1.Buy a plant shelf and make sure your American girl doll/dolls
can sit on it
2. Make pillows from my how to make a bed tutorial and you are done!
can sit on it
2. Make pillows from my how to make a bed tutorial and you are done!
Friday 24 February 2012
How to make a ag doll canopy bed
Things You'll Need
- 2 American Girl doll boxes. You can purchase these from American Girl for about $2 each plus shipping. See Resources for contact information.
- High-loft cotton batting cut to fit the interior of the box, about 20 inches by 11 inches
- Fabric
- Glue and/or hot glue gun and sticks
- Scissors
- Pins
- Lace, ribbon and other notions (optional)
Thursday 23 February 2012
How to make a hair styling cape for your ag doll
When you think about doll clothes patterns,
you usually think about making doll clothes. But clothes are just the
beginning. Your doll needs lots of other things to maintain her
high-fashion lifestyle, especially if you style her hair.
Every doll needs a hair-styling cape for her at-home beauty treatments. Here’s a fun new project that’s quick and easy.
Start with some water-resistant fabric. I bought a pink nylon raincoat at the thrift store for $1. An old or ‘outgrown’ windbreaker will work just as well. You can even recycle a shower curtain if the plastic is soft and flexible enough. You don’t need doll clothes patterns to make this cape for your American Girl dolls.
Just follow these directions:
1. Cut a rectangle 20 inches long by 12 inches wide. (This size will fit most 18 inch dolls.) Then find and mark the center point of the rectangle with a dot, as shown in the photo. Draw a line from the center point to the hemline on one of the long sides. This will be the center front opening.
2. Hem all four sides. Turn the raw edge up 1/4 inch. Press in place. Then turn up 1/4 inch again to create a rolled hem. Press again. Topstitch as shown below.
3.
Draw a circle (about 2 inches across) around the center point to create
an opening for your doll’s neck. I drew around a spice jar to mark my
circle. It’s just about the right size.
Then cut along the line and around the circle to create the front opening.
4. Sew contrasting trim around the center front and neck opening, near the raw edge. I used ready-made piping in a lighter color to add an accent to my cape. You can make your own trim. Or, you can skip this step if you don’t want to add trim.
5. You’ll need some kind of facing to finish the raw edge. I used seam tape because it’s easy. But, you can make your own bias binding out strips of the raincoat fabric if you prefer. With right sides together, sew the seam tape or self-binding along the edge of the front opening.
Then turn it back and topstitch.
6. Next, you’ll need some kind of closure, so your cape stays in place while you’re styling your doll’s hair. I used more of the same seam tape to make ties. Attach one set at the neckline and another set near the waistline. For a final step, tack the rectangle with a few stitches under the doll’s arms, between the shoulder and the hemline.You can open your cape in the front or back. I like to open mine in the front, so the cape will feel less bulky in back, when I brush the doll’s long hair. So get busy sewing! You can be styling in your home salon in no time. The only doll clothes patterns you need for this project are the instructions in this blog post.
Every doll needs a hair-styling cape for her at-home beauty treatments. Here’s a fun new project that’s quick and easy.
Start with some water-resistant fabric. I bought a pink nylon raincoat at the thrift store for $1. An old or ‘outgrown’ windbreaker will work just as well. You can even recycle a shower curtain if the plastic is soft and flexible enough. You don’t need doll clothes patterns to make this cape for your American Girl dolls.
Just follow these directions:
1. Cut a rectangle 20 inches long by 12 inches wide. (This size will fit most 18 inch dolls.) Then find and mark the center point of the rectangle with a dot, as shown in the photo. Draw a line from the center point to the hemline on one of the long sides. This will be the center front opening.
2. Hem all four sides. Turn the raw edge up 1/4 inch. Press in place. Then turn up 1/4 inch again to create a rolled hem. Press again. Topstitch as shown below.
3.
Draw a circle (about 2 inches across) around the center point to create
an opening for your doll’s neck. I drew around a spice jar to mark my
circle. It’s just about the right size. Then cut along the line and around the circle to create the front opening.
4. Sew contrasting trim around the center front and neck opening, near the raw edge. I used ready-made piping in a lighter color to add an accent to my cape. You can make your own trim. Or, you can skip this step if you don’t want to add trim.
