CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW - For Poppy Parker Dolls

Spring (and early summer) is the busiest time of the gardening season for many gardeners. Everything seems to burst into life at once. As gardening is my co-hobby, on equal footing with sewing (and creating doll clothes), the two worlds are bound to collide.

I've not attended the Chelsea Flower Show in Britain but I'm sure Poppy must have visited it on one of her many global jaunts. And, as she is never afraid to get enthusiastically into the mood of any occasion, I imagine she might wear something like this.

NOTE: This outfit has been created especially for Poppy Parker dolls and will not fit Silkstone, Victoire or similarly sized dolls.

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 Chelsea Flower Show

For Poppy Parker Dolls

Hugs until next time!

~ Jan

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CONFETTI for Silkstone Barbie and Victoire Roux

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 Confetti

For Silkstone Barbie and Victoire Roux dolls 

A few years ago I became obsessed with creating my own fabric designs. Finding prints (and you know I love prints!) that were small enough was always a challenge Along came self-printing sites like Spoonflower (and others I am looking forward to trying) and I was hooked. Learning about offsets and repeating patterns was a bit of a challenge though.

The fabric for Confetti was designed by me and printed last spring and is just now finding itself as the basis of a vintage-inspired outfit for Silkstone Barbie and Victoire.

The dress features a scoop neckline, capped sleeves, and a cornflower blue attached sash with a statement bow. The dress is fully lined and fastens in the back with tiny snaps.

A matching Bandeau hat, a white handbag with gold-tone hardware, white wrist length gloves and a necklace are also included.

Until the next time,

Hugs!

~ Jan

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MRS. S. ~ for Silkstone Barbie and Victoire Roux on Etsy

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 Mrs. S.

For Silkstone Barbie and Victoire Roux dolls

When Integrity first introduced the Victoire Roux dolls I was not an early adopter. They were all lovely, of course, but I already had so many silkstones and did I really need another model from the same fashion genre? Then Evening in Montreal was introduced. Maybe she came along at a time when Mattel seemed to be scaling back on Silkstone production but she suddenly looked new and fresh to me. So she arrived at my house and promptly sat on a shelf for two years!

Inspiration finally came when I spotted an old magazine ad - you know the type - 1950's sophisticated housewife attending an afternoon tea/cocktail party, after spending most of the morning getting ready. Sort of how most of us spend our days :) She seemed to be my perfect model for such frivolous decadence. As I was sewing this outfit I began to have other ideas for scenarios in which Victoire (as Mrs. S.) could play a starring role.

She now has a distinct personality and she must in the future have a wardrobe to go with it!

Until later,
~ Jan

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Throwback Thursday

While currently working on several things for the 12" set, I realize I miss my 16" girls and hope to get back to them. Eye surgery is slowing down the picture taking portion of the process but should be resolved soon.

In the meantime, some past fashions.

Old Passions - New Interests

Hello friends! No, I did not fall off the face of the Earth but I did take a very long hiatus to shift my sewing focus, try new things, and slowly make my way back to you and our favourite hobby - Dolls and what they wear. Much more about that later.

Now I want to show you my latest "thing" - designing my own fabric! It really was a natural next step, as I was always searching for tiny suitable doll sized prints, and not finding what I wanted. 

I'm currently working on several new OOAK's and I'm thrilled to be using my own fabrics for many of them. I will keep you posted. Until then here is a pic of one of my watercolour prints.

Talk soon!

HAPPY CANADA DAY!

HAPPY CANADA DAY 150

My beloved country is one hundred and 50 years old today and Canadians are celebrating from sea to sea to sea. Off now to see the local parade complete with marching bands (my favourite).

I'll be back at my sewing machine soon.

xo

~ Jan

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FELICITY - for Silkstone Barbie, Victoire Roux and FR2 dolls on Etsy

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 FELICITY

For Silkstone Barbie, Victoire Roux and FR2 dolls.

I have been wanting to design something for Tatyana Alexandrova, my one and only FR2 doll, ever since she arrived over a year ago. Life intervened of course and I didn't get around to really measuring her until recently. I think a little part of me was getting a bit weary of doll companies constantly coming out with so many new body types. I know it is frustrating for doll seamstresses and doll clothing collectors as well. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that her measurements, aside from leg and arm lengths, were extremely similar to those of Silkstone Barbie. Oh happy day!

Thank you, Integrity. Now I will be on the lookout for more of these lovelies.

