Wearables Sewing Project: Unfinished Business [ Round 123 ]

This time I REALLY need to carve out some time to join in.

I have Project Victorian Gingham to work on, as well as Project Victorian Bathing Costumes.

Teddy

 

Perfect round for me ! I will be able to finish the circus outfit for my girl. ^^ And maybe sew an outfit for my litlle witch girl (off topic).

 

This is a good month to actually sew all the snaps to the backs of pieces waiting for a while lol I don't know why I avoid it. It takes only a few minutes!

 

I'd like to pick up where I left off in April and finish the blue asian outfit for Anwen (Fairyland MiniFee Chloe).
To do:
- hem the robe;
- sash + belt;
- trousers;
- over-robe (if I can find suitable fabric);
- ?shoes?

 

Ooooh it’s such an interesting « challenge »! I should start working again on mine. I’m not sure I’ll really be able to do it but it would be nice if I was doing it
If I do it, I should finish a dress I thought about years ago… But we’ll see

 

Okay, well, this would be the time to complete the outfit I've left unfinished for three months because I have to redo the pants and measured the wrist incorrectly on the shirt so I have to redo those cuffs too. Plus I haven't started modifying the doublet pattern for MSD yet...
Anyway! I'll be working on a D&D character outfit for Trym High-Hill, a Fairyland Minifee Alan.


Her outfit will be based on one I made on a Hero Forge miniature, since she's my BJD of my current D&D character. I've tweaked the colors in my physical adaption so they look like something someone would actually wear, but the same elements are there.


The jacket will be shorter, as a sleeveless doublet.

Technically, I've got her pants finished. In reality, though, they're too short, so I need to modify my pattern and redo them. I also need to adjust the sleeves on the pattern of her shirt and resize the doublet to fit.

 

It's my first time joining up and just so you guys know I'm still new to sewing so don't expect any greatness out of me
But I'd love to join the project to keep me accountable and finish up

I've been wanting to take some nice pictures of my dolls to make doll profiles. The last one waiting on an outfit for her photoshoot is my Dollfie Dream Hatsune Miku, who I still call Miku
I have bought a few outfits sized for DD but they always end up too short and revealing her underwear?? So I've taken on the mission to make her my own outfit that actually covers her booty region.

Miku by Novalyna Kong, on Flickr

My design is based off of chocolate mint ice cream. But I included pink for a little more contrasting colors. I already made a skirt last week which is her pencil skirt, made to resemble an ice cream cone with sprinkles. I also made her a bow for her hair. Under the spoiler.
The top and pantyhose are from one of the unfitting outfits, just being worn now for her modesty and won't be part of her final look.

Spoiler

Miku Ribbon by Novalyna Kong, on Flickr Miku skirt by Novalyna Kong, on Flickr

My plan for the project is to finish the minty green petal sleeve top I just started on, it's my first time sewing a sleeve, pray for me
Also want to finish or at least start on something fluffy to wrap around her skirt, I don't know what it's called but similar to this outfit that I bought for my Myou girl: Girl Outfits, BJD Outfits - BJD, BJD Doll, Ball Jointed Dolls, BJD Accessories - Alice's Collections Not sure how to make something like this but I'm gonna study the one I have and make my own version to match the chocomint outfit. Originally my top had a peplum that would cover the lack of waistband, but I liked the idea of making something detachable like that. So here goes nothing.

I don't know if I will get around to making the socks in this time since I'm going to a music festival at the end of this month But if I have time, I'll try making some socks.
Good luck to everyone in finishing your projects and I look forward to seeing and sharing progress!

 

This would be my first time joining if I manage to, and no promises as I am still recovering from my top-surgery. However do have unfinished sewing so fit the theme. I would like to try and actually either finish hand sewing a little black dress for my lovely Bowsette, or else scrap her scrap dress and hand sew her a little black body suit/swimsuit.

So here is a pic of Bowsette in her very temp wrap dress that needs an upgrade.


