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.
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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. |
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This is one of the pattens that I used; I found it at Wal Mart. |
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Quite full, and rufflie I think. |
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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. |
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I added a few inches to the hem of the dress and omitted the ruffle, adding lace for length and girly detail. |
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I pleated the collar line of this shirt a little to give a more flattering shape to it. |
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I cut leaves out of felt, and added a button to add interest to this simple blouse. |
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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.
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Here;s the inspiration dress... It's more different than I realized... |
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I think that I will try to make a dress like this next... I think that it is Sarah's turn. |