As mentioned here, Puppy needed some pyjamas
Sunday, April 29, 2018
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
Baa Baa Blue Sheep, Have You Any Pyjamas?
My little boy needed new pyjamas, as all growing boys ALWAYS do.
After tracing off the pattern for him, I decided I would try to make a matching pair for his favourite toy, which is a "sitting" blue sheep called Baa. But what to do for a pattern?
His pyjamas were made from the Sew A Little Seam Holiday Night PJs. I used this pattern last winter for his pjs and knew I liked it. I wanted a similar style for Baa so went pattern hunting. Of course not being a standard toy, I couldn't easily find a pattern that would fit straight away. After measuring and comparing to patterns designed for Build-a-Bear, and subsequent paths that Google lead me on, I realised that Cabbage Patch Kid patterns might come close.
I have Butterick 5902, which included a front buttoning, collared shirt, so that seemed like a good place to start. The shirt has kimono sleeves (cut in one with the body) which are a bit flared at the end. The pattern was designed to have the sleeves gathered at the cuffs, so I guess this gave it a more puffed look. I straightened the sleeves out slightly at the top, and more so at the underarm. I was a bit worried about their Y shape, but decided to leave it as it would provide room for movement. I also shortened the sleeves a little after holding it up against Baa to check.
After sewing the shoulder seams, I tried it on and marked the hem line for the sleeves. I also decided to create a hi-low hem for the shirt because of Baa's sitting shape. There was just too much fabric on the front, but the back still needed the coverage.
That sorted out the top pattern and it was just a case of putting it together as per the instructions.
For the pants, I started with the free Hospital Attire pattern from Bear Wear Patterns, which I had found and printed for my daughter the other week because she wanted to make clothes for her Big Ted (yet to happen). Going by overall measurements, I decided the 15"-16" size was the way to go, but because this pattern was drafted for a standing bear and Baa was sitting, I did a rather large back crotch adjustment, as shown here by the white line. After sewing them up the basics and trying them on, I needed to shorten the legs, but the crotch/waist was fine.
After sewing them up the basics and trying them on, I needed to shorten the legs, but the crotch/waist was fine.
I had a fleeting thought of making a matching dog coat for his little puppy as well (his other favourite toy), but put the thought aside for later. Of course upon being excited about matching pyjamas for Baa, I was promptly told that he needed matching pjs for Puppy too!! Guess what's on the cutting table tonight. *EDIT: Puppy pjs are HERE*
After tracing off the pattern for him, I decided I would try to make a matching pair for his favourite toy, which is a "sitting" blue sheep called Baa. But what to do for a pattern?
His pyjamas were made from the Sew A Little Seam Holiday Night PJs. I used this pattern last winter for his pjs and knew I liked it. I wanted a similar style for Baa so went pattern hunting. Of course not being a standard toy, I couldn't easily find a pattern that would fit straight away. After measuring and comparing to patterns designed for Build-a-Bear, and subsequent paths that Google lead me on, I realised that Cabbage Patch Kid patterns might come close.
I have Butterick 5902, which included a front buttoning, collared shirt, so that seemed like a good place to start. The shirt has kimono sleeves (cut in one with the body) which are a bit flared at the end. The pattern was designed to have the sleeves gathered at the cuffs, so I guess this gave it a more puffed look. I straightened the sleeves out slightly at the top, and more so at the underarm. I was a bit worried about their Y shape, but decided to leave it as it would provide room for movement. I also shortened the sleeves a little after holding it up against Baa to check.
 |
| Original shirt pattern underneath with my altered version on top |
After sewing the shoulder seams, I tried it on and marked the hem line for the sleeves. I also decided to create a hi-low hem for the shirt because of Baa's sitting shape. There was just too much fabric on the front, but the back still needed the coverage.
That sorted out the top pattern and it was just a case of putting it together as per the instructions.
For the pants, I started with the free Hospital Attire pattern from Bear Wear Patterns, which I had found and printed for my daughter the other week because she wanted to make clothes for her Big Ted (yet to happen). Going by overall measurements, I decided the 15"-16" size was the way to go, but because this pattern was drafted for a standing bear and Baa was sitting, I did a rather large back crotch adjustment, as shown here by the white line. After sewing them up the basics and trying them on, I needed to shorten the legs, but the crotch/waist was fine.
 |
| Lengthened back crotch to account for sitting position |
I had a fleeting thought of making a matching dog coat for his little puppy as well (his other favourite toy), but put the thought aside for later. Of course upon being excited about matching pyjamas for Baa, I was promptly told that he needed matching pjs for Puppy too!! Guess what's on the cutting table tonight. *EDIT: Puppy pjs are HERE*
Monday, April 2, 2018
Girls in Science
Someone online alerted me to the She Blinded me with Science lab coat pattern that Lee & Pearl were offering free to mailing list subscribers.
With a daughter who wants to be an astronomer when she grows up, I just HAD to make it.
Problem was, the pattern is for 18" dolls such as American Girl which, as I've previously mentioned, is a slightly different size/shape to the Journey Girl my daughter (and I) have.
Basically the patterns are too wide. Knowing this, I decided to cut the pattern out of fabric and go from there, I can always trim it down, and there is always more fabric for such a small project.
After cutting out the pieces, I laid them over the doll, and decided to take out 1/4" on each side, front and back. I took it through the middle of the shoulder right down to the hem, to maintain the side and armhole shaping. For this pattern, that meant adjusting the back, front and yoke pieces. It is a fiddly little fold. In future I think I might just cut and overlap because it will probably be easier.
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| 1/4" total taken out of back yoke piece. I cut on the fold so only adjusted one side of the pattern piece, but you'd need to adjust both sides if you were cutting flat. |
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| Adjustment made to front piece |
I think that worked well for this pattern, but the Elsa dress I made also seemed wide in the neck, so I need more testing before declaring it a cure-all.
Once I attached the sleeve (using the flat method) I tried it on my doll and decided the sleeves were going to be too long. They needed shortening by 1/4" as well. Being the lazy sewist I am, I just turned it up that much extra because I'd already finished the edges and didn't want to cut and re-overlock (I think I'd already changed back to black thread). Next time I should actually shorten the sleeve properly before cutting the fabric.
Sewed up the side seams and I was basically done! I decided to do proper buttons and buttonholes on this because it's easier with the front opening and I'm sure it will sometimes be worn open, plus I think this looks better than false buttons with snaps underneath.
I really loved using this pattern. The instructions are excellent and the pattern includes so much detail, which I forgot to take photos of, like a tab on the back waist and the perfectly proportioned pockets.
This gives me so much confidence to try converting other American Girl patterns to fit Journey Girls.
This gives me so much confidence to try converting other American Girl patterns to fit Journey Girls.
Once I had finished the coat, I had the urge to make a Rocky Horror costume to go underneath... but that ones definitely going to be for MY doll, not my daughters!