Belle's Dress & Her Cape

Right before my granddaughter's third birthday, she requested a Belle dress. My daughter ordered her one online but when it arrived, it was not at all what the product photo showed. I received a pleading phone call from this daughter to see if I'd be willing to help make my granddaughter's birthday wish come true.  

How could I refuse?

After I finished this Belle dress, I was FaceTiming with my daughter to show her how the dress turned out. I told her, "What she really needs is a cape to coordinate with the dress."  Right about then, this cutie - who was supposed to be in bed - waltzes down with a blanket wrapped around her head holding the blanket like it's a cape. We both laughed and my daughter declared that she is constantly making her blanket into a cape. So, the next day, I knew what I needed to do. I designed a Belle cape from two patterns, sewed it and then added to the birthday box. As a bonus, I made a red Belle cape for her little sister. 

Only the finest materials were used to make this dress and cape. Once the bodice was finished I felt it needed some glam, so I hand sewed cut lace and a few yellow sequins onto it. The top tier of the dress was gathered and then I added a yellow, crystal cut bead to accent the top of each of the gathers.

Belle's actual dress is a little different from the dress I made, because my daughter requested a more modest top. To honor her request, I added short sleeves to the bodice.  I like how the dress stays up on her little shoulders. 

If you have a Belle that needs yellow gloves like these, you can find them here.

Doesn't every little girl deserve to be a princess and have pretend parties in her room? I so love my grandchildren and even though I live far away, I can at least give them memories of a grandmother who can help make their wishes come true. Especially on their birthday.

Since I like to plan ahead, I used the leftover fabrics to make these doll clothes for her next birthday.  I'm pretty sure she'll still like princesses then. 

Would anyone you know like these too?  You can find these items at my Etsy shop the fur trimmed doll cape here and Belle's dress and fingerless gloves here.

I've linked my Belle creations to Project Run and Play because it's their week to show what our signature style is. My style, of course, is to make whatever my grandchildren request.  

What's your style? Are the children you know crazy about the new Disney movie, "Beauty and the Beast" and have you seen it yet? xoxo Grandma

Make a Doll Sized Shopping Bag

It's coming down to the wire, Christmas is almost upon us.  Time to get that last minute shopping done.  To help with that shopping, I've created this doll sized shopping bag to share with you.  Never fear, this is an quick and easy sewing project.  An added bonus for this project is that today, I'm sharing with you my pattern along with the tutorial to help you make this darling doll accessory.  

These are so easy to sew together, you can make a bunch in very little time.  After you're done making your doll shopping bags, wrap a mini present or two and add them to your shopping bag.

These shopping bags also make a cute container to put a gift card into or a small piece of jewelry.   I'm sure you'll think of other creative ways to use these mini shopping bags.

Supplies needed:

2 beige felt squares,

18" of jute

Beige thread to match felt

Accent pieces of felt to decorate the bags

Mini red pom poms, optional

Contrasting embroidery thread

Free Pattern:  Download the pattern here.

Instructions:

1. Cut out beige felt using this pattern.  Pin the sides together and sew using a 1/4" seam.
2. Sew the bottom seam together using a 1/4" seam.
3. Fold the fabric together and punch small holes in the felt at marking.  (I used a tool called a Crop-a-dile to punch my holes.)
4. Pinch bottom seams on both sides of the bag together and pin.
5. Sew the bottom seams together with 1/4" seams.
6. Cut jute into two, 9" pieces.
7. Thread jute from the middle of the bag to the outside of the bag.  Tie a knot into the end of the jute.
8. Now the fun part, decorate the bag with small felt items like holly leaves and berries or mini red pom poms.

Have fun making this doll shopping bag.  Once you've made one, I'm sure you'll want to make more.  How are you planning to decorate your bags?  xoxo Grandma

Linked to:  Craft Gossip

1950 - 1960's Doll Nightgown

Last year, I created this pattern for a friend who wanted old fashion nightgowns for her three daughters and matching ones for her girl's dolls.  The nightgown pattern is reminiscent of nightgowns I wore in the late 1950's and early 1960's.  The fabric is obviously not 1950's or 1960's fabric but this sweet pattern is a fun sewing project and looks so pretty on 18" dolls.  This new pattern is now available from my Etsy shop here.

I remember sitting on the heater in the cold Oregon mornings, letting the warm air flow into my nightgown and loving how smugly it felt.  Anyone else out there remember wearing a nightgown with a similar style to this one?