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Hello Two Thousand and Seventeen!

Am I the only one who threw up her hands in joy when 2016 limped out of the door and 2017 came waltzing in? I have never felt that way about an entire year before but 2016 was not the best. However, the beauty of being a human being (or an animal too, I suppose) is that we keep going forward, just like the calendar pages.

My sewing room was (and is) my place of peace and a place to remember who I am. Sewing, of any kind, grounds me like nothing else. I am looking forward to 2017 with excitement and a renewed sense of place and purpose. My first project of the new year was a return to an old friend, a familiar face: Silkstone Barbie. 

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LEGEND

xo

~ Jan

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Been Gone So Long . . . and Just a Little Bit Longer

When you read this that poor shell-shocked patient will be me. A bit of a necessary evil, I'm afraid. Nothing life-threatening but it will take a little recovery time before I am back to my old self. It also explains why I have been out of blog-commission for a while and why I will continue to be so for a bit more.

I regularly read quite a few blogs (mostly about dolls and sewing) and so many of them often begin with "Sorry I've been away for a while but life intervened".  I guess I fall into this category a lot and never more than right now, although brilliant blog posts are always being composed in my head - just never quite make it to print. :)  I find it hard to be creative when I have something distracting on my mind. Just a few weeks ago I was excited about starting some fashions for FR2 dolls and the possibilities of merging vintage and modern styles. I even had fabrics chosen for this little experiment. Now they lie in a neat pile on my desk along with very rough sketches and notes scribbled on yellow stickies, waiting for me to give them my undivided attention again. How great it is going to be to go into the sewing room with absolutely nothing on my mind but cutting out tiny little pieces of fabric for tiny little plastic people.

But all this is secondary to the other things that keep me bubbling with positivity (is that a word?) right now:

1. My two sons who always make me feel like I'm the best mom in the world.

2. My husband, who is determined to take care of me whether I like it or not :).

3. My sister, who knows I really don't like a big fuss, but finds ways every day to send me texts and funny/interesting stories she finds on line, just to show her love and support.

4. And, of course, my charming little 18 month old granddaughter, soon to be a big sister in October. Her glorious smile and her innate sense of knowing you never give up when you fall down is an inspiration to all who know her. 

Just wanted to let you know my absence will be temporary. Can't wait to talk to you all soon.

xo

~ Jan

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CANDLELIGHT - for Poppy Parker on Etsy

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 CANDLELIGHT

For Poppy Parker, Nuface and Monogram Dolls

After a bit of a hiatus I'm back. Christmas always seems to take up so much time and energy (but definitely by choice!). From the first time I ever saw a Christmas tree - probably when I was 9 months old - I have been hooked on the lights and magic of the season. But when all the seasonal merriment is over the abundance of free time gets my creative juices flowing. This year that energy went in many directions. I made a quilt for my darling granddaughter, some home dec pillows, mended a ton of items that needed some TLC and started collecting some patterns for humans that caught my eye.

After a zillion trips into my sewing room, Miss Poppy Parker actually sought my attention (rather loudly, using her outdoor voice). Actually her bright red hair is hard to ignore. I realized that I hadn't created anything closely fitted for the smaller busted girls in a long time. She and her NuFace and Monogram friends can't always share clothing with their fuller figured sisters so it takes a little re-drafting, especially if you want a close, snug fit. Probably the biggest advantage of sewing for these dolls is that their hands are removable so making a smaller sleeve and/or armscye is possible (no more gaping armholes).

I'll be so much more inclined to experiment with them in the future. Off with their hands!!!

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I Couldn't Let Summer Pass By . . .

I just couldn't let summer pass by without creating some floral print dresses, especially when this lovely fine cotton watercolour kept calling out to me.

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 SUMMER FESTIVAL

*   *   *

PEACOCK AND PLUM

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SHE LOVES YOU - a mod inspired outfit for Poppy Parker on Etsy

When Pattie Boyd, famous British model, married Beatle George Harrison in 1966 she broke the hearts of millions of teenage girls all over the world. With her carefree blond hair, trademark bangs and large innocent eyes, she epitomized the swinging Carnaby Street girl and earned herself several Vogue Magazine covers.

I've often thought Pillow Talk Poppy Parker resembled Pattie, and after a quick hair re-do (mainly just adding bangs and a slight flip), I had my own Carnaby Street model.

