"So are you going to be doing this all day, or are you going to join me for some retail therapy?" (Dahlia)
"Come on sis. This is only day of the week I have to work on my designs. I work all week at the bridal shop, and Saturdays is my day of errands. I can't run around town with you today. Sorry." (Lena)
"Fine. I guess I'll just have to shop by myself." (Dahlia)
"So what kind of patterns are these?" (Dahlia)
"They aren't really patterns. They are called slopers and they are used to make patterns." (Lena)
Lil' Alan sits watching his mommy. Poor thing is still in his jammies. Lena was so excited to get started on her new line, she did the bare minimum for Alan. That included a diaper change, and feeding him breakfast.
"I just had a fabulous idea! You are going to need a model for this new line. I would like to volunteer my services." (Dahlia)
"What's the catch?" (Lena)
"Well....I was thinking I could really use some new clothes..." (Dahlia)
"So you want me to make you some new clothes?" (Lena)
"Yes....from your new line." (Dahlia)
"Hmmmm? I'll tell you what. I will make you a few new pieces if you take care of Alan on Sundays, while I work on my new line." (Lena)
"Hmmm? I guess that will work." (Dahlia)
And before Dahlia could change her mind, Lena reaches down, takes Alan out of his chair and hands him to his auntie.
"Watch him closely when you give him a bath..." (Lena)
"A bath! You didn't bathe him yet?" (Dahlia)
"Don't judge me. No, I didn't bathe him yet. We weren't planning to leave the house today. Now as I was saying, try not to get water in his eyes and make sure you dress him warmly." (Lena)
Dahlia thinks to herself, what just happened here? How did I go from model to babysitter?
"I may need to rethink this arrangement." (Dahlia)
"You are going to turn down free clothes, designed to fit your body perfectly... clothes that others are going to pay top dollar for, because you don't want to take ten minutes to bathe your nephew?" (Lena)
Dahlia turns to head up stairs. Clearly she is not happy.
"Thanks, sis!" (Lena)
Anyhow, Lena and I are both excited about the new slopers I made for the Prettie Girls. This is the first step to she and I designing a line of clothing for them. I haphazardly made the pants that Dahlia is wearing, without a pattern. It is their imperfect fit that made me realize I needed to make slopers and ultimately patterns for these girls. It's my first set of slopers. New year resolutions are still on track.
Commissioned sofa is almost done. Just need a little ironing on those pillows.
You did it Vanessa! I like Dahlia pants, and I agree with you slopers are indispensable.
ReplyDeleteLena is such a smart girl!
Kisses Billa
billa's dolls - I'm looking forward to testing out my new slopers. I had fun creating them, which is a good sign. Yes, I think Lena got the better part of that deal. lol.
DeleteHi Vanessa!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know about slopers. Are those the things one draws out first before creating a pattern? See, I'm also getting an education on fashion design thanks to you! LOL I like Dahlia's pants and sweater. And I just love that couch! :-)
Cindi - Slopers are drafted patterns, without seam allowances, used to design other pattern pieces. Dahlia's pants were a quick experiment and that was one of my first sock sweaters I made a few years ago. I'm really hoping I will stick to the plan and make them a really nice wardrobe. I get easily distracted sometimes.
DeleteHey Vanessa can't wait for your new line! What material is that couch? It looks like leather.
ReplyDeleteAG Lanc - That couch is made of suede.
DeleteCute story! Can't wait to see Lena's clothing designs for the Prettie Girls. I am hoping to do some sewing in 2015 myself. The couch is beautiful. It looks a lot like the one I bought from you!
ReplyDeletePhyllis - Thanks. Oooh, I can't wait to see what you sew, as well. Yes, that sofa is almost identical to the one you have. One of the pillows is different. The customer picked it out looking through sold Etsy items.
DeleteCute story. Alan is a cutie. Slopers - a new term for me, but then I don't sew.
ReplyDeleteI love the couch!
dbg
DBG - Thanks. I used to date a fashion designer back in 1995 and he carried his slopers everywhere. I learned a lot from him.
DeleteDahlia's pants a nice! I look forward to seeing their wardrobe. Seeing your Prettie Girls makes me regret not getting them. They are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteGeorgia Girl - Thanks. You didn't get the Prettie Girls? They really are pretty and I love their makeup palette. They do have articulation issues, if you are using them for stories. I will have to figure something out because I'm NOT switching their bodies out. I love their curves.
DeleteHmm slopers! This is interesting. How does it differ from the muslin patterns I've seen some designers use? How do you go from the sloper to the pattern?
