I decided to share some of my personal sewing tool/accessories and items I prefer when making doll clothes, accessories and crafts. Most of these items comes from Hobby Lobby, Joann's or your local sewing machine dealer.
When I first began sewing doll clothes for my granddaughters - if you haven't read my profile I only started sewing in 2012. I purchased a machine that was a combo sewing machine and embroidery machine. I didn't know how to do either. I purchased several doll patterns that comes with video tutorials from Rosie's Doll Clothes. I also watched several YouTube videos tutorials from Diane Morello (Scoresheet1) on YouTube for 18 inch or AG doll clothes.
I downloaded the free T-shirt pattern from Liberty Jane Clothing (now known as Pixie Faire) and I was hooked on sewing doll clothes for my granddaughters. Then several coworkers wanted to buy doll clothes from me and that is how I started sewing and selling doll clothes.
YouTube tutorials on sewing doll clothes, Diane Morello, Liberty Jane clothing, and kkcollect. My Froggy Stuff has a few doll clothing/bedding tutorials too. I have all of their videos pinned on separate pinterest boards.
I buy a lot of patterns online/Etsy. I also purchase store bought patterns. I think I own almost every one from McCalls and Simplicity. I have an addiction when it comes to buying doll patterns.
My first and foremost item is my bodkin. I first seen this item used on a video tutorial that I purchased from Rosie's Doll Clothes. I use it to pull elastic through pants and skirts. I dislike using a safety pin and pulling the elastic through. This tool makes it a lot faster and easier.
Flexible bodkin. This is great for pulling elastic through where you must sew your casing with leaving a small opening. I use this in doll shirts that have elastic around the neck. McCalls has a pattern for this shirt.
I have several rulers. I like the clear plastic one (got free from a pharmaceutical rep when I worked for a doctor) when drawing patterns on cardstock. Then I have the wooden one I purchased from Office Depot.
Here is my cutting board mat and large clear plastic ruler with various measurements.
Three size tube turners - purchased this at JoAnn's Fabric. I got this at 50% off. I try to buy when on sale or when I can use a coupon.
Love these small clippers. I keep this right next to my machine when I am sewing and in the drawer when I am not using. They are razor sharp. So, if you have grandkids that are curious please keep out of site.
These are the scissors I use when I embroider. Allows me to get really close to fabric and snip threads. They are from Gingher.
These are some other scissors I use on embroidery. Stork brand (I think).
These are my scissors and my recycled holder. I had to buy a new dishwasher last week and my husband took out the utensil holder from the old one and asked me if I could use it for something. I said yes I can. I can put all of my scissors and rotary cutters in it. I had been putting them in the drawer next to my sewing machine. Works great.
I had seen several pins on Pinterest for using metal washers as pattern weights when cutting fabric. The ones I had seen had wrapped fabric or ribbon around the washer for more of a decorative finish look. I didn't want to do that to mine. I love these. You can buy different sizes at your local hardware store like Lowe's, or Home Depot. I purchased two sizes. I think they work great for doll clothes patterns.
These are some small clips I purchased to use instead of pins. Some fabrics show pin marks and these also work great for hold material on my embroidery machine.
You might wonder why I have two magnetic pin holders. I keep one on my cutting table when I cutting fabric and pinning and the other one is kept by my sewing machine for when I need to remove the pins and put them in a safe place...so they don't end up of the counter or floor.
How do I store my PDF patterns that I purchase online and print. I use a three ring notebook, clear protector sheets, cardstock. I print off the pattern. I then print the pattern pieces onto card stock (keeping originals with the pattern) and then I cut out the pattern that I printed on the cardstock and place in clear protector sheets to keep them organized and with the pattern.
Here in the note book behind the front cover is where I store patterns that I had to make on my own. some of the patterns you buy, gives you instructions and gives the measurements of the pattern for you to cut out. I will either cut them out on cardstock and if the pattern is larger than the size of the cardstock I use poster board and store them.
Here is a pattern printed on cardstock and cut out and placed inside of a protector sheet. The pattern is from Luv U Bunches - it is their doll scrub pattern. I really like how they print their patterns. Print is clear and large enough to see. They use color in their patterns too.
I have two OttLite - one desk and one floor standing. I love using these lights when sewing. I have the floor model next to when I cut fabric and the other one setting on my counter in between the sewing machine and serger.
I learned a tip/trick when ironing. Hems on doll clothes turning 1/4 inch after you have serged the fabric and ironing can be challenging. I read a tip on misting the fabric with water before ironing and it helps keep fabric in place. I tried it and oh my it was so much faster. I hemmed three shirts in no time. So I keep this small spray bottle on my counter. I purchased it at Wal-mart for a $1.
Steam-A-Seam 2 is another product when sewing very small seams. It helps hold it together. Works great on fabric doll shoes.
I haven't used these snaps yet. I purchased this at Hobby Lobby when they were having all there Sew-Ology products at 50% off. I have some doll jackets I am wanting to make and use snaps.
Glue is a must when making doll shoes. E600 is an awesome glue to use. A lot of women that monogram and embroider hats - love this product. Have you seen the baseball hats with the monogrammed circle - they use this glue to glue it to the hat. It is machine washable.
505 spray adhesive. I highly recommend this product. I do not like Dritz brand. Will gum up your needle and machine. Use on sewing or embroidery machines.
If you do any crafting with a hot glue gun then I highly recommend these hot glue finger protector. I burned my fingers once....these really protect fingers.
I seen a video on YouTube using this foam core cutter from X-acto. I haven't used it yet. If you have ever tried to cut through foam core it can be challenging to get a need straight edge. This little device can cut at different angles. I purchased it at Michael's (used my 40% off coupon).
I use to store all of my fabric in plastic totes that have drawers. Well, just as I have an addiction for buying patterns, I have an addiction for buying fabrics. I have learned when you see it buy it...cause if you don't they might run out and you cannot purchase anymore. I have had this happen more than once. I had read some blogs on purchasing the comic boards (100 to a package) from Amazon. I started to buy them online and remembered we had a local comic book store. I called to verify they had them and they did. I purchased 400 boards....yes, I have used them all. I wrapped the fabric around the board and placed according to fabric print and type of fabric. The shelves' are L shaped and were already in the closet when I purchased the house.
I have a huge walk in close that I keep all of my fabric and craft supplies in. I have small book shelf where I keep all of my 3-ring notebooks of the downloaded patterns I buy and print. I currently have 17. I have a lot of patterns that I haven't even used.
Last but not least you might be wondering why I have a lint roller. This product works great for quick clean up on counter/floor and on clothes for cleaning up those little threads that you cut and thought you got all of them in the trash can :)
I hope you can find this information useful and can help you in your sewing and crafts. Happy Sewing/Crafting. I truly enjoy sewing. It is my "Cotton Therapy".
As always, thanks for reading my blog. Please leave comments and feedback.
GiGi
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