More Dollar Doll Clothes!

Playing with my Dollar Doll Clothes patterns inspired me, so last week I went on a quest for new dollar undies to work with.  At K-mart I hit the jackpot--2 packages of 6 briefs each, some in cute prints (AND x-large size) on clearance for $4.99 each!  That's $.83 a pair.

I am delighted to think that I can make two or even three items from each pair!  And I paid for the whole project with my (about to expire) $10.00 in-store points, making my dolly wardrobe virtually free. You can check this post for general instructions for the project..

 Felicity's long striped skirt above is cut from the center of the undies' back panel.  I used the 'leggings' pattern for the waist size, and cut the center back seam to flare as wide as the fabric allowed.  My finished length is 9.5", so I cut the skirt 10" long to allow for a 1/2" hem.  I hemmed the piece, then stitched the back seam last.

I used the 'leggings' pattern to make the cute black ones above, and used the 'socks' pattern with leftover bits from the black fabric's waistline to keep her feet warm.

Let me tell you about the two t-shirts--I used my favorite 'Trendy T-shirt' pattern, downloaded from Liberty Jane, and fabric from the undies.The pattern is fun and simple to make. I got my copy from their free Friday downloads.  Check them out!

A tip--these particular briefs have attractive covered elastic bands:  cute on the doll clothes, but a little less stretchy than the classic elastic finish.  I compensated by cutting the pattern pieces slightly narrower at the waist.

Dollar Doll Clothes Patterns

Dollar Store Christmas Stocking #4

Okay, the stocking IS made of scraps--but the fabulous trim was only $1.00, starting with this:

Three yards of ribbon-and-bead garland from the decoration aisle at the local dollar store!

I cut a piece of scrap fleece for the cuff and drew a pencil line along what would be the fold line, then folded the ribbon at an angle between each bead:


I pinned each fold along the pencil line, starting and stopping at the side seam allowances, then stitched along the fold line.

I stitched the piece into a tube and folded the tube along the trim stitching, with the line of stitching behind the fold and the beads hanging down.



The stocking is made like the previous Dollar Store Stockings: cut out and seam the front to back, with the right sides together. Clip curves and turn. The cuff tube is stitched to the top with all three raw edges together, and the seam is turned down to the inside. Festive!

Christmas Stocking from Placemat, #3

This blue, white, and silver placemat especially appealed to me for my stocking project-- it's lined! Twice as much fabric!


I cut it the stocking on the bias, using my stocking-shaped window for placement as before, and used the solid blue for the back. The cuff is made from the solid blue as well, trimmed with some silver braid from the ribbon-and-trim stash. I even have a good-sized piece of plaid left to go in my 'fancy fabrics' box!

Christmas Stocking From Placemat, #2

I suppose this one dollar investment was really more of a tapestry wall hanging--I thought it would be fun to feature the snowman on a stocking.


It's made in the same way as the blue snowman stocking, using a stocking shaped window to choose the placement. Before stitching the front and back together, I added an applique 'toe' and 'heel from the scraps, turning under the applique edges and stitching them down with a narrow, long zigzag. The back is cut from a blue piece from my stash, and the cuff and loop are made with a scrap from my 'fancy fabrics' box--I like the shiny taffeta with the textured tapestry. The two white tassels didn't seem to work as trim, so I'll save them for another project!

Christmas Stocking from Placemat, #l

I been having fun strolling through the Christmas items at the dollar store. This year they have a lot of fun placemats--just what I need to make inexpensive stockings to hold some projects I have in mind! I chose three different blue ones--strange since I normally don't do blue at all.


This blue 'linen' was printed with white outline stitches. One placemat made both front and back. I made a stencil of a stocking shape and used it to view the snowmen, and to place the cut-out stocking shape as a pattern. I cut around the pattern piece, adding a 3/8" seam allowance. I cut the back from the reverse, plain side.



I had fun stitching over the printed lines with some doubled white baby yarn I had on hand, and adding the arms and features with scraps of orange and brown.

The loop is from a scrap of the placemant and the cuff is from white polar fleece and ball fringe I had on hand. Festive! More stockings here and here.

Dollar Doll Clothes--from underwear!!

Recognize the source of these cute small-scale prints for doll clothes? Yes, during a recent foray through the neighborhood dollar store we came across some quality women's underwear seconds and naturally asked ourselves what we might make from them. They are the foundation for a fabulous project--Dollar Doll Clothes! Read on for details!

