Well, the silent auction was a success…the winning bid was $38.40, so I’ll let the winner know, or they’ll probably recognize their bid and get in touch with me. Thanks so much!!
Looking at all the furry and polar fleece fabrics I have, I realized they were all too big for the 13″ Little Darlings that I sew for. I could have drafted a coat pattern but I remembered seeing one on Ebay and Etsy and decided to take the plunge and buy it so I could download the pattern and start on it immediately.
The pattern is from the Etsy Store “sewsallday.” She also goes by biscotti725 on Ebay.
The pattern went together pretty well. I opted not to line this first one I made, to see how it fit. I used a nice corduroy in an animal print for this coat too. Then I decided to add some black fur trim down the front and around the bottom. I haven’t finished the neckline, but will when I get back to it. Janie wanted to be my model for this coat…and doesn’t she look sweet?
(sorry, my lighting wasn’t the best at 12:30…)
I’ll have her put on some black boots and thigh highs and make a fun little cap!
Sewing with this black fur trim has turned my sewing room floor into a disaster…its everywhere. I tried to hit the trash can when I shook the fabric over it, but I guess you can see what happened…
I’ll see what I can get done on it next time I find some time…
See you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Janie does look very sweet. Can’t wait to see the finished outfit.
This pattern seems to be the ‘look of the season’ for Little Darlings. I got gifted a beautiful pale aqua one in the ning Snowy Day Swap, and there was a lovely sapphire blue one too. Lynda Chase creates some great patterns. I would post a photo of mine if it is possible
Keep warm all.
HI Jane,
Thanks so much for your sweet comments on Janie!
YES… we want to see your doll coats… you can send them to me in an email and I’ll post them… Just hit the Contact Me tab at the top of my blog or email me directly by copying and pasting this …. https://www.idreamofjeannemarie.com
Thanks Jane,
Blessing, Jeanne
What a darling coat, Jeanne! I love the fur trim, but your floor…………….! Sorry about that! Seems to me I used to have a corduroy vest of something like that when I was a teen, can’t remember exactly, but it sure does look familiar!
Does Janie have anything on underneath? it is such a good fitting coat, but if you had lining, it might be a bit tight at the top, especially with a dress on,but it fits so well, and the color of the coat makes her hair color pop!.
I’m familiar with Biscotti726, since I bought a handkerchief dress from her. Her patterns for sale are really cute, although I haven’t tried them. I’m not sure I would enjoy sewing for teensy dolls like that.
Jane, yes, post a picture of your coat! It sounds lovely!
Hi Linda,
My floor is covered from the trash can to the sewing machine… it’s a bit “hairy” in there! :o)
No, Janie is just in her undies under the coat. I did have to take a bit off the front seam to allow for no lining and to get the fur in the right place.
My lighting was pretty poor last night… it looks much prettier in person… it sort of has a greenish cast to it on my monitor…
It really isn’t that much harder to sew for the 13″ dolls than the 18″ dolls. The coat doesn’t have any tiny pieces… so it did go together pretty quickly.
Thanks Linda, Lots of sun today, but it SURE is cold isn’t it?
Blessings, Jeanne
Janie’s coat is lovely–sort of “Dr. Zhivago”-ish with the fur trim! I think corduroy was a good alternative to fleece on the smaller dolls. Can’t wait to see what you do for a hat for her!
HI Charlotte,
I used to have a tapestry coat similar to this style back in the 70’s and every time I look at Janie I see that coat of mine. I searched and searched for just the right fabric to make a coat for these smaller dolls and was pleased with the corduroy.
I already have a hat design in mind… :o)
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
I had a coat back in the 70s like that, too! It was black, with black “fur” trim. Very “mod”!! LOL
My dolls don’t have coats. when (any of ) you make them…do you fit them over clothes? or just ‘fit to the naked doll’? Obviously, I’ve never made a coat. LOL!! Just not sure if you ‘pose’ them with a dress – especially if the coat is a ‘closed’ type…?
