Hello everyone! We are back!!! Hooray!! And we are so glad to be back because that means that we are no longer so sick that we can’t move!! Yay!

Yes, I spent the last week of summer down with the flu, and then on the first day of school, the Little Miss went down too! 😦 

But we are back! And we are here to share our Sew Dolly adventures with you!  Before the flu plague hit our house, I was busy at the sewing machine doing some upcycling of some of the Little Miss’ outgrown clothes. I am so pleased with the results!

I love upcycling because it costs virtually nothing, and it gives new life to something that might otherwise just get thrown away. I’ve done a lot of upcycling in the past, mostly things that I didn’t want to part with, or favourite outfits of the Little Miss that she really wanted her dolls to have.

Here are a few of the doll outfits that I’ve upcycled in the past: The first three were made from some of the Little Miss’ favourite t-shirts. When working with jersey knit fabric, I always use a ballpoint needle sized 14/90 or 11/75 depending on how heavy the fabric is.  

I usually try to incorporate the original design into my upcycled doll clothing. Especially if there is a cute appliqué.

I usually use my tried and true patterns in my upcycled doll clothing adventures, such as doll leggings/pants patterns, and doll t-shirt patterns, but I wanted to try out some of the other patterns that I have been accumulating from Pixie Faire recently.

My first attempt was a baby doll dress using the Mulberry Street Baby Doll Dress Pattern. 

I think it turned out super cute! I made the dress from one of the Little Miss’ shirts. I even made the matching hair bow. I only made one mistake, and that was when I attached the skirt. It’s slightly off centre, but it’s not that noticeable, so I don’t mind. 

Next, I used the Ruffled T-shirt Dress Pattern by Heritage Doll Fashions to make this sweet little dress. 

When upcycling from knit t-shirts to doll clothes, I always like to remove the neckline ribbing, and then reattach it later. It gives a nicer finish at the neck. 

This next upcycle is my favourite. I had been wanting to upcycle this outfit because there was a pretty noticeable stain on the shirt, but also because the Little Miss wore this exact outfit when she was three. 🙂 

I used a generic doll t-shirt pattern for the shirt, and then I just made my own pattern for the skirt. I reused the ruffles on the original shirt sleeves too. I often try to reuse hems and ruffles. It makes for a nicer finish overall. 

Another upcycle from a favourite outfit of the Little Miss. Again I reused the ruffle on the original shirt sleeves as well as the ruffle at the bottom of the pants.

Believe it or not, I use the Heartwarming Pajama Pants pattern by Doll Tag Clothing for most of my pants upcycles. I just like the way they are cut. 

Okay, I have to say it, these are the cutest pants ever. ❤

I actually made this outfit out of two pairs of pants. I used the Liberty Jane Polo Shirt pattern, and I love how it turned out! This was a very easy pattern to follow, and the results are so professional. 🙂 

I usually forget to take before pictures of my upcycles, but for the last three I managed to get organized enough to take some. LOL! 🙂 So here goes:

BEFORE

AFTER

I used the Mulberry Street Garden Tea Dress Pattern to make this dress. A lovely friend of mine liked it so much that she asked if there was enough to make one for her. I promptly whipped up another one with the leftovers right away.

Here is a view from the back:

 I liked the bow in the front rather than in the back where the pattern has it placed.

BEFORE

 AFTER

I love all of the little details on this dress. I tried to make this dress as close to the original design as possible. 

I even reused the little flower shaped buttons at the shoulder. 

BEFORE

AFTER

I used The Friendship Garden Tie Blouse pattern by Peppermintsticks to make this little shirt. The Little Miss loved the original shirt so much that we actually got one for her in the next size up too. Now she can match her doll! ❤ 

Last but not least on Sew Dolly, we had to make something for the new Hearts for Hearts girls to wear. We recently acquired a few more of these dolls, but unfortunately some of them came without any clothes. We couldn’t have that!! 

Using the Maddy Lou Dress Pattern for Hearts for Hearts Girls, I whipped up a couple of cute dresses for them to wear! Too cute! 🙂

All in all I am very pleased with myself, especially with my efforts in upcycling. The Little Miss is tickled pink as well.

We are back in the swing of things what with school, and the new routine. I have to say, it’s good to be back! I am also so glad to be well, and I am looking forward to a new year!  

Happy back to school everybody!! 

Leave a comment below! 

❤ ❤ ❤

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