Monday, December 3, 2012

Vintage Fabric Doll Dress


Remember a few weeks ago when I went thrift "shopping" in my mom's basement? I came away with some vintage fabric, featuring a lovely dancing couple. I told you then that I planned to make dresses for my daughter's Maplelea (Canadian Girl) dolls.

I have never sewed more than one crooked line my whole life. I wasn't sure I could do it, to be honest.

Guess what? I DID IT! It might not seem exciting for some of you experienced sewers, but this is a big deal for me. I screwed up a few times along the way, and the stitching is totally crooked, but I am happy with my first little sewing project.


I tied some ribbon (also from my mom) around the dress for a more form-fitting look. It came out shorter than the picture indicated, but I noticed the one in the video is shorter too. The pattern and a how-to video can be found here.


My mom gave me her old sewing machine. I remember trying to use it (and hating it) as a teen. It held up through this job though.

Just don't tell my daughter about the dress. This is one of her Christmas presents. I think I will give her the one dress for now, and ask her if she wants the same fabric for her second doll. She wanted some clothes for her dolls for Christmas and they are SO expensive. This dress was entirely free!

What do you think? Are you making any homemade Christmas presents?

Linking up with these wonderful sites: Sir Thrift A Lot and A Living Space and Homemaker on a Dime and Hey What's for Dinner Mom?and Six Sisters' Stuff and Cap Creations and The Cottage Market and Coastal Charm and Knick of Time and Apron Thrift Girl and The Thrifty Groove and



Sew Chatty



Dragonfly Designs

28 comments:

  1. I love to make Christmas gifts. I often end up making food.

    Your first sewing project is awesome. I am too afraid to give it a go...maybe I could mail you some fabric and order doll clothes??

    Could be a little business on the side for you.

    I hope all is going well Jo!!!

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    1. I am doing a couple of food gifts too. Baked goods of course!! Trust me, if I could sew this dress, you can! Nobody would pay me for my sewing, though. The lines are all crooked! ;)

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  2. YAY!!!!! Congrats!!!! There will be time for straight lines later, enjoy the accomplishment now lol!!

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    1. Thanks! I hope the straight lines come eventually. ;)

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  3. great stuff :) I'd never heard of Canadian Girl dolls (maybe because I'm not in Canada...) but the day after I read it on your blog I went to a toy store and saw Australian Girl! Same size and everything so I told the store owner about the free pattern online :P

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    1. That's funny. I guess they have dolls for every country. The pattern I used was for an American Girl, so I guess they are the same size!

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  4. The dress is beautiful!!! Well done, she will love it! I have my moms sewing machine, too - with zero clue how to use it (but I've always wanted to learn).

    Homemade gifts are the best by far, too bad my kids don't feel the same. ;)

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    1. Thanks Wendy! I found that making sure your machine is set up for the right stitch as per the sewing machine manual is the most important part! Otherwise, you end up getting the thread jammed up.

      My daughter will like the dress, I'm sure, but there had better be store-bought gifts too, or look out! ;)

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  5. It turned out beautifully Jo. So cute.

    As for handmade gifts, my mom requested a crocheted scarf like one I made myself last year, but I have already bought her gift so I told her she'd get the scarf for her birthday. That's good for me too, as I'd have to be a crocheting fiend to get it done in time for Christmas!

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    1. Thanks so much!

      I would love to get a homemade crocheted scarf. What a great gift. I know how much work goes into them (and why you can't get it done before Christmas)!

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  6. Oh cool- nice job on the sewing! I got a machine last year and have done a whole lot of nothing with it... oops :)

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    1. Well, I am living proof that it can be done at any time. ;)

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  7. Well done!! That is such a cute dress and you'd never know you weren't a sewer!! I've made all our gifts for family this year except all those for the children. I've made clothes for Ruby's bunny (she's not a dolly girl but loves a cuddly toy!) and they both have quilted cushions for their beds. It'll be our most homemade Christmas so far... I'm a little nervous about giving homemade gifts to brothers/ sisters and their spouses but needs must! Thanks for showing us! I'm gonna blog a few of my homemade bits later - if I can get round to it!! J9x

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    1. Thank you. You are kind. I would love to see your homemade gifts. I am sure your family will love them! I think homemade gifts are wonderful. :)

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  8. Great job, Jo! I just took up sewing again recently, and it's been not too easy... You're making it look easy, though!

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    1. Thanks Ruthie! You wouldn't have thought I make it look easy if you could see me ripping out stitches with the thread ripper thingy!! ;)

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  9. Looks great, Jo! You should absolutely be proud of yourself. Watch out though - when the sewing bug hits, it hits hard. I expect to see more projects from you soon. :)

    I try to make as many gifts as I can at Christmas, and also for birthdays.

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    1. Thanks Julee. I am a little bit proud. ;) I will have to see if the sewing bug hits. I am not naturally talented at this. I could get frustrated. ;)

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  10. Congratulations on your first project! You should be very proud. And what a wonderful reason for giving it a try. Do stick with it. I did my first one just 4 years ago and things have come so far since then. Thanks for linking to Craftastic Monday at Sew Can Do:)

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    1. Thanks Cheryl! Wow, you just started four years ago? That's amazing. You must have really devoted yourself to it! Thanks for hosting the party! Joann

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  11. I love this! So cute!! Thanks so much for stopping by! Following you back!

    ♥Nicole @ Me + the Moon

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  12. So cute!!! I love my mother's old machine... Even if it's a little slow lol
    I stopped by from Sew Much ado linky
    Cheers

    http://ellecrafts.blogspot.com

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    1. One thing about mom`s machine...it`s free!

      Thanks for visiting!

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  13. YOUR FIRST!!! WOW...you are Fabulous!!!! Me...well I am highly attached to hot glue : ) LOL!!!! Thanks for sharing! hugs...

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    1. Maybe hot glue is next for me! I like that idea. Thanks for hosting :)

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  14. That is just so sweet and adorable! Thank you for sharing at TTF last week. Have a terrific day!

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    1. Thanks Diann. That's so nice of you. Thanks for hosting once again! Take care, Joann.

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