Here’s an outfit for your Make-Along doll that will take her from pajamas to princess in 3 steps.
The first layer works as a nightgown and then becomes the blouse under the pinafore. It has puffed sleeves and elastic at the neck and cuffs. To make the nightgown use the sleeves pattern piece from “First Day of School” blouse. Hem under 1/8″ at the edge and then stretch and sew 1/8″ elastic 1/4″ from edge. For the body of the … More
I love making art dolls based on literary heroines. I’ve made Laura Ingalls Wilder, Jo March, Anne of Green Gables, the three friends – Betsy, Tacy & Tib, and Jane Austen heroines Elizabeth Bennet & Emma. I really enjoy the challenge of capturing not only their look and spirit but also tackling the historical costumes. I think in a parallel universe I am a costume designer. And in that reality I know all the historically accurate details of every era. … More
The new knitting pattern for the Make-Along Pom Pom Sweater is up in the shop now. Phew, that was hard! Huge thanks to my pattern testers Carrie and Yvonne. Yvonne is an excellent tech editor and really helped me with all the details.
This sweater is worth the effort of making all those little bobbles. There is something seriously huggable about a soft cloth doll in a nubby sweater. I’ve made two so far but really want one for all … More
I’m shooting for somewhere halfway between a custom doll order and a PDF pattern download and came up with Make-Along doll & pattern bundles to offer in the shop this holiday. The doll is already made, by me, and the complete pattern set is enclosed so you can sew up a wardrobe to outfit your doll for all occasions. Plus! bonus! extra! also included are little bundles of fabrics from my stash that I pulled out to make specific outfits.… More
Elsa has a new look this year! I’ve had this pattern in my shop for over 10 years now and she’s definitely a favorite of mine. I remember when I first started designing dolls how I was obsessed with trying to get a nice round shape for a head from a 2D doll and the lightbulb I had when I decided to just make her 3D with a gusset, ha! I wanted a doll that had a few shortcuts … More
Want a shortcut to finishing your doll’s face? If you’re not making your toy for a small child (buttons = choking hazard!) you can save time by using buttons for the eyes. It’s tricky to get the look right but I find if you use a two-hole button you can sew through with contrasting thread to make a cute glint in the eye. Sewing onto a wider or offset circle of white felt can also help it read more as … More
I’m excited to be mixing it up in the shop in the coming weeks. I have a new Elsa pattern to release, new kits with the Elsa pattern in the works, ideas for bundles of already-made dolls + fabric for you to make doll clothes with and a sample sale of dolls that have been keeping me company this past year. Since I’ll be squeezing this all in between holiday merriment with the family I’m going to be just winging … More
A captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Published by STC Craft, August, 2010.