5. You’ll need some kind of facing to finish the raw edge. I used seam tape because it’s easy. But, you can make your own bias binding out strips of the raincoat fabric if you prefer. With right sides together, sew the seam tape or self-binding along the edge of the front opening.
Then turn it back and topstitch.
6. Next, you’ll need some kind of closure, so your cape stays in place while you’re styling your doll’s hair. I used more of the same seam tape to make ties. Attach one set at the neckline and another set near the waistline. For a final step, tack the rectangle with a few stitches under the doll’s arms, between the shoulder and the hemline.You can open your cape in the front or back. I like to open mine in the front, so the cape will feel less bulky in back, when I brush the doll’s long hair. So get busy sewing! You can be styling in your home salon in no time. The only doll clothes patterns you need for this project are the instructions in this blog post.
how to mkae a sassy, stylish scarf for your for your doll
Look
in your closet for cotton knit fabric you can recycle and reuse to make
your doll a rag scarf. All you need are two or three old t-shirts in
coordinating colors. If you’re creative, you can use white t-shirts and
dye them before cutting the strips.
Be brave with your color choices. Experiment. Mix and match until you find striking combinations, like sky blue, aqua and teal …or maroon, apple red and pumpkin.
To begin, cut strips of cotton knit in three graduated widths. For example, cut strips 3 inches, 2 inches and 1 inch wide, using a different color for each width. Make each strip 27 inches long, or as long as the finished scarf. These important dimensions are the only doll clothes patterns you’ll need to complete this project.
Please note: It’s important to cut the length of the scarf (the 27 inches) on the straight of the grain of the knit. This is the direction of the stretch.
Stack the colored strips as shown in the photo, using the width of each strip as a guideline. For example, from the bottom to the top, layer the strips by the width. (1-2-3-2-1) Start with the orange strip that’s 1 inch wide, then add the brown 2 inch strip, then the light blue 3 inch strip, add another brown 2 inch strip and finish on top with another orange 1 inch strip. Sew the stack of five colored strips together lengthwise, with your stitches running down the center of the strips.
Finish by making parallel cuts in the stack of strips about one-half inch apart, the entire length of the scarf, to create the rag effect. To avoid cutting through the center of the scarf, stop cutting about one-eight inch before you reach the center seam line.
Wash and dry the scarf to get it to curl. Pull each small piece from the end, to make the knit roll up and curl more. Then, fluff the scarf with your fingers until it looks full. Now your 18-inch doll has a cute and colorful scarf.
Be brave with your color choices. Experiment. Mix and match until you find striking combinations, like sky blue, aqua and teal …or maroon, apple red and pumpkin.
To begin, cut strips of cotton knit in three graduated widths. For example, cut strips 3 inches, 2 inches and 1 inch wide, using a different color for each width. Make each strip 27 inches long, or as long as the finished scarf. These important dimensions are the only doll clothes patterns you’ll need to complete this project.
Please note: It’s important to cut the length of the scarf (the 27 inches) on the straight of the grain of the knit. This is the direction of the stretch.
Stack the colored strips as shown in the photo, using the width of each strip as a guideline. For example, from the bottom to the top, layer the strips by the width. (1-2-3-2-1) Start with the orange strip that’s 1 inch wide, then add the brown 2 inch strip, then the light blue 3 inch strip, add another brown 2 inch strip and finish on top with another orange 1 inch strip. Sew the stack of five colored strips together lengthwise, with your stitches running down the center of the strips.
Finish by making parallel cuts in the stack of strips about one-half inch apart, the entire length of the scarf, to create the rag effect. To avoid cutting through the center of the scarf, stop cutting about one-eight inch before you reach the center seam line.
Wash and dry the scarf to get it to curl. Pull each small piece from the end, to make the knit roll up and curl more. Then, fluff the scarf with your fingers until it looks full. Now your 18-inch doll has a cute and colorful scarf.
How to make a shower cap and towel for your ag doll
If you can find a package of Saran brand Quick Covers hidden away in your kitchen or pantry, you’ll have a cute shower cap for your 18-inch doll. These plastic covers were manufactured to fit assorted sizes of food-storage containers. The medium size fits Julie, our American Girl doll, perfectly.