HI Mary,
When I made Janie’s coat, I just used her naked to fit it… I have never really displayed my dolls in clothing as I just sew for them and then sell the outfits, so I usually have my dolls just in the coats, with nothing on underneath.
I think it’s time you made a coat!!! :o)
Blessings, Jeanne
I have the dolls wear the coats without clothes. They fit fairly closely and look nice. It’s a problem when getting the coats on over short sleeves, let along long sleeves (impossible). All of the coats I have overlap enough that anything underneath wouldn’t show in any case. Many are double-breasted. They look very stylish in their little coats, especially with the hats and mittens that go with them. Make sure they come with the coats as a set when buying them as those accessories are expensive when bought separately.
Hi Susette,
Unless the coat separates in the middle, there really isn’t any need to have something on underneath… that’s just what I think… ;o)
I love double breasted coats on dolls and people!
Thanks Susette,
Blessings, Jeanne
Janie is very elegant looking in that carefully created corduroy coat, Jeanne. It’s just lovely on her. Thanks for taking time to share…at 12:30 (AM?).
Blessings
Thank you Becky,
YES… it was 12:30 a.m. early this morning… and I was still up… seems to be a pattern with me that I’m trying to break but having a hard time doing so!
Thanks for the compliments on Janie’s coat. She is nice and cozy in it!
Blessings, Jeanne
Oh such a darling coat! I know that trim was a pain but it just makes the coat all the more darling. I’m looking forward to seeing her hat too. Perfect weather for warm furry coats. We might break 0 here today. Hope everyone stays warm.
Have a good day.
Take care.
HI Charlotte,
Thanks so much for your thoughts on Janie’s coat. I’m determined to get her hat done today!
We are at 17 degrees right now with a wind chill factor of 4 degrees. I’m still staying inside… the mail has come but I don’t want to go out there to get it… silly woman! :o)
Thanks Charlotte,
Blessings, Jeanne
Your floor doesn’t look bad at all. I spent an hour picking dropped pins out of the rug around my sewing machine area the other day. Not fun.
I think Janie needs a muff and a pair of ice skates to complete her winter look. Oh, maybe ear muffs too. How’s that coldness in your part of the country? We have had a few drips and drops but not nearly enough rain. At least I don’t have to water today. 🙂
HI Joy,
Oh no! Not the dreaded drop the old container of pins… been there, done that and it’s not fun! I hope you found every last one of them… without stepping on them.
The pattern has a muff with it… maybe ???
I just told Charlotte, we are at 17 degrees with a wind chill of 4 degrees… Spring come quickly! :o)
Thanks so much Joy,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi, the coat looks lovely! Just a tip for cutting fur fabrics, slide the scissors thru the pile, only cutting the backing. Less fluff floating around that way. 🙂 I make mohair bears, I’ve learned to be careful when cutting, so as not to ruin the pile. 🙂
HI Melody,
I might have to try that tip on this fabric… The black trim is that minky dot stuff.. . more slippery than anything you can imagine. But I might give your tip and try… because those little fur slivers are everywhere!
If you’d like, send me some pictures of your bears through my email… (Contact Me) tab at the top of my blog header.
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
Janie looks lovely, like a beautiful 1890s girl. The high neck sets off the perfect shape of her face and the color of her hair. Since you have fur, the muff Joy suggests might work really well. Besides, it would let you try Melody’s technique. Your floor and wastebasket looks like a couple of small animals had a large fight.
What about a white sleeveless top trimmed with a little lace and an A-line skirt for underneath? Maybe not white, since the coat isn’t lined. Something simple that wouldn’t really show, but she would be wearing something.
I’d love to see Jane’s coat and Melody’s bears.
HI Marilyn,
Janie does look sort of old fashioned in this style coat, doesn’t she? I think I will give that muff a try…
I had to laugh at your liking my floors and waste basket to an animal fight… it really does look bad in here!
I was thinking of adding something underneath the coat… to make it more of a set!
