My Christmas in July special was so successful last year that I just had to do it again this year!

Does your daughter want to learn how to sew and you just don’t have the time or patience to teach her?  Or perhaps you know how to sew but now that you’re sewing for your grandchildren you want to discover some awesome tips that take the frustration out of sewing small doll clothes.

Then now’s the perfect time to try my How to Sew Doll Clothes  video course.  With a massive 20% off the retail price for the month of July, you can join me online, purchase the DVD set or get the ‘Best of Both Worlds’ from as little as US$29.60!  This includes LIFETIME access to all course material and 8 bonus doll clothes sewing patterns with step-by-step video instructions.

If you already have my course, then you’ll know that my patterns all come with PDF pattern pieces, PDF written instructions and LIFETIME access to step-by-step video instructions so I’m there ready to guide you whenever you need me J  And you’ll be thrilled to know that the 20% discount also applies to ALL my doll clothes patterns, both 18 Inch American Girl and Cabbage Patch patterns! 

But this offer is only available until July 31, 2016.  So make your list, start shopping and whether you’ve been naughty or nice (Rosie doesn’t judge) enter the coupon code JollyJuly during checkout and you’ll receive 20% off.

Ho Ho Ho Happy sewing

We, actually I mean Brad, has been working hard behind the scenes again to change my website shopping cart over to a new and much more flexible shopping cart.  ‘So what?’ you may ask.  Well, I’m super excited to announce that we can now offer Mix & Match Bundles where you can Mix & Match your own special combination of patterns and save $$$$$’s!

Yes, simply purchase any FIVE or more patterns from either my 18 Inch American Girl or 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids doll clothes patterns range and get 20% off.  Yes, you get to choose which five and what size!

So go ahead and start adding your favorite patterns to your shopping cart now.  Once you reach 5 or more patterns your total will automatically be reduced by 20%.

Happy sewing

I love to see childhood dolls being gifted down the generations but quite often they are in desperate need of a new wardrobe.  Lee-Ann has been busy sewing for her original Cabbage Patch Kids dolls that she has just handed down to her twin girls.  I’m sure these dolls will enjoy playing with their new mummies and the big Mummy will enjoy watching her babies being looked after by her new babies.

Hi Rosie, I bought your Dresses Pattern Bundle for Cabbage Patch Kids recently to make clothes for my two original Cabbage Patch Kids which I gifted to my twin girls who just turned 4 this past week.  I found that your video tutorial was most helpful in explaining the shoulder and side seam sewing.  I`ve attached a photo of four dresses I made (in two weeks working AFTER bedtimes…) from your summer dress pattern and pinafore.  I also made a fancy long 50s dress in blue satin but haven`t taken a photo yet. 

Thanks for providing such a great resource that`s easy to sew!! 

Lee-Ann

Now although Verna didn’t include a photo, I thought it was wonderful how she is using tips that I use for doll clothes and applying them to her everyday sewing.

‘Thanks Rosie, just used the Bodice concept on my Granddaughters nightie.  Been sewing for decades and only came across this in your Video. Thank-you for a wonderful course.’

We’ve had such a wonderful response to our change to Lifetime access on our website and it’s great to see so many of you back sewing doll clothes including Betty Ann.  I know three dolls that will just love going to bed now!

‘Hi Rosie, I’m sewing again….I had to go back to my video’s I forgot how to do one of your patterns(the easy way which is your great instructions).  Now I can use them anytime as the years go by.  Thank you.  I made three of these outfits with their own sleeping bags.  Had fun doing these.   Thanks again Betty Ann’

Marilyn has been very creative by mixing and matching pattern pieces from the Summer Dress and the Winter Pyjamas patterns to create a cute dress with short sleeves and I just love the result.  Congratulations Marilyn, I’m sure you had one very happy little granddaughter at Christmas time.

For this dress (the pink floral one), I wanted something with sleeves in it so I took the summer dress pattern, shortened it and then used the sleeve from the pajama pattern.  I finished it off with a ribbon belt.  I got it done just in time to put it with the other clothes for the Christmas present for my granddaughter. – Marilyn

Leane has made some beautiful evening dresses using my Wedding Dress pattern.  I absolutely love the detail on the overlay of the purple dress – that’s perfect placement and such clever use of left over fabric!

Katy has made this sweet Handkerchief Top for her Bonnie & Pearl doll, Rhiannon.  She has been very smart in changing the direction of the stripe for each of the pattern pieces to create this really pretty summer top.

‘I did change the straps slightly and do a buttonhole fastening, as you’ll see.  I’m really pleased with the top, it looks great for the beach! 

