Do you hate sewing tiny buttons, or any buttons for that matter, on by hand?  If so, then you must watch this video where I share a cool tip on how to attach buttons using your sewing machine, it’s super quick and easy.  And you’ll love the trick I use to keep the buttons in place too!

If you loved this tip, then you’ll love all the other cool tips and tricks I share in my How to Make Doll Clothes video course.

And if you’re ready to get your serger (overlocker) out of the cupboard and start using it with confidence, then my Learn to Love Your Serger/Overlocker course is for you!

Let me know if you try this tip or are already sewing your buttons on like this?  If you have any tips that you find makes sewing buttons on easier, please feel free to share in the comments below.

Happy sewing

Since American Girl introduced their first boy doll, Logan, I have had countless enquires from people looking for boy doll clothes patterns and I have directed them to a number of my patterns that I consider to be ‘unisex’. It just dawned on me that this information really needs to be available for everyone looking for boy doll clothes patterns for either their 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kid or 18 inch and American Girl size dolls. ‘Sew’, in this blog I have outlined all of my patterns that can be used to make boy doll clothes and hope that some of them give you inspiration to get creative.

Ruth is a member of my Facebook Sew and Share group and the following is what said when she recently posted a photo of this awesome outfit.

“Fraser has just arrived and is headed off to the beach! His shirt is Rosie’s Winter pyjama top, with turned up sleeves and a patch pocket. His shorts are Rosie’s Capri pattern – I added 1cm to the width to make them baggier (ie insert 1cm down the middle of the pattern from waist to hem). I cut the length longer and just turned them up. I am really pleased with my cargo pockets, which I designed myself.”

The following is a list of my Unisex patterns that can be made into boy clothes by simply choosing a masculine colour or print.

Multi sized doll diaper and nappy pattern

Overalls pattern

Winter Pajamas pattern

As well as making cute winter pajamas for your boy doll you can also use this pattern to make a long sleeve collared shirt and long pants.  Or by shortening the sleeves and pants you can easily create a smart short sleeve collared shirt and shorts.

Sports Shorts & T-shirt pattern

This combination can be used to create summer time shorts and t-shirt or summer pajamas.

Summer Dressing Gown Pattern

Lengthen the sleeves a little and you have a winter dressing gown for your boy doll.

Capri Pants pattern

Use this pattern to make boardshorts, just add a little extra length and leave off the trim.

Trendy Transformable Top pattern

You could also add a trim to the neckline and it will look like a regular tee.

Three Way Shoe pattern

Pumpkin pattern

Wizard pattern

This idea came from Karen, who transformed my Witch Costume into a Wizard by simply not cutting the triangles out of the hem or the sleeves and altering the hat to have a rounded brim. Very clever!

Funky Fur pattern

As you can see, you don’t need special ‘boy patterns’ to create a stylish wardrobe for your boy doll. By simply changing the fabric to a plain or masculine print you can create cool looking doll clothes for your boy doll using my patterns. And by shortening sleeves or pant legs, you’ve got even more great outfits.

I’d love to see photos of boy doll clothes that you have created from my patterns and I’d also love to hear from you if you come up with other ideas for making boy doll clothes from my patterns.

Happy sewing

I’m so excited to share your photos this month as there are some really cool adaptions of my patterns as well as lots of gorgeous outfits.

I’m going to start with Sharon who is a member of my Facebook Sew and Share group. She has made some amazing outfits and the first two are based on my Wedding Dress pattern. Firstly, she added the sleeves from my Angel costume to create this stunning dress. When I first saw it, I envisaged it done in a satin or velvet fabric with gold trim to create a medieval style dress. Hmmm, maybe I need to give that a try.

For the next dress, Sharon told us that she used the 50’s Vintage Dress bodice reshaped at the bottom to fit the wedding dress skirt, I sewed some ribbon on the sleeves before I made them up and a piece of gold rick rack down the front.’ Perfect!

