susanne by citronelle

I had been missing my sewing room the past few weeks and with a few hours over a couple days I remedied the situation. I first sewed a sweet soft doll similar to one I had seen online and liked a lot. I used cotton muslin, embroidery thread, wool and Liberty of London quilting cotton.

Then, I wanted to sew a dress and I saw I had enough of one of all my time favorite prints, Betsy, by Liberty of London to make a tunic using the pattern Susanne by Citronelle. I also made it last year and was so happy with it. I did sew it wrong once first...not sure where my brain was and it came out like it would fit a doll. Ha! So funny how little errors and bam! a girls dress could be a dolls dress- should have shown a photo of that. Scarlet saw it and immediately wanted to put it on and take photos. What can I say? The seven year old gets me :) I'm just so in love with this print!

bunny

A bunny in the style of Lieschen Mueller. Sewn by hand with muslin, glass buttons and fake fur fabric cut from an outgrown vest. It was planned for a birthday present next month but, I got caught sewing it. Oh well, it's too sweet to pack away for another month.

I have had my Pfaff sewing machine for about 6 years now and have never had it serviced. It has not been working at it's best for a while but, now it's not at all sewing so it's heading to the shop for repair.

It snowed quite a bit last night. Happy weekend to you

corn husk dolls

I was beyond happy to see corn husk dolls with directions in this months Martha Stewart magazine. I made my first corn husk doll in Kindergarten and it really made a huge impression on me. Honestly, it is one of two memories I have of school that year. The other involves the school fair and trying to win a goldfish that I didn't get. I got one two years later at a birthday party so no worries;)

I have always wanted to make a corn husk doll. One of my daughters friends has a birthday coming up so on our playdate the other day we tried out the dolls with our girls. They loved it so, we plan to go ahead and make them at her party in a few weeks.

I have a few boy dolls (you separate the husks to make legs) started and it's really easy to change the outfits and add embellishments. I need to find some calico because my original had yellow calico and I am sort of attached to the prairie corn husk doll concept. How about a mexican themed one? I am so getting carried away.

To make one you will first need corn husks. I got mine on Amazon but they are available at Mexican groceries as well as these are what you use to make tamales. Also, twine, glue, fabric or felt, yarn and embellishments. I used pins for eyes.

Remember if you are like me to have fun and not worry about it being perfect.

1, 2, 3....

Three things I made this week:

another wiksten tank top
wool felt necklaces
and
clothespin dolls

Have a good weekend.

toys and treats for me

I can't help feeling like a girl in wonderland every time I take a trip to Parcel.
I think if you click on the link you will see why.
Here a few of the things I brought home with me on my last visit. Most of the ribbons and laces from the bow pins were bought there from a few posts ago.

clockwise from left:

wax paper flowers, millinery fruits, vintage wood polish doll, japanese tin bird pins

the nutcracker doll

A Christmas present for Ms. S.

The pattern is from the lovely Alicia Paulson from her book Stitched in Time.

I spent awhile deliberating the outfit before I settled on a matching bodice and skirt with Nani Iro double cotton gauze in pale green dot. The red velvet ribbon choice came easily since it is a Christmas doll. I used alpaca for the hair and it is so nice and soft to touch. I decided to add a scarf made from white angora.

happy to see you

Happy To See You Doll. Handmade in France.
We still need to name her.
Isn't she beautiful?

someone else got a sweater

A fairy tale cape for Kit.
The pattern is called Kit's Christmas cape but we are calling it Red Riding Hood because we are not only heavy into Babar these days but very big into fairytales with Red Riding Hood being the favorite. I am so blessed that my Mom saved the Red Riding Hood costume my Nana made when I was a little one because we now know what we are going for Halloween this year with her brother as the Big Bad Wolf.

calico critter house

This little house was made shortly after Christmas for Scarlet's birthday.

My parents gave S the calico critters bunny doll family for Christmas and she immediately loved them. They are tiny and easy to carry and animals really appeal to my daughter.
I was reminded by a contact on flickr (who also made a similar house) of this tutorial and thought I'd give it a try. I didn't know how much fun it would be making it but, I really enjoyed every step and it wasn't too hard at all.

