Dear Hannah,

Didn't we have a fun day in your sewing class?  I just know all the adults are going to want to come take "your" class when they see what we made!  And, what?  We did it all in about 3 hours???

You know what we forgot to do?  Take photos of the kids clothes before we cut them up!!!  Oh well.....

Here's the photo of you with your doll.  We made the vest and skirt out of suede.  Now, I think we were just way too brave using fur lined suede for our first project!  Remember, we used a size 19 needle to get through that thick fabric.   The thicker the fabric, the bigger the needle size for your sewing machine!

Then we made this t-shirt and pants.  I think we were in a "pink" mood!!!  So with thinner fabric like this, we used a size 11 needle.

You learned how to position a pattern on a kids shirt to take advantage of the pre-existing embellishments, hem, and even a side seam.  That's how we made so many outfits in such a short time.....we let someone else do all the work!

The same thing happened with the jeans.  We used the embroidery from the bottom of a size 12 month old pants, used the hem and used the outside seams.  All we had to do was sew the inside seams and the waist.  I think we decided we made these pants in 30 mintues.  WOW!!  And aren't they just too cute?  Especially with that t-shirt!

While you and I were busy sewing up a storm, your sister (age 6) and your mom decorated this apron for her and then we stitched up an apron for her doll that she deocrated to match.  If you click on it, you can enlarge it and I think you can see the candy store she made on her apron!  Just too clever if you ask me!!!

Poor mom.....she had to help your sister while she was taking notes on what I was teaching you!  Did she go home and take a long nap???  Or did you all go bake cookies in the kitchen???

So, I have a surprise for you!  Remember I kept the scraps from that cute little suede jumper?  Well....I turned them into a pair of shoes for your doll!!!  And now, I'm working on a matching book bag for her to carry on her shoulder!  

I guess that means we definitely have to get together for another sewing class real soon!  Remember - you have to make 3 complete outfits on your own, then you can come back and I'll teach you how to set sleeves, and we'll learn the snap stitch!

I hope you had a great time.....but there's no way you had more fun than I did!  I really think you have the best dressed doll in the whole world!  

Love,

Miss Jen

American Girl Doll - Day 2 - more on making new clothes from old clothes

Dear Hannah,

Just this morning, I made my model a new t-shirt, hat and jeans.    So first.  The t-shirt was made from a size 3 month onsesie:

I really liked the flowers in the center of it. But guess what?  I thought I could get a tshirt and panties out of this.  Nope, not near enough fabric.  So, just the t-shirt.

The flowers were just perfect!

Next I took a baby knitted cap:

and cut it down to her size.  Then I added leftover flowers from yesterday's sweater.  So I totally love the hat and t-shirt!

and when you add the sweater.....just perfect!

Well, after all this, I decided she needed new jeans.  I took a pair of jeans for an 18 month old

I wanted to use the embroidery that was already on them

And here's the cool thing.  By using existing seams and hems, you actually cut your sewing time by more than half. So the key is how you lay the pattern on - and I'll be showing you just how to do that!

The jeans came out perfect!

and now....my thrift store American Girl doll is more stylin' than any doll and outfit from the American Girl store!!!

It's just.....she has no name!  Hannah! I need your help! What shall we call her?

Love,
Jen

American Girl Doll Sewing Classes

Dear Hannah,

I was 9 years old (pretty close to your age) when I first learned how to sew.  I remember that my mom had a whole cabinet filled with fabric...still on the bolt.  I didn't have to go to the store to find anything....she had it all right in our house.  I was pretty lucky.  But today, fabric is really expensive. And when you add all the pretty lace, trim and other things, it can get really expensive.  So I thought I'd show you how to buy old clothes at a thrift store and turn them into something wonderful for your American Girl Doll!!!

But first.....get mom or dad to take you to Hobby Lobby this week. All the American Girl doll patterns in the Simplicity catalog are on sale for just 99 cents!  Now, that's a great deal!!!

I bought this sweater today for $2.99 at a thrift store.  It's for an 18 month old girl.  You can see that it's a whole lot bigger than the pattern:

I laid out the pattern, and cut the sweater down to about 1/3 the size that it is.  That's one of the things I can teach you how to do when you come to class.  Then I sewed it all back together and just look at what a beautiful sweater it made for my American Girl model:

Not only is the fabric cheaper, but I could use the pretty embrodery that was already on it:

and just look at the beautiful border around the neck, down the front and around the bottom.  I couldn't buy that in a fabric store!

and I even kept the flower that was in middle of the back!  It only took me about an hour to make the whole thing!

And as you know,  I was so lucky because I found this American Girl doll at a thrift store for just $4.99.  But she needs a whole new wardrobe, so we are going to work on that this week.

 Next time I'm going to show you how to take a little girl's t-shirt and turn it into a t-shirt for your doll plus a matching pair of panties!!!

I can't wait til you come to class.  But you need to go find something at a thrift store that you can turn into a pretty outfit for your doll!!!  

One of the best things I ever did was to learn how to sew.  I hope you will love it as much as I do!

Love,

Jen