~~~SEWING my way to POFQ ~ American Girl outfits & Custom Park Bags! ~~~

[DMGeurts]

I am sorry everyone... I know you're waiting....

Ummmm.... Well, you know the thing that DH wanted me to add... Yah - well, I just finished that part... It was worth all the effort - but it took waaaaaay longer than I'd planned...

I promise - it will only take me a an hour to assemble it in the morning... I will post pics just as soon as it's light enough.

D~

 

[DMGeurts]

just found this thread ... you are SO talented ... what you've created are just amazing. I need to learn how to make an ultimate park bag!

Thank you. I am glad you like my Ultimate Park Bag.

I got the offer in the mail today (been reading about it on the Budget forum) to listen to a phone pitch for DVC and then get a $40 gift card. Most say it's not too painful and the GC arrives quickly.

I hope it arrives soon!

I agree. I think for our New Year's resolutions we should all promise to include that photo is every single post we make on Andrea's PTR.

How about... Let's not, and say we did????

I don't know how it happened, but I went to Joann this afternoon to buy ONE spool of green thread. I bought three spools of thread and three yards of fabric!!!

Happens to me all the time... I went yesterday for ONE spool of cream thread... Walked out with 4 spools, 4 yards of fabric and a bazillion zippers... And I don't even like that store. I do have to say, I was very happy that they were finally starting to restock after the holiday rush... The last 3 times I've been there, their entire back wall was completly empty of fabric - I should have taken pictures.... It was awful.

Who in their right mind would make a patchwork quilt for a doll that lives in a box in the basement?!!??[/SIZE][/COLOR]

EXACTLY!!!!!! Now, you are finally starting to get it Cheryl. That whole sentance cracked me up... Maybe if you actually stored Dorrrine ON the box in the basement, with a spiffy new quilt on it (for a bed) - it might sound better. Just a thought....

Our new AG doll has already put her order in for a new quilt...to match the one I made my DD a few years ago. Unfortunately I no longer have any of the fabric left, and I bought it almost 9 years ago!

I think it is perfectly normal to make a quilt for a doll.......

I agree... I can't wait to see all these dolly quilts you all are making.... Ooooh, oooh, ooh - I have an idea.... I should bring quilt squares with me to WDW, and make a dolly sized autograph quilt - that would be adorable! Do you think the characters would have issues signing 2" squares though??? Of course, I would have to learn how to quilt though...

LOVE IT!!!!!! THAT IS SO CUTE! How precious!

OOOOOOHHHHH I LOVE THIS BAG! Too stinkin' cute!

Thanks... And thanks! Unfortunatly... Dd is afraid to carry the bag in the parks - she is afraid to scare all the kids. So, I am in the process of making her a different bag - based off of her true favorite movies - which I didn't know was her favorite movies... LOL

I nearly got kicked out of the church quilting group last year because my squares never quite met at the corners. I was surprised they sent me the announcment about the group beginning again this year -- I had a feeling they'd conveniently forget to let me know the dates.

This would not surprise me at all. Even I know that the squares are supposed to meet in the corners, and I don't quilt. Maybe you should go visit Nini before you start this year's quilting group???

Can't wait to see your new project

Welcome home Chiara... I can't wait to hear all about your trip, and how wonderful it was.

D~
I think I will blame you for my new obsession! I have made so many doll clothes in the last few weeks, I just HAD to have a dress form...so I bought the pattern to make one nd we are on our way to try and get it made tonight...might actually wait until tomorrow...

But I just thought I'd let you know it was all your fault! (has nothing to do with the fact that my DD wanted to make more clothes fro her doll....


Nini

ROFL... Ever notice how I get blamed for a lot around here???

I am glad that you and dd are having so much fun.... Just think of the hours of bonding that you are having that you maybe wouldn't have had before. I have such fond memories of the girls and I with all of our dolls - I wouldn't trade that for the world.

You know D~ expects you to send her the bill for anything that she's forced you to buy. She absolutely insists.

Thanks! And don't be shy about sending D~ the bill. Really!

