Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#15) . . .

paper and this is another of those times.  I've sewn quite a few 18" doll clothing items over the summer and wanted to photograph them outside, but it was just too hot and/or humid during our summer monsoon to get that task completed.  Now that we're basking in cool temps (about 60 in the AM w/low to mid-90's for an afternoon high), I've been venturing into the backyard w/my doll friends for some photo sessions.

First up, we have May, a Gotz doll (Pottery Barn Kids), modeling her cute Sorrento Top. The Liberty Jane pattern is available @ Pixie Faire for $3.99 (instant PDF download) and includes different cute ways to finish the neckline besides the braided option. She's also wearing LJC's Yoga Pants as seen better in the photo below and available for $5.99 here bundled with basic pants/shorts in several variations. I love the fold-over waistline where you can play with fun fabrics or simply use one color!

Lastly, we have Journey Girl Meredith (ToysRUs) wearing LJC's Trendy T-Shirt made using a re-purposed knit top of mine that had a stain!  I hoped by centering the glittery palm tree I could get away with using it even though it's a bit large for an 18" doll -- what do you think, does it work OK or is it too much?  This free LJC pattern is available here and it's so easy/cute to stitch up!

FYI for you who sew: Pixie Faire includes many fabulous doll pattern makers and offers Freebie Friday every week, asking you to vote for your favorite 1 of 4 patterns each Wednesday-Thursday. Then the winning pattern is available free that Friday only! Both the Sorrento Top and Yoga Pants were Freebie Friday patterns earlier this summer. I seriously have a huge stash of patterns I've yet found time to sew up, thanks to Cinnamon's kind generosity!

I have a goal of finishing up several items that just need velcro, a snap, a hem, etc. and hope to get more photographed/posted in the near future, so stop back by!

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#10) . . .

paper . . . and this is the result of one recent session.
Using Doll Tag Clothing's pattern from Freebie Friday @ Pixie Faire on FB, I cut these adorable shorts from two coordinating fat quarter fabrics from my stash. If you're a sewist of doll clothes, you do not want to miss Freebie Friday, which begins with voting for your favorite of four patterns each Wednesday and culminates on Friday AM with the winning free pattern link. You'll not only receive a fabby pattern each week, but an introduction to Pixie Faire's talented designers!
Felicity & I think this pattern is sooo cute and she popped the shorts over her hot pink swimsuit -- it's nearly 100 degrees here today, but thankfully mid-80's are forecast to return mid-week.

This pattern is so easy, well written and goes together quickly with minimal effort -- I'm giving it 5 Stars on my review and recommend it very highly! Cording run through small lime eyelets from my paper crafting stash finish off the 'faux' tie, 'sew' you see my two favorite pastimes mesh well!

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#9) . . .

paper and I've done just that once again! Liberty Jane Clothing has had a fabulous "We Decide Wednesday' pattern poll on FB the past 2 weeks and once all votes are tabulated on Friday, Cinnamon has given away the winning pattern FREE for 1 day only!

The Maxi Dress pictured below on American Girl Kirsten was last week's winner and this is the one I made with a Cotton Lawn remnant that I paid a whopping $.43 for @ Joanne's. It's a little over a half yard, so I'll be able to make at least one more outfit from this lovely inexpensive piece. I finished it a few days ago, but just fashioned a little necklace to go with it today. Of course, you could make this same pattern into a shorter dress or even a top and it includes two bodice variations also. It's no longer free of course, but is only $3.99 and an instant PDF download, so you can begin sewing instantly -- LOVE that!!!

All you ladies who enjoy sewing for dolls as much as paper crafting need to definitely check out Pixie Faire on FB & join in the fun and if you hurry, today's pattern is still available for a few short hours!

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#6) . . .

paper -- and oh my, did I ever LOVE making this ADORABLE little Penny Lane Jacket by Liberty Jane Clothing -- it is my FAV, at least at the moment, but I'm sure it will be a top FAV for years to come!

I purchased Linen fabric for this little beauty and I'm sooo glad I did, as it is just sooo sweet!!! I used what I believe to be a tiny piece of vintage fabric, probably from my Mother's stash from many years ago and just love that it went so well with the linen, IMHO!  Ohhh, what I would make IF I only had more of this sweet little flowery print -- sigh!
I've also used some possibly vintage buttons, but who remembers where all those buttons come from?! Molly is modeling for us today, wearing her Peplum Top and Skinny Jeans (also from LJC), but this top is not quite ready for 'prime time' yet. I absolutely LOVE that sweet green fabric that I found at my local Wal-Mart of all places and I'm ever so tempted to make myself a top from it -- that's how much I like it!
The first Peplum top I made is a bit too snug on my original/plumper American Girl dolls. The added 10% is a bit too much though, so more tweaking will happen as I just adore this top and will get it's fit perfected soon. When I do, you know I'll post it!  ;~)

Sew, Sometimes I Craft Without (#5) . . .

paper -- LOL!  I also love using fabric and my beloved sewing machine and spent a bit of time sewing my very first Liberty Jane Clothing patterns: Skinny Jeans from their Jeans Bundle and Peplum top. These patterns are so beautifully designed and fabulously detailed that I LOVE them even more than I thought I would!

I used a silvery stretch 7 oz. denim fabric remnant from Joann's for my skinny jeans. This pattern has ALL the sweet details a pair of jeans should have, including front & back working pockets and top stitching everywhere.  I used a twin needle and two coordinating threads on all the pockets as shown in a close-up of the back pockets below.For the Peplum top, I used another remnant piece and recycled zipper from an old wallet -- gotta love recycling!  ;~)  I just think this top is perfect because the fun detail-stitched pockets show below the peplum's gathers. The top is completely lined except for the peplum itself and goes together so easily following the pattern's excellent instructions. I love how the sweet little blue flowers in this fabric coordinate with this denim, but have another fabric I'm anxious to stitch up another peplum top with now too! Fabric is as addicting as all those  pretty papers I can't resist -- hee!  Check back or follow my blog, as I will be posting several more AG Doll outfits as soon as time permits stitching, photographing and posting -- thanks for visiting!