Our Generation "It Seams Perfect" set and a New Gotz Girl!

A couple of months ago, I received this very, special gift from one of my sewing students:

 

Can you believe it?  It's the ever-desirable, always elusive "It Seams Perfect" sewing set from Our Generation!  I have drooled over this on the internet and haunted all my local Targets, but had resigned myself that acquiring a set of my own was not to be.  And then, out of nowhere, my wonderful, little sewing student happened upon it one day and wanted to get it for me.  How awesome is that?!?

 

Back of the box

 

Close up of once I figured out how to remove the outer part of the box, but before tackling that horrible, molded plastic...

 

Okay, so this photo has nothing at all to do with unboxing my new sewing set, other than the fact that while I was struggling with all that horrible plastic, my 10 year old decided to visit my sewing room with our favorite chicken.  Yes, we have a favorite, and yes, sometimes they come into the house.  And in case you're wondering, her name is Stella.

 

Okay, on to the "It Seams Perfect" set...

 

There's a real, actual pattern to make an 18" doll sundress!  How cute is that?  There's also a roll of fabric included, but I probably won't use it.  On second thought, my 7 year old is really bugging to learn how to sew, so maybe I'll start her out with this pattern.  It looks simple enough.

 

Here are all of the darling, little accessories.  There's a real, 18" tape measure just like the life-sized ones, a wooden ruler (maybe it's plastic, but it feels like wood), two wood spools with thread, a marking pencil, a plastic thimble, 4 buttons, a buttonhole marker, scissors that actually open and close, a wristband pincushion, and a delightful, round box with a lid to hold it all.  Some of the accessories are really well made, like the scissors, ruler, tape measure, spools, and box.  A couple leave a little to be desired, like the wristband pincushion (it's molded plastic and doesn't actually fit on the doll's wrist) and the plastic thimble which doesn't have much detail.  It would have been really cool if the scissors actually cut, but all in all, I think these accessories are so cute.

 

I think it was smart thinking on OG's part to make a box to contain all the items.  Plus, how adorable is that antique sewing machine graphic on the lid?!

 

Rebecca was our resident seamstress today.  Here we see how she can sit on the little chair, surrounded by everything she needs to create something special.  The extension on the sewing table folds out, and the sewing machine sits down in a recessed area.  I didn't take a close-up photo of the sewing machine, but the presser foot actually lifts up and down, as does the needle!  With all of this attention to detail, I'm wondering why OG didn't include a foot pedal?!?  Oh well, I guess we will have to use our imaginations on this one.

 

I slipped a little dress over the dress form...how adorable!

 

All set to sew.

 

Love the scissors!

 

Just as Rebecca was getting ready to thread a bobbin, in walked a complete stranger.  "Oh!  Hello...who are you?"

 

"I'm new here.  My new mama rescued me from the Goodwill where I was just tossed up on a shelf with all kinds of scary toys.  Some were loud and made all sorts of noise, and some were broken.  I'm so glad she brought me here!"

 

"I don't have any clothes.  Do you think you could make me something to wear?  My favorite color is pink."

 

"Well, it just so happens that our mama likes pink, too!  Here are some bolts of fabric.  Pick one, and I'll make you a dress."

 

"But before we get started, I'll need to take your measurements."

 

"It would be helpful if you could hand me things while I sew.  Then I'll have this dress done in no time!"

 

"Let me button the back for you..."

 

Cuteness overload!

 

Admiring the vintage angel at the top of the tree.

 

I couldn't believe my good fortune when I found this beautiful, little girl at the Goodwill.  Nice dolls are getting harder and harder to find, probably because most of what's available in stores is cheap and low quality.  All I seem to happen across anymore are the Disney toddlers and 18" OGs.  This little darling is a 16" Gotz.  I don't know her name.  Unfortunately, Gotz dolls are hard to find in the USA--not many stores carry them.  Which is really a shame, since they are such excellent quality play things.  I know that Pottery Barn carries a line of Gotz dolls, but beyond that, I'm not sure where you would go to buy this little cutie here in the states.  European shops sell them, and I've ordered several Gotz dolls from www.petalina.com. 

 

This doll is all vinyl.  She can stand on her own and hold many poses.  Her rooted hair is thick and a beautiful quality.  She has stationary, blue eyes and just the sweetest expression.  I'm so glad I decided to stop in at that Goodwill on that particular day.  And yes, I think she looks adorable in pink!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Still Here...and Still Sewing!