Share with me your nightgown memories or story.  I look forward to reading your comments.  xoxo Grandma 

Best Dressed Doll

For the past five months I've faced several challenges, resulting in very little blogging.  It all started out in January with two broken bones in my arm, which left me with major nerve damage that needed months of physical therapy. The same injury threw out my back and needed the help of a chiropractor to get it back into it's proper place.  Then a neighbor's dog bit my leg  (I now have a huge fear of dogs which means I plan my morning jogs by the trails without dogs.)! Next, cancer showed up on my arm and nose, resulting in a skin graft. The final trial (knock on wood) was when my computer died and I had to figure out what to purchase to take it's place (sure, that's not really a challenge, but I am technologically challenged, so it was a big one for me).

To get through my challenges, I've turned to my kind of therapy - sewing a slew of outfits for 18" dolls.  My husband jokes with me and says that my doll is the best dressed doll in town.  He's right of course!

So, sit back and relax while I share some of the outfits I've made, and patterns used, to create this doll's wardrobe.

Photo 1

-Five Layers of Ruffles dress:  added 2-3" onto my favorite shirt pattern and then evenly added layers of lace trim.

-Sandal Pattern:  Pixie Faire, Gladiator Sandals

Changed pattern as follows: created one wide strap each and made a simplified oval center strap.

Photo 2

-Tutu and Leotard: Tutu made up pattern using tulle, trimmed and topped with lace.

-Leotard pattern:  Lee and Pearl, Tweak the Pattern 1051a One Piece Swimsuits for 18" Dolls (free download).

-Ballet Bag Pattern: free pattern xoxo Grandma.

Photo 3

-Pink Ballet Dress:  Extend your favorite doll tee-shirt 2-3" longer.  Using 7 pieces of tulle 3" x 29" gather and sew to the bottom of the tee shirt.   

-Ballet Bag Pattern: free pattern xoxo Grandma.

Photo 4 

Red, white back to school playwear:  

-Shorts pattern & tutorial: xoxo Grandma.

-Backpack Pattern:  McCall's #3469

-Clipboard Pattern:  free pattern & tutorial xoxo Grandma.

Photo 5

-White Ruffle shirt:  take any tee-shirt pattern and add lace/tulle trim to the bottom of the shirt. 

-Blue pants:  Simplicity #3551, view D.

Photo 6

Pioneer Outfit Pattern:  McCall's #3627, view A/G

-Apron pattern: free pattern xoxo Grandma.

Photo 7

Red, white and blue dress pattern:  

-Pixie Faire, Yacht dress 

-Sandal Pattern: Pixie Faire, Gladiator Sandals, used sticky red felt for the material and changed pattern as follows: created one wide strap each, made a simplified, oval center strap and no sewing around all the small pieces.  

Photo 8

-Japanese Kimono Pattern:  xoxo Grandma

Photo 9
-Jacket Pattern: xoxo Grandma, Lace Hankie Into a Doll Top
-Skirt:  Left over scraps of fabric and trim sewn together, no pattern used.

-Top:  Camisole, self created pattern.


Photo 10
-Fishing Set Pattern:  xoxo Grandma

Photo 11
-Camo Cargo pants set: Pants added 2 side pockets to a basic pant pattern. Used a scarf for the fabric.
-Sandals:  same as in photo 7, the fabric was from an old purse.

Photos 12 & 14

-Party dresses: The fabric came from a fancy baby dress which none of my daughters liked. 
-The baby dress was cut up and turned into two party dresses.  
-The skirt pattern is McCall's #3627, view H.

Photo 13
-Lace sleeves and lace added to a basic tee-shirt pattern.
-Short skirt pattern, lace sewn underneath the hem.

Photo 15

-Peach tunic was made from a linen tea towel with crocheted edges. 

-Capri's: Simplicity #3551 view B, cut shorter to make capris.

-Sandals: simplified version of the gladiator sandals see photo 7.

Photo 16

Brown and Turquoise outfit:  
-Basic tee-shirt pattern, sewing leftover pieces of lace down the center of the top beads used as accent buttons.  

- Brown Leggings:  Simplicity #3551, view D.

Photo 17

-Poodle skirt:  Free Pattern xoxo Grandma.

My goal, besides diverting my attention from my injuries, was to use up all the little pieces of fabric I've saved without purchasing any more.  But I often get ideas for accessories to accompany an article of clothing I've just finished.  All these creative ideas occasionally result in purchasing a little "new" fabric. I'm beginning to think there needs to be a help group for fabrics addicts. Fabrics Anonymous, right? Ah well, at least I have the best dressed doll in town!  xoxo Grandma 

1958 Poodle Skirt for an American Girl Doll - Free Pattern

When I saw this 1958 McCall's pattern #2252 for an original poodle skirt, I just knew it would be fun to scale down the pattern to fit an 18" American Girl Doll. 

After sketching and playing with fabric, beads and a little ribbon, this is how my version of this classic 1958 skirt turned out.

Add white socks and some saddle shoes and this doll will be set to party like it's 1958.