Excuse me??? Cheryl is still after my address, if you can't tell... Some day she will let Dorrrine out of the box (rather than in the box) and she'll have fun - then she'll say... Awwww, D~ you don't have to pay for a thing - I am having so much fun, I am so glad that you forced me to buy this doll.

Alrighty everyone... I am headed to my sewing room in a few minutes here, so I can finish up the bag and get it posted.... As, it seems, 3 of you are waiting impatiently for me to post pictures.

Other than finishing my bag, I have no other plans to sew today. It was my bff's dd's birthday yesterday, so we are headed to her house to spend the day with her... Then, tonight, we are drinking some wine with our neighbors - our annual New Year's Eve tradition - and only once have I ever made it to New Year's... Usually I am sleeping at the table around 9pm.

I also need to do a review of the Keens I got in the mail... I will try to do that today, as well.

D~

 

[NiniMorris]

Welcome Back!! I can't believe it's over. I hope it was everything you were expecting and more!



You know D~ expects you to send her the bill for anything that she's forced you to buy. She absolutely insists.

With that in mind, I have a couple quilting questions for you. I don't expect you to give me a free lesson, just add the charges on to the bill for the dress form you're sending D~. I know she'd want to pay for anything related to AG sewing.

I'm hoping maybe I can figure out where I need to be more careful so the church ladies don't have to use non-church words when they look at my quilting.

I want my quilt to end up aproximately 18" by 24".

I cut 48 3 1/2"-squares. I sewed six to a row and made eight rows.

I ironed all the seams facing the same direction on each row. Should I pay attention to the seams so in ALL rows they're all going the same dirction or should I alternate which direction the seams are in each row?

I remember good old Eleanor Burns was always trimming things with her rotary cutter -- which back when she used to be on TV was a novelty to me. The edges of my rows are not a straight line. I have noticed that the flannel stretches when I sew the seam, even though it's only 3 1/2". I'm guessing I should even up all my rows. Is there a standard quilting formula, that if I started with 3 1/2" sqaures I should trim to 3 1/4" or should my edges be straight and I should be using Mr. Seam Ripper until they are???

I don't want you to fall asleep in the middle of reading this, so I guess that's my questions for tonight.

Thanks! And don't be shy about sending D~ the bill. Really!

I will give you my cheat for making the seams come together where I want them...I pin the seams.

By that I mean...I cut the squares the size I want (minus seam allowances) If I want 3 1/2 inch squares, I cut 4 inch squares (1/4 inch seam allowance on all sides.) I sew two squares together. I continue sewing 2 squares together until all the square have a partner. (this way it is easier to 'see' where one square might be a tad bit larger than its partner) . After they are all in a partnership, I take two sets and sew them together end to end. Again, you can see if the squares might be a tad bit larger than its neighbors. After I have the number of strips I need...I take two of the long strips and start putting them together.

I put a single pin at each seam. don't worry about the rest of the fabric. If they don't match up exactly, I fudge a bit...by pulling and stretching (or bunching) the fabric in the middle. As long as each seam is in the right place, the rest kind of falls in place. Since, at this point, you are only worried about one piece of fabric at a time ...one seam at a time matching up...it works.

As long as all the seams match up in a grid, the rest falls together pretty easy. This is the method we used for my then 8 year old's first quilt. Her seam allowances were WAY off. But in the finished product they all looked very, very even!

I don't trim the finished quilt until after the quilting is done. Sometimes that extra fabric is needed when it is time to bind the quilt.


As far as ironing...I do iron, but I don't worry that much as to which way the seam allowance goes...I just make sure that each strip goes in the same way. (you are supposed to make each two strips go in opposing direction to make it come together easier...but i generally don't worry with it too much!)

Ok...this was supposed to be a quick explanation and I was going to give you a more detailed explanation later...sorry it got so detailed....


If you have any more questions...let me know. I can confuse people just as well as the next person! LOL!