I have so many things I want to post about...but for some reason, life has just gotten so busy lately!  I've added new dolls to my collection, found awesome thrift store deals, and started sewing for the dolls again after a bit of a break.  I just listed the above two outfits on Ebay this evening, and figured that while I was still sitting at my computer, I may as well blog about them, too.

 

For the first time in like ever, I purchased some cute Christmas fabric with the express purpose of turning it into holiday themed clothing for the dolls.

 

Here is Rebecca, modeling the first ensemble.

 

Her cardigan is upcycled from an adult sweater.  I created my own pattern and after a couple of trial and errors, I think I got the fit just right!  It closes in front with a snap under a pretty silk flower.

 

 

 

I thought this fabric was so adorable with it's snowy, winter-wonderland scene and Santa flying in his sled across the sky.  I love the blue/red/white combination.  The fabric has a shimmery glitter that's hard to capture in the photos, but is so elegant in person.

 

 

Isn't that lamp post just the cutest?  Even though it leans a little, I knew it had to come home with me when I found it at the Goodwill the other day.  What a perfect prop for the dolls!

 

The dress closes in back with snaps under decorative buttons.

 

 

 

I also made a coordinating hair bow to compliment the outfit.

 

Marie Grace's outfit

 

Her cardigan is also upcycled from a woman's sweater.  It is a silk/cotton blend and feels so soft.

 

 

 

The gingerbread fabric was actually part of a border print.  I carefully cut out the strip and stitched it to the red dot fabric.

 

I added a narrow, white band of trim between the hem band and the gingerbread house fabric.  Kind of like piping, but easier.

 

 

I got brave and removed Marie Grace's tiny side braids for the first time.  GASP!  Her hair is no longer in it's original set.   I'm kind of a rebel like that.

 

Looking so cute together!  I listed both of these outfits on Ebay tonight (seller name dotsydoodle).  The auction ends on Sunday evening.  This is the first time in a long time that I've listed doll clothes to sell on Ebay.  So we'll see how that goes.  I really do love how these outfits came out, so I won't be horribly disappointed if they don't sell.  However, it would be nice if they do since I'd like to get back into sewing and selling again for dolls.

 

I can't believe it's almost December.  Seriously?  Where has the past year gone?!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simplicity 1179 for American Girl Nicki

 This is the third time I've used this Simplicity pattern.  I had already made view F (the coat & hat) and view B (the sailor dress) in the past, and now I decided to tackle view C, the blouse and pleated skirt.

 

While all these outfits have many pieces, steps, and details, they go together really nicely and make a quality-looking garment...much nicer than anything you could buy commercially, I think!

 

Nicki wanted to be my model today.  I think the browns and blues work really well with her complexion and hair color.

 

I used a quilter's cotton in a Civil War print for the skirt.  It has a contrasting waistband and brown, rayon lace at the hemline and shoulder straps.

 

The pattern went together quite easily AFTER I pressed all those darn pleats!  Marking and ironing seemed to take forever, especially since I had forged ahead without reading the instructions and pleated everything before realizing that I needed to have hemmed and trimmed the skirt FIRST.  Oh, well.  It all worked out in the end.

 

The blouse is made from a "specialty" cotton I picked up at JoAnn's recently...it is sateen with a subtle stripe running through it.  The sleeves are also pleated.  If fastens in the back with buttons.

 

The blouse bodice has applied lace and a lace collar to give it an "heirloom look.

 

The skirt opens all the way down the back and closes with snaps.  The straps are permanently sewn to the front with buttons, but attach to the back waistband with snaps.  If I were to make this pattern again, I would permanently attach the back straps as well.  There is no reason to make them detachable, since you don't need to undo the straps in order to get on the skirt.  I wonder why the pattern designer called for this?

 

I always like to make a hair bow to match.  It attaches to a small hair clip.

 

I think Nicki looks so pretty in this outfit!

 

We are currently having very stormy weather in our area, and expect to receive 5-6" of rain over the next few days!  I was able to snap these pictures when the sun came out for a few, brief moments between downpours.  Nicki had to hang onto the tree for support because the wind kept threating to knock her over!

 

I am off this afternoon to go teach my little sewing pupils how to make this outfit.  I hope to upload more photos later of their creations.  Have a nice afternoon!