American Girl Doll Mock Smocked Top and Jean Shorts Tutorial AG007

I am really enjoying Wren Feathers site!  That is where I got the pattern for this top.  I did do a few changes to her instructions. 

American Girl Doll Mock Smocked Top AG007

I cut my fabric 5.5” x 20”.  Serged all four sides.  Pressed under ½” on all four sides.  Chalk marked the long sides into 4ths.

From the wrong side, run three parallel rows of gathering stitches starting one quarter of an inch from the hem that will form the top edge of your dress.  I spaced my rows the width of my presser foot – maybe about 3/8” apart.  I like to gather Nancy Zieman’s way; Position the fabric under the presser foot, placing the needle ¼” from the edge.  Turn the hand wheel by hand to take one complete stitch in the fabric.  Gently pull the top thread and draw up the loop that appears, bringing the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric.

Grasp both top and bobbin threads.  Pull the threads so they measure as long as the area to be gathered.

Twist the two threads together and position them under the presser foot.  Zigzag over the twisted threads – make sure not to sew through the threads.  Stop stitching ¼” from edge.  Gently pull the twisted threads to gather.  Because the threads are anchored in the first stitch, they will not pull out of the fabric.

I found this package of trim in my mother in laws sewing machine - she has been gone for 25 years this December.  A little difference in price to what we pay now eh?  I cut 3 strips of this trim at 13” long, divided it into 4ths, matched these marks to the blouse and sewed over my gathers.

I made straps instead of ties.

American Girl Doll Jean Shorts Tutorial AG007

I used Sew Adollable’s free pattern for these shorts.  I did add one inch on to the fold and 3/8” to the top of the pattern so that it fit Isabelle.  I chose to cut a full pattern rather than one in half.

I drew a fake fly and pocket placements on my pattern then transferred it to cardstock.

I traced around that with a chalk pencil.  Remember to flip the cardstock pattern over to trace the other pocket only.

Topstitch the chalked lines.

Sew center front seam.  Press and topstitch waist casing and hems. Add bar tacks.

Insert 9” of ¼” elastic.  Stitch in the ditch at the center front to keep the elastic from twisting.

Sew center back seam!

I am really enjoying Wren Feathers site!  That is where I got the pattern for this top.  I did do a few changes to her instructions. 

American Girl Doll Mock Smocked Top AG007

I cut my fabric 5.5” x 20”.  Serged all four sides.  Pressed under ½” on all four sides.  Chalk marked the long sides into 4ths.

From the wrong side, run three parallel rows of gathering stitches starting one quarter of an inch from the hem that will form the top edge of your dress.  I spaced my rows the width of my presser foot – maybe about 3/8” apart.  I like to gather Nancy Zieman’s way; Position the fabric under the presser foot, placing the needle ¼” from the edge.  Turn the hand wheel by hand to take one complete stitch in the fabric.  Gently pull the top thread and draw up the loop that appears, bringing the bobbin thread to the top of the fabric.

Grasp both top and bobbin threads.  Pull the threads so they measure as long as the area to be gathered.

Twist the two threads together and position them under the presser foot.  Zigzag over the twisted threads – make sure not to sew through the threads.  Stop stitching ¼” from edge.  Gently pull the twisted threads to gather.  Because the threads are anchored in the first stitch, they will not pull out of the fabric.

I found this package of trim in my mother in laws sewing machine - she has been gone for 25 years this December.  A little difference in price to what we pay now eh?  I cut 3 strips of this trim at 13” long, divided it into 4ths, matched these marks to the blouse and sewed over my gathers.

I made straps instead of ties.

American Girl Doll Jean Shorts Tutorial AG007

I used Sew Adollable’s free pattern for these shorts.  I did add one inch on to the fold and 3/8” to the top of the pattern so that it fit Isabelle.  I chose to cut a full pattern rather than one in half.

I drew a fake fly and pocket placements on my pattern then transferred it to cardstock.

I traced around that with a chalk pencil.  Remember to flip the cardstock pattern over to trace the other pocket only.

Topstitch the chalked lines.

