74DaysOfSewing

Hey!

So I've gone through the clothing items in this packet. i've been putting off making the shoes, bags and hats as I feel like they are more crafting days rather than sewing days.

The clothing options in this (bloated) packet are:

2 long sleeve tee-shirts which are exactly the same except one has an apple applique. I don't rate that they tried to make the same top twice and call it a whole new thing. On Doll it looks like a faux turtleneck, and it's not bad.

I made this in a white and peach stripe and a plain white.

Leggings - I don't know if it was the fabric I picked or the pattern but I don't like the way this looks around the crotch when worn - it's baggy and too short on the hip. When you pull the front up, the back dips down too low. I made this out of a really fine pink knit.

Trousers - these were exactly the same as every other doll trouser pattern in any pack I've ever seen. I'd have liked to see a little more detail or even a pocket. Decent if you don't have trousers. I made these in a navy blue.

Gathered Skirt - Not a huge fan of this one - I'm not sure if it was user error though. The netting was a nightmare to gather up and the waistband got super bulky and was a bit tight in the waist when finished. I made this in a white netting and a white and pink floral.

Jacket - I love this pattern and I will be making more of these. I might cut down the overlap on the front for a better fit, but there is nothing wrong with the pattern. I made this in a pale pink pearl vinyl/faux leather.

Raglan jacket - I hate this. I tried my best to make it look half decent but the short sleeves on a COAT just feel weird, and it looked more like an 80's dress when finished, rather than a coat. I made this in a soft cotton with a patchwork look.

I haven't got a name for my brunette doll yet - any suggestions?

Anyway, she's wearing a pair of pink leggings, and the raglan coat.

Mika is wearing the long sleeve tee and trousers

April is wearing the skirt and jacket

This packet also comes with 3 pairs of shoes, two bags, three head accessories, two scarves and a... birdcage?

I personally think this pack is a bit bloated, and could do without the scarves, bow or birdcage.

I've started on this packet this week and... I'm not gonna lie, I'm not really loving it so far.

I've discovered I'm terrible at shoes - the pair the doll in the middle is wearing are... vile and misshapen and EXTREMELY hard to sew neatly. Actually looking at the picture you can see how uneven and wonky they look. The also suggest fabric for them, even though you can clearly see they are some kind of coated material like pleather, or vinyl.

Not only that, BUT the pattern packet suggests this super cute red vinyl jacket shown on the doll on the right should be made in twill or similar.... I know it's a little thing, but if you get the pattern pack, I kind of expect the instructions to show you how to get to the image? Obviously they won't tell you to get the colour or exact fabric but working with a material like that needs some different steps. They surely did NOT press those seams, or use pins!

This is my attempt at A and B. They are exactly the same except B has an applique on the front, which... is cheating. It makes it seem like there are more items in this pack and its already bloated to hell. I added an elastic in the white hem to try and combat the wavy edges I am CONSTANTLY getting with knits - this is user error and nothing to do with the pattern itself:

Now... I saw this jacket on the cover (the red one I complained about) and I knew exactly what I wanted to make it from. As I've mentioned in a previous post, I have built up a hoard of fabric and remnants over the years and although I might not use them, I certainly know what I have. I go through them every now and then, like a dragon with a special interest.

I had this light pink pearl faux leather/vinyl - its like a quarter yard and I found it in a offcuts box like 10 years ago, too small for anything.

But PERFECT for this:

Now - The size of this is wonky - so it's far more double breasted than the packet image, but I don't care because it meant that I could turn down the collar if I wanted and it looks fab. I used this IKEA floral I've had for a bit for the lining and honestly... aren't you in love? don't you just want this for yourself?

The skirt here is also from this pattern packet and... perhaps user error again but... I just didn't like it. i think maybe my netting was too stiff because gathering it down was a trial and a half, and the back ended up waaaaay chunky. However, the fit is good and it's the first skirt I've made in an age so it was fun to dress April up in something more girly.

I have a LOT of doll patterns that I've picked up over the years of hoarding fabric and patterns I was planning on making when I 'got better' at sewing.

