American Girl Doll Sleeping Bag Tutorial

My granddaughter asked me to make a sleeping bag for a birthday present for  her friend's doll Julie.  I knew Julie loved items from the 70's and I had some bandana's that I had purchased a while back with 70's designs on them. 

So I took the two bandana's and placed a layer of cotton batting in between the fabric.  I used pink thread and for the bobbin I used green thread since the bandana's already had that same color zig zagged around the edges.

 After sewing a straight seem around the fabric, I then zig zag with same color of thread pink for the top of fabric and green from the bottom(in bobbin).

 I then folded in half and used a wider zig zag to close the bottom and the sides.

The sleeping bag is reversible.

I made a pink pillow and appliqued name of the doll - Julie on it.  I used Winston font #181 from Jolsons Embroidery Designs.  I took my applique scissors and cut around the applique (peace signs is the fabric I used) to give it the "Raggy affect". I used hot pink embroidery thread.

Thanks for stopping and browsing.  Comments are always welcomed.  I will be listing American Girl Doll sleeping bags onto my Etsy store soon :)

GiGi

Free Doll Shorts pattern for American Girl

I came across a pin for American Girl doll shorts on Pinterest.

Below is the link for the pattern.


 link below

http://www.18inchdollclothesz.com/blog/easy-shorts-pattern-for-american-girl-dolls.html#comment-2656 for free pattern and tutorial for shorts from Sew Adollable.  I love this pattern. Give in a 10.  I do not follow the tutorial exactly as photos show.  I learned a new sewing technique from Rosie from Rosie's Doll clothes where you sew your elastic seam first then use straight bodkin to pull elastic through and then sew the elastic and back seam together.  I hate threading elastic through a tight seam.  It is so much quicker this way.  If you want a photo explaining this technique let me know and I will insert one.  I also hem the shorts before sewing the inner seam, faster and easier.

Here are some of the doll shorts I have made.

 I just love how they fit so well.  Not to baggy.  They fit the legs perfect.

 

I had tried a shorts pattern from McCalls  but only made one pair because they were  huge on the doll.  My 4 year old granddaughter looked at them and made a sad face and said "those are not shorts...they don't fit".  So, I haven't made anymore from that pattern.  Will need to taylor it down. 

 

UPDATE - here is a photo of using the bodkin

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and browsing.  I will be listing new short set's with shoulder bag purse to match very soon.

 

GiGi

Bandeau Pattern from Liberty Jane Clothing

I recently purchased the Bandeau Top pattern from Liberty Jane Clothing.  I have made several tops using this pattern.  I changed up the color variation  on my summer collection - lots of dots instead of a solid color. 

I really love this pattern.  It was easy to sew. You can make a dress with ruffle if you want to.  For this pattern purchase you get two outfits from the pattern. http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/2011/03/bandeau-top-and-dress-for-ag-dolls.html

Here are my 4 designs for Summer Collection - Lots of Dots  - each outfit listed on my Etsy store.  I wanted the top to coordinate/accent the capris.

 

Here are some 4th of July prints

 

Patriotic Set - listed on Etsy

Thanks for viewing. Comments or suggestions always welcomed

GiGi

 

Patriotic American Girl Doll Outfit

I was in need of some "cotton therapy" and I started early this morning sewing.  I had purchased several doll patterns this past week from Liberty Jane clothing and I decided to make the Bandeau top. 


With the 4th of July coming up I decided to make two outfits to list on my Etsy store.  https://www.etsy.com/listing/153459900/patriotic-outfit-for-18-inch-american

I purchased a fat quarter patriotic bundle from Hobby Lobby and I made the top using one of the fat quarters - red with white and blue stars.

 

I made a simple skirt and used the red/white/blue ribbon to accent the colors of the top.  I used white cotton for the skirt material.

 

I love the Bandeau top pattern.  It was easy and the photo and instructions were easy to follow. Will be making some more of these.

