch of very tiny scraps, you know, too small to normally save but for one reason or another just throwing them away doesn't seem right.
So I will work from that, take a scarp and see what I can make out of it.
This means I won't have a fixed doll that I'll be working for, but I'll introduce them as they become relevant.

 

I keep all of mine too, and then random crum-quilt them together. At some point I'll have a big enough piece for a doll si\ed cerazy quilt top.


Teddy

 

@Teddy That is a lovely idea. At least some of my scraps would defiantly be suitable for patchwork, so I'll keep it in mind.

Most of it is all sorts of different fabric types, though and probably will need individual projects. I did manage to go upstairs and dig around a bit this morning so at least I am starting to get an idea of what I'm working with.
It will probably be several small, kind of random things for different dolls.

 

Glad to hear you could manage that much. Hopefully you'll be feeling much better soon.

Teddy

 

I did a thing last night. All made out of scraps. I had originally bought this material during the onset of Covid-19 to make masks for everyone in the house, and this material was the left overs from that. I love the peas in a pod fabric it is so cute! Ariel just arrived last night and I wanted to make something just for her instead of sticking her in borrowed clothes from one of my other girls.

IMG_9357 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

I am still sewing up the other stuff made from scraps as well. I just wanted to show all of you the cute little dress!

 

Sweetness!"

You're right about the cuteness of that pea fabric too.

Teddy

 

Thank you! I think I might make green her favourite colour!

Thank you! I need to keep my eyes out for more cute fabrics like that one.

}-------{​

I want to jump into making Ariel more clothes, but I really need to make the boys clothes. I managed to do a lot of sewing and pinning on the the clothes that are using the white thread today. Hopefully I will have the light coloured clothes finished in a couple of days, and I can start sewing the darker clothes.

 

@RabbidBunnies Very pretty! Ariel looks pleased.

I am mostly well again, so back on track!
I made a pair of socks. This was a tiny scrap, so I am very pleased. Matilda (JID Tania) is modelling them.

 

Thanks!
It's surprisingly satisfying to use up the very last bit of a fabric.

 

Excellent!

Well done!

Teddy

 

@PoeticSoul That's a delightfully whimsical outfit. So much fun!

 

It does indeed work well for her character.

Teddy

 

@PoeticSoul The outfit looks so awesome! All of those mixed fabrics look wonderful together!!

___________

I am close to finishing my scraps project. I'll still have more material left over, but I am happy how the basic clothing is turning out. The shirts looked a little plain to me, so I am using fabric paints and acrylics to make designs on them, but a did get all of the sewing parts finished!

 

I'm enjoying seeing what everyone is coming up with. I didn't know these challenges existed but would love to try to participate, especially with summer holidays coming up here. I did make this recently from scraps of a vintage fabric that I was given by a friend. I had been wanting to make a fitted corset style top for my large Iplehouse HID dolls for a long time and finally worked out a pattern for them. This was my second try but I want to make another to be sure I have it right.

Her handbag is a little small for this scale but it matched her shoes

Iplehouse Elle HID by LyanneNZ, on Flickr

 

Well, that came out absolutely lovely.

Teddy

 

i’ve been wanting to join in on a challenge, and as soon as my doll arrived, i jumped in. virtually all of my fabrics are cotton, and are leftover cuts of past projects, so the world was my oyster for this challenge!

the item i decided to make was a qipao. owing to the fact that the Doll Chateau Beacher does not have… typical human proportions to put it mildly, i went for a ‘bodice only’ version, and not the dress form. i looked exclusively for self drafted versions and after making a sloper was delighted to learn that this qipao tutorial/exploration was only a slight modification of a bodice sloper! happy days!



once i was satisfied with the sloper (the first time it’s taken me only one attempt!) i moved onto making a pattern for the qipao and then sewing a mock-up



i didn’t bother with hemming or any closures here as i just wanted to ensure that the asymmetrical opening would work. i hasn’t considered that her head is rather large, and so had to cut open the back to make it fit, although this is not accurate to qipaos anymore i think!

my first attempt at the final qipao went… poorly. i had spent roughly four hours embroidering little stars/asterisks onto the pattern pieces and so by the time i was beginning to sew, i was getting rather impatient and cut corners. this was a big no no, i’m a beginner, and really should have taken more time with it! so, frustrated when the garment didn’t fit, i abandoned it for the day to come back with fresh eyes another day.




this time i gave up on the embroidery idea and to add some visual interest, went with some contrasting bias tape instead. it’s not perfect (i have yet to decide on what i want done with the hem and stray threads and rough sewing is rather evident) but i am really proud of my second attempt, and can’t wait to keep at sewing and getting better!

 

I did it!! I was wary at the beginning of the month because I had cut out a lot of clothes from my scraps, but once I kicked myself into gear the project took off. I decorated the t-shirts with fabric paints and acrylics so they wouldn't all look alike. I did make quite a dent in my larger scraps sewing up the clothes. All of the t-shirt sleeves were cut down sleeves of human clothing. My mother donated some clothes that were too worn to wear and some of the material also came from that, as well as a lot of scraps from other projects.

Now, the fun part. I get to change a lot of doll clothes. I was bored of the boys wardrobe, so it will be nice to see all of them in different clothes. I like that I have a lot more variety in choosing what they can all wear.

IMG_9367 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

 

@jelliemouse A qipao is quite a challenge! I haven't made one in many years but yes they are difficult to make and yours looks like a tiny one too. I would also have made an opening at the back for dolls. Great job and I hope you keep going with your sewing.

