Sewing What are you currently sewing for your BJD Vol 13

Your sweater looks great. I think the fit is good but fit is a personal preference, and I like big sweaters in winter and tighter sweaters in spring.

 

The fit looks fine to me.

Teddy

 

Well, the good news is Ailionora & I agreed upon a dress style & fabrics.
The bad news is the original Victorian pattern I'm using has no instructions or hints how the pattern pieces connect...
So far, I've made a perfect lined circle skirt by lengthening the pattern 3". And redrafted the sleeve pattern as the one included doesn't match the original illustration??? Maybe today I'll figure out how the bodice was supposed to get it's blouson front poof...maybe...

 

Now I want to see the pattern and illustration

Teddy

 

Happy to be able to.
I don't remember which book I made these copies from...so all I can say it is from "Winter 1896". After a couple of false starts, I found that making an enlarged copy of the pattern pieces at 175% gave me the best size for my Dolls town elf body. Then have had to adjust a few things. Oddly added 3" to the skirt but only added 1/2" to the sleeve length, and the blouson front of the bodice seems huge. But I'll figure that out after a bit.


If I could remember which book, I'd be curious to double check as the pattern # on the sleeve parts is different than the rest of the pattern pieces & is for a much smaller puffed sleeve than what is in the illustration. Hmmm... Here's the original, which I used as the lining on top of my updated version which then is on top of my overly puffy leg o mutton pattern from other projects. These sleeve pattern shapes always making me chuckle.


So far, the skirt. Which is a very different drape than the illustration, but is the same pattern #s as the rest of the dress so I decided to go with it this time.


And where I've gotten to today on the first sleeve and the sailor lapel pieces. I enlarged the lapel pieces, to be sure I had enough seam allowance & bigger points & still they look small...guess I'll see if I need to remake them once I get the bodice sorted out tomorrow...


Finally have enough time to not drive myself to distraction trying to sort out the whole thing in one mad push. But it is definitely a good way to keep myself distracted for a few days here!!

 

@cthulhu , that is to die for. Can't wait to see it all done. The heirloom dresses are lovely. I wish I had held on to my old pieces now!
@Lelycat Nice tailoring for such a tiny garment, and the pocket detail is so cute.
@sugarstitch, I think that skirt is a success. I know we are our own worst critics, but I love it.
@Yumeiro LOL, do we ever finish what we start?
@MB Lilac Your boy is so handsome!


Here's my next project, won't get done fast as I am traveling. But my new angel, Bella Auden, is planning it for her companions in San Antonio. She will have her own things, to be shown after they are made. The Iplehouse model is on the gallery as I don't want to over post here. I am so delighted to have found this fabric.

 

@Frillseeker - Thanks. I finished his shirt, but ran into a few issues along the way. Like choosing the eyelets by artificial light. I thought they were beige, but the next morning they were actually yellow! Thankfully they won't be showing once the rest of his outfit covers them up....

 

@cthulhu that's a Gibson Girl excercise or bicycling dress.

 

I see what you mean

It looks like it could be from "59 Authentic Turn-of-he-Century Fashion Patterns" by Kristina Harris. I can't find where I've put my copy or I'd check it for you.

{nods} I've used that "overly-puffy" shape several times myself - it takes a lot of fabric though (for one outfit I was making for a friend, I ran out of yardage and had to piece offcuts together to get a big enough piece for the second sleeve - lucky, piecing is period, and the joins all disappeared into the folds once it was gathered into the armhole anyway).

Looks like a fairly similar silhouette to me....

Love the print fabric, by the way. I thought, at first, I had a doll dress in the same fabric, but I just went and dug it out - same colours and similar pattern but less distinct flowers- so that's me misremembering.

It certainly looks intriguing

You could paint or over-sew them (when pushed for time to get a costume "wearable", we used to "cheat" with using metal eyelets in the less obvious layers of Medieval and Elizabethan costumes, and later hide the metal eyelets by oversewing them to make them look more like hand-sewn eyelets)

Teddy

 

I have made one of those. And on an adult, it would be. I've been surprised to learn from period photos that preteen girls wore their dresses at almost knee length. Toddlers have longer dresses & adults are back to full length. This one is specifically a "misses costume" and the styling goes well with the other children in their sailor collar blouses. Soda is selling loose shaped sailor collar jacket suits this season which Ailionora's brothers would happily wear if I could afford them...

 

Hi everyone!! This is not a thread I ever thought I would join because up until now, I have not been a seamstress! But, I just posted my first doll clothing as a project journal (you can see it here if you want) and @cthulhu kindly suggested I join this thread to learn more and see what everyone else is up to!

(If you can't see the picture, just click Reply on my post and it'll show up in the reply window.)
The journal I linked to describes my journey in making my first dress, which I first did as a practice run in some felt I had:


She looks like a Medieval peasant BUT I AM SO PROUD OF MYSELF!!

Tonight/this weekend I will do another trial run, using a suggestion from @cthulhu in which I cut up an old tshirt my husband didn't want anymore!

 

Good luck lishelove! And happy sewing.