ReplyDeleteMs. Leo - Muslins are trial patterns. They allow you to make adjustments before you cut your good fabric and make a mistake. Slopers are the basic pattern pieces that all designs are created from. So you do your design work by altering the slopers, then you add seam allowances and draft the pattern for your new designs.
DeleteMs. Leo - Correction, you alter a copy of the slopers. Once you draft slopers you don't mess up the originals. Going from slopers to patterns is at least one class in fashion design school. I'm going to figure that out from the reference books sitting on my shelf. Wish me luck.
DeleteI'll wish you luck AND add cheers. Those pants of Dahlia look perfect. Great print choice. Good scale.
ReplyDeleteGo Lena. That's a winning plan.
Ah that suede sofa ... mind if I stretch out - oh wait, wrong scale ;-)
D7ana - Thanks. She looked like she could rock the animal print pants. Lena jumped right on that opportunity. Nothing like trying to work and think when there's a baby to take care of, too.
DeleteBonita historia.
ReplyDeleteEl sofa es muy bonito.
Saludos desde Mexico.
lindaivette - Thanks. I'm glad you like both the story and the sofa. Hugs.
DeleteI enjoyed this story. :)
ReplyDeleteDuke of Swann - Thanks.
DeleteLove the sofa, again, lol. I hope you will be selling your Prettie Girl clothing because my Dahlia(Kim) is in need of something for that bodacious backside.
ReplyDeleteDoll Crazy - Thanks. lol. The plan is to get really good at making the clothes, so I can sell some in my shop. That bodacious backside is nice, but challenging when it comes to the current fashion doll clothes. I'm surprised they didn't produce some clothes to purchase for these dolls, like the company who made the Lammily doll did.
DeleteThe arrangement between the sisters is perfect (Dahlia won't agree LOL). The sofa is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteNight Owl - Thanks. Let's see how long Dahlia sticks to this new plan. I guess if Lena hurries up and starts producing some nice things, then Dahlia may hang in there.
DeleteYay, Lena. Good to see her taking some time to get her fashion line happening. Dahlia will change her mind once she sees what she is getting - although the process may take a bit longer than she imagines. Get those slopers fitting right and you can use them to create any design you can imagine - although dolls have issues that people don't and vice versa.
ReplyDeleteCarrickters - I agree. Once Dahlia can see some of the new clothes she will probably turn that frown upside down. Luckily I have only sewn for dolls, so I only have to deal with their issues. At least they can't complain about what you've made for them, like people can.
DeleteDolls also can't lie to you about what size they are and they don't change sizes between fittings :-)!
DeleteDahlia looks very cute even though she is dismayed.
Hello from Spain: the sofa and cushions are fabulous. Great job. I also really like the patterns of clothing. The pants are very cool. Your sew very well. Keep in touch
ReplyDeleteMarta - Thanks. The small scale animal print fabric was perfect for those pants.
DeleteAt least you have slopers, I'm still trying to get back to sewing, been working long days.I love that sofa. You know you be working those babies in the scene. I love it!!
ReplyDeleteBrini - Yes, I feel great about getting the slopers done. Don't worry, you will get back to sewing soon and I can't wait to see your new creations. I hope I can sew as fast as you do.
DeleteI didn't know about slopers either, but I may have improvised something similar come to think about it. Love the last shot of Dahlia - she's clearly not happy! :)
ReplyDeleteAnderson's All Purpose - Slopers is a term usually only used by fashion designers. The normal person will only know about patterns that are produced from slopers. Doesn't it look like Dahlia is frowning in that picture? I had to do a double take.
DeleteI was crossing my fingers the whole time that I was reading in hopes that you were going to announce plans to make and sale clothes for these lovely ladies. Dahlia's pants look great!
ReplyDeleteJewell - I am crossing my fingers and hoping I can make it happen just the way I've planned.
DeleteGreat idea with the slopers. There is a doll fashion designer who shows how to do them, but somehow I feel inept, like I will never figure it out. Everyone makes it look so easy.
ReplyDeleteThe pants and the sofa are both really nice. Sofa's color and fabric are nice choices.
Janainah Frye - Thanks. There are different ways to make slopers. The easiest way involves draping the fabric over the actual doll.
DeleteLOL! @Dahila! Babies are a hand full! Looking forward to the new line. That couch though...awesome!
ReplyDeleteOk if I had read the post in the right order then I would have understood slopers better. I got it now ;-)
ReplyDelete