I used a pale feather grey linen for the outside and a tiny rosebud floral and polka dot on the inside. The windows are made of cotton and wool felt and the door is wool felt. Those details were appliqued on at the end. The little fabric accessories just lie on top and can be moved around. There is a green lawn, a flower patch, a pond and bridge, a floral circle 'rug' for circle time, indoor windows and a lesson board (the alphabet). Tiny buttons and hair elastics hold it closed and with the handle it is easy to tote around or bring on a car trip.


I had to add a little typewritten label to the back.
For her birthday she also received the caramel cats family, two babies, a see-saw and swing from Aunt Jane and family.

doll dress with matching hat

This doll dress was quite fun to sew up. All the tiny seams, the collar and puff sleeves.
A matching bonnet was made too.
The pattern is still Simplicity 4707.
I found the red thread afterwards but I don't mind the white stitching on the red ric rac portion.
I used stick-on velcro on the back for a closure- it works well and is great for little ones to dress the dolls.
I do hope she likes all these doll clothes but, I'm not expecting much. I know she will like them but, of course it's not going to elicit the exact same response as this. She has wanted one of those for at least a year. It's the only thing she asked Santa for. Well that and a real horse which unfortunately she's not getting this year.

I think this may be it for the doll clothes for Christmas.

* A sweater was knit for her Purl Rabbit. The rabbit raglan sweater and the pattern for that is here

Doll Clothes for Christmas -Part Three

Gingham Pajamas in a tiny yellow marigold and white scheme.
I just wish I had enough fabric to make a matching set for them to wear together.
I'll have to add that to the list. Could you imagine having a matching wardrobe with your doll?
Speaking of miniature clothes...do you know about this exhibit? I learned about it yesterday over on Liesl's blog and am completely in awe of all those perfectly tailored tiny clothes.

a winter coat for a doll

Or Doll Clothes for Christmas: Part II

My interest has recently been renewed in one of the projects I mentioned and got started on a bit back which was to make doll clothes and package them up in a suitcase for Christmas for S.

Recently, on our way out the door to the playground Ms S instructed me (in her sweet way) to get something for her bunny to wear because the bunny would be joining us. And, then to find some shoes. Secretly, I was thrilled but didn't let on. Out of her closet came the tiny cotton slip that was mine as a baby and then the black patent leather shoes she wore as a baby. That bunny and her had the best time together on the swings that day.


This coat was made for a medium size doll. It actually seems to have come out a bit big. I don't know if that is from the felt which by nature is stiff but it does fit My Friend Dolls- Mandy and Jenny. I made it with wool felt and handmade seam binding. The felt was a bit fussy to work with. Interfacing the collar with 2 layers of felt was not the best idea but, worked out. Instead of buttons I used a ribbon to make a bow tie. After all, dolls need to keep warm when taken outside. Oh, and in case you were worried she has tights and maryjanes but she didn't want to wear them today with her riding outfit.

doll clothes for Emma

I mentioned I was making doll clothes. Well,I haven't gotten past the first outfit for one doll as I've been distracted with other projects but, am happy to report that it fits. I guessed the size of this doll (because you know the doll wasn't with me in the attic that night) who happens to fit perfectly into the 14" Vogue doll pattern I used. I haven't let S see this outfit as I'm still thinking there will be a little collection in a tiny suitcase for gift giving time.

So, a bonnet with bow and little overalls in pink cotton with tiny ric rac detail for her 'baby.' Very sweet and super fun to make.

-I am not sure how Emma got a beauty mark. It appeared one day out of nowhere it seems. Emma is vanilla scented and the scent stays through baths and all. Sometimes I can smell her from far away. I happen to like vanilla so this is all good.

I wish I could melt into the water like a mermaid

My baby is wearing her baby.

The baby sling was made last night and she adores it and has been wearing all morning. It went to the pool for her brother's swim lessons and it seems to make people happy...everyone was smiling at her.

After staring at my fabric stash for a while my eyes rested on this adorable Shinzi Katoh print that I have been holding onto for a long time and I knew it would pass all her tests.