Thanks again to everyone for sharing their beautiful creations with us.

Happy sewing

I’m super excited to announce that the Winter Nightie pattern is now available in the 18 1/2 inch Cabbage Patch Doll size.  WoooHooo!

This 18 ½ Inch Cabbage Patch Winter Nightie pattern has options to make it with or without a ruffle and the choice of long or short sleeves so it’s not JUST a winter nightie BUT it can be a summer nightie too!  And if you choose your fabric wisely, it can be made into a stylish winter outfit or a cool summer dress.

As an added bonus, I’m thrilled to let you know that this pattern also fits the 14” – 16 Cabbage Patch Dolls.  Just make it with the short sleeves and no ruffle and it’s a perfect fit as a short sleeve long nightie.  Or shorten the long sleeves about an inch and the long sleeve version will work too.

Make it from soft flannelette, cool cotton or silky satin and finish it off with fancy lace and ribbon or add some style with buttons and trim.  This is such a versatile pattern that I know it will become one of your favorites.

As with all my patterns, when you purchase this pattern you now get Lifetime access to the PDF pattern pieces, written instructions and most importantly, the step-by-step video instructions.

So click here to get your pattern now and start sewing a gorgeous Winter Nightie for your 18 1/2 inch Cabbage Patch Doll today!

 Happy sewing

Every doll needs a nightie and although my Summer Nightie pattern is super cute, it’s just not warm enough for those cold winter nights.  So I’m thrilled to now have a beautiful Winter Nightie doll clothes pattern available for the 18 inch and American Girl dolls.

This Winter Nightie pattern is more than ‘just a nightie’!  The options with this pattern make it super versatile – Make it short or add a ruffle around the hem to add extra warmth and cuteness, make it with long sleeves just like in the photo to the right or use the short sleeve option to create a nightie suitable for summer.

You can use warm flannelette, silky satin or cool cotton fabric to make some gorgeous nighties. Or if you’re clever with your fabric choices, you can use this very same pattern to make either a stylish winter or cool summer dress.  Otherwise known as the ‘Dress It Up Nightie’.

Can’t decide which one to make?  Then make them all and your doll will love her collection of new nighties and dresses.

And the great news is that when you purchase any of my patterns you now get LIFETIME access to the pdf pattern pieces, written instructions and ALL my step-by-step video instructions for the pattern.

For everyone looking for the 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch size pattern, it will be coming soon so keep your eye on my Facebook page for updates or your email inbox if you are a subscriber and you will be first to know.

Click here to get your pattern now and have the nightie made in time for your doll to wear it to bed tonight.

 Happy sewing

Have you gone to make one of my doll clothes patterns or watch one of my video tutorials only to find out that your 12 months’ access has run out?  Well that will never happen again.  Yes, you now get LIFETIME access to ALL your pdf doll clothes patterns and step-by-step video tutorials AND if you have purchased my How to Make Doll Clothes course you get LIFETIME access to all those videos and bonus patterns too!

When we first started with Rosie’s Doll Clothes Patterns 5 years ago technology was very different and we had to pay a fee every time one of our videos was viewed.  This meant we had to put a 12 month limit on the access to our videos.  Then over the following years as our membership grew we have moved our videos to different companies that host and stream our videos in an effort to improve the speed of our website and also reduce the costs involved.  This was always a HUGE job for Brad as he had to relink every single video that we have back to the website…..thanks Dear xxx

Anyway, improvements in technology mean that we now offer LIFETIME access to ALL the patterns and video tutorials that you purchase.  And we (meaning my Darling Hubby and our super techo web designer) have also gone and added everything you’ve ever purchased back into your menu profile.  This means that if you purchased my course back in 2010 when we first went online or bought a pattern just over 12 months ago, you can now log into my website and find them all listed in your menu profile and you will have access to them for the Lifetime of our website……YAY!!!!!

So now you don’t have to panic if 12 months have gone by and you haven’t gotten around to making your doll clothes pattern just yet, or if you’re using my How to Make Doll Clothes course videos and bonus patterns to help teach your children or grandchildren how to sew and the younger ones are not quite ready.  It doesn’t matter anymore, you can come back and try again next year…absolutely no pressure.

You’ll also notice that we haven’t changed the price on any of our patterns so you have to agree that

PDF Patterns + LIFETIME access to step-by-step video tutorials = SUPER AWESOME VALUE!

I invite you all to log on now and revisit the doll clothes patterns you forgot about and if you’ve been holding off purchasing your next pattern because you’re not quite ready, then just go for it knowing that it will be there waiting for you whenever you are ready.

