Monday, October 6, 2014

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.

14 comments:

  1. Wow! You are an amazing seamstress. I can't wait to see more posts from you! :) do you have an etsy?

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    1. Thanks!

      I'm so looking forward to blogging. About Etsy, I'm working on getting a shop up so hopefully I'll have it up by the end of the month. I'll let everyone know about it if I do. However currently I'm trying to focus on sewing for some of my upcoming craft fairs and keeping up with school. But in the meantime, I'll be sure to show some of my outfits I'm creating.

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  2. Replies
    1. I'm glad you like my doll clothes and thanks for checking out my blog!

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    2. No problem! Thanks for checking out mine! I just did a fall photo shoot outside with my dolls and made a post with it!

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  3. This is a very cool blog! I started sewing about three-ish years ago, and also am trying to make fantasy clothes, finding that I tend to love medieval and Renaissance time periods, but that most doll dresses are pretty generic for that era.
    I'm excited to see more of your doll clothes!
    Kathleen
    ������

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    1. That's great that you are sewing doll clothes too! Sewing is a life skill. Yes, 18 inch sized medieval clothes tend to be a bit basic and simple. So I suppose what I'm trying to accomplish is to put a fun spin on it. fantasy, mystical and magical. I'm glad that you want to join me on this journey!

      Nicole

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    2. Right now I'm actually trying to teach my sister too, which is going pretty well. For our business she makes a lot of no sew things, but I hope that in a couple years she will be able to sew doll dresses and sell them in our etsy shop too.
      That is basically what I want to do to! One of my biggest pet peeves as a fantasy and modern fairy tale book lover is when there are fairies in the pictures, but they are only wearing Tinkerbell like clothes. I personally like the older fairy pictures from medieval or Renaissance times, because they are complicated and pretty and flowy and generally awesome. �� I will try and post one or two of my sketches on my blog in the next few days, so keep an out for those!

      Kathleen

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    3. That's great that your teaching your sister to sew. I'm actually have an older sister who taught me a lot about sewing. It probably is because of my sister that I am still sewing today. Good luck to you and your sister on your business.

      Oh yes! Fairies defiantly need to have tiny details and textures. Unfortunately Tinkerbell influenced everyone to think of her when they hear fairies. But fairies can be so much more exciting and awesome. I'll be looking forward to seeing your designs.

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    4. My grandmother taught me to sew, and she is very good! Thank you! I will tell her you said that!
      Tinker bell pretty much brainwashed everybody. Definitely influencing, but some brain washing. A couple days ago, I was doodling a fairy outfit, and one of the younger girls (as in 4-6) in our church came up to me and asked me what I was drawing. I told her, and she said, "That's not a fairy. This is" and then proceeded to draw Tinkerbell. Sigh.
      Thank you! I look forward to seeing more of yours!

      Kathleen

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  4. YAY! So glad to see you blogging! Looking forward to more! I too am tired of pink tea dresses for dolls. Love me some medieval mayhem.

    Nonna

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    1. You are so right. The poor dolls all have to be the princesses in pink elegantly sipping their tea. They should be the ones making a difference and going out and doing things. There is just far too little fantasy and medieval clothes for the 18 inch world. Hopefully I'll change that.

      Nicole

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  5. Wow! I love what you have made so far, everything is incredibly detailed! You are great at drawing too :)

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    1. Thanks so much! It's nice to know that you appreciate the time and effort that I put into each outfit.

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