Because Sharon had ‘acquired’ an Asian doll, she was wanting to make a Japanese style kimono so that she felt more at home and was asking for suggestions on what pattern to use. I suggested the Summer Dressing Gown and the image on the left was her first go using this pattern and an Asian print fabric.

“I extended the sleeves by one inch used a wide gold trim as the sash to make it look a bit more like a kimono.”

I suggested that she adjust the sleeves to look more like the sleeves on my Angel costume and to use the same fabric for both the kimono and the trim. Wow, what a difference! The photo on the right shows her second attempt and I think she nailed it!

“I took Rosies advice and adapted the sleeves to the angel shape and used a same fabric trim, put some white socks on her. Voila it looks more like a Japanese kimono now not a dressing gown. Thanks Rosie!!”

As you can see from the photo below, since joining my Facebook group, Sharon has acquired quite a few dolls and has been super busy creating gorgeous outfits for them all to wear.

Michele has been doing my How to Make Doll Clothes Video Course and is having fun upcycling her worn out denim jeans. Because it was a little thick to turn up twice for the hem, she zigzagged the edges and turned it under once. With the sarong she sewed on a cute rick rack trim.

These are all bonus patterns that come with the course and she even lengthened the sports shorts to create a pair of mini jeans for her doll.

Great job Michele!

“These are just the few I have done from the course! I love it by the way.
Michele”

And the last one for this month is from Sandra who has also been experimenting with my Summer Dressing Gown pattern. She has followed my advice from the blog series I wrote on Resizing my Doll Clothes Patterns to Fit the Wellie Wisher and Disney Toddler Dolls and used the one pattern to create dressing gowns for both her 18 inch American Girl dolls and 14 ½ inch Wellie Wisher doll.

“I loved how this pattern came together! Each one is made from recycled clothing. Reduced the pattern for the Wellie Wisher.”

Well done Sandra and it’s great to see you giving life to clothing that is no longer worn.

Thank you to everyone who has sent in photos of your wonderful creations. I’m sorry if I haven’t shared your photo but I truly do love receiving them and finding out more about your sewing journey, so please continue to send them in.

Happy sewing

Well this was certainly not the next pattern I intended to release, especially as most 18 inch girl dolls are a little too grown up to be wearing nappies, or diapers as my American friends call them. However, after posting a photo on my socials showing all the nappies I had just made for my Dolls Clothes website, I received a request for my nappy pattern. Curious to see if there really was a demand for this pattern, I checked in with members of my Sew and Share Facebook group and found that there were lots of you looking for a good diaper pattern.

‘Sew’ I’m excited to be releasing my new Multi Size Nappy/Diaper pattern for dolls. It includes two sizes and the design of the pattern allows each size to fit a wide variety of dolls. The smaller size will fit dolls such as the 13” (32cm) Little Baby Born doll, 14” (35cm) Little Cabbage Patch kid and 15” (38cm) Miniland doll, while the larger size will fit the 15” (38cm) Bitty Baby, 17” (43cm) Baby Born, or 18 ½” (46cm) Cabbage Patch Kids dolls.

This nappy can be made from a variety of fabrics including cotton and polycotton blends, terry towelling and fleece.  In fact, I often make them with a combination of fabrics using the bright and colourful cotton/polycotton on the outside and fleece or terry towelling on the inside lining.

It’s a super quick and easy pattern to make and they are so much more economical and environmentally friendly than the disposable dolly diapers.  You will find this pattern under Accessories for both the 18 inch and American Girl doll category (even though they haven’t been designed for this doll the larger nappy will fit) and the 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids doll category.

Click here to get your Multi Size Nappy/Diaper pattern today.

Happy sewing

Oh my, it’s been such a long time since I’ve done a Share and Tell blog and I’ve got so many photos to share. Perhaps I will share some now and do another blog in the coming weeks and I’m sorry if I don’t share them all.

