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How I Got Started Sewing 18" Doll Clothes for American Girl dolls and Maplelea dolls
I grew up in a house full of girls and a mother who sewed for all of us including herself. My first sewing machine was "one of those toy things," you know, the kind a child gets at Christmas. I started sewing Barbie doll clothes with scrap material my mother had saved.
When I was in grade school, they still offered Home Economics. There I learned the fundamentals of sewing by making pillows, and basic clothing items. I also asked my mother for help but I was not a patient student. I learned soon enough that it was better to read and follow the pattern than to rip out all of the seams and sew the same thing over again.
Over the years, I sewed a great deal for myself and then for my children.
In 2008, one of my sisters mentioned that her daughters would each be getting an 18-inch American Girl Doll for Christmas. I decided that I would make each of them some clothes for their dolls as my Christmas gift to them. As I finished each outfit, I was anxious to start on the next.
When my neices got together to play dolls with their friends, friends' mothers began to take notice of my creations. I was soon sewing for my neices' neighbours and their American Girl and Maplelea Dolls.
Up until recently, my neices' dolls acted as models for my outfits. Now I have my own doll, which I named Christina who is pictured in most images on this site, modelling my clothing.
Since I enjoyed sewing these outfits so much, I decided to try and take my hobby to the next level. In the fall of 2010, I took part in my first successful craft show, and have now launched my website.
I hope you, your girls and their dolls love their outfits as much as I love making them.
When I was in grade school, they still offered Home Economics. There I learned the fundamentals of sewing by making pillows, and basic clothing items. I also asked my mother for help but I was not a patient student. I learned soon enough that it was better to read and follow the pattern than to rip out all of the seams and sew the same thing over again.
Over the years, I sewed a great deal for myself and then for my children.
In 2008, one of my sisters mentioned that her daughters would each be getting an 18-inch American Girl Doll for Christmas. I decided that I would make each of them some clothes for their dolls as my Christmas gift to them. As I finished each outfit, I was anxious to start on the next.
When my neices got together to play dolls with their friends, friends' mothers began to take notice of my creations. I was soon sewing for my neices' neighbours and their American Girl and Maplelea Dolls.
Up until recently, my neices' dolls acted as models for my outfits. Now I have my own doll, which I named Christina who is pictured in most images on this site, modelling my clothing.
Since I enjoyed sewing these outfits so much, I decided to try and take my hobby to the next level. In the fall of 2010, I took part in my first successful craft show, and have now launched my website.
I hope you, your girls and their dolls love their outfits as much as I love making them.