Little Girls Love To Dress Up

My sister told a coworker that I have made matching outfits for my little girls and their dolls so I get the phone call to see if I would make them for her daughter. She wanted something really frilly and girly and there wasn't anything in the doll catalog that she wanted.

This is what I have some up with:

The blue gingham check pinafores have coordinating crocheted headbands with large yoyos and tiny pink rosebuds while the burgundy outfits have lacy crocheted beanies with frayed fabric flowers.

I spent hours just ruffling all the yards of fabric and tulle for the pinafore skirts. I really love my ruffler. I decided on the pinafore style because the way it is constructed, it will go between 2 sizes and is a easy fit and just needs a little knit top or blouse.

When I get around to it, I hope to make a video showing the way these are made. They are so cute, they are well worth the effort and not really hard to do.

I do know that if sis's coworker doesn't like these, I have 3 great granddaughters that will love to have them. That was another reason for making them in these sizes-Ashlynn, Jenna and Hannah can all wear them and they just love to dress up.

Here is my ruffler if you aren't familiar with the dinosaur looking contraption:

The #'s indicate how many ruffles are taken-0 is for straight stitching, 12 is a gather every 12 stitches, 6 is a gather every 6 stitches and the 1 is a gather for every stitch [this is the mode I use most-if I am going to ruffle, I want to really ruffle]

On the machine:

To keep the roll of tulle in control, place it on a dowel in a box-rolls off easily

On the floor to feed through the machine.

Going through ruffler-gather per every stitch

Yards of ruffles quickly and easily

The roll of tulle has 100 yards. Rolls of 25/10 yards are also available. Of course, these are all bought on sale or with coupon. I have lucked into after season sales for the 100 yard rolls for about $2-3 at Hobby Lobby and get all I can afford that day. They are usually priced at $9.99. Regular fabric gathers just as easily as tulle. 

If you  don't have a ruffler here is my video tutorial for gathering by zigzagging over yarn  @

Check out my quick and easy doll patterns in my Craftsy Store 
 @ http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851. 
They are perfect projects for a beginner sewist. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Carolyn Wainscott 
www.carolynscanvas.blogspot.com

My LAST SUPPER Wallhanging Using A Lace Tablecloth

If you need a fairly easy, fairly quick, really eyecatching wallhanging, this may be just the piece for you. It can be made larger than this 50" by 72" sample by just enlarging the backgound and adding more cutouts around or cutting the center larger.  

I made one for my former living room that occupied most of a wall by just using a larger piece of fabric and trimming with a border-don't tell my husband but the whole thing was just stapled to the wall-not a bit of sewing and when Christmas rolled around the Last Supper lace came down and a lace Nativity tablecloth was put it its place. The Nativity tablecloth had angels and other motifs that were cut out and surrounded the center manger scene. Different motifs other than lace might be considered also but I stayed with the lace.

I picked up the tablecoths at Walmart after the holidays so they were on sale. I keep forgetting to check to see if they are still available but there were several on Ebay. I think I got one at a Christian book store while we were on vacation also. Why have more than one or two of the tablecloths-just because, that's why. No, really, my sister and I have helped decorate for several church events and these have been very handy.

Here is a step by step video for putting the whole thing together:

There are also printable instructions on www.FaveCrafts.com @ http://www.favecrafts.com/Quilting.

The wallhanging was constructed so that the Last Supper and other motifs can be removed and replaced with other motifs if desired. I even came up with the idea of using glittered tie tacs [since I had them on hand from other projects] for attaching the lace.

Here is the prepared background before attaching the lace motifs: 

The sewing time wasn't as involved as you might think, even with stitching the three ribbons together to make the border as wide as I wanted.

Hope you like this and enjoy putting it together-even if you do use a stapler.

Good luck and God bless

Carolyn Wainscott

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check out my designs in my pattern store on Craftsy.com @
http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

8" alphabet room decor with full instructions for padding/decorating


ANGEL WINGS BABY QUILT PATTERN-50"X 50"-Photography prop



SUNBONNET SUE BABY QUILT PATTERN
50" X 50"
INCLUDES: traditional 14" Sunbonnet Sue block pattern

A Doll Cradle From A Oatmeal Box

An article in the Reader's Digest magazine in the doctor's office caught my attention-"Are You Normal Or Nuts?"- I guess because I think most of my family and friends consider me to be at least borderline even though most are too polite to say but some are quite vocal.

I was glad to fit into the normal range in several of the examples but one kind of struck a chord. A daughter was asking whether her mother may be completely nuts when she found that her mother had shelves full of cardboard tubes because she couldn't throw them away. The diagnosis was that there may be a problem there. As I thought about my stash of recyclables, a lot of them cardboard tubes, I just didn't think there was too much wrong with the old gal because
"you just can't throw good stuff away,
you don't know when you might need it some day".
 Don't you just love my last little line, pretty good, huh? I know its not Shakespeare or anything but its mine, all mine.

Since I am a bit of a saver of things that might have a future use-like cardboard tubes and whipped topping tubs and styrofoam meat trays and oatmeal boxes and cereal boxes, etc. etc. etc. I do catch an occasional episode of Hoarders or something to remind myself to keep things in check
 BUT my stuff is used in my crafts.