She's based on the internet meme of Bowers as a princess, and needs more princess like clothing. Heck more clothing over all as only has the one wrap dress and it's not great, and was meant to be replaced ages ago.
I'd like to make her a nicer little black dress, and/or a swimsuit/bodysuit. Someday when I can get my sewing table in order a black version of Peach's dress is the goal, but for now I just want something small to replace the temp dress I have meant to replace. So as I have pushed off the dress upgrade for a while I bring that here as my unfinished sewing business. I have free time and theme to try and motivate me. The only downside as I'm laid up and in recovery I wont be able to actually cleaning up my sewing table and use my machine. So hand sewing project is a go! Also as in recovery I will not beat myself up if nothing good comes of this try or I don't get anything done. It's that I make a try at all that matters.

 

Welcome to new members of the sewing family here ! ^^

 

I very much should join in this because I have a new doll on the way and buying him means I now have an idea of how I want to dress human Jude (who really, really needs a name that isn't human Jude) which is very much not in line with the clothes I've already made him.

Fortunately elf-Jude and human-Jude share the same body so I can make all the stuff for both of them with the same patterns. Skewing towards fantasy and taking heavy inspiration from both historical outfits and Lord of the Rings movies. I also managed to score a gorgeous remnant of copper/blue dupioni silk which I think will make a lovely robe/coat much like Thranduil's.

Also @Tippetarius congrats on your surgery and best wishes for your recovery.

 

I always say I'm going to participate but gosh darn it, I will sew this round! I have a pattern sitting on my desk for months, all cut out and ready to go.



I think it's this pattern from Etsy. I want to make something cute, summery, and light for my Obitsu gal.

 

Good luck to everyone on finishing your projects! I will be working on the Alyx Vance cosplay I'm making for my boyfriend's DD Hatsune Miku. She'll be wearing it to a convention at the end of the month, so it needs to be finished by then.


(Link to image)

Spoiler: Probably irrelevant backstory

For anyone wondering what Hatsune Miku has to do with Alyx Vance, there's a mod for Half-Life 2 that replaces Alyx's model with Miku. My boyfriend is a massive fan of both and has been using the mod for over a decade. It's become his default way of playing HL2. So I thought it would be fun for Miku to dress up as Alyx, and he agreed.

So far, I have the Black Mesa hoodie finished. The "leather" jacket (I'm actually using denim) is probably two-thirds of the way done, but I made the collar too small. I had to rip it out, and now I need to see if I can expand the one I have, or if I need to cut out a whole new one. The jeans are almost done; they just need some tailoring and closures, but I'm waiting until I get the boot situation figured out, in case they won't fit over them. If not, I might repurpose them for someone else.

The boots themselves I haven't started on. I'm planning on using the same denim as the jacket and scaling up a pattern for Ken-sized high tops. I have zero experience making shoes, so it'll be an experiment... I suppose we could just buy a pair if it fails, though getting them in time might be difficult. And I want to make her some other accessories, but they're lower priority.

@Novalyna - What you've got so far is super cute! I love the material you used for her skirt.

 

Hi, everyone! I just got my first doll last month, a ResinSoul Mei, and I haven't made her very many things yet. I love this idea of the monthly Sewing Project, so I'm in!
I bought this pattern from Etsy: Private School Uniform Clothes Pattern for Slim 1/4 MSD BJD: - Etsy and I'm going to make it this month. The pattern has socks in 3 different lengths, so I will make all 3 of them. A girl's got to have options, right?
I'm probably just going to use materials I have lying around because I'm still getting used to sewing in miniature, so this will be sort of like a "rough draft," just trying out the pattern to see if I want to make adjustments or anything later on when I make a proper version.
Good luck, everyone!

(Sorry, I still have to figure out how to upload pictures here...)

 

This'll be a good prompt for this month, I hope! I'm visiting my brother for about a week, so any big sewing projects would be interrupted then.

