Being Creative! Sewing by Hand for National Sewing Month!

Click Image to Locate the download

Do you have fun creating things? I do. It is such a blessing to be able to use this attibute of God that He gave us!!!! I like to do things with my hands, even when I goof up! Recently I have been reviewing old, old, sewing books that are in the public domain.  I chose some of my favorite illustrations from them to make a free Hand Stitching Hand-out. If you would like to download it, just go to the link at BeachBabyDoll.com. Sometimes, it's so nice to know you can make a garment, even a little doll garment totally by hand! My new "Everything Costume Pattern" for dolls is a great pattern for hand sewing. It comes in two sizes for American Girl and Best Friends Club Ink large dolls. I blogged extensively about it on Sept 8, 2012. See what you can make, anytime, anywhere!


 

Mrs. Meehan's classroom got their cozy rug! Thank you!

It's great we could help out Mrs Meehan with the pattern sales! If you would like to see better pictures of her adorable classroom, Click Here.  Mrs. Meehan and her children are blessed.. Thanks so much! Sylvia

The Everything Doll Costume Pattern: Have you seen it?

At BeachBabyDoll.com. we (that is me, the dolls and Fred) are all so excited about the new Everything Doll Costume Pattern! Why, because we hope our customers and fans will show us some of the huge variety of clothes and costumes they can create with this pattern. Many people are starting to work on stuff for Christmas. Some ladies I know feel badly because they don't have much time and probably may not get to sewing doll clothes for their little special ones till Christmas eve. I hope this pattern can help. It's so easy and quick and makes a bunch of things.That leaves you lots of time to enjoy your family and thanking God for them! Girls just learning to sew will love this pattern because it's very forgiving and lets them be creative. I start you off with some suggestions for outfits like Bible Time and Nativity costumes which is how I got started sewing with this pattern, but you will see how vast the variety is of things you can make.Like:

Pilgrim

King

Prairie Girl

Bible Time Characters

Christmas Party Dress for Miss Claus

Update 8--26-2013: There are currently three doll sizes for this pattern: American Girl size (18 in soft body doll), BFC Ink large doll size  (18 in very slim vinyl doll includes vintage ones like Super size Barbie, Tiffany Taylor), Hearts for Hearts Girls and Les Cherie size (14 inch dolls).   Each size is sold separately. All the sizes can make all the items pictured and a gazillion more things. In the accompanying 30 page e-book and sewing guide I give you the basic garment pattern and instructions, suggestions to get creativity flowing as well as some little accessory patterns and ideas.
Party Idea: In addition, I thought it would be so much fun for girls to throw a doll costume party where the guests could make their own original doll costume. I've included a little design template for that as well as an invitation.  A nice granny or mom may want to sew up a few muslin versions of the basic garment, then let the girls add the embellishments whether actually sewing or using markers and gluing. Here's the link to my Etsy shop where you can now instantly download the pattern and guide to fit the three dolls sizes above BeachBabyDoll.etsy.com.  Happy sewing!
PS: I'm happy to give you a great introductory price. This  e-book and pattern is only $4.49 USD at BeachBabyDoll.com. And the proceeds help kids! Read "About" above. I now send my doll clothes patterns all over the world. What a blessing and a joy!  Sylvia

Ziggy the Bulldog, what a guy!

My grand dog. Ziggy The Bulldog, is aiming for 1000 likes by Thanksgiving. He loves dolls too! He loves everybody! He just looks tough with his shades on!  Click here to give him a Facebook like.

Field trip and dolls

Sometimes the most exotic and different things are located in your back yard, so to speak. My hubby and I are celebrating the 41st year of the first time we ever laid eyes on each other. So we took a field trip, by that I mean, we continued our on-going journey into "Old Florida". In Bartow, the county seat of Polk County, we found a great museum in the old county courthouse. There was a lot of information there about the Seminoles. These pictures above are from a display of the little dolls the Seminoles made.

Here's a picture of a boy's Seminole dress:

 And below a little settler boy's coat:

Here is a picture of some Florida "crackers" cooking some sugar cane syrup

It was really hot in the 90's when we visited. We saw lots of photos of the first "pioneers" of Florida and I wondered how they managed with no AC, running water, toilets or even good bathing suits.

Long before people lived in Florida, the Bartow museum noted that huge crocodiles did:

But I digress from dolls.  The only other two places I saw about dolls were:

There was some interesting architecture and a beautiful campus at Florida Southern College. Hence, the picture of the  Frank LLoyd Wright dolls. I learned that girls during World War II built the whole library there using a lot of complicated concrete and mostly by hand. The girls were students and were working for their tuition. How about that! This is what was the library then and a pic of the inside of the old "reading room".

  But alas, I never got to visit this cute shop below in Mulberry  because they were closed: I hope I can go back. They are relocating soon somewhere.

Easy Swim or Dance costume Pattern for Hearts 4 Hearts and Les Cheries

New easy-sew pattern for Hearts 4 Hearts Girls and Les Cheries or other 13 -14 inch dolls. Complete instructions even includes hand sewing stitches. Come see it . Click here

Comparing H4H girls and Les Cheries doll measurements

I am having "sew" much fun sewing for the mid-size dolls, Hearts for Hearts Girls and Les Cheries by Corolle. If you can click on the image above you will see the comparative measurements of these two brands of dolls. As many of us know by now, they can share most clothes. Seamstresses, pay attention, though, there are a few crucial differences: the head, arm length and inseam length could make a difference in what you are making. In addition, Les Cheries are flexible so may be able to ease into some shoes or pants with tight foot areas that H4H couldn't manage due to firmer plastic. I hope you find the chart useful.

BeachBabyDoll will have a new pattern for these dolls very soon (hopefully this week). I think you will love it. Check out BeachBabyDoll.com in the Doll Pattern page often for doll patterns.

Here is a little outfit I made. You can see that they share it nicely:

It's nice to have someone to share clothes with.  I used to share clothes with my sister! God blesses us with sisters and friends who are like sisters!