 

Here is the back view - with dolls hair down ( I just love my dolls long hair).  Wishing now I hadn't cut 20 inches off of my own.....

I used dark blue material for the straps to accent the top as well.

 

Back view with dolls hair up.

 

 

Having fun taking photos - I wonder what my neighbors think of me when they see me outside taking photos of the dolls....LOL

 

 

Thanks for stopping. As always comments are welcomed.

GiGi

 

Featured Again on Liberty Jane Clothing (LJC) - Harajuka skirt

I was featured again on Liberty Janes Clothing weekly newsletter :)
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=pxignedab&v=001vuCdHl1qDg7H2N2eHoDCI3XnIUURIsrka6tRibR8PCkKanhbevdYRBaTt3DOP4c7fBxMirGIiXnbnoHfoujGnxEqDUAkl-yTZdv8GIM9728zoUHdTxCvdBxqF6tTVoIo

Not sure if this link will work.  The outfit I was featured was one I of the Harajuka Station skirts I just posted on Etsy this week https://www.etsy.com/listing/152903781/denim-ruffled-skirt-for-18-inch-American

Once again feel so humbled and honored to have been chosen once again.  I love making this skirt.  I purchased some new fabric and tulle to make some new skirts.  Be watching for them soon :)

Thanks for stopping by.
GiGi

Featured on Liberty Jane Clothing

Last week when I received an email that I had been featured on Liberty Jane Clothing (LJC) email - I about fell out of the chair.  I felt proud, honored, and humbled to have been chosen.  There are many seamstress sewing doll clothes and I just happen to have been a lucky one chosen and ranked with some very famous designers.  Not sure if the link below will work
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=pxignedab&v=001HMNYyGLsDvqQcdzgFuXa3dZ_A7vuqqf4Q-sythpJJdGKZ3pplbj4RnHBFZ0n2hQADG_tylVQb6D3uR61iezsB9My1lIDqDlikUjSv7gChnQfIuDvj9XCB4C1_-nI4Mgo

The outfit was this one using the Harajuki Station skirt pattern from LJC

 

This morning this outfit sold on my Esty shop.

 

 

Thanks for stopping

 

GiGi

Burlap Garden Flags

 I have been overwhelmed with work that I have not really been doing much sewing or embroidering.  For some reason this semester of teaching nursing students seamed like the work load increased 10 fold.  Have you ever got caught up only to be slammed again with another huge load.  That is how it has been the past two months.  Now I am on summer vacation and starting to enjoy sewing and embroidering again. I have purchased several new designs.  I have been seeing some beautiful outdoor garden flags so I decided to purchase my own embroidery designs and some burlap and give a whirl.  I made some for me and my daughter and posted to my Facebook page and bam....the orders came in. 

I had never worked or even cut burlap before.  If you have not either then you are in for a treat. LOL.  That stuff is messy.   I am a neat freak - cannot stand threads I cut from sewing to be on my counter. They immediately have to go in the trash.   I am just a little OCD - once again LOL. I felt like I needed a shop vac to be running continuously while I cut, sewed, and worked with the burlap to keep down the mess.  I have since learned you can pay a little more money for a higher grade of burlap that doesn't make a mess...... My question where is it?  I will pay to have it shipped here.

Enjoy the photos of my creations.  I made one with a bow accent and it was a hit.  Sold several more with bows - forgot to take pictures with the flag so I posted a picture of them. 

This brown chevron came from JoAnn's Fabric store.  I had a request for brown chevron and came across this design

 Black chevron with yellow chevron ribbon to accent the yellow and white dots used in the letter E

These bows went with this flag and the one below.

 

This design is a split design and can be altered to remove the Mr. and Mrs. and put first names.

This Split Design is very popular with monogram letter and  last name embroidered in the center

Hope you have enjoyed.  Comments always welcome - especially any tips on working and cutting burlap.

Thanks for stopping by
GiGi