Of course she needed an appropriate 60's outfit to complete her look. She Loves You was created using an old McCall's pattern #9099. This outfit also fits Silkstone Barbie and similarly sized dolls.

Now on Etsy

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COMPLETE OUTFIT for Victoire Roux "Evening in Montreal" - on Ebay

Because I am not primarily a collector of dolls as an end goal, I purchase new additions to my little family based mainly on their facial screening. In other words, do they make good models? I have learned that some dolls just do not work well with different fashions so lip colour and eye makeup are of prime importance to me. I took quite a while to come around to the line of Victoire Roux dolls until “Evening in Montreal” arrived on the scene. Finally as you can see above, the perfect colour palate I was looking for - smokey gray eyes and red lips.

But as it was the doll I needed and not her fashion, I have listed her complete outfit (below) on eBay (Doll NOT Included). I admit it was a bit hard to part with her jewelry, especially the lovely little magnetic brooch, but the outfit listed is complete.

If you are interested in this outfit and your country is not listed as a shipping destination please let me know and we can make arrangements.

Complete Outfit Now on Ebay

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Welcome to All Our New Friends!

There are so many new friends who have joined our group in the past few weeks that I want to extend a big welcome and a hug to all of you. I have some fashions for 12" dolls that are nearing completion and I hope to have them up very soon. Spring has burst upon New Brunswick this past month and my husband and I are spending most of our time right now on our gardens – my other passion - but thoughts of the sewing room are never too far away.

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RIOMHACH (Beautiful) ~ for Silkstone Barbie and Fashion Royalty Dolls ~ Now on Etsy

This is my second version of an updated look for Barbie and Fashion Royalty dolls inspired by the popular television and book series "Outlander".

This time I decided to instill some 21st century glamour into the look because who can realistically see our Silkstone girls gallivanting across the rugged highlands of Scotland, handsome clansmen not withstanding? Perhaps an intimate party at home with friends may be a bit more practical.

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LUAIDH (Scottish Gaelic for “Loved one”) – Now on Etsy

This is my updated version of the costume the heroine, Claire, wears on the popular television series "Outlander”. If you are a fan you know the series is primarily set in 18th century Scotland (if you are reading this on my Blog, refer to my post of January 2). I was charmed by the simple and rugged textures of the costumes and wanted to design a few pieces that had those similar qualities but could be used as wardrobe enhancers for modern twenty-first century girls (i.e. no traditional waistcoats or lace ups). The most time consuming aspect of this little project was finding the right fabric for the skirt. It had to look authentic but also had to have the softness to drape into nice folds on a 16” frame.

This ensemble was created for Tonner dolls (Antoinette body type), but I am also working on something for Silkstone, which will have a slightly more glamourous approach.

I enjoy doing retro styles but I have to admit this is about as far back in history as I want to go and still try to make it somewhat wearable for today’s modern doll. 

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THE LEGACY OF VALENTINE'S DAY

One of the most appealing traditions from the centuries-old celebration of Valentine's Day is the giving and receiving of beautiful greeting cards, either commercially produced or made by hand. While browsing through images of past valentines online I spied this one and fell in love with it.

How do you know you have a doll obsession? The first thing that came to my mind when I saw it was how cute Tiny Betsy McCall and or Basic Patsyette would look in these costumes and the image is now tucked away in my ideas folder for a later date.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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1920's FASHION AT IT'S BEST

A little fashion eye candy for a cold, wintry afternoon.

1924 fashions from Downton Abbey

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A LITTLE PEEK AT A NEW PROJECT

This is just a little peek at something I am working on. Usually I never give advance photos because I may change my mind between now and completion and go into an entirely different direction. But I’m excited about this next fashion idea and thought it wouldn't hurt to post a quick pic. If you are following (and many are) the time-travel, historical, romantic, television series,  “Outlander” (based on the books written by Diana Gabaldon) then you know the huge popularity of the artisanal chunky knit cowls worn by the heroine, Claire Randal (played beautifully by Catriona Balfe). (See http://www.showcase.ca/outlander if you want more info.)

Over the Christmas break, not wanting to miss a single minute with my family by closeting myself in my sewing room, I decided to pick up my knitting needles and try my hand at cowls for our dolls. I choose Tonner’s Cami for my first model. I think she has that special “Claire” essence, but I intend not to neglect our 12” girls as well. The challenge will be to design outfits to go with them that reflect the rugged Scottish era in which the film is set, and yet will be modern enough for the 2015 world.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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