By the way...the mannequin is almost finished. I didn't have any stuffing! I spend three hours cutting batting in to tiny strips and squares to stuff the mannequin...then I realized it needed something like a large bead or Christmas Ornament on top...which I don't have handy...so I have to go shopping to get that. (to anyone thinking of purchasing the pattern...there is a free pattern available from the DIY Dish. They don't call it an AG dress form...they call it a pin cushion...but it is the same. I'm not sure if it is the same size....but I'm sure 'someone' can check on that for you....)

*** Just checked...the dimensions are very small for the pin cushion. it is about the same length as the one for the AG, but only about a fourth as wide. I guess you really would have to purchase the one from Liberty Jane to get the exact pattern...unless you were crafty enough to come up with your own pattern!~


Nini

 

[DMGeurts]

Oh, and ACK!!!! I forgot to tell you all.... I found another pair of shoes I am dying to get for our AK days... I am trying sooooo hard to resist, but they would be perfect! I have the perfect outfits to create around these shoes and even (another) coordinating bag...

OK fine, twist my arm... I'll show you a picture...

Aren't they CUTE???? OK, I confess... Since I have PF(plantar fascitis) - I can only wear certain shoes, and most of them look like they are orthopedic shoes... So, it's very rare that there is a cute shoe out there that is rated high for those with pf... And this shoe rates really high. But, I would have to buy them right now, so I could break them in before our trip (of course, my trusty flip flops would be carried every day, as a back up)... But I could totally see myself wearing these shoes to AK!!

OK - I am done with shoe shopping today....

D~ <----- Josh has said, for years, that I have a shoe problem, I didn't believe him...

 

[blessedmom4]

Oh, and ACK!!!! I forgot to tell you all.... I found another pair of shoes I am dying to get for our AK days... I am trying sooooo hard to resist, but they would be perfect! I have the perfect outfits to create around these shoes and even (another) coordinating bag...

OK fine, twist my arm... I'll show you a picture...

Aren't they CUTE???? OK, I confess... Since I have PF(plantar fascitis) - I can only wear certain shoes, and most of them look like they are orthopedic shoes... So, it's very rare that there is a cute shoe out there that is rated high for those with pf... And this shoe rates really high. But, I would have to buy them right now, so I could break them in before our trip (of course, my trusty flip flops would be carried every day, as a back up)... But I could totally see myself wearing these shoes to AK!!

OK - I am done with shoe shopping today....

D~ <----- Josh has said, for years, that I have a shoe problem, I didn't believe him...

OH MY GOSH!!! I love these!!!! I have PF too and you are right this is perfect! What is the brand, do you have a link??? I can't buy them but I can drool!

Did I ever tell you while in high school I did shoe modeling at shoe shows??? I didn't get paid much BUT I got a MUCH better perk...any and ALL the shoes I wanted (and lots I didn't, the manufacturers would try to woo me to get my boss to buy their shoes for our store)! I had over ***GULP*** 500 pairs of shoes! I had the perfect size 6 foot (THEN, not now after four children ). I DID share with my friends...but most of them had a foot that was too big...and my MOM's foot was too small!!!...SO, now you know another fact about me you never knew (or wanted to know...I just LOVE shoes though and never get to wear pretty ones anymore)

STALKING YOU for your latest creation!

 

[blessedmom4]

I agree. I think for our New Year's resolutions we should all promise to include that photo is every single post we make on Andrea's PTR.

[/B][/SIZE][/COLOR]

That is an EXCELLENT IDEA!!!

As for D~'s address...I have it although I could NEVER sell it.....


But I might be bribed with the right sewing ensemble...or shoes....

 

[cogero]

Oh, and ACK!!!! I forgot to tell you all.... I found another pair of shoes I am dying to get for our AK days... I am trying sooooo hard to resist, but they would be perfect! I have the perfect outfits to create around these shoes and even (another) coordinating bag...

OK fine, twist my arm... I'll show you a picture...

.

ooh I love those shoes.

 

[miprender]

Still waiting for your new creation!!

.

(Now that I see the photo again seems like the skirt may be a bit short.)

