A LOVELY HALLOWEEN

A recent sunrise

Halloween was a lovely autumn day, and so is today. I would wish you a “happy Hallowmas,” but I’m not sure that’s appropriate.

Witch Costumes -- Finished!

I spent Halloween sewing a second (actually a third) witch’s costume from a fabric panel (“Eek Boo Shriek” by Carina Gardner for Riley Blake, 2017). The first went to Hazel. The other two will go into my inventory. By the time I finished the third one, I was getting pretty good, if I do say so myself, an example of practice makes perfect. I had a lot of fun making them and remembering happy Halloweens spent with children and grandchildren. And now these costumes are finished and no longer on my “to do” list – a wonderful feeling.

Sophronia (Phronsie) and Lexie were overjoyed to be asked to model the costumes. These dolls are not American Girls, but I refuse to call them “knock-offs.” They are wonderful in their own right. Phronsie is a Tonner “My Imagination” doll, and Lexie is of the Madame Alexander “Favorite Friends” line.

Nick & Hallie

Halloween Fun

I do enjoy a bit of imaginative Halloween spookiness – you know, not the macabre and suspenseful but jack-o-lanterns, candles, moonlit nights, shadows, and friendly ghosts and witches running about. I like the pairing of deep colors – orange, black, purple. And in the kitchen, I like spiciness – gingerbread, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread tea, spicy apple cake, and chili. Oh! – and don’t forget zucchini bread. The gingerbread, pumpkins, and autumn colors get to stay, but the witches must be put away. 

This Halloween is memorable for its “Blue Moon,” the second full moon in a single calendar month. And it’s also the close of daylight savings time. Today we returned to standard time. KW

Until next year

 

THE SEWING JOURNAL

"I'll be waiting to hear how you like it," said Chris when I posted about my new sewing journal (here). “Hmmm,” I wondered to myself, “Is she thinking I might not be able to keep up with this?” Chris and I have been friends for many years. Sometimes the insight is uncanny.

Well, there are some problems with the sewing journal all right, like remembering to add a project when I start it, or totally forgetting about a quick little doll item. In other words, sometimes I fail to keep the journal.

But on the other hand, it does work when I remember.

For instance, I made the sweater Molly is wearing from a pair of socks purchased at JoAnn’s. Making doll sweaters from socks is a particular interest of mine, which I learned about through a “Sewing with Cinnamon” tutorial on pixiefaire.com, a marketplace for doll clothes patterns. When I saw those socks, I knew they had to become a doll sweater. (I’m sorry that I didn’t think to take a picture of the socks while they were still socks.)

Anyway, I’ll spare you the details of my struggles to make that pair of socks into this sweater, but I’ll tell my journal all about it along with my ideas for doing it again. Oh yes, I plan to do it again. I have a collection of cute socks just waiting to become doll sweaters. And I want more!

The thing is, these socks were too small for this design and would have been better suited to a front opening sweater that stayed open. However, I particularly wanted the spiders to hang down in the front. I had to build a placket on one side of the back and then close with snaps instead of Velcro due to the stretchiness of the knit. (Something to be said for snaps anyway, especially if your doll has long hair.) You notice I'm not showing the back.

I completed the outfit by stitching up a pair of leggings out of an old t-shirt.

The little journal calls for a picture of the project, but I don’t do that. I take plenty of pictures, but I don’t print them. A photo of the project might be a nice touch, but I’m not sure it’s necessary. KW

DAISY DRESS, SHRUG AND BAG -- MY REWARD

Last week, a special reader commented that I should have a reward for assisting Mike with the firewood. I was totally onboard with the idea, ordered my prize, and here it is: the “Daisy Dress, Shrug and Bag” from “Tea Time Fabric Panels,” an Etsy store (here).

 

I have looked longingly at this website from time to time but haven’t ordered. If I may be frank, for what these panels cost, I could make a bunch of doll outfits of a similar style. I even know the pattern I would use to replicate this design. The panel is what it is and is not an opportunity for creativity. What the panel offers is convenience – just cut and sew – and a print scaled to the size of the doll. This company provides a detailed instruction booklet and notions needed to complete the outfit (except thread), and the price includes postage and handling. 

Shirley Anne, Molly, and especially Maryellen look forward to wearing this outfit. I wish I could sit down and stitch it right up, but I’m in the midst of organizing my sewing room, which means it’s even messier than when I started. Well, I’ll sew again – someday. KW

UPDATE FROM MY SEWING ROOM

Here are photos my Shirley Anne, American Farm Girl, modeling outfits recently finished for Hazel. These were delivered to Niece Becky this morning, and she will take them to Hazel, her granddaughter's doll. 

Ordinarily, I try to build my package of outfits according to a seasonal theme, but this time, I finished shirts and skirts and dresses and put them all in a box. I wanted Hazel to have the things I've been making and collecting.

This plaid flannel skirt with black off-the-shoulder t-shirt is paired with boots from American Girl. You should have seen me trying to put them on Shirley Anne. I tugged and pulled and pushed and stood her on her head until I finally discovered the Velcro opening in the back of the boot. I have to confess, though, that the t-shirt was not in the package that went to Hazel. I realized that the knit I used wasn’t stretchy enough. “Okay,” I said to myself, “all I have to do is open the back seam,” but while correct in theory, I ruined the shirt in the process. Well – I’ll just make another.

 

This little outfit is a crocheted sweater paired with a skirt of repurposed cotton and the same boots from above. 

It's such fun to make shirts from holiday socks. I have a bin full of socks -- or is that a binful of socks?

This wrap-around dress is called "The Silk Road." I included a diagram so that Hazel would know how to put it on.

 And here's a summertime sundress made of quilter's cotton. KW

BOO!

Halloween is less than a week away. I enjoyed putting together this generic outfit for Hazel -- not any certain character but just an outfit in the spirit of Halloween. And that's the way it was when I grew up. I never had  a costume -- just a mask, and the mask was problematic because of my glasses. They fogged under the rubber of the mask, and I couldn't see. I don't remember that my candy sack was special either -- probably just a paper bag. I kinda envied the kids whose mothers let them carry a pillowcase. My mother never would have gone for that.

The t-shirt embellishments shown here -- the jack-o-lantern face, #toocute, and Washington girl, as well as the mask -- are machine embroidery designs from appletotes.com. The flowers are a border design from Embroidery Library. I love the knit fabric, a remnant from JoAnn's, because it's soft but heavier than jersey and easy to work with. I liked it so much that I used it for all the shirts, and I hope Hazel doesn't mind. The leggings were made from an over-the-knee sock. It wasn't difficult to fashion a candy sack. Her shoes are a genuine American Girl item.

I had a great time with these things and I don't want to move on. Technically, I could make Halloween outfits until next Thursday, but other things will take me from the sewing room, and it's time to look ahead. It's scary how fast time flies. KW