I've always recycled and reused a lot but the cardboard tube thing escalated one day when I was taking my grandson to school and along side the road was-TADA-a whole bunch of long [maybe 5']cardboard tubes that had evidently fallen from someone's vehicle. I didn't have time to stop because we were running late but I rushed back before someone else could get MY cardboard tubes, came to a screeching stop, jumped out, threw those tubes into my van and sped home before the loser of the tubes realized they were gone. Cardboard tubes have been a staple in my crafting ever since. I even used them to hang window valances once to keep from purchasing anything. Have I told you that I am super cheap?

Ok, enough of my torrid background. Today, I am sharing how to make a doll cardle using a empty salt or oatmeal box-a cardboard tube of sorts.

I made these for my daughters when they were small and now for my great granddaughters. I don't remember making them for the granddaughters but may have. The doll cradle will not last forever but is a fun thing to make and play with and creates a memory for the child of having been a part of creating her own toy.

The only things you need are:a salt or oatmeal box, some fabric or paper to cover, [could also be painted], optional lace or other trim, hot glue gun and scissors or craft knife.

Here is a short step by step video for making the doll cradle.

For printable step by step instructions go to www.FaveCrafts.com @ http://www.favecrafts.com/Green-Crafting/Oatmeal-Box-Doll-Cradle. While you're there, cruise FaveCrafts for lots of reclyclable crafts of all kinds.

I hope you enjoy making this with your daughter, granddaughter or great granddaughter as much as I have enjoyed making them through the years. I loved being able to share this idea with you.
God bless you
Carolyn Wainscott

 

DIY UNDIES PATTERN FROM HANNAH'S CLOSET For Your American Girl Doll

No outfit in the world of dolldom is complete without a matching panty so that's our subject today. The pattern for panties from Hannah's Closet is simple to make as are all the other pieces.

It is included in my pattern store on Craftsy @
www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-panty-pattern-from-hannahs-closet/8391
along with  the other simple to make mix and match separates for your American Girl or other 18" dolls. Links to both Craftsy and Carolyn's Canvas Patterns are in "My other sites" block on the right.

The panties only take a few minutes to complete and 1/4 yard of any fabric of choice will make at least 3 pairs. All you need to add is 9" of 1/8"-1/4" elastic  for the waistline.

This step by step video demonstrates how quick and easy Hannah's doll panties are to make.

These panties are made from tee shirt knits-a couple of them are actually from some of my  shirts.

This pair was made in cotton to match the reversible skirt and top.  

Watch for other posts showing more ways to use Hannah's Closet patterns to create almost endless design opportunities.

These pieces are perfect beginner projects. Young designers can create to their heart's content with little supervision. I would love to see photos of your doll clothes, especially ones with the young sewist working on the project.

Happy sewing

Carolyn Wainscott 

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@

http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851

check out all my crafting, quilting, doll fashions

www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-reversible-top-by-hannahs-closet/1998


www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/clothing/girls-hooded-cape-by-hannahs-closet/39227


www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-hooded-cape/15386


www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/large-dresden-plate-quilt-pattern/32169

DIY REVERSIBLE CIRCLE SKIRT PATTERN FROM HANNAH'S CLOSET FOR YOUR AMERICAN GIRL DOLL

OK, so I'm still in dollville and may be here for a time. For now I am not leaving until these last few patterns are all together in my pattern store on Craftsy. As is my norm-I rushed in, got a lot done and then a slow down. But, also, as is the norm, a lot of other things get in the way and have to be taken care of.

A reversible circle skirt takes the limelight in this post. I am a child of the 50's-pony tails, duck tails, poodle skirts and Elvis so I threw in a poodle if anyone wants an applique for a 50's costume- I'll be making one for the dolls, not that the girls will know the background, but just because. The pattern can be cut for a short skating skirt, at knee length for school and 4 inches longer for a floor length skirt and mixed and matched with all the other pieces in Hannah's Closet.  

It is reversible because it takes no more time, in fact less and is less trouble-at least for me. When the hem and waistband are being put in, it is for 2 skirts, not one. So give it a try.

Here with matching reversible vest in cottons in street length.

                    Cut at the shorter length, the reversible skirt is coordinated with a reversible jacket
                                                          and sleeveless leotard to complete the costume,

            
               Paired here with a reversible jacket and top made with Hannah's Closet top/jacket pattern    

   

Here is a video tutorial with step by step instructions for the skirt.  

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you find Hannah's Closet patterns quick and easy to use. I design as I like to sew with simplicity and speed. You see, I have several great, granddaughters now to sew for and a couple of them now want to learn to sew themselves so we will be using these patterns.
May God bless and keep you, 

Carolyn Wainscott
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A lot of things have changed since this original post on March 1, 2012 but not this skirt pattern or my other designs which I love making along with all my other Hannah's Closet doll clothes. The skirt pattern has been online for a while now and is one of the favorite patterns in Hannah's Closet
@

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/sewing/toy/ag-reversible-skirt-by-hannahs-closet/8465

Check out all my designs for quilting, crafting and doll fashion in My Pattern Store, Carolyn's Canvas: 

http://www.craftsy.com/user/pattern/store/43851