Happy sewing

Happy New Year everyone.  I had such a wonderful holiday and met some really lovely people in South East Asia and if you would like to see photos from this holiday, I have shared some on my Facebook Page.  I guess this is why it’s taking me a little while to get back into the swing of things.  So I’ve decided to take a break from answering emails and write this blog.

I can’t believe how behind I am with sharing your gorgeous customer photos and comments, as you can see from my first photo, it’s from October last year!

 Jean’s granddaughter received a cool Halloween surprise last year….

‘My Granddaughter holding her American Girl Doll wearing the pumpkin costume I made to surprise her for Halloween.  Hadn’t sewn in 3 years.  Your video explained every step slowly, patiently and clearly.  It was so easy and quick to make and all the little tips and suggestions helped speed things up.  Love this course and now ready to start sewing more clothes.  Thank you so much.  Jean’

What a cute photo, I wonder if Jean’s granddaughter got extra sweets for her pumpkin friend?

 The next paragraph is an email that I received from Mary and although she didn’t send me any photos, I really wanted to share her excitement with you.

‘Thank you so much for emailing me about the password. I have been in my sewing room ever since . I finished the American Girl Summer dress already! I was very intimidated before I found your patterns and videos to even attempt a dress for a doll. I am so excited and pleased with how professional my dress turned out. Your videos are fantastic and very easy to follow. I am definitely buying more. I sent your link to a friend also, I know she will be as thrilled as I am. My granddaughters are going to be so happy this Christmas when I give them all of the clothes for their dolls I plan on making.  Thank you again, Mary. ‘

Thanks so much for sharing this Mary and now that Christmas is over, I hope you will send me some photos of all the gorgeous outfits you made so that I can share them in my next Share and Tell blog.

Marilynn has done a fantastic job sewing my Funky Fur pattern and the beanie made from my Free Beanie Pattern looks really cool when matched with the Funky Fur.  In fact, it probably works better when your doll has lots of hair like this one does.

 ‘Hi Rosie.  I am having so much fun sewing doll clothes since I came across your website and started using your patterns and video tutorials.  I’ve been making doll clothes for a doll that I’m giving my granddaughter for Christmas.  I can hardly wait to see her reaction to all of the clothes that the doll will have. 

I’ve been sewing for years but find myself using your video tutorials a lot.  A person is never too old to learn!

Attached are a couple of photos of my doll wearing the winter outfit that I made.  I also made the beanie which is so fun and easy to do.  This outfit is perfect for the cold Canadian winters that we have.  Thank you so much for your website and the help and joy that you’ve brought into my life.  My sewing room has always been my “happy place” and it’s gotten even happier since I’ve started sewing doll clothes.

Sincerely, Marilynn’

It’s wonderful to hear you’re enjoying your ‘happy place’ a little more now and I look forward to receiving more photos in the future.

 Again, the following is an email that I received and although there are no photos it tells about Cheryl’s sewing experiences with her granddaughter and I just had to share it because I get goosebumps when I hear how my videos are helping young children to learn the wonderful craft of sewing and creating happy memories for both grandmother and granddaughter (smiley face).

‘Dear Rosie, I just wanted to say “Thank you” not only for great products but for being such a genuinely wonderful person. My 8 year-old granddaughter Lucy, is so excited to watch your videos. She and her dolls (AG and Cabbage Patch) are attached at the hip, and she has plans for closets-full of new clothes for them. (I just taught her how to use a sewing machine on Sunday and she has already completed her first project – after only 2 hours!) Her birthday is November 21st and my gift to her will be your DVDs, a gift certificate to a nearby fabric store and free access to my sewing machine whenever she likes. My husband is a sewing machine technician at the nicest fabric store in our area (near Washington DC, USA), so he will be watching for a machine for Lucy, as well. You have helped launch a new seamstress-for-life and I just know she will treasure her Rosie projects for years. Thank you again. With much appreciation and very best regards, Cheryl’

I can’t wait for an update on how Lucy is progressing with her sewing.

And finally, Louise was having a little trouble downloading her new pattern but after a quick phone call, we got her pattern downloaded and she was able to make this cute winter pyjama set and she even added some lace to the hem of the sleeves and pants.  Awesome job Lousie!

‘Love the pattern and video – Louise’

Well, thanks again to everyone who has sent me photos of their doll clothes creations and shared their experiences, it’s always wonderful to receive these emails.

