Handmade Summer 18 inch Doll Wardrobe and Pattern Reviews

These past two days I have been busy sewing a summer wardrobe for the American Girl doll (or other 18 inch dolls).  I made some for my granddaughters and made some to be listed in my Etsy store.

My two favorite patterns are from two different doll designers Bunny Bear and Love U Bunches.  

The shirt's were made from a modified pattern from called  Bunny Bear - Bella Twilight jeans and top.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/40649869/bella-twilight-jeans-and-button-down?ref=shop_home_active_2

The shoes are made from Love U Bunches Plain Jane Flats.  I slightly modified my using a 5mm foam instead of 2mm.  

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/love-u-bunches/products/plain-jane-18-doll-shoes

If you love to sew like I do - then you will love both of these patterns.  

Thanks GiGi

Serger Brother 1034D - Tutorial on How to Oil

I love sewing with my Brother 1034D Serger.  I was so intimidated when I first got the machine.  I actually let it sit on my sewing counter for about 4 months before I decided - I can do this.  I feared changing the thread.  It is a piece of cake.....so easy. Just follow the instructions on the machine.  If you have not used your machine in the back of the book it says "Oil machine before using".  I did this before I started.  The book also recommends to oil it once a week or once a month depending on how much you use it.  I use mine with almost every garment I sew with - the only items I do not use it on is  when I sew doll shoes for the 18-inch dolls.

I purchased Zoom Sprout from my local Brother Dealer.

I love this bottle.  The design is perfect to getting oil into tiny spots. It has a retractable telescoping spout and the best part it is drip free. 

Lets begin - make sure you clean all dust particles from machine before oiling.

Gently squeeze bottle add a drop or two on the areas that the book shows.  Below are the two areas I am oiling. 

Area #1

 Area #2

Now you are ready to Serge your items.

Thanks for reading my blog.  Be sure and click "following" to see my future tutorials.

GiGi 

American Girl Doll Closet and Hanger Tutorial

Just as girls need closets for their many clothes and shoes so does the American Girl Dolls. I found this doll closet on clearance at Michael's for 14.99 from the Springfield collection.

Tutorial on making  store bough closet into your dolls person doll closet

I purchased toddler size hangers from the Dollar Tree - get 6 for a $1.00 - pink, blue, and white are the color choices I had at my store.  I had my husband cut off part of the hanger to fit the 18 inch doll clothes.  He used his upside down Jig Saw.  He said you could use a band saw to cut the plastic. 

 This is where he made the cut.

 The finished product.

I like these that have the curved notch - great for hanging up doll clothes with straps. 

 I think this makes an excellent doll closet for any American Girl doll or other 18 inch dolls.

McKenna is trying on shoes.

 What will we wear today?

Thanks GiGi

Patriotic Doll Outfit Giveaway

I made a capri set - patriotic with Red, White, & Blue stars and I donated it to Doll Diaries to use in a giveway.  I love how she paired it up with a beautiful headband and the love patriotic chair she used in the photo.   Be sure and click on link and enter to win this outfit.

http://dolldiaries.com/giveaway-patriotic-outfit-by-gigis-doll-creations/

Thanks GiGi

American Girl Doll Summer Wardrobe Giveaway $595 Value

You've been waiting for it and the time has arrived for our third American Girl Doll Handcrafted Wardrobe Giveaway. This time the contributors have outdone themselves and created an incredible summer wardrobe. You are going to love it!! This fabulous giveaway is brought to you by the following co-hosts, sponsors, & contributors~

