Isn't this American Jane fabric adorable. I purchased it a while back to make a quilt for my grandson but since that hasn't happened yet (nor is it in the near future) I couldn't resist using it to make a little dress for my nieces, little girls first birthday.
Of course, I added some covered buttons...
and a beautiful red gross grain ribbon tied in the back just to finish it off.
I thought about buying her a Dick and Jane type book to go with it but then it dawned on me (at work while I was staring out my office window) that a little, old fashioned cloth doll would be darling.
I made a rough sketch right then and the wheels in my head began to turn in overdrive.
Last night I had a chance to make one up, with a matching dress, of course.
I just love it! I have some adjustments to make to the arms and my daughter says the head looks a little gumbyish so I will tweak that a little but overall I am so happy with her sweet face and playability. My three year old grandson loves her, too and has asked for a little boy doll of his own.
I was careful to think of a toddler playing with her so I made sure that nothing could come loose and cause any kind of choking hazard. As tempted as I was to use buttons to embellish, I stuck with simple embroidery stitches and think it looks quite charming in a rustic sort of way.
I hope she will be drug around, chewed on and played with for years to come. The best thing is she is completely washable.
The doll pattern is still in the tweaking stages. I'm hoping to add the dress and matching doll to my items for sale in a Christmas craft show I've been ask to sell at. What do you think? I'd love to hear...
Patty
Simplicity pattern# 5695