 

The book is the previously mention Kristina Harris, 59 Authentic Turn-of-the Century Fashion Patterns and the pattern is on on. 133. If you read the introduction on using the patterns she states that all patterns in this book may not be graded at the same scale within a particular pattern, and goes on to state how to determine scaling and grading out patterns. That is why you can't enlarge each drawing the same and have it fit. Good luck. The explanation is quite lengthy and a bit confusing so find yourself a copy and try to figure it out.

 

Thanks jhiggi! In this case I've got enough of the pattern pieces resized to be useful. And this info helps explain why the looser blouson front seems larger than the other pattern pieces. I wonder if the original sleeve pattern got misplaced or replaced as Ms Harris played out her book. There were also lots of measurement calculations along with the patterns for using with a basic sloper pattern which I didn't attend to. I admit I tend to dive into projects by gut instinct & avoid the maths if possible. ;}

 

Quite right! Maths should ever sully the art and enjoyment of sewing.

Teddy

 

Frances Grimble has pattern books that contain the rulers to grade the patterns found in the Kristina Harris' books if you are so inclined. She has a series of 5 or 6? Amazing period pattern books based on historical patterns from the period that were available to dressmakers. Check her out on Amazon. Might be fun. I am older so I paid peanuts compared to what these books are selling for now. I also have Janet Arnold's books that are now hundreds of dollars that I paid maybe $20 and winced back then. I treasure my books though, and I sympathise with the math part, but 35 years of pattern making and sewing made me conquer my fears and learn the skills I needed. Although the older I get the numbers sometimes get the best of me.

 

Thanks jhiggi! I will. It is my bday soon...
I discovered the Janet Arnold books long ago & visited them regularly at the library when I was a teen. Many years later I bought myself a set just because I finally could.
Im glad I set aside another Harris pattern (which was more fitted) & opted for this one as the adjustments are more easily sorted. The info you've shared will help immensely if I ever do tackle the other.
This group sharing info is my favorite kind of quality time on DoA. Thanks everyone!!

 

@cthulhu I love these original Victorian patterns too!
The numbers on the illustration are indicated in inches. I took graph paper with quarter inch markings and plotted the dots indicated in the illustration to make a pattern. A quarter inch for my plot equals a inch in the illustration.
I thought you could copy the whole illustration on a scanner and scale it to size to use as a complete pattern but each pattern piece in the illustration is in a different scale. You have to draw each pattern piece first on graph paper to get the same scale for all of the pattern pieces.
It takes a bit of time but I was able to make a blouse top directly from the pattern I plotted on graph paper without alterations and it fits my Dollshe Amanda!

If you plot the pattern dimension makings on 1/4 inch graph paper, you get a pattern in quarter scale.

Sometimes the pattern in the book is already quarter scale. You can check each pattern piece to see if a 1 inch mark measures 1/4 inch.
Or 12 inches on the pattern plot measures 3 inches (see below in the pic).

victorian pattern by Linda, on Flickr

 

Excellent! Thanks tinyseams!!! I'll try that with the blouson front pattern piece which is confusing me & note it on the other pattern I've set aside for later. But now back to painting my house...too many good ideas even when I don't have work to blame for taking up all my time. XD

 

@cthulhu I am excited to see how it finishes up. You have me interested in sewing those patterns again. I did the same thing you did with those patterns and drove myself crazy until I read the book intro. hahahaha

 

working on a small version of the dress - Julien Fournie fall 2010 - for my Vampire

 

That's going to be impressive. I don't envy you all that hand beading.

Teddy

 

halfway to the end, I began to regret that I had "invented" these beads

 

I can well believe that.

Good luck with getting it all done.

Teddy

 

Amuk, it's looking amazing. Hope you survive recreating it as it's going to look amazing! Nice fit to the dress & a perfect style on her!!

 

okay, clearly I'm just a crazy outlier, but I love doing insanely detailed projects like that, and @cthulhu is right - it's going to look so amazing!
@Amuk - I'm a little surprised that you're beading after sewing, I usually bead/embroider things first, and then sew them together ...but I also have a lot of never spoken of again projects where I sank hours into beading/embroidering, forgot to take into account how that would effect the fabric, and... yeah... it didn't work out as planned... at all

I'm contemplating something like this for a near future-ish project, except making the overskirt out of individual petals/scales.
The main things keeping it on hold right now are
1) stupid "internal incision not healing as projected" issues (elbow surgery, ugh.);
2) weight/availability of supplies concerns (I have access to lots of teeny tiny beads - which might get too heavy, and limited/uncertain access to micro sequins - which wouldn't have the weight problem, but acquiring enough is uncertain); and
3) my old nemesis, MATH

 

I made the dress for Agatha again, but this time I used actual fabric instead of felt! Aside from my practice with the felt version, this is the first dress I have ever sewn! I am happy with how it turned out, even if it definitely is not perfect. I talked about it all in a project journal post, if you're interested. If you can't see the picture, click "Reply" to my post and it'll show up in the reply for you to see.

 

lishelove, that's a cute mod first project hooray! My first simple dress (too many decades ago) was supposed to be cut out on the fold for both the front & back pieces. I, of course, cut right up the fold then had to practice sewing an extra straight seam. XD.

