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Finding Dolls to Recycle:
Check out thrift shops, garage sales, and flea markets. Ask friends and
family if they have discards. Sometimes
after Christmas or a birthday, a child is willing to donate a used toy for those
less fortunate. I seldom pay more than $3.00 for a doll. I have even purchased
new Barbie dolls on sale for that price.
I like dolls that are cute. Working
with them is much more fun. They have ranged from 6” to 30”, but lately most
of them have been around 10-12” tall. The smaller the
doll is, the more time consuming it is to find, make,
and fit a pattern. Barbies are lots
of fun (so many different kinds of garments to make), but I find they are more
difficult to sew for than the larger dolls. I used to sew lots of Barbie doll
clothes, but lately I prefer working with larger dolls.
The dolls should be fairly clean,
or at least “cleanable.” Sometimes you
can’t tell until you get them home and try to scrub them clean. (See CLEANING for helpful
hints.) Check
to see that the doll’s eyes open and close (if they are supposed
to), and that their limbs work properly.
Try to determine if you can fix their hair.
(See HAIR for hints on
cleaning and styling.)
Fabric:
Save your scraps and ask sewing friends for theirs.
Thrift shops are a great place to shop for bargains.
They have pretty sheets,
pillowcases, and curtains that can be cut up. For rain gear I have cut up the
fabric from broken umbrellas. I have even cut up old clothes
(less expensive than fabric by the yard). I love to recycle!
Check the remnant tables and $1.00/yard sales at your local fabric store.
Some online stores have fabric for $1/yard (see
Fabric under SOURCES
for web sites). Don’t get carried
away, however, and buy 10 yards of one fabric.
You may tire of it quickly. Besides
every doll should be unique, and it is fun changing the fabric and style to
match the “personality” of each one. I
know a lady who sews costumes for local theater groups who has given me lots of
fabric scraps and trim. They make gorgeous gowns and accessories for Barbies.
Also several ladies who do alterations and home deco have donated their
scraps.
Trim:
Sometimes thrift shops have
bags of scraps, lace & trim. Some
mail order stores offer “grab bags” of lace and trim especially for making doll
clothes. (See Trim under SOURCES.)
(Note: Regular grab bags have items that are not always appropriate for doll clothes.)
Buy lace, trim, bias, twill tape, and ribbon by the yard (less expensive
than the little packages). Or make
your own bias tape.
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Ribbon:
Buy ribbon that is finished on both sides (double sided) because it
is easier to make bows. The
ribbon can twist, but there is no “wrong” side showing.
Satin finish or Grosgrain in white and pastel colors, that is 3/8”
wide, is what I prefer. It can be used for bows and bonnet ties.
Ribbon that is 1/8" wide can be used for small bows to sew on panties,
diapers, etc.
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Twill tape:
My preference is 1/4” wide for most dolls, and 1/2” for very large dolls.
Use it for ties on bonnets, and handles on purses.
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Lace:
Ruffled lace is frillier, but flat lace is often easier to apply.
I like it about 3/4” wide.
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Eyelet:
Ruffled eyelet, 3/4” wide, is an easy substitute for a ruffle made out of
fabric.
It can be used to trim a bonnet, to make straps on a pinafore, under a skirt
as a petticoat, or as sleeves. (See Photos 1, 2 and 3.)
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Rick Rack:
I prefer the 1/4” width. For
larger dolls I use two rows, or use the 3/8” width.
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Bias binding:
I often make my own bias strips, from colorful second-hand sheets or
other fabric.
I cut the strips about 1” wide.
Unless I am using it to bind bibs, (when I want it pre-folded to sew
on in one application), I do not fold it like the bias binding you buy. I
leave it flat. Also, when purchasing it, by the yard, I buy the 1” wide unfolded
tape. Then when turning it to
the wrong side of the garment, I can make the trim as wide or as narrow as I
want. (See Binding,
under SEWING TIPS.)
Note:
One lady wrote in to say she names the dolls she donates, and makes them each a
small alphabet bracelet.
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