I was planning on getting better via osmosis - the knowledge in the fibers and the paper instructions would magically seep into my brain despite my never actually practicing, reading or using any of them.

So aside from a huge stash of fabric with no patterns in mind, and a whole BUNCH of patterns that I now find I have no desire to make....

These are here. I'll got through them one by one for ease:

My Etsy patterns are from Pemberley Threads - these are historical patterns based on actual dresses worn in the past. I LOVE historical dress and am really excited to start these but I'm a little nervous as they are... complicated!

PemberleyThreads:

Elizabeth 1780s Jacket and Petticoat

 Anne Shirtwaist and Skirt

Antoinette 18th Century Cap and Stays Corset

Charlotte 1780s Robe a l'Anglaise

Simplicity:

1484

1443

S9500

S9566

S9567

S9516

S8942

3551

5276

8072

8714

McCalls:

M7734

M7006

Butterick:

B6150

B6320

I made everything in the pattern pack and took images. The pack consists of a plain tee, a polo shirt, a pair of shorts, trousers, a hoodie and a baseball cap and bag.

It's a pretty decent pattern pack - the shorts and trousers are basic and make a nice set. I had mine in the style of board shorts and then grey work trousers. I did add in a little pocket to the trousers as I had a scrap of black satin that was the right size.

The little fake fly is really nice and makes for some nice interest if you plan on tucking in the tops, and if you have a small metal button these would also look nice in a denim as jeans.

The two tshirt options are really high necked - it's nice as it covers the dolls soft body totally, but can also look a little suffocating in the plain tee - although that might just be me and getting my seam allowances messed up.

I shortened the sleeves and waist a little in the polo shirt to make it look a little more different from the other plain tee and I will 100% be using that option for the future as I think it looks really stinking cute - despite the fact the colour I picked made April look like she was working for UPS.

The shirt in this back is a winner in my books. I had this adorable remnant in my stash and if I had enough I'd make myself a version out of this too. The pattern calls for snaps and not real buttons but I figured if you were going to sew buttons on the thing you might as well put button holes on it too.

April is wearing a pair of jeans I made her from the trouser pattern in this set, with a couple of modifications (nice deep pockets, coin pocket, back pockets, top stitching etc) and the shirt from this packet. Isn't the shirt super cute? I'd call this particular pattern a winner.

I had some issues with the hoodie. Firstly, the hood needs to be SO BIG to cover the dolls head and with all her hair it's just not practical - she's got a super high ponytail in so it doesn't cover up the collars of things she wears, and trying to find an open ended 8 inch zipper was a nightmare! I have the zip NOW, but at the time I ended up just photographing it without it on.

I added a little collar and honestly... I think it looks like the cutest little bomber jacket for summer! it's got little pockets (very little) and fits really nice over other clothes - she's got a tee and the shirt on under this and it's still not too bulky.

The hat and bag... sigh.

I messed these up a bit and it's got nothing to do with the patterns. For some reason, the art of bag making is lost on me so much. I've honestly tried so often to make a bag and I fail every time. No idea why!!

I made a couple of little books and comics for April to put in her bag, and that was that!

I highly rate this pattern and think with a few tiny alterations you could make a very varied looking wardrobe with this packet - the lack of 'boys' clothes and over saturation of dresses and skirts make this a really nice addition to anyones collection.

You could use some really nice alternative fabrics to really change the look of these items - like making jeans, swim shorts, or combats from the trousers, or a little leather bomber or jean jacket with a patch on the back out of the hoodie pattern. It might be really cool to combine them both and make one of those really popular jackets with the jean body and jersey sleeves.

If you have a boy doll, or just like a little variation in the patterns, i would pick this one up for sure.

Items needed: knits and woven fabric, thin elastic, velcro, interfacing, 7 buttons and an 8" open ended zipper. That should cover each item on the packet cover.

Here is April wearing everything in the packet:

April is an Our Generation Doll and has (mostly) the same measurements as a typical American Girl doll, although I think her movement is more limited as her joints are only back and forward, with no ball rotation. She's had no modifications or changes other than her hair being up in a high ponytail.