I have some unfinished stuff for sure; the tulle monster from the monochrome challenge and a hanfu I was putting together for Tian Ni, and I've been working on a yukata for Megu. And, of course, the eternal unfinished project of using up stash materials!

Good luck to all on their projects! I'm excited to see how they go this month.

 

Congratulations on your doll! Mei is such a beautiful sculpt. There's a great tutorial on uploading photos to DoA here! I use this method and preview my posts to make sure I've put everything in where I want it. Can't wait to see what you make!

 

For myself, all my dolls are still boxed or carry-bagged from the move. No casualties found so far, thankfully! Even my vinyl girl survived an extended period in a hot car with no problems. I have a sneaking suspicion that if I start a project this round it will become unfinished business before the month is over, lmao. I feel like making another cute pinafore/jumperskirt style dress for my mini girls. All I've got to do is decide which fabric from my stash I want to use!

...And figure out where in blazes I put the patterns I made for it

 

Thanks! I love her!

I couldn't get that link to work, but according to the FAQ, it looks like I have to set up an account on Flickr or something, and get photos uploaded to that first, before I can post anything here. Ugh. Or is there a better way?

 

@Gaiagrrrl that's so weird, sorry about that! Maybe linking to the tutorial's discussion thread, where you can click through to the tut, will work better? You're correct though. I upload phone pics to the flickr app, then from desktop mode/a computer I copy and paste the bbcode in. Here's a pic of my last completed sewing rounds project as an example:

Round 119 finished! by Jules B, on Flickr

I think you can reformat the bbcode afterward to get rid of the flickr text, but I cba to do that so I just live with it lol.

 

Oooh! That looks great! Did you do the crochet too? Where do you find tiny brooches like that?!

Haha, everything's so new and I'm so in awe of what everyone is doing, all the little details, I'm just amazed... I seriously feel like a little kid who's jumping up and down all the time!

Thanks so much for your help. Hopefully I can get this photo thing sorted out tomorrow...

 

Thank you!!! It's a doll-sized granny square shawl, and the brooch is actually a ladies' scarf pin!

It's such a cool hobby rich in things to do and crafts to try, it's great to use that excitement to build momentum for your projects!

 

Love the idea! She's so cute!

I'd like to join in! I have a new boy and he needs clothes I can't promise that I'll have a complete outfit done in a month, but maybe a few pieces? ... A piece?

My first major goal will be to complete his basic outfit. Here's an outline of what that'll involve:

(X) Red Basic Long Sleeved Shirt
(X) Grey Suit Jacket
(X) Grey Suit Pants
(X) Silver Buckle Belt
(X) White Lizard Skin Pattern Shoes

Not required, but still important:
(X) Undies!

Wish me luck!

 

Finally attached some snaps to these pieces. The bottom shirt has been without for like 2 years lol

 

@lully.lullers Those are so adorable! I love the color palette. Must feel great to finally finish them so your dolls could wear them, just in time for summer!

@Sanar TYSM for the compliment! Oh, your new Dollshe boy is your model? How exciting!! Are you even going to make his shoes? Ambitious! Y'all are so crafty, I aspire to reach that level someday! The idea of making shoes confuses and scares me

@Tira-chan Thank you!!! I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on the cosplay for your bf's Miku What you've made so far is looking great! How cute that she's cosplaying for the convention!

 

Yay progress! The flower pattern looks really sweet

You're welcome! And yep He's going to be occupying my attention for awhile! I'm looking forward to making things for him I haven't a clue how to make shoes but I'm gonna try!

 

Okay, I set up my Flickr account, and hopefully this works...fingers crossed...

Materials for the School Uniform by Prairie Night, on Flickr

I'm going to use these fabrics for my school uniform pieces. I know they're not ideal, but I have them all here, so I don't have to buy anything. I'll use the black and grey pattern for the skirt and tie, the white for the blouse, and the grey knit for the sweater vest and socks. The pattern has 3 lengths of socks, and I'm going to make all 3. The pattern also has two skirt lengths - a thigh length and an above the knee length. I'm planning on making the longer one for my uniform, but I might make both.