Well, I guess it’s time to get back to answering emails and sewing for all the orders that came in while I was away.  Then I can get started on some new patterns while Brad works on some of the exciting changes we have planned for the website.

Happy sewing

Well, it’s that time of the year again when I sit back and wonder where the year has gone and let out an enormous sigh as the doll clothes orders finally start to slow. Yes, as usual I didn’t get as many patterns released this year as I would have hoped and I still haven’t managed to arrange a Christmas holiday in the snow.  But I guess that just means that I have some great ideas for pattern releases in 2016 and I still have a ‘White Christmas’ to look forward to (happy face).  We have some exciting plans that we have been working on behind the scenes to make the Rosie’s Doll Clothes Patterns website even better in 2016 so hopefully my hubby will have some time off early in the new year to be able to implement them.  I can’t wait to share this with you all.

Because we will be cycling around Vietnam, staying in villages and sailing around in a tiny Junk boat with only intermittent access to the internet I will not be able to reply to emails received until we get home.  I do hope that you understand.  I also hope that my beautiful Bella (the family border collie, or Boodolf as we like to call her at Christmas time) will understand that having someone different move into ‘her’ house while we are away is better than her moving to the kennel.

Just a quick reminder that if you’ve been thinking about purchasing my How to Sew Doll Clothes video course now’s the perfect time to do so with a whopping 20% off using the coupon code Christmas20. This offer is valid until December 25^th 2015 and will apply to both the online course and DVD set.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas with your families, safe travels and may 2016 bring you lots of joy, happiness and fun times sewing doll clothes.

Happy Sewing

A few years ago I did a blog on how I used my Funky Fur doll clothes pattern to make a Santa suit for my daughter’s 18 American Girl doll and I remember it being so much fun for both myself (while making it) and my daughter (playing with it) that I thought with Christmas just around the corner, I should publish it again for everyone that missed it the first time.  ‘Sew’ enjoy!

I was looking in my fabric stash the other day and came across some lovely bright red velvety fabric and some white panne velvet with silver stars and I swear I could hear them shouting ‘Christmas’ at me.  At this time of year, anything that is red and white conjures up images of Santa and lots of presents so I decided to have some fun with this fabric.

A Santa suit for my daughter’s doll would be so cool.  I got out my Funky fur doll clothes pattern and started creating what turned out to be a great Santa outfit.  I just added a belt made from a strip of black satin and found the buckle from an old watch band to be the perfect size.  Of course Santa also needed a sack to carry all the toys in so I used a square of the red fabric, made a casing along the top, stitched up the side and bottom and threaded a cord through the top.  All that was needed now to finish off this scene was to stuff the sack with little boxes covered with Chrissy paper, a cute teddy and Taah Daah!  What do you think?

When my daughter arrived home from school she was thrilled and forgot all about doing her homework….playing with Santa was much more fun!

It just shows that using a little bit of imagination, you can often take a basic doll clothes pattern and create something very special and it has been used many times since to help decorate the house at Christmas time.

Yes, you can make a Santa Suit for your Cabbage Patch doll too, all you need is the 18 1/2 inch Cabbage Patch Kids Funky Fur Pattern.

If you decide to give this a go and create your own Santa Suit, please send me a photo so I can share it in my next Share and Tell blog.

Happy Sewing

Sewing Machine Manuals are very important to have because if you have a function on your machine that you don’t know how to use or something is not working properly, checking your manual usually gets you sorted out and sewing again without having to drag your machine off to the service store for assistance.  There was a time there that I had to get my manual out every time I did a blind hem just because I couldn’t remember which way to fold the fabric but I’ve taken up so many hems now, I think I could do it blindfolded!  I also get my serger manual out whenever I oil my serger because there are so many spots I need to put the oil that I don’t want to forget one.

But what do you do if you have misplaced your manual or bought a used machine without the manual?  No problems, just jump online and ‘Google’ it. The first place to search is your manufacturer’s website as they usually have a support page with Frequently Asked Questions and Troubleshooting as well as links to manuals for all their machines that you download and save to your computer.  I recommend printing out a copy and keeping it with your sewing machine for easy reference next time you need it.

Usually these manuals are free so if you’ve lost your manual or never had one, take the time now to download it and print it out as the time invested now may save you heaps of frustration tomorrow.

You may also find the following websites have other helpful information too:

https://rosiesdollclothespatterns.com/rosies-resources – blogs on various topics including ‘Why does my thread keep breaking when I sew?’

https://www.sewusa.com – has information on how a stitch is actually formed, adjusting thread tension, threading various machines, quite a range of manuals and troubleshooting.

Happy sewing