Trends to Sew: Jackets! Part One!

It's starting to get pretty chilly outside now.

Don't let your dolls get too cold during those 

plentiful autumn outdoor photo shoots. ;-)

Want jackets?

Well, people have to sew them first! 

Right? Yes.

As much as I am attracted to the concept of this jacket from AG:

It seems too big, bulky, and not very flattering on the dolls.

I haven't bought it yet - so I can't make a complete review of it.

But with the way that AG has styled it here ^^^ it looks like it's for 4 year olds.

What went wrong exactly?

Well, let's compare it to the Hollister equivalents:

A deeper gray and a lighter blue might 

have made the AG version look like less of a "toy" item.

Also, the AG "denim" doesn't really look that denim-y 

once you compare it to actual human clothing denim.

You'll want your denim to be as realistic as possible 

if you make this yourself.

And there is no distressing on the AG version.

Distressing really helps sell the realism of your clothing.

And color variation throughout the denim also helps.

This jacket ^^^ also lacks lapels and a collar, 

which I think would make it look more realistic.

Here we have a lighter denim ^^^ paired with the light gray 

that's similar to the AG gray color.

But again, we see distressing on the denim.

And the detail of the faux second layer carries over to the bottom hem.

Mmmmm. Sherpa lining.

Not that the AG version needed the sherpa lining - 

I think that would have made it more bulky.

Lining in doll clothes can be very problematic.

Especially if it is the weight of zee sherpa fabric.

But looking at the overall fit of these Hollister jackets, 

I would say that the AG version is too long in the body and too boxy.

Again, I'd need to get my hands on it in person to 

really figure out if I can make it work or not.

One of the things that keeps stopping me from buying it are those decals.

And just the overall lack of realism really keeps it out of my shopping cart.

It's not like AG didn't have examples to look at -

Liberty Jane has the ultimate doll denim jacket pattern.

http://www.pixiefaire.com/products/denim-jacket-18-doll-clothes

Maybe they didn't want to follow that one ^^^ too closely and 

be accused of stealing that idea.

But they really should have at least looked at it for how a denim jacket can fit really well without looking like you are wearing your older brother's varsity baseball jacket....

Anyways....I think I have complained enough.

Pointers for the sewers and seamstresses and makers:

1) Lighter color denim is currently in for denim jackets.

2) Gray is good. Gray is great. Make the sleeves gray. I agree with this approach. Any other color might conflict too much with the denim.

3) Distress. Distress. Distress.

That denim needs to be beaten up, man.

4) Make these things as realistic as humanly possible.

Pay attention to the smallest details.

5) And I'd rather have a jacket that I couldn't button closed 

than one that looks oversized and boxy.

Chances are - if I am putting my doll in a jacket 

I am still going to leave it open so you can see the rest of her outfit. 

That's kind of doll photo shoot 101 there. ;-)

Alright, stay tuned for Jackets! Part Two! tomorrow. :-)

Thank you for visiting us today!

Trends to Sew: Lace-Up Bodysuit

Now that sounds way sexier than it has to be, haha.

Lace-up Bodysuit.

Mmmmm. 

Haha.

But, no, really - they have been a hot trend for awhile now - but I haven't given 

them a shoutout because I haven't been blogging and I am useless.

But bodysuits in general are a hot trend now - 

giving the wearer very clean lines, less frumpy-ness in layering.

And they tend to look very good underneath all those 

high-waisted bottoms which are trending right now.

So anyway - lace-up or strappy- these are the examples you should be looking to for making something trendy in your doll clothing shop or wardrobe. :-)

Courtesy of Hollister:

Slightly sexier versions from Forever21, but they can be un-sexi-fied pretty easily 

if you were going to sew them for dolls:

(This girl's facial expressions ^^^ kill me.)

If you don't like the lace-up, strappy effects of these bodysuits - there are literally 

dozens of other types of bodysuits being offered in human shops. 

So check those other options out for more ideas!

I'd start at Hollister and then move forward to Forever21 for the trendiest looks.

Thank you for visiting us today!!!

Trends to Sew: The Back To School Stretch Jean

Whenever I would go back to school in the fall 

one of the priority items was "new jeans."

i.e. Jeans that would actually fit me.

Since I grew like a weed.

So if you are sewing for the 18" doll world - be sure to consider your jean offerings 

for back to school, fall and winter stylings.

This year Hollister, and other brands, are pushing the "Stretch Jean."

Hollister is calling theirs "Advanced" - "Their Highest Level of Stretch Ever."

Which is good for me, because I am 'fluffy.'

"Feels Like a Legging, Fits Like a Jean."

"Available in High and Low Rise."

These things are basically jean-leggings made out of a magical, magical fabric.

And if it were me - I'd just cut up the human version to make doll versions.

If I knew what I was doing.

But anyway...I digress.

Examine the colors, the stylings, the waistlines, and the level of "destroyed" qualities - and then try these out for yourself on your sewing machine. :-)

(Honestly, I want all of these outfits below for my dolls.)

So if you are struggling to figure out which tops 

to make to go with your "jean-legging" offerings, see above ^^^ - 

there were a lot of neat tops up there for you to make!