If you'd like to make one of these skirts, keep reading because the directions and poodle applique pattern are below.

Materials needed:

• Good quality felt
• faux fur (I trimmed my faux fur to about 1/4" long)
• beads and or sequins
• 1/8" wide ribbon
• black felt or fleece for the poodle about 5" square

Directions:

1.  Cut out a 17" circle from good quality red felt for the skirt.  In the center of the circle, cut out a circle 3 1/4".

2.  Machine applique the poodle in place onto the felt skirt.

3.  With black thread, hand stitch black beads or sequins onto the felt in a curved line to form the leash.

4.  Make the dog collar, by hand sewing a sequin around the dog's neck then add a clear bead which will hold the sequin in place.

5.  Tie a tiny bow using the 1/8" piece of ribbon.  Hand stitch the bow onto the top of the dog's furry head.

6.  Hand sew a white bead in place for the eye.

7.  Cut a 1 1/4" slit down the center back of the skirt.

8.  Cut 1" x 11 3/4" red felt for the waistband.

9.  Sew using 1/8" seam, sew the waistband onto the top of the circular skirt, leaving 1" of the waistband extending beyond the skirt's top.

10.  Sew Velcro hook onto the 1" extended waistband edge.

11.  Sew the Velcro loop onto the wrong side of the other end of the waistband.  Your 1958 poodle skirt is finished.

Download the poodle applique' pattern here and enjoy making your own 1958 original looking poodle skirt.  xoxo Grandma

Doll Sized Dance Bag

Do you know a child that loves to dance and likes to play with dolls?  If so, this doll sized dance bag is a fun and quick project to make for that child.  An added bonus is you've probably got all the supplies you'll need to make it right in your scrap pile. 

Supplies needed:

• 1 Fabric name tag: 3 1/2" x 1 3/8"
• 2 Front and 2 back:  4) 3 7/8" x 4 1/2"
• Sides:  2) 1 3/4" x 14 1/4"
• Strap:  20" of single fold bias tape or 10" of double fold bias tape.
• 1 heart shaped button
• Thread

* 1/4 seam allowance for this project.

1.  Sew or hand embroider "I ...... dancing" onto the tag.
2.  Sew tag to the center of the front using a narrow zig zag stitch.
3.  This is the stitch width and length that I use on my machine.
4.  Sew back to side then sew front to side. As you sew, clip a small notch at each corner.

5.  Clip all corner of the bag.  Sew the heart button onto the name tag.
6.  Repeat step 4 & 5 for the bag's lining.
7.  The bag will look like this.
8.  Sew the bias tape together. Topstitch close to the straps edges.

9.   Baste the strap in place along both top center of the bag's sides.
10. Pin the bag and the lining together, matching seams. 
11. Sew the bag to the lining leaving an opening in one of the sides to turn the bag. Turn the bag and iron the top of the bag.
12. Top stitch along the top of the bag.
Pin the opening together and either hand sew or sew close to the edge using a machine (not pictured).

Your doll sized dance bag should be finished.  Enjoy this simple project!  xoxo Grandma

Swimsuits for Dolls

Summer is officially here and even though this doll doesn't swim, she still needs to look stylish in a new swimsuit ...

Or two. Or three. You can't have enough swimsuits, right?

If you'd like to turn a child's swimsuit into a doll size one too, go to this post.

All of these swimsuits were reclaimed from swimsuits my children were throwing away.  You know how an old swimsuit is after a wearing it for a summer filled with water activities. By the time the summer is over, those swimsuits are worn out and snagged.  

So, if you want to make a swimsuit for your doll, forget about purchasing that expensive Lycra fabric. Just use the fabric from old swimsuits to make a swim wardrobe for a doll. You can even work around those worn out areas.
  
Your doll will love her fashionable swimsuit and I'm positive a child will have fun with this necessary summer wear for their doll.  xoxo Grandma

Something's Cooking Chef Set for an 18" Doll

To celebrate the birth of my newest granddaughter, today only - March 28, 2016, I'm offering my newest 18" doll pdf pattern called Something's Cooking Chef Set free. The set includes the chef's hat, a mitt that really fits onto the doll's hand and a custom designed apron that's reversible.  To get this free pattern please leave a comment below and keep reading. 

This pattern offers four different views.  The first is the basic pattern, shown above, where I used San Francisco Giants ribbon because, hey... it's spring training.

 

View 2 shows the addition of a ruffle and a simple applique sewn onto one side of the apron.

View 3 features decorative ribbon sewn above the ruffle.

 

View 4 has a pop of color added by sewing piping right above the ruffle.

