Hi Everyone! This week we have two fun things to talk about - Personalizing your project and a fun giveaway to enter! Sounds fun, right?
To kick things off, let's do the giveaway! (giveaway ended on 12/2019)
This past summer I had the opportunity to visit London. It was an amazing trip filled with site seeing, shopping and spreading the word about Sew Powerful at the Birmingham Quilt Festival! While I was there I visited the Liberty London flagship store! It was breathtaking, to say the least!
While I was there, I visited Liberty Fabrics up on the top floor! Wow! So many amazing fabrics! It was hard to pick just a few to bring back home with me!
This week, I'm going to share my splurge purchase with one of you! The giveaway for this week is for two 1/3 yard cuts of Liberty cotton lawn, and one adorable London theme print.
How To Enter:
Comment below by answering this question - "What course topics or specific techniques would you like to see us present in 2020?"
The giveaway will close on Monday, November 18th. I'll announce the winner on Tuesday, November 19th and kick off the next giveaway! The winner will be chosen at random from the comments posted under this blog post. One entry per person.
Good luck!
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Ok, now onto the topic for part 2 - Personalizing your project!
There are several ways to really make your item special! Now it's time to refer to your project planner worksheet and look for ways to integrate the information you've collected.
I'm going to share a few ideas below, gathered from some online inspiration. Then I'm going to pull some instructional content from our video library for the specific techniques to add those elements to your projects.
1. Create a look to match their favorite character, from a book, movie, fairytale, or even a drawing!
The examples posted below are from the Janie and Jack website. They just launched a campaign of fashions inspired by iconic women featured in a new children's book!
In this concept, they're selling the matching children's clothing. For our purposes, I'm using this example to illustrate matching a character for the doll clothes item. The key elements are color, special attention to design elements (like the ruffle bell sleeve on the black dress), and of course the props and accessories. We'll go into the accessories in greater detail next week - stay tuned for that!
The pattern selection for many of these types of ideas is usually pretty basic. The personalization comes from fabric choices and colors!
2. Add embellishments that highlight their love of a specific animal!
In these examples, you can see how simple applique shapes and stitching add to the charm of these basic designs.
Does she love kitties? ThesePJss would be perfect! Animal print knit and a few fabric shapes, create a cute kitty-themed set!
Maybe it's a polar bear or any other cuddly furry animal... In this example, a half-circle sewn on top of the bottom of the shirt with a few added details (eyes ears, and nose) and you have a darling personalized top! Take it one step further and use a fuzzy fleece for the face and glittery fabrics for the nose!
3. How about a favorite color?
In the example below, you can see how they took a classic item, the denim jacket, and created a super girly style! Adding pink sleeves and hood are an easy way to create something special for someone who loves pink. What about rainbows (or hearts, stars, and flowers)? The painted element on the back of the jacket is a super cute "surprise" design element! You can achieve this look with fabric paint, hand made applique or a prepurchased iron on.
4. Add a saying or quote that is special to the recipient!
The "Let it Snow" Piccadilly PJs show this example with the use of a design we created on an electronic cutting machine. Once it's designed int he software, it is cut from a purchased roll of heat transfer vinyl. This is super easy to do once you have a machine and learn to use it.
You can also do this with premade purchased designs, but they might be harder to find in the proper scale.
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- Read through the post and think of a way to add some personalization to your project! Share your progress with us in the facebook group - I'd love to see how things are progressing!
- Jump over the SWC Facebook Group here.
103 Comments
I would be interested in classes on pattern fitting and alterations to patterns to fit different sized dolls as I have a Gotz Precious Day doll, an Adora play doll, several American Girl dolls, along with Journey Girls, BFF, Inc., Wellie Wishers, Corolle Les Cheries, and all the Hearts for Hearts dolls. I have a number of “fit” books and used to alter patterns when I sewed for myself, but it would be great to scale it down to doll size instructions.
I also like the idea of learning the ins and outs of making accessories like the backpacks and suitcases. Thanks for all you do. I have been on the mailing list since April 2014.
I would love to do some tailoring in miniature like a Chanel Jacket and how to make some trims that are true to scale. I love Liberty of London prints!
I too would love a Sheri Fuller sew along featuring one of her historical garments. Accessories would also be great. Thanks for all the wonderful classes so far!
I would like to see more beginner/advance friendly patterns. So many go from easy/beginner to intermediate or advanced skills. I would like to be able to build skills and confidence.
More sew-alongs would be awesome! The coats would be great!
PATTERN FITTING PLEASE!!!!! With all the different types of 18" dolls and even the changes that have gone into the AG dolls through the years, it’s hard to know how well a pattern will fit. I do notice some of the comments indicate the patterns are too tight for their dolls. If we knew how to check the most important places on the doll to the pattern, and then how to adjust the pattern, it would be most helpful because I do shy way from patterns that have indicated size issues.
A sew-along with zippers. Something simple. A confidence boosting session.
Thank you!
I would love a class on making the perfect lining for bodices, dresses, jackets, and coats. Also which fabrics are best linings for each example.
I also think the serger lessons would be fantastic.