Pattern and Shop Shoutouts: Swimsuits

It's that time of year.

When people with disposable income go on vacation.

Or people with pools endlessly take pics of their dolls poolside. 

Summer means swimming - and you can't swim without a swimsuit.

Well, you can - but you might be arrested.

So if you aren't already offering some swimsuits in your shop, or don't own one for your dolls and want something to sew - think: swimsuits.

Today I will discuss some patterns and swimsuits offered in Etsy and Pixie Faire, so you can get the gears of inspiration turning.

And tomorrow I will discuss human 

O'Neill swimsuits that I'd love to see in doll-size.

One thing I will applaud AG for is the realism of their doll swimsuits.

I like the style of Lea's set.

Just not the colors.

But it does look like something a human would wear.

And the Truly Me swimsuit is nice.

But it looks baby-ish to me.

And the fabric gives me seizures.

On Etsy everyone makes the Liberty Jane swimsuit or an equivalent one-piece.

It is free: http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/free-swimsuit-18-doll-clothes

And you can do a lot of things with it.

But if you are trying to think outside the box and offer something new - you're going to need something else in your bag of tricks.

What do you do if you want to sew something a little bit different?

I recommend looking for two-piece patterns because 

that is the common style in the human world.

Try QT Pie's Scrunchy Swimsuit pattern:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/scrunchy-swimsuit-18-doll-clothes

I think this one deserves more attention.

QT Pie also has the Take the Plunge pattern:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/take-the-plunge-swimsuit-18-doll-clothes

But if you want to stick with one-piece....

The QT Pie Summer Fun Sporty pattern has a very unique style:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/summer-fun-sporty-swimsuit-18-doll-clothes

Also, look for Lee and Pearl's halter tiered pattern:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/229718565/lp-1057-halter-swimsuit-with-tiered

Back to two-piece patterns...

I like the Peppermintsticks Making Waves pattern:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/making-waves-swimsuit-18-doll-clothes

Here is a beautiful version of that pattern from Up Owl Night Crafting:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/293874185/anchors-aweigh-2-piece-bathing-suit

Up Owl Night has many neat swimsuits for sale,

including ones from the Lee and Pearl pattern:

And I also recommend making rash guard tops (like Lea's).

Pixie Faire has two rash guard patterns:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/rash-guard-and-swim-shorts-18-dolls

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/sofies-rash-guard-beach-suit-18-doll-clothes

While I was browsing Etsy for this post I noticed that 

Dollicious has come up with a cool design for her swimsuits:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/288879831/american-girl-doll-clothes-pink-and

https://www.etsy.com/listing/275370416/american-girl-doll-clothes-tropical-2

Very impressive!

And don't forget the board shorts for the boy dolls:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/surfs-up-board-shorts-18-doll-clothes

Overall, my main recommendation is to stop creating one swimsuit pattern 

in 600 different fabrics that all have pink in them and flowers.

Blergh.

There are definitely a lot, A LOT, of ugly doll swimsuits on Etsy.

And if I see another pink, flowery one I may vomit.

Sorry, folks, but that's my opinion.

Cough, cough.

Anyways.....

Thank you for visiting us today!

Stay tuned for more swimmy-suit discussion tomorrow!

__________

Purchase the April 2016 edition of Maple's 

Fantastic (ally Inappropriate) Planner below for $1.99. :-)

Trends to Sew: Jacket and Coat Patterns I Think People Should Use More

Yeah, that's right. I said it.

I think y'alls should be sewing more of these and offering them for sale, haha.

Or start sewing them.

As some of them I've never even seen for sale.

Unless they just sold that quickly.

But I'll tell y'alls what to do 

because I like telling y'alls what to do.

;-)

The Shinjuku Starlet jacket pattern was recently released, 

so I'll forgive you guys for not sewing it and sending it to me for free.

I mean...for not sewing it yet.

But hey!

It's released now, so go show it some love!

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-jacket-patterns/products/shinjuku-starlet-jacket-18-doll-clothes

The same goes for the Ginza Girl Coat and Capelet.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-jacket-patterns/products/ginza-girl-coat-and-capelet-18-doll-clothes

I haven't seen this for sale yet.

Though it will involve skilz and time.

And obviously, being a coat, it will cost more in a listing.

But really, this thing is fabulous!

F-A-B-U-L-O-U-S

And up next, the Stratford Swing Coat.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-jacket-patterns/products/stratford-swing-coat-18-doll-clothes

I have yet to see someone sew this and sell it.

