Buying Doll Clothes

As my readers are already aware, I sew and knit, but this doesn't stop me from buying clothes from other sources. However, I am fussy about what I purchase for my dolls and today I'm going to share exactly what I look for when I do make a purchase.

Top of my list is ~ AESTHETICS: Which is how I initially perceive the overall appearance of a garment's style and it's appeal.

Then ~ SUITABLILITY: I ask myself "Will this be the right garment for my dolls character, the right colour, length etc."

Followed by the fussy part ~ QUALITY, which encompasses:
(A) what type of fabric has been used, is it of good quality or just a cheap remnant
(B) is it sewn neatly with matching thread or does the top stitching stand out where it shouldn't
(C) are the seams finished properly or just fray checked
(D) how is the back closed, with metal press studs, zipper or just with Velcro
(E) if it has a hem, is it neatly hand finished or machine sewn


You may gather from this, I particularly like fine fabrics, dislike seeing top stitching unless it's meant to be part of the design and find fray check stiff and scratchy. I'm also not a fan of Velcro, as it tends to grab at the hair when dressing my dolls, especially those with long hair wigs. You may even think I am being silly and pedantic, but that's me, I simply don't like sloppy workmanship. The odd time I have been caught, the garment has been quickly moved on . . . either to a friend in need or the garbage bin!

I will always pay more for a garment where I can see the seamstress has taken the time to change the colour thread she was using to match the fabric, lace or trim and where she has had enough pride in her work to carefully hand sew each hem so as no stitches show through on the right side of her work and where each seam was finished by machine.

 

When it comes to knitted or crocheted garments, I am perhaps not quite as fussy, however, I do prefer a jumper with reasonably tight tension and a neat finish. From my own experience, it appears to me that the Europeans, and in particular the Russian girls, produce the better made knitted/crocheted garments.

I am always interested in other people's point of view and would love to read your comments on this matter. Also please click on the photos if you wish to see the detail better.

Back On Track

Thank you to all my loyal readers for your encouraging comments, but I am back on track again and thanks to you, a lot sooner than I expected.

For sometime now, I have wanted to make something special for a very supportive colleague who owns a Fairyland LittleFee Lishe and knowing her doll's personality, I knew I had just the right fabric for the job. So I delved into the depths of my fabric stash and finally found just the piece I was looking for, then I pulled out one of my basic patterns and began to cut and sew.

"Look ma, I found a pumpkin!"

"Oh wow! Matching bloomers too."

"And don't you just love the bow?"

Ancelina donned another wig and did a marvellous job of modelling this little Gothic number for me.

So as you can see, I managed to follow this all the way through from conception to completion without loosing concentration. (She, rather proudly, pats herself on the back!)

The Curse of Indecision

I am so envious of those who can stay completely focussed on one thing, or repeatedly make/create one item over and over again, but as hard as I try, I never can. I was the same as a child in school. All my reports read ~ "would achieve much better results if she wasn't so easily distracted".

Sometimes, it can really be frustrating to be constantly having new ideas and wanting to do all of them at the same time. Like now, I have a new idea for a dress, another for a knitted top, and I don't know which to begin first. Then of course there are all the UFO's that need to be completed.

Today,  I really feel like a dog chasing it's tail, spinning round and round, yet going absolutely nowhere!

I'm in the mood to write, but know in my heart I should be doing other things. Maybe I am just procrastinating? Oh well, I know I won't get anything done if I sit here at the computer, so it's off to have some lunch now and perhaps I'll be more focussed after I feed my face! (Though I doubt it!!)

Hope you are all having a better day than I. :)