Does turning tiny tubes frustrate you?  Then you’ll love this method.  One of the new ladies in my Facebook Sew and Share group recently purchased my How to Make Doll Clothes Video course and was posting photos of each of her finished bonus patterns.  She was so excited to be sewing and gaining confidence with each outfit but she had to admit she found turning the strap for the Halter Top tricky as she only had a tiny safety pin.  So I suggested she try the following method next time as it’s much easier than turning tubes after stitching the seam.

I just love the creativity of the members of my Facebook Sew and Share group and I really appreciate how willing everyone is to share their ideas.

Monica is a very active member of this group and she posted her version of my 3 Way Shoe Pattern with ‘real’ soles, not fabric soles. I thought they were so cool I asked Monica if I could share her idea in a blog.

In my Facebook group we have a monthly Sew-Along where anyone can join in sewing an outfit or two, or three… using my patterns and we choose someone randomly to be our ‘Participation Winner’. This person gets to choose one of my patterns they would like added to their online membership for free. The theme for our January Sew-Along was ‘Alterations’ and WOW have we got some creative sewers in our group! It’s wonderful to see everyone’s confidence grow as they experiment with altering patterns to create amazing new outfits!

Here in Australia and I understand in many parts of the world, many families are home schooling for the very first time and I know a lot of parents are stressing about having to become teachers. I want to help take some of this pressure off and offer my Learn How to Make Doll Clothes Online Video course at half price. That brings it down to just USD$18.50!

There was a discussion in my Facebook Group recently where some ladies were saying how they find sewing with knit fabric difficult because fabric either gets jammed down in the feed dogs at the beginning of sewing (see my blog – Is your sewing machine eating your fabric when you sew? for tips on this) or it stretches so much the garment goes all out of shape.

Opps, I’ve just realised I didn’t release my Share and Tell blog for February so here it is, better late than never!

Oh, I do love sharing all your photos in my Share and Tell blog because it’s wonderful to learn about your experiences and see all the gorgeous outfits you create. I hope you enjoy reading the stories and maybe even inspired to try some of these patterns and alterations too.

WOW!! I sure must be crazy!

For the first time ever, I’m offering my Learn How to Make Doll Clothes DVD set for the same price as my online course. Yes, for two weeks only (or while stocks last), receive $20 OFF the price of my DVD set which brings it down to a crazy $37!

Whether you’re a beginner or expert sewer, you’ll find making doll clothes so much fun when I teach you all my tips and techniques that I’ve discovered over the years that make sewing small doll clothes super easy. I cover the basics of sewing which is perfect for the beginner, as well as more advanced techniques such as attaching collars, working with elastic and attaching ruffles.

Following the successful release of my 18 inch American Girl Peasant Skirt pattern, I’m thrilled to now be releasing my Peasant Skirt pattern for 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids.

It’s another very flexible pattern as it gives so many options. You can make it a short or long skirt, depending on how many layers you use and then do you prefer the ruffle sewn in the seam or top stitch on top for a more textured look?

It’s such a pretty pattern and you can easily change the look by making the length of each layer shorter or longer and experimenting with different prints and colour combinations.

I always get excited when I release my first pattern for the year and this year I’m super excited because I love the flexibility of this Peasant Skirt pattern for 18 inch and American Girl dolls.

It’s such a pretty pattern and can be made with either two or three layers making it a short or long skirt. Then sew the ruffle in the seam or top stitch the ruffles on top for added interest. It’s also super easy to create different looks by playing around with the lengths of the layers.

You can even use contrasting or complimentary colors or prints for each layer to really create an impression!

I honestly can’t believe that I’m sitting down to write yet another Christmas blog, where has the year gone? I don’t know about you but time is going WAY too quick these days and my grandson is already 10 months old!