It’s funny… my most glamorous doll on the shelf; the one with decal eyelashes and lip gloss is the one who surprised me and asked for something “casual” since it was her turn up for a new outfit… Yep, Chrissa asked specifically for a pair of straight leg jeans.
I didn’t have a pattern for a pair of jeans and I looked online only to find things that I could probably figure out… so I started drafting and came up with a pair that will be my “pattern proof” I guess. They aren’t totally perfect (but Chrissa doesn’t know it and I don’t think she cares.) Look at this smile on her face…
I bought this dress at the Goodwill and did so because it was super soft and lightweight and had LOTS of fabric in it. Who wants lightweight, thin jeans? Nobody…but this doesn’t look thin, yet it was VERY easy to sew… I have several different weights of jean dresses and chambray shirts that I have bought just for jeans.
I had made a pair of bell bottom pants for Julie a long time ago and I started with that pattern… narrowing the legs… it took a couple of tries to get it right…
I did the double topstitching on them, but didn’t add pockets in the front or back since this was just a first go around with them…
I also found a silver Faded Glory metal button in my stash!
The thing I don’t like about most doll jeans is how bulky and thick some of them look… especially around the waistline… so I opted to leave off the waistband and just use elastic in the back…
I think what I’d like to do is make them close in the back with velcro instead of using elastic… that way they would be smoother on her behind..
The back is definitely the area I need to work on… it looks like she has something stuffed in her pants… I showed my hubby and he said, “That’s not too glamorous looking.” I had to agree… The American Girl dolls do have a funny shaped behind… I think the waistline needs to be dropped down a bit… maybe 1/2″ or so… so they don’t look like Urkel pants…
The problem is, there are so many different sized waists on so many dolls… I would like to come up with a pattern that works for all, but for now, this will have to do… It’s just a matter of some tweaks….
I do like them from the front… except I will do my crotch seam differently… instead of sewing from ankle up to the crotch and down to the other ankle… (which is how MOST pants for dolls are made) they need to be stitched with each leg made and then sew the crotch seam from just below the zipper through the crotch and up to the back seam. Pants fit MUCH MUCH better when sewn this way. I didn’t do them this way on these jeans because I wasn’t even sure if they were going to fit Chrissa… (next time I will!)
So Chrissa has already picked out a pair of burgundy ankle boots…
…and told me she was happy with them…
Now I just need to find something fun to make for her top… :o)
I’ll see you tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
I didn’t see yesterday’s blog until tonight–because of the issue you mentioned with it not posting right away like it usually does. I usually get it twice–once from WordPress at about 1 a.m., and then 2-3 hours later from your website. If I miss the first one, I don’t generally see the second one until the next evening, when I’m on the computer again.
Sara’s box is fairly easy to open, IF you are careful (referring to yesterday’s post). If you are hoping to conserve the box that Sara comes in, a small wire cutter is your friend. I lay the blade against the cardboard and carefully snip the wire twist tie near the cardboard. Sure, you could untwist them but you’d have to take the box totally apart to get to them–and the base of the box (once the outer “folder” is removed) can actually be used as a bed for your doll! I think that might be a fun prop for you–add a chunk of foam for a mattress, cover it with fabric, and voila! A bed! Just thought I’d pass that tip along.
Now, to today’s post: Don’t you just love getting a largish garment at a small price, and end up with fabric to either use for “muslins” or for real finished garments?! I imagine that that dress has a fairly full skirt, which gave you a fair bit of yardage.
Chrissa’s jeans are looking good, and the button was a great find! Since AG’s rears Can be so different (my AbbyRose has a large tushie), I think you might want to make a couple of darts in the back before you put elastic in the back waist. It would draw the fabric in somewhat, but still leave room for those AGs that are more “well-endowed” in that area!! If you need to, you could trim the wedge of the dart down to 1/4″ and press it open, which would further reduce some bulk.
As to pockets, real ones really are quite fun on doll clothes, but you could also do some faux pockets with topstitching. (For a small doll, I would definitely go the “faux” route; for AGs and larger, it shouldn’t be too difficult to make real pockets, at least for the front.)