Sew center front seam.  Press and topstitch waist casing and hems. Add bar tacks.

Insert 9” of ¼” elastic.  Stitch in the ditch at the center front to keep the elastic from twisting.

Sew center back seam!

Workshop Cards W109, 110, 111

Workshop Card W109

Paper: Orchard Harvest DSP, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla.

Stamps: Faith in Nature.

Ink: Black, Versamark, Wild Wasabi.

Embellishments: Burlap ribbon, mounts, sponge, Clear EP.

Punches: Scallop Trim.

Here are some more cards we made at Joanne’s workshop a while back.  We colored the edge of the pear with a marker, stamped it with Versamark and melted a couple coats of Clear EP on top of that then we cut it out and put it on mounts.

Workshop Card W110

A nice masculine card eh?

Paper: Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, White.

Stamps: Wetlands, Itty Bitty Banners.

Ink: Soft Suede, Black, Old Olive marker, So Saffron marker.

Embellishments: Pool Party ribbon, linen thread, sponge, Vintage Trinket.

Workshop Card W111

Paper: White, Sahara Sand Core’dinations, Watercolor.

Stamps: Lifes a Breeze, Wetlands.

Ink: Bashful Blue re-inker, Soft Sky re-inker, Black, Crushed Curry

Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder Bakers twine, aqua brush, sponge.

How pretty is this even if I messed up on my phrase!

Thank you for stopping by.  Both Joanne and I are SU! demonstrators so if at any time you would like to purchase SU! products, give her a call or from my Blog, click on the Shop Now button.  Your order will be delivered right to you (you do have to give SU! a street address, not a box #).

Workshop Card W109

Paper: Orchard Harvest DSP, More Mustard, Pear Pizzazz, Very Vanilla.

Stamps: Faith in Nature.

Ink: Black, Versamark, Wild Wasabi.

Embellishments: Burlap ribbon, mounts, sponge, Clear EP.

Punches: Scallop Trim.

Here are some more cards we made at Joanne’s workshop a while back.  We colored the edge of the pear with a marker, stamped it with Versamark and melted a couple coats of Clear EP on top of that then we cut it out and put it on mounts.

Workshop Card W110

A nice masculine card eh?

Paper: Sahara Sand, Soft Sky, White.

Stamps: Wetlands, Itty Bitty Banners.

Ink: Soft Suede, Black, Old Olive marker, So Saffron marker.

Embellishments: Pool Party ribbon, linen thread, sponge, Vintage Trinket.

Workshop Card W111

Paper: White, Sahara Sand Core’dinations, Watercolor.

Stamps: Lifes a Breeze, Wetlands.

Ink: Bashful Blue re-inker, Soft Sky re-inker, Black, Crushed Curry

Embellishments: Wisteria Wonder Bakers twine, aqua brush, sponge.

How pretty is this even if I messed up on my phrase!

Thank you for stopping by.  Both Joanne and I are SU! demonstrators so if at any time you would like to purchase SU! products, give her a call or from my Blog, click on the Shop Now button.  Your order will be delivered right to you (you do have to give SU! a street address, not a box #).

Craft – Pool Noodle Card Holder

 

My little guy loves to play cards especially Old Maid but the cards are too much for his little hands.  Here is a solution I found on Pinterest.

 

All you need is a pool noodle and a serrated knife.

The Pool Noodle I bought was 58” long.  You could cut it in four 14.5” pieces and have 8 card holders if you want. Cut down through the foam at the 14.5” mark using a serrated knife.

Now slice lengthwise through the center of the piece to make two halves.

 

 

Try to stay in the middle so both halves are equal.

 

 

Set the noodle, flat side down. Drag your serrated knife along the top of each half, slightly angling the knife.  Allow the blade to cut only 1/4 - 1/2" deep to create the slot.  Repeat another slot slightly ahead of the first slot.

 

 

Place the holder, flat side down, on a table and simply slide the cards into the slot.

Oh great - guess who was dealt the Old Maid!!

 

 

So much more fun to play cards now!