The first lot of photos is from Sharon and she has made a gorgeous Wedding Dress, veil and bouquet for her granddaughter’s doll. She even made the shoes that we can’t see. What a clever
lady. I think her granddaughter is over the moon with this stunning ensemble!

“Hi Rosie,

I’ve attached pics of the wedding dress ensemble. In some of the pics, it’s being modeled by my Felicity and one pic shows it on Nanea with my delighted granddaughter Emma.

Thank you again for your wonderful pattern, instructions and video! I look forward to making more of your patterns and learning your wonderful tips and tricks to make sewing doll clothes easier and quicker.

I also made the bouquet with a “thumb holder”, a necklace, and satin shoes…those don’t show in the pics, but they added the perfect touch to the dress.

Blessings,
Sharon”

This next photo makes my heart sing!  I absolutely love hearing about young girls learning to sew and can only imagine the wonderful memories that both Ruth and her granddaughter will create spending this precious time together.

“My granddaughter, Bella, having her first sewing lesson with Granma and Rosie! She has done SO well! The Beanie pattern is so super super easy for a 9 year old to do as a first sew!

Ruth” 

Great to hear

Dianne has been super busy creating a wonderful wardrobe for her granddaughters.  She made two of everything but I’ve cropped them so that I could include most of the photos.  The overalls look super cute and I love these two different versions of my Drop Waist Dress 5 Ways.  The first option is a striking black and white dress and by swapping the gathered skirt for the pleated skirt she has created a sweet school uniform.  Love all these Dianne.

“Hi, I have made them for my granddaughters. I have asked my daughter to photograph them on the dolls. In the meantime, I have attached what I have made using your videos. I am now sewing the girls the nighties.

Best wishes
Dianne”

Karen has made my Pinafore Dress and teamed it with some shortened Capri Pants. Trimming everything with lace has given this outfit a really ‘pretty’ look. It is ‘sew’ sweet Karen.

“Just had to share my latest project with you a made the pinafore dress with a shortened version of the capri pants and here are the results. I love them.
Thanks
Karen”

How cute does Kay’s Cabbage Patch doll look in her beautiful new Summer Dress!

“Hi!
Here is my cabbage patch girl in her new Summer dress! I have made two of these dresses from your pattern and I absolutely love it!
Kay”

I love it too Kay.

Thanks to everyone who has sent me photos and shared your sewing stories with me, I really do appreciate you taking the time to do this and I know those who read my blog always get inspiration from them.

Happy sewing

For all my Cabbage Patch Kids patterns fans, I’m thrilled to announce that the Trendy Transformable Top pattern for 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids is now available. It’s a great basic pattern to have in your collection as you can create a variety of different tops, all with a stylist boat neckline.

Transform this Trendy Top pattern from a basic sleeveless singlet into a casual t-shirt by adding either short or long sleeves. Or complete a massive transformation into a stylish sweater by opting for the diagonal hem. Simply mix and match the different elements to create many different tops. It’s going to be hard deciding which one to make first?

You can even use your serger/overlocker to give the hemline a lovely lettuce leaf affect by using the rolled hem feature.

As usual, I’ve thrown in a really cool tip that makes sewing with knits super easy. Make sure to watch the videos so you don’t miss this tip. Yes videos! All my patterns come with step-by-step video instructions where I show you how to make the outfit.

Don’t like sewing with knits? No problems, you can make these tops with a woven fabric too, just remember to finish the raw edges (your serger will come in super handy here) and I explain what you need to do differently for the sleeve when it comes time to attach the sleeve.

Can you believe, you can make all these tops from this one pattern and get a great tip thrown in too! That makes this pattern fantastic value at just $5.95!

‘Sew’, what are you waiting for?  Get your Trendy Transformable Top for 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids dolls today!