We got to see our grandson Isaac (19) today for a while; I just went along for the ride to pick him up, and then came home, and Isaac and Grandpa had a “guy day”–pizza (eaten in the car because we still can’t eat in restaurants in Wash. state), a haircut for Isaac, and then a trip to Target to see if there was something he might want to use his gift card on! Then Grandpa took him home. *I*, on the other hand, had a haircut and perm, and was very glad my meatloaf was all ready to go, because Ron wasn’t home yet when I got there, 45 minutes after it was supposed to be put in the oven!! So I got it in the oven, called Isaac (Ron’s cell phone was turned off…) and then waited for him to get home. We had a “fashionably late” dinner tonight (LOL)–but it was Good!!
Jeanne, things have not been quite right in being able to get to your blog for several weeks now. I am having to go through a “saved” one to get here. I used ot get one at 1 in the morning and at 5, but somehow the 1a.m. email is no longer there. Oh well, at least I can get the blog!
Chrissa is really a pretty doll! I love her blue eyes, and the jeans do bring them out! Maybe a top with blue in it would bring them out even more. The thing with doll pants or slacks or jeans, is it is very hard to be able to sit them down while they are wearing them, and still keep their back end covered!! Have you sat Chrissa down to see how that works in thos jeans? I really like the way they look, especially in the front, and if the elastic works, the top can cover it up. Of course, only “old ladies” wear pants with elastic waistbands! Ha! Ha! Count me in on some of them!
I can’t imagine getting a doll and keeping her in the box until later just to see her! I certainly would want ot see if I received the right doll and if she is OK! At least!! I’m sure she is tired of staying in the box and would like to see some daylight!!
Yes, some snow is supposedly coming, but will it stick? We aren’t expecting too much, but it will be cold and not go over 32 degrees today! Brr! A good day for sewing, painting, or anything inside!
Humm. Well, hate to say it, but the jeans do look like Mom jeans. The pressed line down the front and back are not usual on current jeans. I think having a fake front opening and velcro in the back without the elastic would help make a smoother look. But, the topstitching really gives them an authentic look. Maybe it is just the AG body, but they look pretty baggy all over. Lowering the waist line like you mentioned might help to make them more stylish. 🙂
When you get to letting Sara out of her box, it you check the interior head or foot board of the box (I can’t remember which), it can be pulled forward towards the middle easily and releases the whole interior cardboard to which the doll is attached. You don’t need to cut wires and risk damaging the doll. Once the cardboard is loose, turn it over and just untwist the wires. She’s free and the bed/box is undamaged. I have three doll beds and bedding that I made for the girls in 2019, from the boxes. 🙂 I would also check for dye bleeding from the clothing on the legs. If your girl has it, she should be returned. It is a problem on some.
High winds and lots of rain last night. Snow on the high hills too. Can’t wait to take a drive and get a look as it is clear today. 🙂
Joy, AG does make jeans that sit lower on the waist, but they aren’t right for my 40’s girls. I remember wearing jeans in the 40’s and they weren’t the stylish, slim kinds little girls wear now. They were baggy, and we even wore suspenders with them! They sat high on the waist, mainly because we didn’t really have a “shape” like the older girls did. I did find a pair of jeans for Molly that have elastic around the waist and are fuller in the leg. Those are the only ones she wears!
Joy, I didn’t know that about the interior “bed” part of the box! Where I looked, it seemed like I would have to cut tape and whatnot to get it out. thanks!
Joy, what town do you live in or closest to. I’d like to check your weather sometimes as I do with other friends across the country, and world 🌎 too, sometimes. I think we’re on the far southern end of this storm here in Garden Grove, California.
You must be psychic, Jeanne, as I was searching for jeans đź‘– yesterday! Yours are coming along. Lucky on the button. Is the gold stitching sewn with a heavier thread? Most jeans are worn with a shirt over the waist anyway, but AG bottoms are a problem.
I’ve found that American Girl furniture is a great size for the RRFF dolls. Bella is pretending to be my granddaughter, Riya, at the upright piano right now. AG dolls can’t sit at the pianos 🎹. I’ll let her try the grand piano next.
Hi, Susette. I’m up here in northern CA, Santa Rosa. 🙂
I have no problem receiving the blog. One appears in my inbox each morning and a send I think in promotions, have to check that tomorrow.
So, now I’ve heard it through the grapevine that you have Sara. She looks like a fun,sweet doll. Beyond the expense I would need another wardrobe, so I’ll just be enjoying yours. One size of doll really works best for me as they do live in different eras as do have somewhat separate wardrobes.