It is a little short but that wouldn't surprise me after Dorrrine has been hanging around with Ginger and Rod

I nearly got kicked out of the church quilting group last year because my squares never quite met at the corners. I was surprised they sent me the announcment about the group beginning again this year -- I had a feeling they'd conveniently forget to let me know the dates.

It's going to have a variety of fabrics -- cotton, flannel and minkly or plushie stuff. I hope that's a "style" and not just breaking quilting rules. It's what Dorrrine asked for, so my hands are tied.

You think it was your sewing. It might be that your BFF is Ginger

...

Those are cute!

Did I ever tell you while in high school I did shoe modeling at shoe shows??? I didn't get paid much BUT I got a MUCH better perk...any and ALL the shoes I wanted (and lots I didn't, the manufacturers would try to woo me to get my boss to buy their shoes for our store)! I had over ***GULP*** 500 pairs of shoes! I had the perfect size 6 foot (THEN, not now after four children ). I DID share with my friends...but most of them had a foot that was too big...and my MOM's foot was too small!!!...SO, now you know another fact about me you never knew (or wanted to know...I just LOVE shoes though and never get to wear pretty ones anymore)

!

WOW size 6! I have HUGE Size 9 Feet.

 

[Lidian]

Oh, and ACK!!!! I forgot to tell you all.... I found another pair of shoes I am dying to get for our AK days... I am trying sooooo hard to resist, but they would be perfect! I have the perfect outfits to create around these shoes and even (another) coordinating bag...

OK fine, twist my arm... I'll show you a picture...

Aren't they CUTE???? OK, I confess... Since I have PF(plantar fascitis) - I can only wear certain shoes, and most of them look like they are orthopedic shoes... So, it's very rare that there is a cute shoe out there that is rated high for those with pf... And this shoe rates really high. But, I would have to buy them right now, so I could break them in before our trip (of course, my trusty flip flops would be carried every day, as a back up)... But I could totally see myself wearing these shoes to AK!!

OK - I am done with shoe shopping today....

D~ <----- Josh has said, for years, that I have a shoe problem, I didn't believe him...

HOW ADORABLE! I totally want a pair!

 

[DMGeurts]

OK, so here is another personal bag for me to carry on our trip... I made it almost 2" deeper than the girls', because I wanted to use it as my carry-on, as well.

I loved the theme of the sample Meduim Autograph Bag so much, that I just wanted one for myself...

I quilted it, rather than interfacing it, because I wanted it to be softer - it took a very long time to quilt, and Victoria quilted about half the pieces for me. She did a great job, and is really doing an awful lot to help me out in the sewing room these days.

I also quilted the interior pocket.

I added box pleats to the main pockets under the flap and side pockets. I also line the interior of the box pleats, so when you have stuff in the pockets, they open up to reveal the lining.

I added a slip in pocket to the back, and I quilted that, as well.

Front:

Applique close-up, this is a huge applique... Woody's face is bigger than my hand!:

Under the flap:

I put box pleats in all the pockets, and I just love how the pleats open up to reveal cow print:

Looking down into one of the pockets under the flap:

Side pockets:

Looking down into the main part of the bag:

Revised interior quilted pocket - that I like so much better:

Interior zipper pocket:

And I lined it with COW:

Back... This is what Josh wanted me to add to the bag - it's not often that he makes requests for me, so I really felt it was important to include it...

Inside the back slip in pocket:

Victoria was kind enough to model the bag for me, so you could see the size relativity...

Over all, I am very happy with how it turned out - however, now that it's finished, I am uncertain if it's too big to use in the parks. For a carry-on size, it's perfect - but as a park bag - I am just not sure??? THoughts???

D~ <--- Who just realized she forgot her LGMH!!!

 

[RyansMommy1]

LOVEEE IT!!!

Perfect as a carry-on! What do you carry around the parks? I guess that's hhow you will judge if it is to big?-- or maybe just a trial?

 

[nowellsl]

That new bag is awesome! It is much bigger than I like to carry in the park, but it is perfect for a carry on bag! I find that the bigger the bag you carry, the more other people ask you to carry their stuff too

 

[DMGeurts]

^ I was worried you all would say that... Now I am going to have to make another one to carry in the parks... ACK!!!!

