Wardrobe of Memories

Welcome to Wardrobe of Memories

If you look around the world of American Girl doll clothes, you might notice a lack of fantasy, medieval or just creative designs. I did. No matter where you look, Etsy, Ebay, American Girl Doll Clothes, or at your local craft fairs. Sure, there are many modern, period and costumes but there isn't anything that is unique. I was a bit disappointed when I noticed this. But more than that, I wanted to do something about it. So I made my goal to sketch, design and sew the outfits that will create memories.

Now, a little bit about me. I'm Nicole and am fifth teen years old. I'm home schooled in high school and am dual enrolled at a community college. It's bit of a handful keeping up with life but I make time to sew because I love doing it.

How did I ever get into sewing? Good question. Let see, I have been sewing since I was around nine but have been watching my mother long before that. I remember when my sister and I asked my parents for a doll. They agreed but with one condition. We were to either buy or sew the doll's clothes. The choice was obvious. Why wouldn't we want the opportunity to create the clothes we wanted.

At first, our attempts were simply to clothe the doll. Easy fabric, simple patterns and lots of help. Seams were croaked, the hem was uneven and the dress didn't fatter the doll at all however I was happy.

 

 Whenever we thought the doll needed either a fancy ball dress or a simple nightgown we would sew it ourselves. As I got older I started to sell some outfits to friends. I was surprised at their reaction. They were impressed. (However looking back upon these sad attempts I feel quite bad for those first customers).

But then it happened. I was older. Dolls were "cool" anymore. I didn't play with our doll anymore. Sure I sewed a little now and then to make some extra cash but I didn't really care about the outfits I was creating. Of course there were a couple outfits I was quite proud of during that time such as this fairy.

But Because it was easier, I just mixed and matched Jo-Anns patterns to design a slightly different outfit. Straight sleeves, puffy sleeves, no sleeves, or was it the length of the dress or the neckline. All I was doing was making generic doll clothes. 

One day it all changed. I saw a dress somewhere and I wanted to recreate it. It had pleats down the front and back and didn't look too hard so I gave it a shot.  I didn't know what I was doing. I just took a pattern, added space for the pleat and cut it out. This was my first original design that was successful. You would think that I would immediately love designing and have a passion for drafting. No... Not really. It took a while to grow on me. There were little steps; drafting the bodice, princess seams or maybe pin tucks. But I started to make my own well fitting designs.

Then it exploded. I cared about how it fit and the look of the dress. I began to love to create new design (whether they were successful or not is another issue). But also I found what type I wanted to create. Fantasy, medieval and costumes.

Now that is me and how I got into sewing in a nutshell. Now what do I hope to accomplish  here on this blog. Well, to record my process as well as share how I design and sew.

Actually I feel indebted to the many tutorial I've read and watched that have inspired me. So perhaps now I've have the opportunity to give something back. Maybe along the way I'll show some of my techniques or tips.

While I plan to show you my final products, I also would like to show you my saddest failures and what not to sew for dolls. After all, you do learn a lot of what NOT to do after sewing for over 5 years.

In the end though, my ultimate goal is to inspire you. Why? Well, I probably wouldn't be sewing if no one inspired and encouraged me along the way. So maybe thread your needles and buy some fabric and join me on this adventure.