This was so easy to sew up. The pattern is McCall's 3430 from 1972 and was picked up at a church sale for 25 cents last year. I used snaps instead of trouser hook and eyes for the closure and I think I may add another set so it won't sit as low as this is meant for a older child. I have also been sewing doll clothes. Once I see how the first few outfits work on the two sizes of dolls I'm making them for I will be adding more over the coming months. I'm thinking a little suitcase full of clothes for the holidays or birthday would make a sweet gift. The pretend play is getting more adorable by the minute. S has been preparing food for me between her fingers or pulling it from her toes.
A typical conversation:

S: Honey?
Me: Yes, please.
S: Alright.
Gets to work preparing the food. I hold out my hand and pretend eat or drink it
S: Really good?
Me: Yes. Mmmm
S: More some?
Me: Okay
Pretend eat some more
All done
S: Turns my hands over to dump food
Wash hands

-So stinkin' cute.

Uncle Wiggily Longears

Uncle Wiggily wanted to wish you a Happy Spring Weekend and a basket full of sweets.

(These are my Mom's dolls from the 1940's and I just love them)

sweet doll clothes

My Mom made another trip to the attic and found some more handmade vintage doll clothes.



This sweet embroidered dress fits Scarlet's new baby doll, Emma, from Aunt Sue very nicely. I love the detailing and the little pink deer.



This pink blouse is also so nicely hand stitched and very pretty.




little pants



a skirt that needs it's elastic fixed



an apron



There was also a few crocheted hats and a vest though those looked to be from the 70's by different hands and these here seem to be from the 1940's or early 1950's

There is cold/flu in this house and I wish it to be gone.

poppy doll

I made a new rag doll for Scarlet's Christmas. This pattern is Poppy from Hop Skip Jump.
The doll is modeled after S. She is a blue eyed blonde.
The doll body is made from cream colored flannel and the clothing patterns include pants, a reversible smock and a tie top. I also made her a scarf. Doll clothes are a lot of fun to make. Once I find the time I would love to make some more for her dolls as she is really getting into dressing and undressing them.



I also included a little doll quilt so she can put her to bed. S loves to tuck in her animals and dolls and sit in bed with me with the covers pulled up.

Unfortunately, while sewing the doll something went wrong with my Pfaff and I think I might need to take it in for service which I really can't afford. Perhaps when I am over this cold I will try fiddling more. I think there might be threads caught underneath. In any case, it's something with the bobbin thread. Well, I pulled out my old 19 year old Singer to pull me through in finishing this project.

floral top and cradle blanket

In between working in little bits of time on my cathedral quilt and some other projects I made this little top for Ms. S to wear down the road. It's a size 3. I really can't justify making her any more summer clothes although the Fall projects have begun and will continue.

I also made her a matching cradle blanket that would fit a doll cradle that used to belong to me as a wee one.

















In other news:

This weekend I made a trip into the city to meet up with my cousin and we paid a visit to Habu Textiles. I could have stayed for days looking and dreaming up ideas. My consolation: it is only a 40 minute train ride and a bit of walking away. I left with a few cones of silk mohair 32B in color 26 Madder and one that was on sale N 58-29 Merino in a gorgeous shade of red. I was so overwhelmed- silk crepe, paper, fine silver, silk stainless steel, romney fiber... so much goodness. I also had a lovely Indian meal and was gone from the house for 7 hours! I don't think I've ever left the house alone for 7 hours. Seriously, it's been a long time...years. The most is 2 maybe 3.

bunny, bonnet, dress

I made this bunny for Scarlet's Easter basket over the weekend.
The pattern is from the Purl Bee.
I loved making it. Her newest word is doll.
There is also a pattern for top, pants and a sweater for this bunny which I will make at a later date.





A new Spring/Easter bonnet from Mailorder pattern.





A wrap dress. Pattern from Tiny Happy. This won't be worn until next year.

You will notice I used the same London Lawn by Moda in all of these projects. I enjoyed choosing this fabric (bought here) and then seeing what I could develop with it.

a peek into scarlet's room