Showing posts with label Patternmaker Shoutout. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patternmaker Shoutout. Show all posts

Monday, August 22, 2016

Melody Ellison and the Sixties and Etsy and Patterns?

Well, the 1960s was never a clothing time period that I collected for - so looking on Etsy for clothing for Melody Ellison was kind of a new and exciting thing for me.

But there really isn't that much going on over there for 1960s dolls!

Or perhaps everyone has been buying stuff up left and right while I wasn't looking?!?!

That's possible, since I have been poor and unable to collect for Melody. :'-(

So where have you guys been shopping?

And what patterns are you guys using for 1960s outfits???

Here's what my Etsy search turned up....





















Is there anything else I am missing???


Tuesday, June 21, 2016

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.


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:


I think this one deserves more attention.

QT Pie also has the Take the Plunge pattern:



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

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



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



Back to two-piece patterns...

I like the Peppermintsticks Making Waves pattern:



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



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:





While I was browsing Etsy for this post I noticed that 
Dollicious has come up with a cool design for her swimsuits:







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. :-)



Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Patternmaker Shoutout: Suzy M Studio

I want to get into the habit of giving shoutouts to patternmakers -
not just sellers.

So here we are!

I'd love to make this a regular type of post.

If I can get off my duff and do the work needed, haha.

So today I give a shoutout to Suzy M Studio.


If you want trendy styles for dresses, skirts, cardigans, and more -
Suzy M Studio is the place to go.

She has also sold sewn items in the past,
and we have bought about seven listings from her.

She spends a lot of time and effort 
designing well-made and great-fitting items.

If you haven't looked at her patterns yet -
check them out today!!!

If you sew and sell - you can also use her 
patterns for items for your own shop.

For example, the Summer Breeze Dress pattern:


I just bought two of these from Etsy's Avanna Girl:



(So if you want custom-made items from any of Suzy M's patterns, 
contacting Avanna Girl may be a good place to start!)

Patterns that I particularly would recommend for 
Spring/Summer 2016 Trends to Sew:

Lillian Dress


This can also be a top, a maxi dress, a form-fitting shorter dress, etc.


I can envision this ^^^ as some neat tops, crop tops, and mini dresses.

Summer Breeze Dress


Can be sewn long, short, as a top, with and without ruffle - 
lots of variations!

This just screams "summer!"

If I could sew, I'd make the top below with 
the hem of the bottom layer higher.
And take out the elastic.
Like the layers are more nested together, for a tiered crop top.

(I probably didn't explain that very well.)


Sort of like these:




But if you want to keep the elastic...


That one ^^^ has an elasticized bottom hem, 
and a little bit of poof around the hem.
which is kinda neat and retro.
Me likey.
(1970's fashion had an obsession with elastic)

But back to the pattern variations....


Boatneck Raglan


Long-sleeve or short-sleeve top, or a dress!

With or without elastic on the shoulders.

I want all of the pattern samples from this....



Asymmetrical T-shirt


Long-sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, short-sleeve, tank top - again a lot of options.

Another one that I want all of the samples from zee pics....


Knit Maxi Dress, Mini Dress, Cami Top


Another pattern that allows you to sew several different types of items.

I particularly love that black dress with the light blue accent trim.



Pillowcase and Halter Romper


If I could sew I'd love to experiment with this pattern 
in a lot of different fabric types, to try and replicate some of
the human rompers I've seen lately.

If I could sew...haha.

I think for this year's trends I'd stick with the halter neckline, 
instead of the pillowcase style.



Tulip Dress, Peplum Top


And variations!

I particularly am in love with that burgundy peplum on the left.
So pretty.



Cascade Jacket and Vest


Beautiful design, and the trend is still going strong.

This can be made in a long or short version - 
and again, you can play with the sleeve length.

Or no sleeves at all!

If it were me making this right now -
I'd offer this as long-sleeve, with an extra-long styling 
(falling to mid-doll-thigh) 
in lightweight drapey fabrics.

If the fabric is slightly see-through, even better.

The go-to colors for this type of wardrobe item 
would be heathered grey, black, cream, white, navy, 
light grey, dark charcoal grey, and oatmeal.

That way the piece can work with a wide variety of outfits.

There's nothing quite as sucky as buying this beautiful cardigan 
that only goes with one or two outfits you own.

They need to have strong mix and match potential.

(The above advice can apply to any type of 
cardigan you guys are making right now, really.)




Slouchy Pullover


My fav version of this pattern is the cropped pullover.

I'd love to have this. It's adorable.

I think I'd buy it in almost any color. 
And even as a graphic hoodie.

Well, not in pink though. ;-)


The A-line Skirt


I see a lot of the same skirt patterns being made, over and over.

Which is fine, but I think some variety 
should be thrown in there!

And I love the little side pocket accents of this style.

Also (although I can't sew) - I think this could be made 
in a variety of fabrics, really offering a wide range of 
looks from casual, trendy, chic, sophisticated, punk, goth, etc.


Open Shoulder T-Shirt and Dress


The open shoulder trend is still on fire and will burn 
brighter now that the spring and summer months are here.

It's a good way to get around the 100% bare-shoulder trend, 
if that isn't your style.



The Versatile Skirt


Suzy M has drool-worthy skirt patterns.

This one offers an asymmetrical style, 
as well as sharkbite hem, high-low, and flared styles.

Maybe drool isn't something I should bring up...but I love these things 
and I wish I had the money to buy all sorts of them!



The Maxi Skirt


These are gorgeous.

I only wish I could sew... :'-(


So again, if you are looking for modern, trendy patterns check out:


I think the best thing about these patterns is that they are so adaptable, 
and depending on your fabric choices, and the style variations you use - 
you can make a wide variety of items 
in a variety of fashion styles.

(Sorry this was such a long post, haha. Derp.)

________

Thanks for visiting us today!!!



Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...