 

My little guy loves to play cards especially Old Maid but the cards are too much for his little hands.  Here is a solution I found on Pinterest.

 

All you need is a pool noodle and a serrated knife.

The Pool Noodle I bought was 58” long.  You could cut it in four 14.5” pieces and have 8 card holders if you want. Cut down through the foam at the 14.5” mark using a serrated knife.

Now slice lengthwise through the center of the piece to make two halves.

 

 

Try to stay in the middle so both halves are equal.

 

 

Set the noodle, flat side down. Drag your serrated knife along the top of each half, slightly angling the knife.  Allow the blade to cut only 1/4 - 1/2" deep to create the slot.  Repeat another slot slightly ahead of the first slot.

 

 

Place the holder, flat side down, on a table and simply slide the cards into the slot.

Oh great - guess who was dealt the Old Maid!!

 

 

So much more fun to play cards now!

MDS 159 AG Doll Scrapbook Page - Shopping, Shopping and more Shopping

 

This is page 3 of 11 that I scrapped for Olivia’s American Girl shopping adventure.
Background - Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Twitterpated - designer series paper\Twitterpated – 7.
Embellishments - Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches line 9; Twitterpated - pleated satin ribbon\Twitterpated - Riding Hood Red; Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame2; Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches circle 4; Twitterpated - buttons\Twitterpated - Blushing Bride small; Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame4.
Stamps - Distressed Dots\Distressed Dots - background, Color = RIDING HOOD RED; Vintage Overlays\Vintage Overlays - texture 1, Color = RIDING HOOD RED; Seriously Awesome\Seriously Awesome - rectangle frame.
Punches - Curly Label Punch, Fill Color = RIDING HOOD RED; 1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = RIDING HOOD RED.

 

This is page 3 of 11 that I scrapped for Olivia’s American Girl shopping adventure.
Background - Designer Series Paper\_Designer Kits\Twitterpated - designer series paper\Twitterpated – 7.
Embellishments - Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches line 9; Twitterpated - pleated satin ribbon\Twitterpated - Riding Hood Red; Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame2; Staple & Stitching\White - Simple Stitches circle 4; Twitterpated - buttons\Twitterpated - Blushing Bride small; Designer Kits\Downtown Grunge - embellishments\Downtown Grunge - frame4.
Stamps - Distressed Dots\Distressed Dots - background, Color = RIDING HOOD RED; Vintage Overlays\Vintage Overlays - texture 1, Color = RIDING HOOD RED; Seriously Awesome\Seriously Awesome - rectangle frame.
Punches - Curly Label Punch, Fill Color = RIDING HOOD RED; 1.25 Circle Punch, Fill Color = RIDING HOOD RED.

American Girl Doll Downy Dunk Tutorial

Olivia and I decided we were going to try and tame Kanani’s hair.  It was frizzy and full of knots.  We found a Downy Dunk on Doll Diaries page so thought we would give it a try.  Olivia poured 1 cup of water into our spray bottle.

Then she added one tablespoon of unscented Ultra Downy fabric softener.  I have read other sites that recommend only using a white softener as the colored softeners can ‘dye’ the hair.

Olivia turned the bottle back and forth to mix the solution – do not shake.  She put on Kanani’s Hair Styling cape and she started spritzing and brushing her hair in small sections.

She wrapped each section around her finger while it was damp.

It was amazing how easily the knots came out!  We were impressed!  So give it a try!

Olivia and I decided we were going to try and tame Kanani’s hair.  It was frizzy and full of knots.  We found a Downy Dunk on Doll Diaries page so thought we would give it a try.  Olivia poured 1 cup of water into our spray bottle.

Then she added one tablespoon of unscented Ultra Downy fabric softener.  I have read other sites that recommend only using a white softener as the colored softeners can ‘dye’ the hair.

Olivia turned the bottle back and forth to mix the solution – do not shake.  She put on Kanani’s Hair Styling cape and she started spritzing and brushing her hair in small sections.

She wrapped each section around her finger while it was damp.

It was amazing how easily the knots came out!  We were impressed!  So give it a try!