1. Diana of Diana Rambles - Diana aka FreeStyleMama, the coordinator of this giveaway, is a self-described creative crafty mama of 3 who blogs about food, crafts, family & fun. She also is a blog designer & seamstress.
2. Amy of SewsNBows - Amy is a fabric hoarder and sewing pattern collector who enjoys sewing children's clothing and accessories. Her beautiful creations are showcased on her blog.
3. Millie & Kristina of 2 Crochet Hooks - Millie and Kristina, a Mother and Daughter team of Fiber Crafters, Entrepreneurs and Environmentally Concerned Parents. Blogging about Crochet, Crafts, Recycling, and Fun!
4. Stephanie of The Tip Toe Fairy - Stephanie is a stay-at-home mommy to 3.  She blogs about crafting, cupcakes, book reviews, and more.
5. KC of The Real Thing with the Coake Family - KC is a stay at home mom of two cuties who are 11 and 7. She blogs at The Real Thing with the Coake Family which is about living the creative life with her family, while keeping it real along the way.
6. Debbie of Heartbeats~ Soul Stains - Debbie is a wife, mother of 7 and a nurse that has survived many obstacles. She share stories about her life living in controlled chaos.
7. Janell of Saving you Dinero - Janell is a stay-at-home mom and blogger at Saving You Dinero, a blog dedicated to "saving you time and money, from kitchen to store and so much more." Janell enjoys baking, shopping online, and saving money by scouring the internet for the best deals and coupon codes.
8. Lynn of Turnips 2 Tangerines - Turnips 2 Tangerines is Lynn's Little Kitchen in the Big Woods of Northern WI is where she shares with you, her family tested and approved recipes, kitchen tips and many adventures traveling throughout Wisconsin.
9. Emily of Naptime Creations - Emily is an adventure loving mom who lives in Hong Kong with her husband and two boys. When she's not with her family or friends you can find her sewing, cooking, taking photos and blogging.
10. Jenny of Learning and Growing the Piwi Way - Jenny is a proud wife and mama who enjoys blogging about teaching her kids, the books she reads and food. With another job relocation always just over the horizon most of the projects she writes about are an attempt to distract her from packing.
11. Laura of Laura Kelly's INKlings - Laura Kelly is a licensed artist and creative project designer for ilovetocreate.com. She blogs her journey with hopes of inspiring and stimulating creativity in others.
12. Stephanie of A Geek in Glasses - Stephanie loves all things Vintage and crafty and her house shows it. She just got AG Doll Molly McIntire for Christmas because she wants to have a Victory Garden and loves all things 1940's!!!
13. Lisa of Crazy Adventures in Parenting - Lisa Douglas is an Army wife raising seven kids sharing humorous parental war-stories, yummy homemade family-friendly recipes, craft tutorials, hilarious family videos, and much more at CrazyAdventuresinParenting.com. Lisa's on a journey to savor every "small" moment, finding the humor in the joy in everything (even diapers and laundry).
14. Char of Doll Diaries - Char is the founder and blogger at Doll Diaries where girls of all ages are inspired to create, play and share doll related activities. She is excited for the second summer of Camp Doll Diaries - a free, online summer camp with new themed activities for girls of all ages each day.
15. Ayelet of The Graceful Rose - Ayelet is the owner of The Graceful Rose shop, is a wife and mama to two adorable girls. Her blog is a bit about her daily life, with tips and tricks that she's learned along the way.
16. Anna of Doll It Up - Anna shares projects and inspiration to sew, craft and create for dolls. From easy to advanced projects come and create, repurpose and PLAY!
17. Rachel & Donna of Once Upon a Sewing Machine - The sewing machine has always been a place for us to come together as mother and daughter team. It is a place where we can brainstorm, laugh, cry, catch up after being apart and share new projects.
18. Michelle of Crafty Little Me - Michelle is wife and mother to two cats and one playful pup. Her site is a way for her to document and share her passion for big projects, events, etc., and more importantly, planning and organizing these things and seeing everything come together in the end.

Sonnet of SohoSonnet Creative Living   Becky of Plushie Patterns
Allison of Dream a Little Bigger   Lizzy of The Muddle-Headed Momma
Lindsay of My Creative Days   Harriet of Posh on a Budget
 Lisa of Chronically Content   Carmody of Paper & Fox

FreeStyleMama - Hawaiian Collection & Embroidered Tote Bag
Naptime Creations - Mushroom Outfit   Doll Diaries - T-shirt & Pajamas
Laura Kelly's INKlings - Patriotic Outfit   SewsNBows - Pet Set & Outfit
Darlin Girl Creations - Snoopy Outfit   Tickie's Treasures - Vintage Outfit
123 Mulberry Street - Outfit & Hat   A Bee Line - Beez Shoes
Jazzy Doll Duds - Romper Outfit   Karen Mom of 3 - Floral Outfit
  Gina's Craft Corner - 4 Bags   Aunt Sissy Originals - Patriotic Outfit
Once Upon a Sewing Machine - 2 Outfits   2 Crochet Hooks - Bedding Set
  GiGi's Doll Creations - Patriotic Outfit   Jessie's Girl Clothing - Polo Outfit 
Pickled Okra - Reversible Outfit   Meatloaf and Melodrama - Flower Outfit
Doll It Up - Tutu Set   The Graceful Rose - 2 Dresses
Cats Meow - Floral Dress   The Real Thing with the Coake Family - Dress Form
The Tip Toe Fairy - Skirt Set   Camelot's Treasures - Shorts Outfit

Enter the giveaway using the Giveaway Tools entry form below.

18+ yrs, US & Canada Only. Official Rules at bottom of the entry form.
Bonus entries unlocked after required entry.
The more entries, the better chance you have of winning.

Entry-Form

This giveaway was coordinated by Diana of Diana Rambles.

American Girl -18 inch Doll Headband Tutorial

I made some headbands last year using Glitter sheets from Hobby Lobby (HL).  They are only  1.47 each and can be found in the crafts section sold next to the  individual felt squares.  I made some for my granddaughters and then decided to make some for the American Girl Dolls.  I decided to make matching headbands to match the doll shoes I made. There is a variety of glitter and vinyl sheets. The best part of these - the glitter does not come off.  These are a hot item - great for embroidering shirts - can be washed and dried and does not come off.

I cut them into strips - 11 inches in length and 1/2 inch wide.  I use my rotary cutting tool to cut them along with my self cutting mat and clear ruler. 

I cut braided elastic about 1/14 inches and use zig zag stitch to join the ends.  

 I

If I am using a trim or ribbon I will use Frey Check on ends to keep from unraveling.  Below is using the braided trim I purchased at JoAnn's - from Simplicity. 

Having a little fun with camera and dolls.

Hope you found this DIY tutorial an inspiration and educational for you to make doll headbands for your dolls.

Thanks

GiGi