Meet Katie {My Dressform}

Since I've been out of blogging practice, I have a few things to catch up on. If you read my mom's blog (Blog, She Wrote), then you might know that we moved last summer. A lot of my crafty things were boxed away for a time- the time it takes to pack it, move it, and unpack it and somehow crafty goodness does not make the top of the list when it comes to unpacking!

Just before we started packing to move, two of my brothers and I had our birthdays and almost right after, we had to start packing up the house. So, I didn't have the time for a proper introduction.

Meet Katie! My official birthday dressform!

After helping to make my civil war ball gown, I fell in love with the idea of having my own dress form. I am still growing into it both size and skill wise, but I have used it to easily mark the hemlines on some of my skirts. *Note to parents- if you choose to get a dress form, make sure it's the same size as your girl! When my mom ordered this one, size small was not available. This one is a medium and although it is the same size used to make my ball gown, it is not easy to make things for myself with this dress form- it'll get easier as time goes on though I'm sure.

Two of the books in my sewing library- How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns along with How to Make Sewing Patterns are two great resources for me to learn how to make patterns for my dress form.

You might have noticed the scissors around Katie's neck. This is my favorite way to remember my scissors while I'm doing any sewing or crafting at all. It's a little tip I picked up at 4-H. Now I never have to search for my scissors!

The tape measure and the scissors on a lanyard are two of my favorite sewing tools and it makes me think it would be fun to share with you a list of my other must have sewing items. That will be my next post!

Sewing Library {Additions}

Since the last time I posted about my Sewing Library, I've been able to add some titles. Would you like to hear about them?

How to Make Sewing Patterns by Donald H. McCunn
Stitch Magazine- select issues
How to Use, Adapt, and Design Sewing Patterns by Lee Hollahan
All Dolled Up by Joan Hinds
Sew Serendipity Bags by Kay Whitt
1000 Great Quilt Blocks by Maggi McCormick Gordon
Kanzashi in Bloom by Diane Gilleland

Usually these are gifts and sometimes we get them at our local sewing shop. I use the books for reference. Sometimes I make projects from the books and sometimes I use the ideas in the book when I'm making something similar.

My favorite sewing books right are: my new one since Christmas, Kanzashi in Bloom and All Dolled Up.

The Civil War Ball Gown

The finished dress. Lovely, right?

Plenty of ruffles!

The finished under skirt

The ball was so fun!

Making My Ball Gown

My friend Mrs. R helped me sew (I helped her is more accurate) a ball gown to wear to the civil war ball. It is lovely!! We made from a old prom dress.

Pinning the hem to see where she needed to sew a new hem!

Ruffle over skirt!

Here is how I helped, I finished the crinoline.

Stay tuned for more photos of this dress!

Doll Apron with serging

I made a doll apron with my new serger. Serging is the new fashion in doll town!

This apron is on my dress form but it was made for my dolls. A serger is a useful thing to have.

Doll Dress

I made a doll dress with my new serger! It was modeled after a dress I made in a sewing co-op.

 Here is my new planning notebook, I write my sewing stuff here.

 Here are a couple pictures of me making it.

 The dress form was helpful.

 Fashion model!

 Here are some other things I made with my new serger. Doll handkerchiefs,

and coasters. I love my new serger. It works really, really well.

Serger

I've got some exciting news to share! I was given the gift of a free serger from a special friend I've never met. Thank you special friend!

Looks complicated...I'm not one to love finishing seams and a serger will help me to do that much easier. I love using a serger! I just need to learn how to thread my own machine.

Look at that edge! I can't wait to get started. I'm working on the underskirt of a very special project and I think the serger will make the first seam a lot easier.

More hints on the special project soon. Stay tuned!

Doll Belt

 I made this cool belt for my dolls. I used the book pictured below. It was a double braid. So cool.

Nice.

Great Slippers

I made slippers for my dolls. It was fun. I used a piece of cardboard to keep these from flopping. I made them from felted wool.

I had to make a strap for the back of the slipper. They kept falling off Kaya's feet.

Valentine Tshirt!

During Sewing Camp this month, I tried the Cookie Cutter Tshirt project at Make It and Love It.

One thing to note if doing this project- read the directions! My friend cut up her shirt before we read them, and she had not done it right! The shirt was rescued, but it did not turn out the way it was meant to be!

It turned out rather nice, didn't it? WARNING- This project is harder than it looks.

Doll Apron

I made a doll apron for my cousin for Christmas. We gave her fabric markers to decorate it. The apron came with the yarn kit. It took a lot of planning. I

See my planning note-book?

I made a pattern

It was fun to make but I still have to finish the one I am making for myself.

Nightgown

I made a no-sleeved nightgown. It wasn't to hard. I drafted my own pattern, using shirts and butcher paper (butcher paper is very helpful for drafting large objects).

Here is me showing it off, it is not quite finished in this picture.

Here is me gathering.

I did the tiers because I did not have a large piece of fabric (In nightgown fabric).

Sleeping Bag

I made a sleeping bag for my dolls. Just one, not many, but in time to go on a trip with me.

I broke my arm, see the cast?

Lovely, right?

It has a shiny fabric for the outside, and flannel for the inside. It even has the seams! Like on the outside of a real bag.