I've been asked by several people to make clothes for Lammily. Dasia and I were less than thrilled. She, more so than me. I figure if I just start sewing and designing, I would gain some momentum and really start enjoying sewing for her. So today, I started. It will be a little while (couple weeks maybe) before I have anything to offer for sale. Right now I'm just drafting and testing pattern pieces, and trying to come up with suitable designs. My two Lammily dolls are college students, so the first test outfits will be more college themed. In the end there will be a little bit of everything in their wardrobe.
Khaki shorts and a sweatshirt. Not really focusing on summer versus winter right now. I'm just designing pieces. The numbers will probably be slightly bigger if I decide to offer a similar top for sale.
Here she is with her Gap backpack.
Today my red headed tall Fashionista arrived from Target. Yay! I can't wait to rebody her on a Made-to-Move body. Shame she has to lose her height, but there are enough tall women running around town.
I don't blame you for not being thrilled on sewing for Lammily. I have thought about buying this doll but she is so chunky and plain looking...every time I think about buying her she looks like she ought to be selling hot dogs behind a concession stand!LOL. And then I know I will have to build one of those concession stand snack bar trailers for her to sell hot dogs out of...lol..with cotton candy, and slurpees, lol.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Lol, you may just want to leave her in the store. Tamisha McPherson restyled the hair and her doll looks really nice. I just haven't had time to make her cuter. I think that would help with my desire to sew her a wardrobe. Photographer Lammily is a lot cuter than this one. I'm happy they are here, and I'm sure once I get into sewing for them, I will enjoy it.
DeleteIt's good to see a start to Lammily sewing.
ReplyDeleteI need to debox my redhead Fashionista, who will remain tall Thanks for reminding me.
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DBG - It's my goal to make test pieces at least every other day for the next couple of weeks for Lammily. Hopefully by then I will be ready to really get the ball rolling. Thanks for the push. Lol.
DeleteWelp, someone's got to sew for Lammily. Her figure is daunting for the ordinary home sew-er. The usual tiny fashion-doll waist gives somewhere for the bulk of waistbands to sit -- it's really hard to make standard Barbie look bad, even 8-year-olds dressing her in cut-up socks make her look good -- but with Lammily, almost anything adds bulk in unflattering ways.
ReplyDeleteThe sweatshirt suits her, which is a compliment to the sweatshirt.
Smaller Places - You guys are hilarious! The Lammily body doesn't seem to have too many fans when it comes to her clothing. Hopefully by the time I finish with a decent wardrobe for her, some of those feelings will change a little. My new post today shows her in a dress.
DeleteOk folks....Full Disclaimer: Lammily will NEVER be part of my troup. I have many reasons for not liking her, the top of the list being that she is simply HOMELY, lackluster, bland, etc. etc. But for everyone who owns her, I would really like to see somebody, anybody design clothes that make this doll, well...easier on the eyes. Vanessa the sweatshirt ensemble you designed for her is wonderful. I fear the problem is not the clothing. Lammily needs a full beauty makeover. Does anyone know...are little kids really buying this doll, or is it just adult collectors?
ReplyDeleteReally digging online is giving me a handful of parents who admit to buying the doll for their daughters, but Lammily doesn't generate visible spontaneous enthusiasm among moms making DIY stuff or older kids on Tumblr.
DeleteEven though she's a niche product so far, I would have expected to find ONE non-adult-collector blog with a series of Lammily projects or a messageboard or a Tumblr or something.
Successful doll lines for kids (and unsuccessful ones, at that) all seem to start with four or five friends who want to spread love or who are secretly princesses or whatever.
april - Oh come on, I can just see all the beautiful designs you would make for Lammily. LOL! This version does need a makeover. Tamisha McPherson has done a nice makeover on all of her Lammily dolls. Just redoing the hair made a big difference. The second version is much better, but could also use a haircut. I wonder if the fact that this doll is only available online limits the number of little girls that would consider her. Girls tend to gravitate to extremes at time. Also the lack of marketing is most likely the main factor. Have you ever seen a Lammily commercial? If highly marketed like other dolls, I think girls would want her, too. The $25 price tag keeps her at bay for some. Girls don't really want just "pretty" dolls. Think Cabbage Patch, Bratz and Monster High. These dolls were successful because of the buzz created. There's not enough buzz around this doll to get a lot of girls interested.
DeleteVanessa, one of the other reasons I have not warmed up to this doll is because she was designed more as an "anti-Barbie" than as a toy for a kid. I have the impression that more time went into making a statement that creating something for the eyes of little girls. Cabbage patch dolls weren't pretty but there was a strong, huggable "cute" factor. The Bratz and Monster Highs have a certain teenage, spunk, sassiness and flirtatious look to them..elements that young kids love. I don't like the clothes they put on today's playline Barbies, but I understand their appeal (sparkle and all). Fact is...those Barbies in the little black dresses were not appealing to young customers who are drawn to brighter, more fun clothes. True, there hasn't been any marketing. But I feel even that wouldn't be enough. Personally I feel the designers really need to slip into the skin of a little girl and see the world of dolls through her eyes. Now, if Lammily was supposed to be for collectors...that's another discussion. Somebody has to design something for her to wear. I applaud you for taking on the challenge, my dear!!! Change my mind!!!
ReplyDeleteThe creator of the Lammily doll is a young man, and the first Lammily doll looks like him in female form. Once I saw him, I understood her look a little better.
DeleteLOL @ Lammily looking like her male creator.
DeleteOddly enough, the second doll looks a little better ;-)
D7ana - So nice to see you commenting. Hope you are doing well. In general I think some artists tend to create characters in their likeness. I don't think it's intentional, but it happens quite often.
DeleteI'm not to fond of Lammily but I might be eventually. The Moxie Teenz might work for the tall fashionista. They are fully articulated but not as much as Made-To-Move Barbie.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leandra! I've been meaning to find some of the Moxie Teenz since Muff used at least one of their bodies for one of her dolls. I hope to find them at a nice price though. Alas, I may have missed out on sales on them ;-P
DeleteIf none of the moxie girls are on sale another good option might be those dc superhero dolls. :)
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