The three outfits shown will give an idea of the styles that will be available to the Morristown ladies. Racquel was sporting one of the fashions yesterday in the photostory, Kendra's Day Out.
Melanie's outfit consist of a sweater with a boat neck collar and short sleeves. It is paired with a simple straight coordinating skirt. This outfit can be dressed up for work, or worn as is in a more casual setting.
Racquel sports a one-piece strapless dress that has a small ruffle on the hem. Add a jacket or coordinating sweater and it, too, can be worn to the workplace. As is, its perfect for dinner out with a loved one or with friends.
Carmen is wearing a one-piece that is perfect for the beach. As shown, it is more suited to the young crowd. Add a pair of leggings or jeans and it makes a nice top for any of the ladies.
All fashions were created from socks. I bought coordinating sock pairs to give lots of different ensemble possibilities. Most outfits were made by placing the dolls on the socks, sketching the outfits on the wrong side of the sock, then sewing on the lines drawn. The knit fabrics are very forgiving. I used a very small zigzag stitch to relieve any stress on the seams. When I am creating sock outfits for my dolls, I will sometimes use a little fabric glue on hems, armholes and necklines. I ALWAYS use stabilizer (tissue-like material sold in fabric stores to make stitching small items and knit fabrics easier to sew).
I am including a link to a fabulous article by Dale Rae Designs on making fashions with socks. I read through it over a year ago, but haven't done anything with it. But I feel it's a good one. Sock Fashion Tutorial. Of course, you can always do what I do. Make it up as you go along. Keep cutting and sewing until you get something you like. You might surprise yourself.
Hi Vanessa thank you for showing us your works and thank you for the tip. I've never tried to turn socks into dolls clothes, actually I'm trying with headbands and scarves, now I wanna do some socks-clothes!!!
ReplyDeleteSergio - Please try it. It is a lot of fun. The tutorial should give you lots of great information.
DeleteHi Sweetie, thanks for stopping by and for your lovely comments. This is something I want to try...do you think...I Can! Lol...I don't know!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Loretta - With all you have been through, I know you can do this! This is a piece of cake in comparison.
DeleteThey look so trendy! I know what I'm going to be doing soon :).
ReplyDeleteVerona - There are so many options. Go for it!
DeleteDoes that mean you're not selling them? :( Well, I guess I need to work on this part of the hobby!
ReplyDeleteVita Plastica - Yes, that means I am not selling them. LOL!
DeleteAwesome!!! I've been purchasing cute socks for a while now...at some point I'll actually get some clothes made from them! hopefully they will turn out as cute as your items have!
ReplyDeleteDisarmywife - You do such a wonderful job on your other fashions, I am sure you will come up with some great creations.
DeleteI like Melanie's outfit the best - the solid gray skirt and the black-white-gray striped top. I like the variation among the three models. Different ages and styles bringing different looks to the similar fashions ;-)
ReplyDeleteThis must be a day for The Three Graces because I've just finished a modeling session with three dolls.
Thanks also for the sock link; I will have to look that up.
D7ana - Is that your way of saying come see your three dolls. LOL! I'll be over soon.
DeleteI love your fashions!!!
ReplyDeleteMatty - Thanks, dear!
DeleteI know I wont be making these because I avoid sewing at all cost if possible. They do look super cute though. Lightweight enough for summer or winter.
ReplyDeleteMuff - Well in your case, just glue the whole thing.
DeleteNice Job! They are wonderful and sporty looking too. (Wish I could wear horizontal stripes and look that good.) lol
ReplyDeleteDebbie - Thanks! No matter how many clothes I buy them (notice the cute brown/white outfit in the back, LOL), they still want more clothes.
DeleteVery cute and colorful!
ReplyDeletedbg
DBG - Thanks! I can't wait to see the ones you make. LOL!
