Hi everyone! I feel like this was another lost week, as I reeled with current events and endless cold weather. Sure it's winter but , well, sub zero windchills? Snow? Oh I was dismayed and boggled.
10*? Not a problem,
Did you read there was an earthquake in New Jersey? Nope that was my one year old washer with the madly raucous violent spin. Glad the neighbors moved and new guy is renovating. I blame all the noise and vibration on him.
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Doll clothes! I dusted off my unused tiny clothes sewing skills and sewed the first tryout outfit for my little friend's doll. Sooooo fun. But a very different skill set from quilt piecing. Everything is so small.
The doll is an American Girl Doll meant for younger children. She is 14" tall instead of 18'' like the more elaborate regular AG dolls. I think the smaller doll is harder for a 4 or 5 year old---those tiny shoes, itty bitty hair bows etc. And harder to sew.
This is the book I used. Usually I'd make my own patterns but since I didn't have the doll with me, I needed basic ''slopers''---a bodice, a sleeve, a skirt length, pants.
This is what I made. Luckily I have bits of trim etc but a trip to the craft store may be needed soon. Especially since my friend's taste runs to sparkly tulle and shiny stretchy fabric. The craft store is a big deal bec it's far away.
Her Mom said No shoes or accessories but how is that an option? So what if they go lost, it's the idea that counts.
Outfit was a success and loved by the little recipient. It fit! It looked cute! It was easy on and off.
Yay! Next a sundress? and a Valentine dress.
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No quilting, just brainstorming about how to make the tiny squares for Whatnots quilt. Thanks everyone for ideas! I put it aside, discouraged, but now am feeling the challenge. We'll see.
And for those who asked me about the bright quilt used on last post's header, it's a Humble Quilts sewalong from 2018-19. Here is my blog post. Oh my, such happy times, pre-covid and other life challenges. So unaware and happily sewing away. Which I guess is/ was just fine. My brother loved vintage MAD magazine, the motto was: What, Me Worry? Quilt: La Grande Sajou"
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I haven't seen my best friend L in ages, we are both hibernating a bit. She and I texted about feeling so cold, even in a supposedly warm house. No pics but some of my suggestions [let me know if you want actual links]:
-Old Navy makes [on sale] wonderful fleece lined and all fleece leggings.. Cheap! And an active wear thermal but thin [like Cuddleduds] tee shirt. So soft! Thumbholes!
-Invest in good wind block/ waterproof overpants, mine are hiking pants from REI. 15 years old, couldn't live without them. Wear over sweats or the above leggings when you go outside.
_Wear a down or thermal outerweight vest under your parka. Wear a warm scarf!
-Embrace leg warmers. No sense wearing warm layers if the wind howls up your pant legs. Mine are Under Armor and I think any ballet supply would have; also saw on Urban Outfitters and Amazon. OR: cut the arms off sweaters and hem the tops. Reuse instead of donating. Cashmere and thermal waffle sweaters are great, also for fun a bright pattern, look for fair isles. You're only gonna wear them outside unless like my house, your home is super drafty.
-I have sheepskin UGGS and also sherpa Allbird sneakers. So toasty and on sale now $60.oo.
-If like me you love fingerless gloves, think again or you'll end up with cracked finger tips. I know personally. Leather gloves lined in cashmere instead.
-Wear a headband ear warmer under your bobble beanie.
-Hot tea always. Good to hydrate and oh so warming. Doesn't have to be dark and strong, we want the warmth, the comfort. I like a fragrant Double Earl Grey from Stash. Maybe add a tiny bit of lemon or honey.
-AND: Warmies! These are microwaveable lavender and? flax? pillows. Mo and I each have a heart pillow. So comforting, my back relaxes as soon as I lie down to sleep w the warm pillow. Mo snuggles right up to his, which i wrap in an old sweater and tuck under the lining base of his bedtime bed. Mo doesn't scratch or chew or play with large toys so he is ok. The pillows are child safe but consider your dog's temperament before using. They also make adorable warmable stuffed animals but I can't bring my self to put a ''creature'' even if just cloth! in the MW. A lovely product, great value. WARMIES
What did I forget? Let me know.
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And---did/ do you love making doll clothes? Have a special beloved doll? Blog friend Julierose and I had fun remembering ours, so please share your stories too.
