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.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/suzymstudio

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:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/AvannaGirl

(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:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/suzymstudio

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.)

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Thanks for visiting us today!!!

Lea's Outfit of the Day Featuring All Dolled Up Doll Clothes

So we've had Lea since around our birthday in February - 

but we've really only taken pics of her in three outfits.

So yeah - we suck.

We have posted these pics on Instagram, 

but we want to start a sort of Instagram round-up 

here on the blog so you can see the pics all together 

and also get more information about them.

(It's amazing - I've had this vest and skirt ^^^ forever 

and never really thought of putting them together. Derp.)

Lea's outfit consists of:

A vest - custom order from All Dolled Up Doll Clothes

And a skirt - custom order from All Dolled Up Doll Clothes

A white slip from Royal Doll Boutique on Etsy

(https://www.etsy.com/shop/RoyalDollBoutique)

and

A headband from Suzy M Studio on Etsy

(https://www.etsy.com/shop/suzymstudio)

All Dolled Up Doll Clothes doesn't do custom orders anymore, as far as we know.

What she does offer is patterns - lots and lots of wonderful patterns - for those of you who sew.

http://www.alldolledup-dollclothes.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

So if you want a vest like this one, go here for the pattern:

Sarah's Vest

http://www.alldolledup-dollclothes.com/store/p336/Sarah%27s_Vest.html

The website also features a list of people who make clothing from the patterns:

http://www.alldolledup-dollclothes.com/made-to-order.html

So they may be offering some items for sale in their shops, but you can also message them and ask if they will do a custom order for you of item(s) from the All Dolled Up patterns.

I bet a lot of them will be willing to create stuff from the patterns for you!!!

___________

As far as camera notes - the above pics were taken with a ye olde Canon Rebel with a 50mm lens.

This allows me to blur out the background.

It gives the pics a small area of focus and makes them kind of dreamy-looking.

Jfyi.

Also, they were taken inside my light box thingy. :-)

Which I have posted about before here:

http://thedollwardrobe.blogspot.com/2015/12/improving-your-doll-photography.html

...in case you want to learn more about it. ;-)

And then the pics are heavily edited by moi.

Because I edit the crap out of my pics.

But the colors are generally true to life. :-)

I increase the sharpness, the brightness, the contrast, the saturation, and the structure settings - but not to the point of weirdness, haha.

Just so everything is more vibrant. :-)

_________

Thank You For Visiting Us Today!!!

p.s. If you have any questions for us, 

about this outfit,

our pics,

or anything really,

please comment below!

2 New MyAG Outfits and Discussion of Rompers

Hola! Bienvenida a viernes! Willkommen bis Freitag! Welcome to Friday!

Today we will start with pictures of two of the new MyAG outfits that have been recently released. Sabrina is sporting a new brown, curly wig and wearing the Sea Breeze outfit which comes with the blue and white romper, the red bucket hat, and some fly loop sandals. We love these shoes! For $28 you would think this outfit would at least come with a bracelet too, but no dice there.

Alice (who has been on vacation for awhile in the south of France) returns to show off the Tennis Skirt outfit which includes the top, skirt, hairband, wristband, tennis racket, sneakers, socks, and tennis ball. It also comes with yellow lycra undies that match the fabric and color of the top, but the skirt bulges out when you put the undies on. So for our picture purposes Alice is going commando. All of these cute bits and bobs will set you back $34.

That's a lot of dough... $62. Though we are happy to have the tiny tennis ball and racket. And both pairs of shoes are great. But essentially you can make both outfits for a lot less money, which is why we are going to discuss the romper in the second half of this post. For now... please enjoy the pics of Sabrina and Alice!

Ah the romper, the onesie for grown-ups... a very popular spring/summer fashion right now for both girls and trendy women.... here is a slideshow of human girl rompers currently for sale from places like Justice, J. Crew and Delia's.....

And here is a slideshow of women's rompers from places like Urban Outfitters and Bloomingdale's....

There is an AG market for these out there. I can tell you that people were really excited about the one Sabrina is wearing. It is a really flattering style and design -- especially the segmented construction and buttons. So here is my helpful advice for seamstresses for today-- study the MyAG romper, study the ones currently for sale (in the mall or online), and try them out yourself. There are many different styles and fabrics you can experiment with. And they also make nice swimsuit cover-ups if you wanted to sell them as a set with a swimsuit.

Etsy seller SuzymStudio has already branched into the world of rompers with her Military version which you can see in the video below...