 

I love how versatile this pattern is and how tiny pieces of trim and fabric can be sewn together for unique looks to fit anyone's taste. Once you're done sewing this apron, both sides are completely finished so you'll have a reversible apron. How fun is that?  

 

This pattern is now available at my Etsy shop here for only $3.00. Don't want to take the time to sew your own.  As soon as I get back from helping with this darling baby, I'll have a few for sale on my Etsy shop too. If you missed getting this pattern for free, please consider signing up and following my xoxo Grandma blog because you won't want to miss out on getting my next free pattern I'm working on.  Would you?  Let me know if you're making this for your own doll or a loved one's doll.  

-xoxo Grandma

Make Easter Bunny Ears for Your Doll

You might think it's too early to think about Easter but this year it happens to fall on March 27th which is exactly two months from today. This is another easy project that even someone with a broken arm (like me) can do. 

First, purchase a bunny headband designed to fit a child. I found mine at Target on sale last year for 25 cents each.  They actually fit adults but the only time this adult put them on was to be silly with my grandchildren.  Then, after a little destructive action, turn it into Easter bunny ears for you doll. Here we go...

1. Open up the seams of your bunny headband and remove the bunny ears from the headband.  Throw away the headband, unless you think you'll use it for something else.  Rewrap the wires to form a doll sized headband.  You may need to use an additional wire for this step. 
2. Wrap the fur around the new wire, pinning as you go.  Cut off the excess bunny fur from both ends.
3. Wrap the fur ends up toward the bottom wires.
4. Pin any additional places and with a needle and coordinating thread, sew the fur back together (I must mention, that with a broken arm this step took twice as long as it normally would have taken).

Here's a close-up photo of step number 4 - sewing the headband back together.

Pretty simple, right? And oh so cute!  Happy Easter preparation everyone! xoxo Grandma

Make a Doll Size Travel Case

Excuse the long absence, it has been quite the winter! We were on the road for the holidays and then had I had a little mishap on the ice while shoveling snow. It concluded with my left arm in a cast and a minor surgery to hold the bones together. Not exactly how I envisioned starting 2016. What I had envisioned, though, was more cute, easy projects like this... so let's get this fun started and pretend that ice doesn't exist. At least for a few minutes. 

I found these two cute little tins at a thrift store and knew they'd make the perfect doll accessory. So, let me show you how I turned them into vintage looking travel cases.  You're going to love this project because it's super easy to make!  

Supplies Needed:

• Tin
• Sticky backed felt
• Vintage travel fabric (I found this fabric at Hobby Lobby.)
• Embroidery thread
• Needle
• Scissors

Directions:

1. Lay the sticky felt on top of the tin.  With a pen or marker, trace the edge of the tin onto the paper side of the felt.  Cut out the felt along the inside of the traced line.  You'll need two pieces of felt, one for each side of the tin.
2. Cut out images from the vintage travel fabric leaving a little edge and pin them onto the felt.
3. Hand sew the fabric cut outs onto the felt using embroidery floss.
4. Pull off the paper from the felt and press the felt onto one side of the tin.  Now press the other piece of felt onto the opposite side of the tin.

That's it!  Your doll sized travel case is ready for traveling.

Where will your doll go with her new travel case? Hopefully no where snowy or icy. Happy travels! xoxo Grandma

Available on Etsy

Felt Christmas Stockings for your Doll

Since getting ready for the holidays means getting your doll ready too... I mean, if you're a little girl... we had to whip out some mini Christmas stockings.

I discovered that all my doll loving friends thought they were too cute. Since most of these friends don't sew, I made a bunch of these cute little felt stockings for their dolls.

If you sew, you'll want to download this Free Pattern to make your own doll sized Christmas stockings for all your doll loving friends.  Remember to download this pattern "full size" then have fun creating these little stockings for a doll or even to decorate a Christmas tree.  Don't want to make one?  You can find this cute stocking here.

Materials needed:

• Red felt
• White felt
• Star buttons (for the tree stocking)
• White, orange and brown thread

Directions:

1. Cut out felt using the pattern.
2. Machine stitch the top to the stocking.  Machine stitch the mini snowman or tree to the stocking using an embroidery stitch.
3. Sew rick rack along the bottom of the white stocking top.
4. Add 2 1/2" of ribbon by folding the ribbon in half and tucking under the raw edges before sewing next to the top left corner of the stocking. 
5. Hand embroider the details onto the snowman. (Nose, Eyes and stick hands.) If you embroidered the tree, just sew a star button onto the top of the tree and with brown thread add a trunk about 1/4" wide.
6. Pin the stockings together and sew 1/4" from the edge with a contrasting thread color.

When you're finished with step #6, your stocking should look like this: 

or this if you added a tree to the stocking:

Now, even if you're not, your doll should be ready for Christmas morning. 

xoxo Grandma