Girrrl, what about net with glitter glued to it for the shimmery scales? Brush on less glue for the less sparkly parts & more glue & glitter for the tips? Looks like a fabulous one to add to the list. Hope your elbow gets past this 2020 thing & begins to recover soon!!

Edit: Got to thinking of a dress I did a couple holidays ago. My friend gave me a glittered sheer icy blue fabric and a woven thin silver lame. The two together created just the shimmer I was looking for. I think I added some extra micro rhinestones plus I have some strung beaded trim that I tacked on along the neck line. Seems like kind of what you'd want for the look of the scales with the right glitter added along the edges...

I think there was more of the fabric. If its of interest send me a msg.

 

Sooo good!

 

Rather you than me, but it will look amazing.

It's come out great - and I like the tassel trim at the hem. It's a nice touch.

Very pretty.

Teddy

 

@cthulhu Thank you, I am so pleased! We all have those projects that are distinct learning experiences for us. And also that holiday outfit you made with that blue fabric and sparkly bits is beautiful!

@Teddy Thanks so much! I agree, I think the tassel trim makes the whole thing complete!

 

I'm working on an outfit for my FID Eden. I originally made him a beige shirt, but didn't like how it looked up against his skin - way too much beige - so made a new, cream shirt instead. I like it a lot better, so can now proceed with the rest of his outfit...

 

Continuing to make progress on Eden's outfit.. I have about two hundred tiny studs to insert in his tunic....

 

I adore the way that the blue lining and blue embroidery set off his lovely eyes! Great design choices.

 

Thanks, but the reason I chose blue is because his girlfriend is dressed all in blue, and I wanted at least some little thing to match. But yes, it does set off his eyes as well.

 

That sounds fabulous, I'm sure that they will look wonderful together!

 

He now has a cloak, belt, and 47 more studs inserted. Just another hundred to go....

 

Your level of detail is breath-taking! He looks so great and the scale of everything he’s wearing is perfect. Is this a 1/3 doll?

 

Well if you will design such detailed outfits for them....

Teddy

 

Wanted to share a couple of minifee dresses I made using the same pattern, but one is a 2 piece and the other one is simply a dress. The two piece:

and the dress using an embroidered tulle overlay:

I am so happy with both!

 

ittybittykitties, those turned out beautifully! Nicely done.
MBLilac, where do you find such small studs in quantities to do such madness?

 

Lovely

Teddy

 

And he IS a stud! lol

 

@ittybittykittyz - No, he's Fashion size. I like this size way better than the bigger 1/3 scale dolls.
@Teddy - Of course, and I wasn't complaining about it, it's just that I can't do too many studs at once, so it ends up taking several days - between working on other things.
@El BJD - LOL. He is very cute.

 

So gorgeous! I just love both of them! To quote one of my favorite book characters, “life isn’t worth living without puffed sleeves”. These are just Devine.

 

ahaha I can live by that quote thank you!!!

 

@ittybittykittyz
what a beautiful duo, especially the floral skirt. I want to send a fab amethyst necklace for the lilac dress!
@MB Lilac
42 studs? I am already tired just thinking about it!

The pattern for this is by Jude, on my Raccoon Gene. I did not think the top would work out, so I abandoned it for awhile. today I picked it up and did the running stich and finished it. It turned out better than I ever thought it would, and will probably be one of my favorite patterns going forward. It lends itself to summer dresses as well as pants. Tell me what you think.

 

Gene shops Lacroix: Time to start this!

 

Oh yes! It would be lovely as the bodice of a retro/50s style full-skirted dress.

Happy sewing!

Teddy

 

Looks like a fun project. Lucky doll.

 

I finished Eden's outfit yesterday, just as we were getting out first major snowfall...

 

Fabulous

Teddy

 

What an amazing backdrop nature provided. Love the finished product. The crinkle gauze for the cape has the perfect weight and drape for the cape and is fringing nicely for that worn look. Thanks for sharing this stud with all his studs! The real stud is the stud setter,

 

Oh I just love this! I’m always torn between I can handle a project like this and oh wow this is too amazing! It’s inspirational, if that makes sense?

 

@Teddy, I thought your idea to make a 50's skirt a very good one, it would be so neat if it had a net petticoat under it. I will post it as soon as I get it done, I have to hunt down the co-ordinating fabric. Thanks for your moral support!
@jhiggi - Thanks to you, too

This is a company-made gown that I reworked. I removed the tiny blue beads that were sewn on the bodice. It's the first time I've used some of my vintage trims, but not the last!

 

Very effective

Teddy

 

@Frillseeker - is that the gown from the Franklin Mint's Scarlet in blue velvet?

 

That looks amazing. He looks cozy in his cloak too.

Nice re-purposing there @Frillseeker!

 

@MB Lilac No, it is the Tonner gown for Scarlet OHara. I am scheming up a tribute to your work, Martha. I won’t even try to pretend that my bits equal your dresses, but someone’s gotta do it! Sincere imitation is the best flattery, even if it is only a pale shadow...
@SteamWitch - Thank you!
@Teddy - Glad you like it, Teddy