I’m laughing along with Susette. I was also looking at jeans yesterday (and various 1980’s nostalgia) and when you mentioned Chrissa was up next I thought you could make her into an 1980’s girl. Some girls did keep their hair straighter and her eyelashes and shiny lips are spot on. Yes, it came out in the 1970’s, but Lip Smacker was certainly an ’80’s thing. Time to make another one.. To be ’80s style of jeans she really needs a dropped yoke with pleats in front, no back pockets, of course, but you do have the tapered legs going. I really loved that style!
Chrissies jeans do look a little baggy. I have had the same problem with some of the patterns I have. The best fit I found was a Simplicity pattern. I’d have to check the number. That has darts as well as elastic. Of course, if you are going to be really modern they will have to be full of holes as well!!! Personally I refused to buy something that is already worn out before I get it! Someone (maybe Cinnamon from Pixie Faire) had a video on how to ‘distress’ jeans lol.
It got to 35C yesterday but today is cooler. 22C I believe. At the moment it is 17C (7 am), much more manageable. When my son had his stroke I went to help out in Melbourne in January, something I swore I would never do. It got to 43C on several consecutive days. It was like walking into a hot oven! The power was overloaded so the company shut it down so no air conditioning anywhere! At the time of ‘Black Friday’ when over 300 people died in fires in Victoria it had been over 46C for more than a week.
The community covid case we have hasn’t passed it on to anyone else thank goodness, however we have three more cases, all released from the same quarantine hotel, but they were advised to self isolate for a week after leaving which they did, so we are hoping there will be no repercussions from those cases either. We were supposed to start vaccinating everyone by March but that might be delayed. Other countries need it more at the moment. They are hoping that everyone will have their shot by Christmas but we will see.
Dear Jeanne, I like the jeans. I especially like them with the shoes she is modeling.
I like that you can dress them up or dress them down.
I can’t wait to see the top you make to go with them.
I have a pixie faire jeans pattern that I really like. The pattern pieces all look strange, but they fit the weird AG butts. The pattern also has real front and back pockets. Then it’s fun to pose your doll with a hand or thumb in the pocket.
The only problem I’ve had getting your email was yesterday so of course my imagination went wild and thought maybe you got sick…..so glad none of that happened!
Lots of good hints Charlotte, thanks
Love the jeans. I bought a pair for the little darlings at Convention one year and made a pattern which you are welcome to…it is made from stretchy fabric and a bear to get on but once they are on they look awesome. I agree the leg needs to be tighter on that set too.
You are right about the crotch seam going from back to front…better fit.
Another day at home…12+ inches of snow. Very pretty but very cold.
You’re welcome, Kathie!
I think it’s great that you are experimenting with jeans for the bigger folks. Your material looks great for the Jean look and it was a good way to find that material through the outfit from Goodwill.
Would you ever consider making for your shop, like the jewelry and half slips, a white muslin or cotton sleeveless slip so our dolls can wear them in between their outfits? I’m concerned about dyes staining the vinyl dolls’ arms or legs. Some of my dolls end up wearing an outfit for a while. At least for me not bring a person who sews, just a thought.
Paula, I’ve seen some great knit undies that fit nicely and cover body, arms, and legs to prevent that awful dye transfer. Kind of like a leotard. Great idea to protect a doll. Wish I had some for the girls here. 🙂 Maybe Jeanne will make some of those. I also always prewash any fabric I buy and if it doesn’t pass the dye test in the sink with suds, I don’t use it.
I think the jeans are cute, but I see all kinds of style these days so I figure anything goes. But it will be interesting to see what you end up with.
To add to the stress of these past couple weeks, David’s surgery has been postponed from tomorrow to Friday. They have an emergency heart surgery tomorrow. I’ll be praying for the person who took David’s place knowing they are in serious need. But there is an upside. We don’t have to get up at 4 a.m. in the morning. And there is an added plus. We usually go out to eat on Wednesday evening and then stop by Starbuck’s for a latte. With no surgery tomorrow we can do that. You’ve got to look for the positives where you can find them.
Dear Barbara, thanks for keeping us updated. And we will be praying for you and David. Enjoy Starbucks! I have not been there since the shut in. I miss my lattes.
Thanks Joy for the idea. Still would be nice gir dine slip like coverings. I’ve looked on eBay for old AMG slips, some okay, some are stained from storage and age.
And Jeanne, the word “ folks” is suppose to be the word “ dolls.”
Ha, ha, Paula! I thought for a minute you meant folks like me!