Maybe you are hiding from me.

You saucy minx, you.

But this is a beautiful design and I think it is perfect for the upcoming 1960s Melody Ellison doll from American Girl, as well as modern dolls that like vintage styles.

Shoutout back to 2014, but people just don't make this jacket!

The Peleton Jacket from the Euro Libby line.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-jacket-patterns/products/peleton-jacket-18-doll-clothes

Why?

What's wrong with this pattern?

Is it a huge PITA?

I'm not sure, as I don't sew.

But man, it's a gorgeous jacket.

I want one so bad...after my money tree blossoms, that is. :-/

Well, maybe I gave someone a little bit of inspiration today.

I hope so.

And just in case anyone wants to make me these and 

send them to me for free, please do, please do.

But if not, at least sew them and sell them my friends!!

Thanks for visiting us today!!!

Trends to Sew: Button-Down Skirt

First off, let's clear up some reader confusion-- haha -- 

we don't sell any patterns or any doll clothes.

We just recommend patterns and what to sew.

Two different things, haha.

I know it seems an odd roll to play, but here we are!

Just hanging out and telling you what to do, 

but not actually selling anything to help you!

Yes! That's us.

Mostly, sort of, useless.

So today we recommend sewing the Button-Down Skirt.

Yes, this puppy is still in style and going strong, 

even into the winter months (which haven't really been that cold yet....).

People are throwing on tights, leggings, boots, leg-warmers, etc. and wearing these things.

Also, keep in mind that about 100% of Lea's collection and theme is summer, summer, summer, summer, hot, hot, hot, tropical, tropical, tropical, beach, beach, beach
--- and she comes out in about 1/2 a month.

So keep sewing those skirts!

And if you haven't been sewing them -- start sewing them!!

The basic pattern is sold by Liberty Jane on Pixie Faire:

http://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/18-inch-doll-skirt-patterns/products/button-front-mini-skirt-18-doll-clothes

(But of course --- this is just the pattern -- you can do 

whatever you want with it! Be creative!)

We'll include the little blurb about the pattern here because it is so very, very useful:

"A new classic from Liberty Jane - The Button Front Mini Skirt designed to fit 18 inch dolls such as American Girl®. This cute button front skirt is the perfect go-to piece for every wardrobe. The button front design can be sewn as functional or as a faux look. The skirt is designed with four front panels and 3 back panels, which adds interest to the original classic denim mini skirt design.

The skirt front has a flat waistband while the back has enclosed elastic which makes it an easy on and off piece. The side seams of the waistband are ingeniously sewn together with enclosed seams for a clean and professional look. Bring out the seaming details with contrast thread or keep it matching for a more dressed up version. There are so many looks you can achieve with your fabric and thread choices!

Suggested fabrics for this PDF sewing pattern include: denim, twill, canvas, corduroy, velveteen, faux leather or suede. It is important to note a 1/4” button is highly suggested in order to achieve the right scale and ‘real clothes’ look. If you are having trouble finding small buttons, look also at your local craft store for beads that can look like buttons. This is a great trick when using a faux button closure! Be sure to check out our selection of Pixie Packs for denim and notions for this project!

Bonus distressing tip/techniques included!"

And....back to me....haha ;-)

Note the bolded portion above in the blurb: 

this skirt doesn't have to be made in denim.

And right now human stores are offering in them in a lot of fabrics and styles.

Also, solid colors are going to be the most useful to customers.

But if you want to do patterned fabric -- make sure it isn't a bright-colored fabric, and that the pattern design is small, so it isn't overwhelming to the eye.

Forever21 used to have this black velvet one, but it seems to have sold out:

 

^^^ But it is literally modeled with every other shirt they sell -- 

so this puppy was a very popular look.

Hollister offers more of an A-line version of this skirt style in suedes.....

As well as the straight-sided mini in corduroys....

And they have the traditional denim versions as well, in light and dark denim...

Note the unique stitching down the front of this version.

So when pairing these with tops you should gravitate toward crop tops, and 

tight shirts that can be tucked into the skirt. 

BUT...

You can also have the top come over the waistline of the skirt, 

like the penguin sweater above.

The key to this type of styling is to not wear such a long top that you hide the skirt and it looks like you are going bottom-less. ;-) You saucy minx. ;-)

You can also combine this look with a long cardigan, 

and long-line jackets and coats.

And here are some design variations in case 

you want to spice up your creations!!!

You don't have to stick to what is in the LJ pattern!

Forever21....

Thanks for visiting us today friends!!!