DeleteLOL! Yeah... I've been planning on making some tube dresses with socks since reading your first post about this creative endeavor, what at least 2 years ago? I have not found any (only looked in the $1 bins at Walgreens) that I thought would work. But now that I see you're using these footies, anklets, or whatever they are called these days, I think the possibility of my trying my hand at this might come sooner than later.
DeleteI forgot to mention in my brief comment yesterday that Insomnia is such a clever name for this line. I can relate to that experience, although I am never as creative as you when I wake up several times during the night. Tossing and turning, fluffing and re-fluffing my pillows, with racing thoughts about what I need to do next is what I do when insomnia sets in -- getting out of bed and really doing something constructive, unless it's on the weekend, is out of the question.
dbg
DBG - The anklet socks are better for skirts and tops. The dress in the middle was made from a real sock that comes past the ankles. 99% of the socks will work. You are just procrastinating. Try not to get the really thick socks.
DeleteHaving my sewing machine and my food making equipment in my bedroom makes hopping out of bed at 2am, loads of fun.
very nice, I like the most this first one, sweater and skirt, but all of them are cute!
ReplyDeletejewel snake - Thanks. They are fun to make.
DeleteI am SO in love with Carmen's dress. <3 This is such an innovative idea!! I need to go look for cheap and cute socks to buy now....
ReplyDeleteCat - Thanks! I bought all of these sock combos at the Dollar Tree. You just can't beat it. Nice way to get started.
DeleteRussian doll collectors also use socks for doll fashions. :) And boat neck collar is also called "boat" ("lodochka") in Russian. Funny. Sock Fashion Tutorial is interesting, though it's hard for me to understand sewing terms in English. Well, reading of such texts can help me to know them better.
ReplyDeleteDukasha - Thanks for the Russian lessons. I'm sorry there isn't a translator on the tutorial. Hopefully with the pictures you will understand enough to make something nice. My fashions aren't that complicated. They aren't lined or anything. If I were going to sell them, I would make them a little more professional looking. But my dolls are just happy to get new clothes.
DeleteIf everything everywhere was translated I'd forget English right after school as I forgot French, not having any practice in it. I don't want it to happen. :) In any case "making something nice" is a problem for me not because of language problems, but because of my perfectionism. I never like what I make and never make what I like, so most of the time I prefer to make nothing. I like to read different sewing and making tutorials though.
DeleteDukasha - Yes, I remember your desire to be perfect. If you were here in Morristown, I would send you to see Tina, they psychiatrist.
DeleteThere are such specialists in Moscow too. :) But I'm not sure I want to be cured. Though I think my dolls want it very much, because many of them don't have any clothes at all. Well, I don't really want to be perfect, I know, it's impossible. But every time I make something I usually think that it's possible to make it better, though sometimes I don't know how to do it, so I just unstitch everything and that's all.
DeleteDukasha - The next time you make something, send me a picture. We are our worst critics. You need a unbiased eye looking at your work.
DeleteVanessa, thanks. You can see my doll fashions here, if you want: http://forum.dollplanet.ru/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2684 Some are old and really bad, others are new, but also not perfect. I usually try to improve them, if I know how. Sometimes I remake and remake one piece of clothing, but still don't like it. Sometimes I don't remake something, but think about remaking it every time I see it. It's really hard to be a perfectionist. lol
DeleteDukasha - Which fashions are yours. I can't read the Russian. Are they sewn or crocheted?
DeleteVanessa, all fashions there are mine, it's the link to my own thread on DollPlanet. Usually all Russian doll collectors, who make something for dolls, have their own threads on DollPlanet, where they show their work.
DeleteMost of fashions are sewn, but there are several crocheted and knitted things in the very beginning. I made them many yeas ago, when I was about 16 or 17 years old. There is also one crocheted yellow top, made later, it is shown on page 3.
Dukasha - Just as I imagined, YOUR WORK IS PHENOMENAL! I didn't see not one item that I wouldn't buy. When are you opening up your Etsy store? I am always on the market for more doll clothes. There would be a lot of people buying your clothes.
