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?

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.

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:

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.

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.

YES! I am so thrilled to release my wonderful new Drop Waist Dress 5 Ways pattern for the 18 inch and American Girl size dolls. As the name indicates, I show you how to make this super cute pattern 5 different ways.

Funny thing is, as I’m writing this blog I’m thinking, ‘Wouldn’t it look gorgeous as a full-length evening gown AND with a layered skirt too!’ Oh well, they’re easy adjustment that you can make by adding extra to the length of the skirt or adding an additional longer layer, or shorter layer.

When I first did my underpants pattern, lingerie elastic was not readily available in stores in Australia, so I did the pattern using plain 1/8 inch (3mm) braided elastic that can be easily purchased. Now when you go into the fabric store, Spotlight here in Australia or Joann’s in American you can find lovely lingerie elastic in a variety of colours, you know the pretty stuff with the little scallops along the edge.

So when I was asked a question about substituting this pretty elastic on my panties pattern, I thought the best way to explain it was to do a quick video.  I figured there might be other people who are interested in doing this too so I’m sharing that video in this blog but I’ve also written some instructions to fill in any gaps as the video is only brief.

Things have been a little crazy at my house lately. Firstly, there was the arrival of my first grandchild…. yes, little Lachlan graced us with his presence in early February and is keeping his mum and dad on their toes! And then my darling daughter has packed up and will leave for New Zealand tomorrow where she and her boyfriend are having a ‘gap year’. Although everything will be exciting and new for them, I’m going to miss her terribly!

So to help celebrate the ‘coming’ and take my mind off the ‘going’ of special people in my life, I’ve decided to continue the tradition of March Madness. This means you get a crazy 20% off everything storewide for the whole month of March!

Many of you have let me know how much you love my videos (thank you) and so I’m pretty sure what I’m about to share will make your experience viewing these videos even better!

Some time ago a new feature was introduced to online videos that allows the viewer (that’s you) to watch the video at a faster speed or a slower speed and still hear the voice.  This allows you better control so you can, for example, move quickly over a section you understand and then when you need to pay closer attention again, you can slow it back down to normal speed or even half speed.  This is much better than skipping along the video because you really don’t know what you’ve missed or where to start again.

Anyway, because this feature was not available when we did many of our older videos, Brad has gone back over ALL my videos and updated them so that this feature is now available on every single one.  And being the sweetie that he is, he even offered to do a video to show you how to use this and many other features when playing my videos.

So take it away Brad…..

Wow, the 18 inch and American Girl version of my new Strappy Dress pattern has been proving super popular, so I’m thrilled to have it now available in the 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids size.

This pattern is super easy to sew and will certainly keep your dolls nice and cool in the hot summer months.  It can be worn with or without a belt and you can change the look of the dress by simply moving the elastic from just under the breast, which gives it the ‘Baby Doll’ look, to around the waist for a more traditional look.