SU236 A Thought Away Owl Card

Have I mentioned how much I love this owl punch?!  As with all these Owl cards, I find it best to punch all the pieces and lay them out first before sticking anything down permanently.

Cardstock: Crumb cake (fence and 2.5” square), Bermuda Bay (background mat and 2” circle), Tangerine Tango (card base, 2.5” circle, owl’s chest, heart), white, Early Espresso (owl).

Accessories: Owl Builder Punch, Word Window Punch, Elegant Bouquet EF, Vine Street EF, 23/8” scallop circle punch, Coluzzle to cut a 2” and 2.5” circle, sponge.

Stamps:  Woodgrain, Whimsical Words (both stamped in Early Espresso ink)

Ink: Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay.

Have I mentioned how much I love this owl punch?!  As with all these Owl cards, I find it best to punch all the pieces and lay them out first before sticking anything down permanently.

Cardstock: Crumb cake (fence and 2.5” square), Bermuda Bay (background mat and 2” circle), Tangerine Tango (card base, 2.5” circle, owl’s chest, heart), white, Early Espresso (owl).

Accessories: Owl Builder Punch, Word Window Punch, Elegant Bouquet EF, Vine Street EF, 23/8” scallop circle punch, Coluzzle to cut a 2” and 2.5” circle, sponge.

Stamps:  Woodgrain, Whimsical Words (both stamped in Early Espresso ink)

Ink: Early Espresso, Bermuda Bay.

American Girl Doll Tutu, Leg Warmers and Bodysuit AG006

American Girl Doll Ribbon Trim and Elastic waist Tutu Tutorial

The girls had such a good time doing their dance moves last week that I thought I would make one more Tutu for them.  Because the netting I have is 104” wide, I used that width by 10” long to make a double skirt of 5” long.  I sewed 1” wide onto one long edge.

Fold the netting just about in half with ribbon edge being the shorter piece.  Sew a half inch casing from fold.

Hand stitch a small amount of thread at each quarter mark and set aside.

Cut 3/8” elastic at 10”.  Mark each quarter with a vanishing ink marker.

Use a bobkin to thread the elastic.

Pull until the colored thread matches the ink mark on your elastic.

Stitch through to keep in place.  Repeat until you have all the quarters matched up.

Sew center back seam.  Remove colored threads.  Distribute gathers evenly between each stitched tack.

Wow!  That is one fluffy Tutu!

American Girl Doll Leg Warmers

Pretty simple to make!  Cut off the top of a pair of baby socks.

Use them as they are or you can zigzag around the cut edge or serge as I did.

American Girl Doll Bodysuit

For the bodysuit, I used the Ballet Basics pattern by Lee and Pearl.  I did lengthen the front and back body by ½” each and added a half inch on to each side seam as the fabric I am using has very little stretch.

American Girl Doll Ribbon Trim and Elastic waist Tutu Tutorial

The girls had such a good time doing their dance moves last week that I thought I would make one more Tutu for them.  Because the netting I have is 104” wide, I used that width by 10” long to make a double skirt of 5” long.  I sewed 1” wide onto one long edge.

Fold the netting just about in half with ribbon edge being the shorter piece.  Sew a half inch casing from fold.

Hand stitch a small amount of thread at each quarter mark and set aside.

Cut 3/8” elastic at 10”.  Mark each quarter with a vanishing ink marker.

Use a bobkin to thread the elastic.

Pull until the colored thread matches the ink mark on your elastic.

Stitch through to keep in place.  Repeat until you have all the quarters matched up.

Sew center back seam.  Remove colored threads.  Distribute gathers evenly between each stitched tack.

Wow!  That is one fluffy Tutu!

American Girl Doll Leg Warmers

Pretty simple to make!  Cut off the top of a pair of baby socks.

Use them as they are or you can zigzag around the cut edge or serge as I did.

American Girl Doll Bodysuit

For the bodysuit, I used the Ballet Basics pattern by Lee and Pearl.  I did lengthen the front and back body by ½” each and added a half inch on to each side seam as the fabric I am using has very little stretch.