DeleteVanessa, thanks, but most of the items don't look so good in real life. And even if they were really good, I could never open a store, because it always takes me very much time to make one piece of clothing. Usually months or even years. Not because there is really so much work, but because I do everything very slowly and rarely have time and inspiration for sewing. And when I finish it at last, I usually see that it is not as good as I want it to be, and begin the long remaking process... lol. To be frank I don't want to sell anything, but I often want to make something for my friends' dolls - just as a gift. But with my habit of not finishing one dress for several years it's almost impossible.
DeleteIt's July, 27 in Moscow already, it's my birthday today. I'm 35 years old now. Let's hope I'll sew something new before I'm 36, lol. Though it's more likely I will not.
Dukasha - Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a wonderful, exciting,fun filled day.
DeleteThanks. I'll work as usually, but I hope to have time for something more interesting also. I'm still thinking about my own doll blog in English. Isn't it a good occasion to start it? Lol. I'm not sure because my English is too bad and primitive, but sometimes I think it's not such a bad idea.
DeleteI have collected a box full of socks to make dolls sweaters. I like to get the seasonal designs for Valentine's, Easter, St. Patrick's Day etc. Your post shows me I need to get busy and make some sweaters!
ReplyDeletelimbe dolls - I am really trying to get to projects as soon as I buy the materials. Otherwise, it will sit in a box, for a long time. You are right about buying holiday socks. Perfect way to get holiday clothes without spending a lot of money on fabric. I look forward to seeing your creations.
DeleteReally cute and colorful! I need to get to the dollar tree and snag some of those socks! Great job! Love them all.
ReplyDeleteChynadoll - Thanks. Yes, you do need to get to the dollar store. Especially as creative as you are with fashions. I'm sure they will be divine.
DeleteI’ve never seen lovelier results from socks than these (((applauding your design and sewing skills!))). Melanie's outfit totally took me by surprise, it’s lovely and just so unsock like! Carmen’s is my second favorite, it’s colorful and absolutely perfect for oceanside promenade strolling.
ReplyDeleteRoville - Thanks! And thanks for my morning laugh...'so unsock like'. Too funny. Every time I see Carmen's outfit I think I need to get my pool/beach scene going quickly. It's so perfect for that setting.
Deletelove Melanie's outfit its elegant
ReplyDeletejassica joe - Thanks! Melanie is preparing to see Rod and Nicole.
DeleteSocks prove to be really useful, and they are also a cheap source of fabric. Your designs are great, I love them all!
ReplyDeleteRossetti - Thanks. The fabric is much cheaper than buying it at the store. This way you only get a little bit, which is all we need in the doll world.
DeleteSo funny, when I saw Racquel dress in the last post I said tube dress! And, I have on the black and grey socks right now! I was making and sweater for Steven like the one you made for Darius two day ago! You must be sending out the vibes!
ReplyDeleteMs. Leo - LOL! So funny you have on those socks. Darius and friends still love those sweaters I made for them. I need to make them some more. I am definitely sending out vibes.
DeleteHello from Spain: the name of the clothing collection is well suited. You always sleep very little. Rachel's dress is very pretty with the wheel on the hem. Thanks to your advice I made a sweater for my Ken with a sock. Your creations are perfect. A job well done. Keep in touch.
ReplyDeleteMarta - I'm so happy you made Ken a sock sweater. Have you posted him in a story yet?
DeleteVery nice Vanessa! I have a little stash that I went out and bought after your first post. Lol! I have only made one tube dress. I like the name Insomnia name. It is very fitting.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia Girl - I'm sure one day you will get to that stash and made some great outfits. We know you are working on the room, so we will cut you some slack.
DeleteHello again: I did for Ken pullover thanks to your directions not yet premiered. I'll leave it for a winter scene. When Ken wearing the new pullover I will notice you. I advance you that I sewed badly in comparison with your creations ... Keep in touch
ReplyDelete