Doll clothes for my girls

My girls both got a doll from American Girl for Christmas this year.  My Emma got a new full sized girl, and gave her baby to her little sister Victoria.  They both got gift cards too so they could pick something out at the store themselves.  Me, I got a sewing machine.  I just couldn't see letting the girls waste their money (gift cards from their grandmom) on things that I could make.  Here's what I came up with for them.  I used three different patterns by Simplicity that I purchased at Walmart for $1.97 each.  I love how different you can make something cut with the same pattern by using different materials, trims, and patterns.

Here's what I came up with.

Meet Jessica.  She is Emma's new American Girl and is loving living with Emma so far. 

This is the unfinished purple dress.  I had considered stopping right here and pinning a little to make it a shirt.  However, Emma was a little disappointed with the lack of fullness that the white dress had to offer.Therefore, I pressed on.  

This is one of the pattens that I used; I found it at Wal Mart.

Quite full, and rufflie I think.

Emma really wanted to buy the "Special Occasion Dress" from American Girl, but I just couldn't see letting her spend so much money on something that I could make.  It's not exactly the same, but I tried to capture the details for her.  Purple waste line, white bow to one side.. slightly gathered shoulder band.

I added a few inches to the hem of the dress and omitted the ruffle, adding lace for length and girly detail. 

I pleated the collar line of this shirt a little to give a more flattering shape to it.

I cut leaves out of felt, and added a button to add interest to this simple blouse.

Victoria is always excited when I give her something new for her sweet Sarah.

So that's it for now, Victoria would really like more things for Sarah, her baby.
All of the dresses are made using the same pattern, just a little tweeking here and there to get a different look.  The shirts for both dolls are made from the same pattern.  I did not make the shoes, jeans or actual hat.  The headband I made to fit on just Jessica's head, or as a hat band over the hat. 

Here;s the inspiration dress... It's more different than I realized...

I think that I will try to make a dress like this next... I think that it is Sarah's turn.