American Doll Clothes

Scroll down for english, please. 

As American dolls não são muito conhecidas por nós, mas nos Estados Unidos são bastante queridas entre as meninas, existindo até cafés temáticos, onde tudo é pensado ao pormenor. Há uns dias, recebi uma mensagem de uma mãe que me pedia um vestido para a boneca da filha. Para além do vestido acabei por fazer mais 3 peças: 1 top, 1 leggings e 1 túnica. Para todas as peças usei moldes grátis que encontrei depois de uma pesquisa. Aqui podem encontrar várias opções. 

American dolls are pretty known in the US but not so much over here, so I was a bit surprised (in a good way) when I got a request for an american doll dress. Besides the dress I ended up making 3 pieces: 1 top, 1 leggings and 1 tunic. For all the pieces I used free online patterns that I found. Find different options for more here. 

Este molde encontrei aqui. 

Found this pattern here. 

Comecemos pela túnica. A intenção era fazer um vestido, mas não sabia a altura que cortar já que não tinha a boneca comigo. Calculei mais ou menos onde deveria cortar mas ainda assim achei que ia ficar curto, por isso, passou a túnica e pronto. A gola ficou estranha. Fazer roupas pequeninas por vezes tem as suas dificuldades. 

Let's start with the tunic. The idea was to make a dress, but I didn't know how long I should cut the skirt because I didn't have the doll with me. I knew it'd be too short , so a tunic it is. The collar's a bit odd. Making tiny clothes comes with difficulties sometimes. 

O molde deste vestido aqui. 

Found the pattern for this dress here. 

Depois o vestido, que foi o que me pediram. A parte de cima é forrada (a cetim rosa neste caso) e para o fecho nas costas, aproveitei um reciclado de outra peça que terá acabado transformada ou no lixo anteriormente. O tecido exterior foi-me doado por uma amiga. Este foi o que mais gostei de costurar. 

After I made the dress, which was the one thing I was asked for. The top is completely lined (with a pink satin) and for the back zipper I used a recycled one from a previous refashioned or trashed piece. The main fabric had been given to me by a friend. This was the one I liked best. 

O molde deste top aqui. 

Found the pattern for the top here. 

Gostava de partilhar convosco o link para o molde das leggings mas já procurei várias vezes e não o encontro. Foi a costura "mais descuidada" de todas por esta malha é muito leve e trabalhá-la assim em ponto pequeno exigia uma paciência que eu não tinha no momento. Pensei em não oferecer esta à menina, mas depois imaginei que ela não iria reparar muito se as costuras estariam direitas ou tortas. Isso sim, era mais uma peça de roupa para vestir e despir as suas bonecas. 

I'd really like to share the leggings pattern link too but I seriously can't find it. I've looked for it several times and nothing. This was the "less cared" sew of all because this knit is very light and working it on a tiny piece called for a lot of patience which I didn't have at the moment. I thought about not giving this one away, but then I thought twice, the little girl wouldn't care for bad seams anyway, instead, I'm sure she'd rather have another garment to put on and off on her dolls. 

Já o halter top foi a minha segunda preferida. Isto no meu tamanho até era coisa para eu gostar e usar bastante. hehehe Este está também todo forrado com tecido de um lençol branco. 

As for the halter top, it was my second fave. This in my size and I would wear it and like it a lot. hehehe. This one is also fully lined with a white sheet fabric. 

* Agradeço à mamã da menina por ter enviado fotos das roupas nas bonecas, para que eu pudesse publicar aqui no blog. 

Playing with dolls

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Esta é uma das Barbies da minha filha. Comprei-a há um par de meses atrás numa feira de velharias. Poderia ter sido para mim, mas desta vez não, foi mesmo para ela. A boneca vinha com um vestido rosa  choque, tipo princesa, mas horroroso. 

This is one of my daughter's Barbies. I thrifter it a few months ago. It could be mine, but not this time, I really bought it for her. The doll came with a not flattering, princess look, hot pink dress. 

Um dia destes, há coisa de um mês, dei com ela toda despida, enquanto arrumávamos os brinquedos e nem pensei duas vezes. Fui a caminho dos últimos retalhos que sobravam pelo meu quarto de costura, e sem um plano ou sem um molde sequer, meti mãos no tecido, na tesoura e na linha e agulha e a boneca ganhou uma nova vida e um look bem mais moderno. 

One of these days, as we were putting toys away, I found the doll, naked, and I didnt have to think twice. I grabbed the lattest scraps I had in my craft room, and without a plan or pattern, I got my fabric, scissors and needle and thread, and this doll got a new life and a pretty much modern look. 

Comecei pelo top. Recortei um circulo, no meio recortei um mais pequeno para passar na cabeça da Barbie. Depois fiz uma pequena bainha toda à volta, e para finalizar, fiz duas costuras para criar uma espécie de mangas. Foi tudo costurado à mão, para matar saudades do tempo em que essa era a única forma que eu tinha de costurar. E porque soube bem, costurar de sofá, com os meus miúdos por perto. O tecido é o que usei nos vestidos mãe & filha, aqui. 