But, since it's only June and it's in the 90s outside, I thought the sweater vest and socks could wait for now. So, I started a summertime take on the blouse and skirt, just for the extra practice.

 

The pictures are working, and the fabrics look nice! Looking forward to seeing your school uniform come together

 

@Sanar You've got to get those undies done!

 

Yay! Thanks!

 

I'm also one of those people who often say they'll join and then never (ever!) finish, but I actually have a sewing project I started recently that's about half done and I need some motivation to finish it, so I guess I'll participate this time!

I'm following this etsy pattern and it's surprisingly easy so far, which is probably why I didn't give up yet.

I haven't really been taking progress pics but here's an image of the fabric (inside out) from when I had just started it:

Sorry about the text and image size, I had to grab the image from my Instagram story.

I'm currently in the middle of finishing the bodice and bodice liner; I'm replacing the skirt with a long pleated one which will probably be the hardest part.
The outfit will be for my dollfie Saber EXTRA, Nero!

 

Ooh! It'll look so nice when it's finished! Keep going!

 

Well, it seems people are off to a flying start on this one. I go away to a convention for a few days and then find I have a lot of reading to do to catch up on this thread - Yay!

I was going to take some unfinished bits along to hand-finish at the convention, I looked hem out intending to pack them, but didn't have luggage space and was still working on finishing a costume I wanted to wear over the weekend anyway.

Hopefully, I'll make a start on my Unfinished Business soon.

Teddy

 

I got the jacket finished, at least as far as sewing goes. I want to apply some waterproofing wax to the outside as a way to give it a more worn, leathery appearance.

Spoiler: Cool action shots my BF took

(Link to album)

The jacket was made using Culture Japan's Stand Collar Trenchcoat pattern for Smart Doll. I just left off most of the length, changed the collar, and cut back the front some as well, since I wanted to make sure the hoodie was visible.

 

Yay!

I'll be interested to see how the appearance changes once the wax is appled.

Teddy

 

Robe: hemmed
Blue robes - middle robe finished by helgie, on Flickr
(It does not want to drape Hopefully, washing it and ironing the pleats will help it look better).
The belt turned into another embroidery project:
Blue robes - belt in progress by helgie, on Flickr
The "net" is as much for decoration as for attaching the leather stripe to the linen. The plan is to tie a ribbon over the middle of the belt, so part of the embroidery will be covered. The thread is natural silk and older than I am (I got into my mother's stash).

 

Beautiful fabric. Good luck persuading it to retain some drape. Some dollclothes makers I know wash items and leave them hanging to drip dry so the weight of the water pulls the folds into better shape as it dries.

Teddy

 

So I've decided to focus on getting the shirt started. I went to my local fabric store to hunt fabrics but nothing really stood out to me and they didn't have the colour I was looking for anyways... so I tried the thrift store. I ended up finding a lovely shirt that I purchased on the spot! It's still not quite the right red, but I really like it anyways. It's a bit darker/brown-ish than what I was looking for, but I think it'll turn out really good! Like a nice, dark/moody air of mystery vibe



The fabric is also really thin which I think will be ideal for doll clothing.

And that's my progress so far I was going to take measurements and do pattern stuff but... I got distracted and ended up playing photo shoot with my model instead

Spoiler: Photo Time~

 

Completed Practice Schoolgirl Pattern by Prairie Night, on Flickr

Here's Norah Mae modeling her new summer outfit, made from the blouse and skirt pieces of the Schoolgirl Uniform pattern. Both pieces are plenty big on her. I made the double collar and I think it looks okay, not too bulky, but my fabric is pretty thin. I wonder what it would be like if I tried fusible interfacing instead of the second layer of fabric. Would that help with fraying and be less bulky?