You won’t find Quick Covers in the stores now, because Saran doesn’t make them any more. However, they’re still available on eBay. There are also similar products sold online that are made by other manufacturers. Just do a search for “Quick Covers” on Google or eBay.
It’s quick and easy to sew a ‘doll-sized’ terrycloth bath towel to complete this outfit. You won’t even need doll clothes patterns. Just cut a rectangle (18 inches X 9 inches) from one of your old bath or hand towels and hem it on four sides. If you can’t find any old towels buried in the back of your linen closet, it’s fairly easy to find nice quality used towels at your local ‘odds and ends’ or thrift store. You could also recycle an old terry cloth robe instead of throwing it away.
Sewing notes:
The towel measurements (18 X 9) allow ½ inch on all sides to turn back for a rolled hem. To make a rolled hem turn the fabric down ¼ inch, then turn it down another ¼ inch to create a roll, so no raw edges show. Your finished doll’s towel will measure about 17 inches long by 8 inches wide.
How to make winter pajamas for your doll (long johns)
Here I will show you a super simple way to make doll pajamas!
STEP ONE: Supplies! You need a doll, baby pajamas, LOTS of pins, a good pair of scissors, and your sewing machine.
STEP TWO: Turn the pajamas inside out and put it on your doll.
STEP THREE: Pin around the doll. You will make a seam across the neckline and shoulders, and down the arms. This will make the neck small enough for the doll. Then pin from below the wrist all the way around the legs and back up to the other wrist.
STEP FOUR: Carefully remove the pajamas, taking care not to lose or poke yourself with any pins. (This step also helps ensure your doll pajamas will go on and off the doll easily.)
STEP FIVE: Sew exactly on the line where you pinned, taking out pins as you go. (Sorry, it's hard to see the stitching in this photo.)
If your pajamas have a zipper, be sure to reinforce at the bottom of the zipper.
STEP SIX: Cut around your stitching, leaving at least 1/4" seam allowance.
STEP SEVEN: Turn the pajamas right side out, put them on the doll, and place a pin on the sleeve where you want the hem to be. Take off the pajamas, cut approximately 1/4" away from the pin, remove pin, and hem sleeves. (This is the hardest part of the whole project!)
STEP EIGHT: Put your jammies on your doll!
( I am using a baby doll)
STEP ONE: Supplies! You need a doll, baby pajamas, LOTS of pins, a good pair of scissors, and your sewing machine.
STEP TWO: Turn the pajamas inside out and put it on your doll.
STEP THREE: Pin around the doll. You will make a seam across the neckline and shoulders, and down the arms. This will make the neck small enough for the doll. Then pin from below the wrist all the way around the legs and back up to the other wrist.
STEP FOUR: Carefully remove the pajamas, taking care not to lose or poke yourself with any pins. (This step also helps ensure your doll pajamas will go on and off the doll easily.)
STEP FIVE: Sew exactly on the line where you pinned, taking out pins as you go. (Sorry, it's hard to see the stitching in this photo.)
If your pajamas have a zipper, be sure to reinforce at the bottom of the zipper.STEP SIX: Cut around your stitching, leaving at least 1/4" seam allowance.
STEP SEVEN: Turn the pajamas right side out, put them on the doll, and place a pin on the sleeve where you want the hem to be. Take off the pajamas, cut approximately 1/4" away from the pin, remove pin, and hem sleeves. (This is the hardest part of the whole project!)
STEP EIGHT: Put your jammies on your doll!( I am using a baby doll)
Tuesday 21 February 2012
how to make some doll leggings out of a sock
1.Take a colorful sock which is out grown,from the store,or lost it's pair.
2.After you have found a sock slip it on your doll so that it is up till her hip and cut off any extra sock
3. Next draw a triangle into the sock and cut on the triangle
4.Sew along where you cut and there you have leggings for your doll.
2.After you have found a sock slip it on your doll so that it is up till her hip and cut off any extra sock
3. Next draw a triangle into the sock and cut on the triangle
4.Sew along where you cut and there you have leggings for your doll.
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