Last few for a while....

Ok, so I think I'm at the end of the mini bag phase! I've created a template for a slightly modified "one-piece" pattern that works great and I think I've perfected the lining technique. So here are my final few experiments in texture and design..... (the houndstooth is my favourite. I'll be keeping this one!)

The new design removed one of the seams, making a more streamlined front and all of it is done flat - buttons, lining, buttonhole - do its easier to get secure and consistent seams. Also, fewer seams mean less that can come apart!

I have also borrowed a stand from my parents to use on Sales Day. Looks pretty cool, I think!

Time for something new.... Now, what shall I choose??? Big bags, baby bags, library bags.. Maybe some more tool belts?? Dolly sleeping bags might be fun.... And use up some stash, too!!

Bags on display stand

No, its not a rocket ship... Its the mini bag pattern!!

Mini bags experiments...

Tried using a lighter fabric this time with iron on vilene to help prevent fraying and give some weight - a velvet with sequins and a light lining-type with sparkly spots on it. Inside is the upholstery velvet I have used previously.

I think they are a little too light, but maybe if I put the vilene on both pieces, not just on the outside pieces??

Methinks there is still more experiments to be done!!!

(I have put one little bag next to a 50c piece to give some kind of idea of size....)

Even more mini bags!!

Oohhh!! These are so much FUN!!

Here are 2 more from today...

The brown one is softer than the others so far, and I managed to forget one of the stitching lines and made the buttonhole far too big!! Turned out to my advantage, though, because I could use a far bigger button to brilliant effect...

The other is straight vinyl with curtain fabric inside. Seems it doesn't really matter what fabric I use, they all just seem to work out fine!!

I took them to Doll Club yesterday, and they are all keen to buy one, so now I have 4 weeks to make as many as possible to sell at Sales Day. I have so much fabric, I don't think I'll run out of colours or textures any time soon!

Western Power bear...

So the next contract I decided to dress from work was Western Power, although it could easily be anything like mining or mechanical, etc......

I used the same shirt pattern that seems to fit really well (see Accountant bear) but then attach it to a pair of trousers to make a kind of boiler suit. I took a diagram of an actual suit from work and used that as a guide to where to put the silver tape, colours, etc.

I had a literal laugh out loud moment as soon as I turned this outfit right side out. I thought it was HILARIOUS!! It turned out just as I had pictured in my head!!

Very few accessories to be added to this one, besides maybe a name tag and boots......

Tiny T-shirt...

In between bears and bags, I managed to make a T-shirt for a little TY Beanie Bopper called American Millie. I had put this off for ages since I don't enjoy sewing for tiny dolls and I was trying to replicate the original. Trying to find a really tiny American flag, in theory, was easy. In reality, not!

So, since we are having a Doll Sale in a couple of weeks, I thought I'd just get her into something decent.

Very simple square shirt with square sleeves. Found some fabric with a little fishy on it, and used fusible web to attach it. DONE!!

NEXT!!!!

More mini bags of fun!!

A trio of  mini bags

Just made another mini bag, and taken some better shots for the future tute. It's a better contrast so you can see the stitching better.

This time I used a yellow vinyl on the outside and red upholstery velvet in the inside. Also made a couple of construction changes... Oh, and I added some chain handles!

vinyl outside, fur inside

Fur outside, vinyl inside

vinyl outside, red velvet inside

red velvet inside

Bags of fun!!

Since I made the mini bag yesterday, I have had a couple of ideas that I wanted to play with today.

1. Remove the integrated handle because it's a bit thick.
2. Explore replacement handles out of chain or thinner vinyl strips.
3. Eyelets for "straps" attachment to bag.
4. Side wall changes
5. Try a variation in fabrics.

So, I removed the handle. Tick.
I modified the side wall, integrating a curved to piece to put in an eyelet to connect a chain or strap from. Tick.
I found some blue vinyl and some firm fur fabric (say that three times fast!!) and tried the same pattern in reverse, so one was fur inside, one outside. Worked! Tick!

Looking at how they turned out, the fur inside version could easily be a jewellery or coin purse as well as a doll bag accessory! Multi purpose! LOL!

Pics are pretty ordinary, but you get the idea! Still need a visit to the hardware to check out some chain, but couldn't wait!

It's hard to tell but the size is still the same 8cm wide, 5cm high and 2cm deep.....

Reversed vinyl, fur fabric

Accountant Bear...

Request number 2 - add a bear for the Accounts Department...
Now, how stereotypical should I be?? Glasses, calculator, suit??? Yep, all of the above!!

Version 1 was not too successful. Bears are hard to dress, especially these ones with bulging legs and big tummies! I tried to make a collared jacket with plain shirt and scarf. Although the skirt was successful, the shirt and jacket was not. The sleeves were far too full at the top, and the body just plain the wrong shape! Plus the shirt was far too casual...

FAIL!!











Version 2 - jacket collar removed and collar added to undershirt. Much better result! Ended up using the original skirt, made a new jacket and shirt, plus added some "underthings" for modesty. I think I'll leave the accessories to them....

SUCCESS!!




(She is wearing some borrowed CPK lace up shoes.The girls can arrange to get their own...)

Another girl gets some clothes...

Modified a pre-made dress for this "made in England" girl, and added some white pantaloons for modesty....

My Cabbie has new pants....

I bought this CPK Jesmar many years ago, and regret not buying his sister....

He came with his original yellow jacket and shirt, but has been waiting on some bottoms. I had planned to do some jogging pants to match his jacket, but there is a bit of pilling and fading so the pants would have been soooooo fresh and clean it would have looked a bit odd.

Brainwave!! Jeans!!

I modified a Butterick pattern by adding some pockets (real, by the way..) narrowing the front and reducing the bulk in the back, as well as raising the crotch line. I added some details to the front, included a real jeans button and recycled an old pair of pre-loved jeans for the fabric.

Turned out ok, I think??

The whole ensemble

Original CPK T-Shirt

Front detail

Back view - coulda added pockets, but who was going to see them???

New Years Resolutions....

1. Finish half-done stuff
2. Start some new stuff
3. Get rid of some old stuff
4. Buy some new stuff

So, on the point of finishing stuff, here is my first project...

All this one needed was some Velcro at the back. Why didn't I do this years ago?????? 5 minutes was all it took.

The doll is a Famosa baby doll, with a mechanism in the left arm that moves the head. As the hand is moved towards the mouth, the head moves as if to take a drink. Very cute!!

Recycled...

So, I didn't like that dress on Dee Dee, so I have put it on another doll. She is a Regal, from Canada, and is about 38cm tall.

I took in the waistband of the pants to fit, but the top fits great - no mods required! Obviously the hat was going to be waaayyyy too big, so I thought a simple headband would be better, since she has had a little bit of a haircut.

And voila!! Another one done and dusted!!! Hopefully she will find a new home soon....

Third attempt...

This one is minus the lace on the straps and pants. Works ok.....

Still can't get that hat right! Tried a modified small size, but it's not quite fitting right...... Back to the drawing room..... At least the dress fits!!

Another Baby Face trial...

Not liking this style on Dee Dee too much. It's too full at the hem, and the fabric was far too soft.

Baby Face have a slightly bigger head than the BSB's, so I used the next pattern size up. But it turns out the smaller one works HEAPS better, perhaps with a wider brim? Will need to try this one again, with a few minor adjustments....

Same style, different doll...

A few mods and now it fits Baby Face, too!!

Second draft...

Made the pants puffy-er, added the frill To the top (a bit too full but still cute...) and increased the brim of the hat and SUCCESS!!!

There is actually a bow at the front in self fabric, which is hard to see, but it's definitely there! More to come....