Whew! I fell off the face of the Earth!

Not too long ago, I was fortunate...umm, actually make that QUICK enough to nab a Black Apple Doll Kit. I'm really glad I got the one with the black hair, since she is going to my little girl, who adores black. Pretty grown-up tastes for a 5 year old. Anyway, the kit came together very easily, though the final sewing it all together was a bit nerve-wracking. Putting it together made me appreciate all the time and effort that Emily of the Black Apple puts into her amazing dolls. This doll has a free pattern and tutorial here where she shows a VERY famous person how she makes her little dolls. However, the fabric that came in the kit is not available anywhere! It is a fabric that Emily herself designed and is Black Apple exclusive. Too cute! I love Little Red Riding Hood peeking out with the Wolf skulking about. I'd love to see Emily illustrate a children's novel one day. She has beautiful work which she sells in her Etsy store.

If Emi likes her, I might make her another one from the pattern I downloaded. Of course, before I do that, I will need to upgrade my felt. The felt in the kit is wool I believe, and is very fine and has a beautiful feel to it. I can't make one of these cute dolls using cheap felt and feel good about it.

Servant dress in action...

Not much sewing to show since I am currently working on a doll from a Wee Wonderfuls pattern. I've never made a doll before, so I'm taking my time, since I plan on it being a Christmas gift. I know that is a long way off, but with all my running around, I have to plan ahead!

But! The Servant Dress from the Sugar City Journal pattern finally went to school today. It is a little roomy in the neck, I'll have to watch that next time...but otherwise very cute! She got a TON of compliments all the way to class, which made me feel good. I don't know why, but I'm a bit shy about crowing "I MADE IT!", though my husband ALWAYS informs everyone. I am proud of a lot of my sewing projects, even the unfortunate ones, because I MADE something, but I'm so shy about admitting it to people. I don't know why.

Halloween Flirty Skirts

Being new to this whole sewing scene, I need easy projects to learn from. Therefore this project was perfect! They are called Flirty Skirts, and it is beyond easy. It's a pattern from Tanya Whelan of Grand Revival Designs. Though I was momentarily stumped as to how to make the ruffles work, I was just overthinking it. Assembling it all also took some concentration, especially for someone whose abstract thought process is pretty much non-existant. But after I finished the first one, the rest I was able to whip up in literally no time. My favorite is the one with the witch hats and polka dots. Too cute, and I am inordinately proud of it, and my ric-rac embellishing. I think it is the polka dot fabric. I saw it at the fabric store, and I LOVED it. I'm kind of a Halloween nut anyway.

(I don't know why my pictures are sideways. Blogger turned them?!)

I also found some cute Hello Kitty fabric, with her all dressed up in costumes. And the last one is Alexander Henry, of course. I love the retro look of the fabric, and ended up not embellishing this skirt. I don't know why. I just wasn't feeling it.

What I love about these skirts are that they are super easy, and really lend themselves to different interpretations. Tanya Whelan did hers in beautiful floral fabric from her own line, Barefoot Roses. I chose the Halloween theme and think they turned out great. For cooler weather, I bet you could make these in corduroy, and pair them with some tights and cute boots. Hmmm...I may have to try that...

I really need to photograph them while being worn, because clothing just laying or hanging around just doesn't do it any kind of justice.

Servant Frock-Take One!

Here is my first attempt at a Sugar City Journal pattern. The Servant Frock. I was doing fine until I put in the ruffle. Try as I might, I couldn't sew straight over that gathered ruffle, and the resulting crooked stitching made my heart break. What's a girl to do? Especially when it would take FOREVER to rip those stitches out? I took the path of least resistance, and broke into my trim stash, and used it to cover my crazy stitching. I'll need to take a picture of Emi in it. It definitely improves the look!!

The fabric is Amy Butler from her Midwestern Mod line.