Yes, I want to see the coats and bears too!
Thanks Marilyn,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeannie.. it’s looking good! I have this pattern too and made it up in cranberry velveteen. The fur trim looks pretty but sure is a bear to work with for sure:)! (Watch out for the hat band .. it tends to run small.)
Cant wait to see it completed!
Thanks for the tips Shara,
I have some velveteen and thought about making it out of that, but wanted to try something cottony first… just to see the general fit. I bet yours was beautiful… Pictures? Email me them so I can show everyone your work.
I can’t wait to see it all finished either.
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne, Janie looks adorable. I bet all of her sisters are going to want their own coats. You just might be making a few more (smile).
Hi Dorothy,
I should have started on Monday and made a coat every day of this week…that would have been fun! I bet I do end up making a few more coats! :o)
Thanks so much,
Blessings, Jeanne
A very nice pattern, Jeanne, and Janie looks so cute and cozy warm. You are on a roll, and it must be quite chilly on the dolly shelf, so I think all the girls need warm coats–A Winter Fashion Show. Now that would be a challenge!
An animal fight, oh dear! Might have been scary for the girls. Almost looks like Reuben got a haircut!
Jane’s coat and Melody’s bears, oh yes, please send pictures to distract us from the cold! Stay warm and well, everyone.
Thank you, Anne,
I think all my girls are wanting new coats now.
It would be fun to make quite a few more…I’m hoping… :o)
I’ve got to get in my sewing room and finish things up…
I did get some pics from Jane and will be sharing them… :o)
Thank you Anne,
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne
I used this pattern to make the Snowy Day Swap for Jane. I used a very thin babywale corduroy and I found some in scale white fur on some Santa hats that I took apart. I also made the hat, muff and dress that comes with the pattern but I did think the muff was little too big so I cut it down a bit. It was the first time I used the pattern and I was thrilled that Jane liked it so much.
Lorna
Thanks so much, Lorna,
Your dress and coat are just beautiful. Jane sent me 2 pictures and I’ll share them tomorrow. It was a lovely outfit and makes me want to try another one.
I’m glad you mentioned the changes you made to the muff…
Thanks so much for your comments.
Blessings, Jeanne
Gorgeous! I love to sew and have been thinking of sewing dolls clothing but not sure what doll is the most popular to sew for.
Oh the mess that fur can make. The easiest way to get it up is with a large lint roller for your cloths and it works for those dreaded pin spills. lol.
Hi Sandra,
If you are already an accomplished seamstress, it’s easy to transition into making doll clothes. As far as knowing which doll to sew for, I would recommend starting with the 18″ American Girl dolls. They are very popular, patterns are very common and easy to find, and you have an endless supply of customers who will be interested in your outfits if they are made well.
I hope that helps…now to go find that lint roller! :o)
Thanks Sandra,
Blessings, Jeanne
Hi Jeanne – Enjoying all the lovely coats. Making me wish I had a beautiful, stylish coat with all this cold here in Michigan – 2 here now with clear sky and the most beautiful full moon.
My cuddle duds are getting a work out with all the cold weather.
I read your post about the silent auction but wasn’t able to participate. Can’t wait to hear who the lucky winner is. Janie looks beautiful, color is just perfect on her.
Your floor made me laugh. I also used to make teddy bears and Melody is absolutely correct. Believe I read that tip in one of my pattern books so I would use the smallest scissors I had and only cut through the backing – time consuming but well worth the finished product and not having fur tickling your nose and drifting all over your sewing room. I’d love to see Melody’s bears too.
Hi Leigh,
BRRR….-2 is way too cold for me…I’m about a 50 -70 degree gal…most days… I’ll take some snow, but the cold weather isn’t for me!!!
I just finished Janie hat and was looking for a little something to go with this set…also debating about making a dress to go underneath it.
I put some trim on Janie hat but forgot to give the tip about not cutting all the way through a try… maybe next time…
Blessings, Jeanne