*Fits 18-inch dolls, such as American Girls*

FABRIC CHOICE

l. Choose solids and small prints in nice quality fabric--some lycra content is essential. Either decorative elastic or fabric covered elastic are great for edges and details.
2. Watch for waist and leg elastic that are in scale, for details such as waistbands, straps, and trim.
3. Get the biggest pair possible--more fabric to work with!


INSTRUCTIONS IN BRIEF

l. You'll be cutting pattern pieces complete with elastic. Stretch elastic until the attached fabric is smooth, and pin out to a padded surface, such as your ironing board. Measure piece to be cut, or place pattern, and cut out the needed piece, being sure to snip the elastic LAST for best accuracy.

2. For straps, edges, and trims, carefully snip the elastic from the body of the fabric along its stitching line. Straight stitch or zigzag elastic on the front side of the fabric as desired.


3. As on many small items, it is easiest to finish hems first, then the vertical seams.


Let's get started!
You will need:

> Dollar store women's undies
> Matching thread
> Scraps of lace or trim
>Velcro
>Printed Patterns (see end of post!)

PANTS or SHORTS

or

BIKE SHORTS OR LEGGINGS

l. Cut through seam at crotch of undies so they will lay flat and form a lengthwise fold on your padded surface, aligning elastic edge. Stretch elastic until attached fabric is smooth and pin out into padded surface. Pin on the appropriate pattern piece (patterns at end of post) with the top pattern edge at the top of elastic. Be sure to place the pattern piece on the fold for bike shorts or leggings. Cut out, snipping elastic last. Use shorter cutting line for bike shorts.

2. Stitch back seam right sides together using 1/4" seam allowance and finish edges with zigzag stitch. For pants or shorts, stitch front seam. Fold seam allowances to the side at waistband and stitch down with small stitches to neaten.

3. Fold up 3/8" hem at each lower edge and straight stitch for hems, or zigzag lace scraps to lower edge to finish. (picture)

4. At inseam, match center front to center back seam and stitch from one hem to the other with 1/4" seam. Zigzag to finish seam. You're finished!

SOCKS

l. Make lengthwise fold in fabric, aligning elastic at top. Stretch elastic until the fabric lies flat and pin into padded surface. Place 'socks' pattern (see attachment) with straight edge at top of elastic an pin. Cut out two, snipping elastic last.

2. Fold right sides together on fold line, matching edges of elastic. Stitch curved seam using 1/4" seam allowance. Zigzag to finish.

3. Turn right side out and you're done!


UNDIES

l. Make lengthwise fold in fabric, aligning elastic at top. Stretch elastic until the fabric lies flat nd pin into padded surface. Place 'Undies' pattern piece (see attachment) on fold with waistline at top of elastic and pin. Cut, snipping elastic last.

2. Fold up 1/4" hem at lower edges and straight stitch.

3. Stitch back seam using 1/4" seam allowance, zigzag to finish.

4. Match dot at lower center front edge to lower edge of back seam. Tack front to back at dot. That's it!


HALTER TOP

l. Yes, the halter top is made from the front of a pair of bikinis, leg and waist trim intact. Cut across the narrow part and sides to form a halter top shape.


2. Trim away edging from another area to finish the cut edge.

3. Topstitch edging piece to raw edges, stretching as you sew, to finish raw edge and form fulness. Trim away two lengths of edging from another area for straps. Stitch to upper corners, then turn up and restitch to cover raw edges of elastic.

4. Fit on doll, marking back strap placement. Add a back closure of Velcro and stitch straps to back binding.


CAMISOLE
I'm including a camisole pattern I created.

l. Pin pattern piece on fold and cut out.
2. Edge stitch scraps of lace trim on center front, bottom edge, front and back neck edges, and around armholes.
3. Make straps of two pieces of lace trim zigzagged straight edges together, and cut to the required length. Place ends of straps under top corners of camisole and topstitch. Add a Velcro closure.

Other Thoughts:-Try narrow elastic stretched and straight stitched to the wrong side of the fabric waistline for fulness--cute!
-Try trimmed-off elastic, stretched and topstitched for yoke, or maybe waistband.-Try trimmed-off elastic used as yoke and straps--the top will still pull over the feet.

Click on the 'Dollar Doll Clothes' label on the right to see some more photos and ideas!

Please have fun with the patterns and share your projects!  How about

#dollardollclothes

on Instagram?

Here's the pattern link:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8tu1-up1AJxTGJoUnVVdmtlQ3c/view?usp=drivesdk&resourcekey=0-4UhFZ9O8YwUBA_680KtFRQ



Underneath it all, I have to admit that this is the most fun I've had for $l.00 in a long time!