D~

 

[RyansMommy1]

^ I was worried you all would say that... Now I am going to have to make another one to carry in the parks... ACK!!!!

D~

Take it to the mall for an hour with everything you would carry in the park and see how it feels after an hour... We could be over reacting!

 

[Corrine 1973]

Love the shoes, Love the bag, but it might be a little big for the parks. I like the idea of trying it out at the mall to test it out.

 

[poisonapple_PRINCESS]

I LOVE THE TOY STORY BAG!!!

It does look a little big for in the parks. MY bag was perfect as a park bag! It fit on all the rides. Held everything I wanted it too. Looked awesome. Pat had a big honkin' back pack for our whole trip though. So it just really depends on what you want to carry.

I think the idea someone posted about taking it to the mall with everything you want in it at the parks is a great idea!

Here's a photo of me with my bag.....just because I love it so much....

 

[cogero]

I LOVE THE TOY STORY BAG!!!

It does look a little big for in the parks. MY bag was perfect as a park bag! It fit on all the rides. Held everything I wanted it too. Looked awesome. Pat had a big honkin' back pack for our whole trip though. So it just really depends on what you want to carry.

I think the idea someone posted about taking it to the mall with everything you want in it at the parks is a great idea!

Here's a photo of me with my bag.....just because I love it so much....

I love your bag

OK, so here is another personal bag for me to carry on our trip... I made it almost 2" deeper than the girls', because I wanted to use it as my carry-on, as well.

I loved the theme of the sample Meduim Autograph Bag so much, that I just wanted one for myself...

I quilted it, rather than interfacing it, because I wanted it to be softer - it took a very long time to quilt, and Victoria quilted about half the pieces for me. She did a great job, and is really doing an awful lot to help me out in the sewing room these days.

I also quilted the interior pocket.

I added box pleats to the main pockets under the flap and side pockets. I also line the interior of the box pleats, so when you have stuff in the pockets, they open up to reveal the lining.

I added a slip in pocket to the back, and I quilted that, as well.

Front:

Applique close-up, this is a huge applique... Woody's face is bigger than my hand!:

Under the flap:

I put box pleats in all the pockets, and I just love how the pleats open up to reveal cow print:

Looking down into one of the pockets under the flap:

Side pockets:

Looking down into the main part of the bag:

Revised interior quilted pocket - that I like so much better:

Interior zipper pocket:

And I lined it with COW:

Back... This is what Josh wanted me to add to the bag - it's not often that he makes requests for me, so I really felt it was important to include it...

Inside the back slip in pocket:

Victoria was kind enough to model the bag for me, so you could see the size relativity...

Over all, I am very happy with how it turned out - however, now that it's finished, I am uncertain if it's too big to use in the parks. For a carry-on size, it's perfect - but as a park bag - I am just not sure??? THoughts???

D~ <--- Who just realized she forgot her LGMH!!!

this is fabulous. I love it. I like the suggestion of carrying it around the mall for an hour or two.

I think Slinky Dog is my favorite part of the bag.

 

[solana131]

Its not any bigger than some of those backpacks people carry around all day. It might be a little big for rides, but if you used it for a DTD day or something it could work. Just be sure to make up business cards and have them with you. You will get alot of comments and requests for this one Love it!

 

[blessedmom4]

I love the bag and it was so worth the wait!!! I agree you MIGHT want something a bit smaller to carry around all day. That bag would be the PERFECT size to hook on the back of Lisa's wheelchair ...I am just saying...Might make a NEW item to your line of beautiful items you make to help buy more shoes...or go back to Disney!

 

[BridgetR3]

Your bags are AMAZING!!!! I still can't believe you have only been sewing a year!!!

I have a question - For your appliques, do you have a special embroidery machine? I hear you talk about Patience and Rocket but I have no idea what they really are other than sewing machines.

If you do use a special machine, which embroidery machine do you all suggest?