Tag Archives: problem solving

Put on your thinking cap – make a fascinator!

I’ve said it before but it bears repeating – Custom Orders help us learn new things! It’s so easy to settle into a comfortable little rut. Stitching the same, favorite patterns over and over again. There’s nothing really wrong with that, at least occasionally. If, however, you’d like to be learning something new? It’s important to break away from that… Read more »

Designing Inspiration in the New Year!

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Here we are at the beginning of another NEW YEAR Hard to believe it’s 2018. I am not one to make a lot of specific resolutions, but I do like to have some loose plans directions I think I’m heading, things I’d like to move away from. I celebrated with the family I am blessed to have. My Honey Bunny,… Read more »

Photo Finish – from the fireplace to the frame!

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I love photography! I think I was doomed from the get-go because my parents and grandparents on both sides were snap happy, too! That said, I am unskilled. We were the $15 Instamatic sort of fans! I’ve graduated up to a $150 Canon that was a gift from my kids. It’s red, so they figured Mom would like it! Yes. Jane… Read more »

Super Skort – roping in a western look

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I recently found some cool ‘faux leather’ fabric at the local Walmart. I’ve since seen the same stuff at Hobby Lobby. Billed as a ‘tooled suede’ it is reminiscent of an upholstery vinyl. It has a softer, sueded surface with the embossed western tooled motif, on a stable knit backing. Here’s what that looks like. It is predominately polyester and rayon… Read more »

Detailing a dance outfit

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Continuing to work on the Super Skort Plus pattern in various sizes. Focusing on the next size to release, Hearts n Squirts This will fit American Girl/Mattel brand Wellie Wishers with cutting lines for the Hearts for Hearts doll, too. Final testing is done, but I’m continuing to finish samples to show buyers just what they can stitch up with… Read more »

Compare and Contrast Fit and Style on Similar Dolls

There’s a learning curve to everything, isn’t there? Fifteen years ago my daughter wanted a ‘real’ American Girl brand doll. We were not in a position to get one. I chanced upon a clearance sale for what appeared to be a similar doll, called a ‘Storybook Heirlooms’ doll. It was an 18″ doll and to my un-trained eye it looked… Read more »

Sweet Mouse Miss – New doll ‘n Swap Fabric details

I like to say that thrift store shopping is a little like searching for Prince Charming. You have to kiss a lot of toads before you meet a Handsome Prince! This week I met a prince! Ok, she was more of a Princess…this girl… lying in a glass case display, with nothing on but a price tag! (In case you’re wondering,… Read more »

Problem Solving – too big/poor fabric choice

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So, you start with a pattern: Simplicity 4786 And an idea, the coat shown in the middle. Of course I didn’t want to use fleece I had this cool eye-lash fabric in a tie-dyed yellow/pink blend. I should have known it didn’t have the necessary body. When it was finished it was Really Sad Completely limp Un-wearable…as a coat! BUT… Read more »