The socks she's wearing in this picture aren't the socks included in this pattern. These were actually made from a pair of leggings-gone-wrong. I cut them in half and sewed them in to turn them into my first pair of socks. I'm glad I was able to salvage something from them!

So, now that she has another summer outfit, I feel like it's okay to go ahead and make the uniform now.

 

Nice - and your model seems o have taken to it, judging by the pictures, at least.

That turned out well - very sweet.

Personally (and this is just personal preference) I wouldn't be happy with not turning intnhe edges of the collar, and I dont find that fusible interfacing sticks well enough that I'd be confident it would prevent fraying. The colar you made looks fine and if you were using a slightly heavier fabric for the shirt/blouse and wanted to reduce bulk, then just use a thinner fabric for the other layer (I default to a very very thin cotton that I've used for veils for historic costume, because it's so fine, but a very thin lawn would also work)

Teddy

 

That's a super nice outfit. She looks so sweet in it.
I think you collar looks good.
In my experience a good collar is more in the pattern than in the fabric, allthough both does matter so some extent. As long as you choose something that isn't too thick and that presses well, you are good. I personally often use intefacing, but that is in addition to, not instead of, the undercollar. The interfacing is fused on before the collar is sewn and so ends up inside the collar once it's turned and is never seen. All it does is help to control the shape and stiffness and can in some cicrumstances help the collar stay crisp and flat. The interfacing is usually cut to the same size as the pattern piece, not including seam allowance, so it will not make any difference to fraying. Most fusible intefacing does not have glue strong enough to be trusted to hold on a finished grment, it's mostly there so that you don't need to baste it in place while sewing. You could potentially use fray check, but I don't think it would look very neat. It's better to just do it the "usual" way, especcially since you seem to have a good thing going with it already.
I do second Teddy's suggestion on using a thinner fabric for the undercollar if your main fabric is bordering on too thick to pull it off.
Lightly starching the fabric before marking and cutting can also help to mantain precision on small pieces.

 

I'm joining to finish Jaala's dress from last round. I finished the bodice, but still need to sew the two tiered ruffled skirt.

 

Week 1 progress.

Resized, printed off, cut out and then promptly massively edited a pattern to make a first pass mockup of the coat/robe/thing heavily inspired by this

My mockup
The front is messy mostly because the pattern I resized was designed for women and Jude is a male doll so there were some assets that needed redistributing. I also still need to figure out the collar and how that's going to attach.

I am much happier with the back. I changed the sleeves to be raglan sleeves as a nod to Legolas' blue shirt from the LOTR trilogy.

Now. Fabric. My copper/blue dupioni arrived and it's gorgeous.
As you'll see in some of the later pictures, it can really change colour depending on how the light hits it. I love it, it's gorgeous.

My main real problem is that I think I'm going to need to line it with something and I've allowed enough room for a lining. But I'm not entirely sure what with. I've got three options other than lining it with itself and I'd really like some second opinions.

Option 1. Cream dupioni silk.
Option 2. One of the two metallic gold fabrics I have.
Option 3. Slightly heavier weight dark blue patterned fabric.

 

@Crissaegrim I like #1 the dupioni best, personally but I think the bigger question for me would be how compatible the lining options are for pressing/ironing flat? I think the heavier weight of #3 might pull the outer layer in odd directions, but short of doing a test piece with each option or doing a pin and drape test, I'm not pro enough to know how to tell. If it doesn't cause any issues with the outer layer I think #3 would also look great! The metallics are lovely, but if I were making it for myself I wouldn't like how the cool toned golds would look with the warm burnt orange.

Hilariously while looking for a dolly thing totally unrelated to sewing projects I actually DID find some unfinished business from before the move! Now I've got options!

 

@Teddy @PoeticSoul @Lillith

Thank you all so much for the compliments, and the advice about interfacing! Everything you all said makes perfect sense. I am happy with how this collar turned out, and I did topstitch around the neckline as well (even though the pattern didn't say to), but the fabric I'm using for the next shirt is a little nicer and thicker, so I will try your suggestion for using a thinner fabric as the undercollar if I need to. I just can't leave raw hems (unless they're intentional), so I HAVE to do it the "usual" way.