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Now: Walkeroos for Mo. Snow still covers the ground here. The salt is hard on his little feet. [NO! he won't wear boots!]
Sunset is after 5 now. Good times ahead!6-ish months til summer.
PS Yes I got the stew going finally. So much chopping, I'm an idiot. Bet Lean Cuisine's is just as good.
Have a great week. Photo below just for pretty, a collection on Instagram. I love everything and how the items are displayed.
love
lizzy
gone to the beach...
ribbon clouds.....tattered banners, glowing as the day ends.
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The little dolly clothes are just adorable--fit perfectly--wonderful sewing, Lizzy;))) So mod, too!!
ReplyDeleteI have taken out my old undershirts (sleeveless vest type ) and wear them all the time as we try to keep our heating bill down a bit --they make a great difference...I am always cold it seems these days...and i have a couple really nice roomy courderoy over shirts that i wear over my sweatshirts, too. Warmth is what counts these days...
Stay warm out there...hugs, Julierose
After sewing those sweet tiny doll outfits you won't have any trouble sewing those little squares! The dolly clothes are just good practice. I recognized your Sajou quilt immediately, it's always been one of my favorites. We actually had an early morning temperature of -17 one day earlier in the week. It's moderated to the mid 20s the last couple days and I'm counting the days until we can expect some spring weather and daffodil blossoms. As for now we're just layering up and who cares if it is fashionable or not!
ReplyDeleteThe weather can have such a effect on our lives. It sounds very, very cold in your area, Lizzy.
ReplyDeleteWere the things in your washer out of balance to make it spin violently? Ours occasionally does that.
What sweet little doll clothes! Did you make the shoes?!!! I didn't realize the doll was a 14" one. I'm glad you're sewing the clothes and not me. I don't know if I'd have the patience. Little girls do love to dress and undress their dolls. All the outfits you make will be so welcome, I'm sure.
About Whatnots.... Could you replace each set of 6 blocks with a rectangle, maybe a log cabin as you first suggested? Or maybe you could just cut larger squares, alternating bright and medium or light? You were so excited about it. Don't be discouraged. Make the changes and go for it. It will be a delightful quilt no matter how you choose to do the center.
I bet Lean Cuisine's isn't as good as your homemade stew!
Love the photo with the blue containers on the shelf and the little hanging dresses. Thanks for posting that it.
I made oodles of outfits for the AG dolls my daughters loved so well. I have not needed my fleece lined pants yet but I do see plummeting temperatures being forecast. Stay warm and well.
ReplyDeletei made several clothes for the 18" doll...nitegown and cap, jump suit, shorts, pants, tops...enough...no more...
ReplyDeleteDid you enjoy making them? It's a rather different skill set from piecing quilts.
DeleteYour ideas for warmth are really brilliant. Living in North Carolina it's rare to have really frigid weather, but it does happen sometimes. What a nice thing to do, to make doll clothes for a young person to enjoy. I never have! My girls both had American Girl dolls and we have them stored away for when our grand daughters are old enough to (maybe) enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteI made Rene AG doll clothes when she was little! I think I still have them storing in the attic. I've come to the conclusion I may never have grandchildren so I need to clean out the attic.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry about the washer, that always scares me when it happens around here.
ReplyDeleteOne of the Hallmark Christmas movies says. "There is no such thing as being cold, just not having adequate clothing." (Or something to that effect) Thanks for the good ideas in your post. Also, don't eat ice cream either. . . bad choice.
I used to make doll clothes for my two daughters, I remember many a Christmas Eve staying up till the doll clothes were completed. I made clothes for baby dolls, and Ginny dolls, and of course, Barbie. When I was a girl we had Halloween Festivals at out local elementary school. Each classroom was something different like movies in the kindergarten room, fishing pond in one room, bake sale in another. My absolute favorite room was the doll clothes room. Moms would make and donate doll clothes of all sizes and the room would be set up with tables and tables of doll clothes. Each year we would dress up in our costumes and go to the festival with our first stop (always) at Mrs. Hilton's classroom for the doll clothes. Sometimes we would even go early and wait in line till it opened. When Cabbage patch dolls were popular my mom gave me one for Christmas. I was thirty years old. She made about 8 outfits for that that doll and I still have her. Fun memories~