@RabbidBunnies Wow you sewed a whole wardrobe of clothing! I'd love to do a bunch of things all in one go - tee shirts would be so useful. I'd like to make some "lounge wear" for the girls too so that they have simple day clothes to wear and be comfortable in at home

 

@RabbidBunnies wow so many fun options!! i can’t wait to see how your dolls all look wearing fun combinations

@PoeticSoul @LyanneNZ yes, certainly a very weird pattern shape (and doll!!) to work with but i’m also glad i persevered

 

@LyanneNZ That looks lovely!

@jelliemouse Non human bodies are always challenging. I think you made a good choice for the design.

@RabbidBunnies Wow, that's a lot of doll clothes! I am in awe of your patience, I get bored right away when I have to do things that are too similar. You have some lucky dolls.

I used up another old scrap to make a tulle skirt. This will probably also go to Matilda. She is one of my oldest dolls and part of the "core group" of my collection, but despite that she doesn't have nearly as much clothes as some of the others. So it's about time she got some new stuff.

 

@Lilith thank you! and what an elegant skirt! i hope i get over my fears of sewing tulle soon, i have an incoming doll that i know will look stunning in such a skirt.

 

Thanks!
You can do it! Tulle isn't too bad. Sure it can be a bit temperamental, but on the other hand it can be gathered really tight and forced to behave in all sorts of ways. And it's usually very affordable.

 

The contrasting bias tape was a good idea. It's very effective.

You certainly did!! Well done!

Yay!!! It looks like it will work both as an underlayer to add body to a skirt or dress and as a sheer overlayer over a contrast or tonic coloured garment. Versatility!


Teddy

 

My thoughts exactly. I love layers.

 

So, I've finished a long sleeve t-shirt. Again using up a few tiny scraps. Again for Matilda.
This means, that along with some pre-existing under wear, I've actually made her a full outfit, quite without planning it.



But since we are only half way through the month, now I have to come up with something else to make.

I could continue adding pieces to Matilda's outfit, but I think perhaps I want to change direction. Petronella (Withdoll Emma) needs a winter jacket, so I may start on that. It will require some pattern making, though, so it's a bigger project.

Anyway, this is Petronella:

 

Happy accident - Yay!

Good luck!

Teddy

 

@PoeticSoul The outfit looks adorable! It's like a piece of art! Poetta looks so pretty!

 

oh she looks lovely and congrats on finishing up all that fabric

 

Well done! It all looks lovley

Teddy

 

@PoeticSoul Oh, that's adorable! What an amazing use for scraps and repurposed doll clothes.

 

i managed to sneak in one more simple project, a camisole!

much simpler and i actually finished it entirely unlike the qipao haha it has a button and loop side closure and strap closure, that felt the most manageable for me. it was a bit of a squeeze with the scraps i had left, particularly for the yellow fabric, but i managed!
and in the background, keen eyes will see i'm watching lomi's playground where she's customising one of her bjds!

 

Yay! Well done!

I haven't even got started. Now we're in Christmas Break, I'm busy trying to make a new Regency suit for myself beofre the balls I'm attending in January and February.

Teddy

 

that makes sense haha, it's a lot to manage around festivities and work i imagine, i'm on break from uni so i have quite a bit of spare time for now. and awesome, i've always wanted to attend such an event, but i don't really think they have them in my country. i'd also have to work on my sewing skills quite a bit first haha! i hope you enjoy, i'm sure your suit will be lovely!

 

Yes, it certainly doesn't leave a lot fo time for dolly projects

I'm pretty sure they do - I think, for example there was a Regency Festival in Adelaide in 2020. Have a search online and see what comes up.

Teddy

 

Okay so still on the boys basics, but Harlan's outfit just didn't feel finished With the t-shirt and shorts that I made for him. I ended up going back and making him a new shirt this morning. I also made the hat, bracelets, necklace, that matches the outfit, the messenger bag, and the chain belt.

Harlan2 by Rabbid Bunnies, on Flickr

I am looking forward for the January project. I have my girl ready, the material I picked out, and a pattern that I upsized from ⅙ scale to ⅓ scale. I have plans for a 1928 dress and hat to with it.

I think I have enough basics for the time being. I am looking forward to make more individual geared outfits for my dolls next year, such as I ended up going back and doing for Harlan this month.

 

@jelliemouse Well done!

@RabbidBunnies Oh, you got even more done? You've been insanely productive this round. I am thoroughly impressed.

For my own progress, well, the jacket didn't happen, but...

I did get a few other things done, even if it's just a few.
First I made an apron for Amalyssa (Maskcat Joy) to go with her traditional wardrobe. I am cheating slightly here because while this fabric came to me as a tiny piece, that's how I bought it at a miniature fair. So not exactly a leftover. But still.


And I also made her a new dress. This one is made from a proper scrap from a dress I made for myself years ago.

This one has a super simple construction, it's all rectangles. And with the exception of the neck hole, it's all straight seams.
Sorry about the bad lighting. Daylight isn't much of a thing here this time of year.

 

oh i love both of the things you’ve made her, particularly that dress! it’s simply divine, the black really suits her!!

 

Thanks!
Even if her size can be tricky to sew for (she is only 25 cm tall) I always find it enjoyable. She is such a pretty little doll and she always makes even the simple things look good.

 

Loving all the activity here - sewing for my dolls is one of the main things that I enjoy about them - that and taking the resulting photos - so it's so enjoyable to see others doing that too.

 

@Lillith Both of those outfits are wonderful! I love the festive outfit in the first picture. The black dress is very pretty. I love it's simplicity.

 

@PoeticSoul and @RabbidBunnies Thank you both, you are so sweet!