I started with the top. To make it, I cut a circle with a smaller one in the middle, so I could get the doll's head through it. Then I hemmed it all around, and added two rows of stitches to create a sort of sleeves. Everything was hand sewn, to go back to the time when handsewing was the only way I had to sew anyway. And it felt good to just take everything into my couch and stay there with the kids around. The fabric I used, is the same one from the mom & daughter dresses, here. 

Depois passei para as calças. Cortei tudo a olho e fiquei super satisfeita com o resultado porque ficaram mesmo, o tamanho perfeito para a boneca. As calças são compostas de 5 peças: duas frentes, duas traseiras e cós da cintura. Em baixo têm também uma pequena bainha, mais uma vez, tudo costurado à mão. O tecido é o mesmo que usei para fazer o meu 2º par de M is for Motto Joggers, que cortei mas que ainda não terminei. 

Then I made the pants. I've cut it by eye and I was super happy with how they turned out because they were really, the perfect size for the doll. The pants are made out of 5 pieces: two front, two back and a waist band. I made a small hem on the legs bottom, and again, everything was hand sewn. The fabric is the one I used to make my second pair of M is for Motto Joggers, which I haven't sewn together yet. 

Baby Shower

Today is going to be a happy day. 

We'll be making a friend cry, but in a good way, I promise. It is a surprise baby shower for Patrícia. She is such a sweet, attentive, loving and generous person. Remember our last group post, when we all shared the things we made for charity? Then you might also remember that she was the one that got us all sewing those things. Our dear friend is expecting her second child, another girl. We couldn't have it any other way, so get ready to see all the goodies everyone made, not only for the little princess but also for her bigger sister, because bigger sisters deserve some extra love too.

Let me start with the little one. And the little secret I have been hiding from you. Back to KCW in February, I told you I had started two little dresses. I didn't show them back there, because they were both gifts for friends that read this blog. They were both Geraniums. I shared the first one here, and today I can finally show you the second one. If I kept it more neutral for the first one, for the second I went all colourful, because Patrícia is someone who brings color and positive feelings to me. And I wanted that for her little one too. 

I used this scrap of fabric I bought last year. It was one of the few fabrics I got into my stash, one of those to use in very special projects. I figured a new born would be a good excuse to use it, and so I did. for the lining I used a scrap of a white cotton sheet, I always have them for these little projects.

I skipped pockets in this one too. And the only details I added was the blue ric rac on the collar. I used snaps to close the dress on the back. I wasn't sure if I'd use the pink or blue (like the ric rac), but the blue kinda died next to the owls, and a princess is a princess, so pink it is. I actually though about using velcro tape (nastra tape?!), but I got my new pliers just in time for the snaps. They are perfect to use in babies clothes.

Because it was a newborn dress, I wanted to be extra careful with the seams, so no seam is showing unfinished in this dress. I could have tuckled the waist seam under the bodice, but I forgot... yes, I forget... and because I was lazy to unpick it, I had to come up with a different solution, so I covered the seam, sewing a cotton tape over it. Hence the two rows of stitches in the waist. The bodice was lined so I didn't have any special cares with the seams, but when it comes to the skirt, I used french seams. I finished the skirt with a regular hem.

And now that I've said all I had to say about the little one's dress, let's move on into the big sister's gift. I made her a baby doll pocket sling. Just like the ones I make for real mammas, but in a kids size, of course. This idea actually came from my G. She loves to wear her baby just like I wear her brother. She feels so happy and proud when we are both walking our babies in a sunny day. I figured, what little girl wouldn't feel that?! And I knew Patrícia was looking to get herself some sort of carrier too, so it'd make perfect sense.

pictures show a great way to fold the slings (even the adult ones) to keep them clean in your bag. 

I used my daughter's measurments to make it (because I actually made her one too, we were using an improvised one). Although my G. is a bit older, I am pretty sure this might be close to C.'s size too (crossing my fingers). I used a piece of a very light cotton as the "lining" (it is reversible), it was originally white but I dyed it long ago, it is the same fabric I used for G.'s Bubblelicious romper, does that ring a bell? As the outer fabric, I used a vintage piece that I got from my grandmother. This screamed Patrícia to me, I hope I wasn't wrong, but most of all, I hope that C. approves it!

Baby doll courtesy of my daughter. His name is Captain Hook... yes, she said it is a HE and yes, that's the name she chose!!!

Now, don't forget to check what the other nice ladies made for this virtual baby shower. You will love it all, I can tell you.

Maria * Rita & Fatima * Marta  * Soraia * Inês * Constança * Sara * Ana * Carla

Patrícia... because YOU deserve all the love you can get, I hope you liked our little surprise. I'm sorry that now you'll have to wait to recieve all these goodies. I hope you're not crying too much. 

Love you my dear, might S. come at her time, bringing joy, light and laughter to your family. 

Refashion Month |The Lachman Collection|

If you're looking for the giveaway, please click HERE. 

Jennifer Lachman is a mother of 3 with a desperate need to create. One of her favorite ways to fulfill that need is with sewing and refashioning. Among other things she loves to sew for her children and their dolls. She shares her creations on her blog, The Lachman Collection.

Today she is sharing a round up of her favorite doll clothes refashion projects from around the web. You can see the full post on her blog.