Happy sewing

I’m so excited to be releasing my new Trendy Transformable Top pattern for 18 inch and American Girl dolls! It’s sure to be a staple in your dolls wardrobe with its stylish boat neckline and many pattern options.
It’s such a versatile pattern because by just changing the sleeve length or going for the sleeveless option, you can transform this top from a super cool summer singlet or casual short sleeve tee, into a snuggly warm winter sweater. And by switching things up some more you can create a stylish evening blouse by opting for the dramatic diagonal hem.
To add more interest to the hemline you can also use your serger/overlocker to do a rolled hem creating a lovely lettuce leaf affect.

As usual, I have included cutting lines for the taller, 20 inch Australian Girl doll and as you can see, it fits the 17 inch Baby Born doll beautifully too.
As an added bonus, I show you a really cool tip that makes sewing with knits super easy.
Can you believe, you can make all these tops from this one pattern? That makes it fantastic value!
Finally, I have to say a big thank you to Mary O’Connor, a member of my Facebook group, for suggesting this name. It perfectly describes how this one pattern allows you to transform your fabric into many different tops. And it’s TRENDY too!

Get your Trendy Transformable Top for 18 inch and American Girl dolls today! Which one will you make first?
P.S. It’s a quick and easy pattern to sew and although I have designed this top to be made with a knit fabric, you can use a woven fabric too. Just remember to finish off the raw edges and in my videos I explain any other alterations that are needed.

Happy sewing

I received an enquiry from Yvette who was desperate to solve a problem she was having.

‘HELP. I just started trying to make doll clothes. I am using 10 oz cotton Lycra blend for this dress. My question is how do you apply Velcro to the back of the dress without a pucker? I do not want to cut the dress ALL the way down in order to get a flush or flat seam. I have just 2 seams down the two sides of the dress and wanted to keep it that way. Can you help? I have been trying to figure this out for 2 weeks. Thank you, Yvette’

Well, I wasn’t entirely sure what Yvette was referring to when she mentioned the ‘pucker’ so replied with suggestions on how to prevent stretching when sewing on stretch fabric. But I missed her point altogether.  What she really wanted to do is to cut the fabric part way down the back and attach Velcro so that it joins back together just the way it was before the cut.

No problem, the solution is:

1. Cut the fabric down the length that you require the opening to be.

2. Take a 1 inch (2.5cm) wide Velcro strip and cut it the length that you want it. It must be long enough to go just a little below your cut in the fabric.  Now take the hook side and cut it lengthwise down the middle so that you have a piece the same length as the loop side but half the width.

3. Attach the hook strip of Velcro to the wrong side of the fabric on one side of the opening ensuring that it extends below the cut in the fabric.

I have used a dark colored thread so you can clearly see where I have stitched, normally I would use white on the Velcro side and a color to match the fabric on the other side.

4. Attach the loop side of the Velcro strip to the hook side with the excess Velcro hanging over the cut edge of the fabric.

5. Close the fabric so that the two edges are together and stitch the loop side of the Velcro to the other side of the opening.

This may be a little tricky if the garment is small. If that is the case stitch the loop side of the Velcro to the other side of the fabric without it being fastened to the hook side.  Then close the Velcro together ready for the next step.

6. Stitch across the bottom of the closed Velcro strips several times i.e. forward, back and forward again just like when you secure the end of stitching on a seam. This will provide extra strength to the bottom of the cut to prevent it from being stretched when opening the garment to dress and undress the doll.

7. This photo shows the right side of the fabric. You can see that I have used Fabric Solvy to prevent the fabric from stretching as I attach the Velcro.  I will now go and wash it away.

8. This shows the right side with the Fabric Solvy washed off.

9. Now you can open and close the slit and there is no overlap or pucker.

‘OHH….You got it. You are smart. Thank you so much for responding to me. I was stuck until this was figured out. I can’t thank you enough. Have A great day!’

Looks like that was the solution Yvette was looking for…..Yay!

This will only work with fabric that doesn’t fray, such as Lycra, Polar Fleece, or knit and I can see it being used at the back of a leotard or swimming costume.

