Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Sewing Lessons Learned...

Is something wrong with this picture???
I was so excited that I had finished my very first topsy turvy Wee wonderfuls doll ... I ran to show my hubby... and his first response....
"She either needs a TRIM? or a WAX!!!!"

AHHHHHHHHHHH....... so true!!!!!!!!!!... Sometimes nearly always we try and add our own little flair to a project to later find out there was a reason the original doll was supposed to have buns in her hair!
After a little thought... i decided it was a MUST to attach her pigtails to her head for fear of someone thinking the unthinkable!

Lesson Learned: Sometimes you really SHOULD follow the pattern.

#2.... Why did i choose dark brown hair?? The pattern specifically called for a light coloured wool. But no... i wanted brown didn't I... Well what do you get??

Greys!! Wiry Grey Hairs on my sweet little doll.

Lesson Learned... Stick to lighter coloured wool when making hair for your dolly.
#3.. In the Wee Wonderful Book she says to stuff the body firm. So i really did stuff her firm. I'm actually surprised the seams haven't popped! But there is a difference between firm and rock hard.
Well, mine is rock hard and now that she is made... some of the stuffing imperfections have become a little obvious!... Poor darling. She has a bad case of the double chin...

Lesson Learned.. Stuff Firm but not too much and check the visible spots, like the face for imperfections before you have finished!

Good thing our children are so little and innocent. Indi never even noticed anything wrong with her dolly.

Lucky for me... She thinks shes just perfect...... PHEW!!
I was thinking too, if i was going to make another one of these dolls, I think I would make the doll the same girl. But, one side make her sleeping... and the other side make her awake?? The awake dolly can have play clothes and the sleeping dolly have PJ's?? .......maybe one day!

Its funny how we venture out and make something totally new every once in a while. Come to think of it... We really learn little sewing lessons with each project we make. My first quilt is full of em!! Mistakes that is and I'm still learning..... You would think after making this little sunshine I would stick to quilts...??
Nah.. I'm off to tackle an Amy Butler bag next. I have NEVER made a bag before... so wish me luck!!

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31 comments:

  1. Aww Bec she is gorgeous. Indi looks absolutely thrilled.

    Kind of reminds me of those cupcake dolls I had as a kid - they came cupcake shaped and you'd flip the patty pan bit out to become the dolls dress (her body hidden inside) and the icing bit of the cupcake became her hat. They were scented too - I think mine was grape and my sister had blueberry.
    http://www.ghostofthedoll.co.uk/Toys_CupcakeDolls.htm

    Hmmmm... maybe I should make a Frankenstein version :)

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  2. That doll is gorgeous. I totally want to make one! I must say there is nothing wrong with a few bit of grey in dark hair I know I have some (under my dye of course lol)
    I'm not sure you could do PJ's with that pattern a nightie maybe.
    Bags are way easier than quilts!!!!!
    Good luck

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  3. Excellent job, I love how your black pigtails turned out once you sewed them down! I've been wanting to make a topsy-turvey doll for ages, bought a special pattern for one years ago, and also now have the Wee Wonderfuls book so I really should move it up my to-do list.

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  4. She is so cute! I love these dolls but with 2 boys I don't have much use for one...The hair dilemma was so funny but I love how you fixed her hairstyle!

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  5. My grandmother made me one of these when I was little. One side was Little Red Riding Hood. The flip side was Grandma with a bonnet/cap. BUT you could move the bonnet/cap around to reveal the wolf on the back side of grandma's head! You did a great job!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane :)

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  6. how do you find the time Mrs J. xxx Malinda

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  7. Small children are such wonderful recipients, aren't they?

    Good on you for venturing into new territory.

    I hope you are feeling much better than you have been.

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  8. Oh I just almost wet myself laughing! I love your doll though :D

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  9. That doll is AWESOME! And I laughed while reading this too! : )

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  10. wonderful job on the doll, and gorgeous lucky lil girl to own her too.

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  11. Looks like it is just perfect in those sweet little arms.