@Sanar

Thrift stores and estate sales are some of the best places to get fabric! I really like what you picked out!

@helgie

Your embroidery work is beautiful!

 

@Crissaegrim I'd vote for either option two (my faveourite) or option one (mainly because the heavier weight blue looks grey on my monitor and I have an unreasonable bias against anything grey... {grin!!}). Whichever you choose it should look lovely.

That would be the kiss-of-death for me, I'm terrible about making decisions and would dither about which one to work on, and never get started at all. As it is, I went witht he first thing that came to mind, and have aftually made a start sewing a gazillion tiny hooks and thread-bars on the ten different coloured gingham dresses from my as-yet-unfinished Operation Victorian Gingham project:

The red has two hooks (barely visible against the patterned fabric) in place, I've added them to the yoke (and buttonholed button-loops on the cuffs) of the blue in the background, and one button loop on the yoke of the green (barely visible under the blue - these dresses , apparently, are not going to be consistent in how they fasten... The teal (the only completely finished one, done years ago) is all buttons and loops.

I can't leave them even if they are intentional. I bought a gorgeus dress for one of my girls, without realizing the ruffles weren't hemmed, and am now waiting to get around to working the tiniest of rolled-hems on them.

It's gorgeous already. Have fun with the slow stitching.

Teddy

 

@Crissaegrim
This is just my opinion, but I really like your 3rd choice, the patterned blue. I think it matches your copper/blue fabric beautifully, and I think the pattern looks "elvish", like tree limbs, just like the crown from your inspiration photo. (Sorry, I can't remember who he is offhand.)

@PoeticSoul
That's beautiful! I love how the vines from one piece curve into the vines on the next! I can't wait to see it when it's done!

@lully.lullers
Cute outfit!

@lully.lullers @Teddy
I think it's really funny that "Unfinished Business" involves sewing the closures on! I'm totally like that too. I haven't put the closures on my doll's outfit yet. It's held on with safety pins right now. It's like that last little simple thing is so tedious. Maybe it just feels like it's not worth getting out a needle and thread for that one thing. Or it's like, it's done ENOUGH. Hehe. It's good to know it' not just me.

 

@Gaiagrrrl
Definitely agree on the closures xP It's just... I don't want to do them? The back of the outfit I was working on for my other boy is still fully open. Maybe one day I'll get a zipper tiny enough to sew there? Also, buttons. The shirt I'm working on now 'should' have buttons, but I think I'll just forget it I don't have buttons that wee anyways.

 

Update!

So. I've had some setbacks. Sadly, I find this fabric difficult to deal with. It's 'slippery' and I can't control it very well. But! I did get started on my shirt and I managed to get the collar done! I don't really like how my stitches look but I guess they probably won't be that noticeable since it's so small.



Overall, it's coming along nicely

 

Sanar -vs- Fabric (Formerly Known as Thrift Store Blouse)

Guess what? You're winning!

 

I think you're right about the scale and how noticable the stitches won't be. Shame the fabric is uncooperative though. Best of luck beating it into submission.

Teddy

 

I finally finished my circus outfit ! I hesitate to make a petticoat but I like it like this. =)




Now she needs some shoes to fit with. ^^ And maybe a little hat !

 

It's very cute!

Teddy

 

More progress!

Before sewing the collar:

After sewing the collar:


Model time!




Edit: A picture is broken for some reason?

 

Yay! It's moving along apace.

Can I suggest that, if you make another shirt at some point, you simplify the pattern by cutting the collar and collar-stand as one piece to eliminate the bulk of all those seams in one small area.
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qHpM2aLviag/maxresdefault.jpg

One of the tricks I've found, over the years, for scaling down to doll size is eliminating that sort of bul where possble.

Teddy