This technique of attaching Velcro is also handy when you have made a dress that has turned out too small in the bodice to allow for the overlap. By attaching the Velcro in this manner on to the back of the finished bodice you get a little over ½’ (12mm) extra to play with and this may be just enough to allow the dress to be worn by your doll and not thrown away in disappointment.

Hope this tip helps someone else too and remember, I have other great Velcro tips in my How to Make Doll Clothes video course.

If you have a special tip that you have discovered, please feel free to share it here as we’d all like to hear it too!

Happy sewing

Since producing my Learn to Love Your Serger (Overlocker) online course, I have received a number of enquiries about them and this one from Nellie covered most questions so I thought I would share my reply with you all just in case some of you have wondered the same thing.

‘How important is a serger? I’ve sewn for a long time. I’ve never owned or operated a serger. I’m planning on making doll clothes to sell. What is the best one? Also, is it worth the extra for money for automatic threading?’

Following is part of my reply to Nellie.

….When I started selling doll clothes I was the same, I had sewn for years and never owned a serger, or overlocker as we call them here in Australia. Then I decided I wanted my doll clothes to look more professional so purchased a second-hand three thread serger which would allow me to finish the seams more professionally rather than just doing a zigzag stitch. Oh my gosh! I loved how fast it was and how good my sewing looked and also how easy it was to use the rolled hem – oh I could do so much with this rolled hem! Then as I got busier I decided to purchase a 4 thread serger so that I could do the seam and finish the edges in the one step saving me heaps of time. Well I have never looked back. I absolutely love my serger and couldn’t live without it now. I don’t usually use it in my videos as I want people to know how to make the outfit completely on the sewing machine – not everyone has the money to purchase a serger or has the desire to own one, they just want to learn how to sew or make some doll clothes.

It’s difficult for me to tell you which machine is the best one to purchase as we all have different expectations and requirements. If you can borrow a machine from a friend to try it out before buying, that would be ideal. Or if you have a dealer close by, perhaps you could take some time to visit them in person to try their different machines. I use a Janome My Lock 644d and it has been a great machine. It does a lot of work and has rarely given me any problems over the years.

You really don’t need to thread the machine that often as you cut the threads, tie on the new ones, release the tension and pull the new threads through. If you do get a tangle or broken thread (it does happen occasionally) this machine is really not that hard to re thread so I don’t believe that it is worth the extra money for one that threads automatically. My Mum actually bought a Baby Lock Imagine Jet Air Threader overlocker after I raved about mine so much and she agrees that she really didn’t need to spend the extra money.

When you purchase your machine, ask the staff to show you how to use it as you often pick up some great tips from them quickly. There is lots of helpful info in the manual that comes with the machine and I think I even got a DVD with mine. Otherwise you may be interested in doing my Learn to Love Your Serger online course as it covers the basics as well as showing more advanced techniques that can be done with a serger……

I hope this is helpful and if you have any advice to share with Nellie, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Happy sewing

I am so thrilled to release my wonderful new Drop Waist Dress 5 Ways pattern for the 18 1/2 inch Cabbage Patch Kids. As the name indicates, this is a versatile pattern and can be made at least 5 different ways.

Start with the sleeveless option without a collar, then add the ruffled skirt and you’ll have a pretty dress done in no time at all.

Want a little more style? Simply add the collar. When the weather turns a little cooler, make the dress with the sleeves. Then for something totally different swap the ruffled skirt for some pleats.

Start with the sleeveless option without a collar, then add the ruffled skirt and you’ll have a pretty dress done in no time at all.

Want a little more style?  Simply add the collar.  When the weather turns a little cooler, make the dress with the sleeves.

Then for something totally different swap the ruffled skirt for some pleats.

As you can see this pattern is fantastic value with so many options included.

I’d love to hear what other variations you create with this pattern so please share in the comments below and send me a photo. Get your Drop Waist Dress 5 Ways Pattern for 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids dolls now and start sewing these gorgeous dresses today.

Happy sewing