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  12. Hi! I think your dolls are beautiful and very cute! And they have great hairs!I haven't made any dolls of toys - but many bags yes. Good luck with your bag! x Teje

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  13. So cute. I made this doll for my granddaughter for Christmas. With dark hair too! I'm pretty sure I won't tackle this particular project again. But my granddaughter loves her, so it was all worthwhile.

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  14. Your post completely cracked me up. The best thing about our children is that they view the world through such innocent eyes. She doesn't see any of the "imperfections" you pointed out. To her, the doll is perfect! I love how she turned out, too, by the way! :)

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  15. ROFL at the wax/trim comment, so true! It's funny, I was holding my first bear the other day and realised he was a bit too soft, now mine are rather firmly stuffed, but you do have to kind of sculpt with the fabric as you go. Good luck with the AB bag, you may want little ears out of the way for when you start cursing both the cramp in your hand from the cutting, and the assembly instructions ;o)

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  16. Eeks, just lost my comment! Laughing myself sick here at the doll needing a wax! But she is gorgeous and I'm sure Indi will love her. As for the Amy Butler pattern - well, have fun, the bags are gorgeous but be patient because her patterns are unnecessarily complicated!

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  17. Your hubby is hilarious! Too funny! Love the doll, and your sweet girl seems pleased with her wonderful dolly.

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  18. What a gorgeous job you've done on the dolly!!! She is remarkable, really. Both girls have stunning yarn hair - your attention to detail is amazing. Good luck with the Amy Butler bag (which one are you making? I did the Blossom bag with two friends and have a review on an old post from November 2010). I'd say it's ambitious to tackle one of her patterns for your first bag, but after seeing your doll I know you'll do a great job!!

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  19. Beautiful doll and beautiful quilt... Good to laugh about our mistakes... ;-)

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  20. hilarious story :-) and what a lovely little girl you have!

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  21. Great job! Isn't it awesome that we all get to learn from our mistakes in life? And luckily you got a laugh out of it. :-) I just finished a throw quilt for a friend out of fabric from my stash that I bought 7 YEARS AGO! Pop on over and take a peek if you want --- http://enchantedschoolhouse.blogspot.com/2012/01/flower-quilt-is-finished.html

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  22. Love to know what pattern you used :)

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  23. Ok I'll admit that I'm laughing but you did a great job. I am thrilled to see this because I've been looking for a pattern like this. Was this from her book? I checked her store and don't see this doll there.

    Thanks for the help and for showing us what can go wrong when one doesn't follow the pattern. LOL

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  24. Such cute dolls. Have fun with the bag xxx

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  25. You are so funny! Your doll is gorgeous both ways. Your hubby needs to get his mind out of the gutter. :-) I'm impressed that after all that hard work, you are thinking of making another one so soon. It usually takes me a year or so to forget all the hard work and drum up the enthusiasm to make another one. In my case though, it is Quiet Books.

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  26. HAhahahaha!! Too funny! I remember having a doll like that as a girl, well not quite like that ;)
    It's very cute and your daughter is adorable!

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  27. This is just the cutest little dollie...or two! I love this! ♥

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  28. Two dolls in one ! That is so cool !!

    And the quilt in the background.. can you make me one ? It's so beautiful !!

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  29. I laughed and laughed...fabulous!

    xx

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  30. Thanks so much for sharing your "lessons learned"(along with those hysterical pictures!) - I would never have thought about wax jobs and gray hairs when making personalized adjustments to my doll!! You've saved me from some surprises of my own. Regardless, your doll is quite beautiful! Frankly, I like the dark hair look so much that I'll probably go ahead and live with the gray hairs. Besides, my dark hair has lots of little grays, so my doll will be even more a reflection of my own personal taste. :) I hope you have a great time making your bag!

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  31. I just ran into your blog and am so glad I did!! These little dolls are adorable... where did you find the book? I seriously NEED to make some for my grand daughters!
    I'll be following you ... thanks for the giggle!

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