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Y'know what ? A year or so ago, I was scared to death of my sewing
machine and hated to waste even scrap and free fabric by even trying to sew anything unless I was guaranteed success. Pretty
stupid - you'd think I was six years old, not 37 ! Ain't nothin' guaranteed, and ya won't learn nothin' 'til you try. I've
learned more from my failures than my successes. It's usually that way.
Oh, I told people I sewed. Bought tons of fabric and notions and
patterns, spent hours taking apart human clothes for doll clothes, and was frequently seen reading the sewing machine's manual
or pattern directions. When pushed (internally or externally), I'd knock together something, usually hand-sewn, that looked
like crap and further pushed me away from what I said I wanted to do.
Then, for reasons too messy to get into, I had to choose what
I wanted to come with me, and what I was ready to leave behind. I could easily have left the sewing machine on the scavenger
pile and not felt guilty or bad about it. But I always thought someday, I'd sew. I really wanted to !
And one day, when the house was reasonably clean and I had most
of my sewing stuff in order, I did. I don't know why I chose that day over any other, or even remember exactly what day it
was. But there's been no turning back -I'm addicted ! I usually make at least one new doll outfit or something a day. Oh,
I'll take a day off or three, but during that time, I dream of what I have, what I want to do, and I'll study my patterns
and resources like a general surveying the troops and the lay of the battlefield !
So after two years of preparation, I've spent one year sewing.
And I have made some colossal mistakes ! But there's ways to salvage any error...
1) Finished outfit is too small.
It happens. Sometimes I didn't pay attention to what type of fabric the
pattern calls for, or I forgot to insure the printer scaled it correctly. Occasionally, I think I know better than the
pattern and ignore everything it says.
But there's lots of ways to fix this ! It may not fit the Barbie on the sewing
table, but it might fit another doll. Unless your collection is strictly Barbie-only, check your other dolls. They usually
have different shapes, especially if they're from toy companies that only rarely make dolls. A blouse that's too tight on
Barbie might fit Teen Skipper or an Olsen Twin. Or Maxie, or Lisa Hayes, or even Jem. You may find yourself trying your latest
creation on every doll you own, like it's Cinderella's famed slipper, looking for what fits who best.
You can always alter it. Too tight at the bottom ? Consider splitting the side
seams for sexy slits. Won't close in the back ? Hooks and eyes are cool - or just the 'eye' part, threaded through with ribbon.
Yow ! Pullover shirt's too small to go over the doll's head ? Split it down the back, hem on each side, and now it's a jacket
or vest - or it's ready for those eyes and ribbon ! If you're not picky, it might not matter if a safety pin's holding it
closed in the back, long as it's hidden in the front.
2) Outfit's too big.
It's rare for me to have a problem with 'too big'. It'll often fit Ken or Leia
or Jem - or I'll simply decide I like that 'big' look !
Again, some alterations may be in order. Nips and tucks might help, or some strategic
cinching disguised with a ribbon belt or other decorations. Or add a wide section of gathered lace - eyelet's good, for no
see-through ! - to make it even longer, so your supposed-to-be-a-t-shirt becomes a cute little minidress that isn't a butt
duster that'd embarass Sailor Moon.
3) Dadratted sewing machine won't sew straight !
I have lots of problems sewing stretchy knits, even though I've gotten better through
practice and focused application of foreign-language swear words. But my stitching line does go all over the place sometimes,
no matter what fabric or verbiage I use. So I cheat. I hand-sew lace or ribbon over the bad stitches. I'll tack down
a troublesome hem by hand, then go over it with the machine and remove my never-straight hand sewing. Yeah, hand-sewing's
a pain in the adenoids and takes for-freakin'- ever, but sometimes it's faster than redoing a tiny hem six times and wrecking
the nearly complete garment.
One thing I just learned the hard way - PLEASE, I'm begging you, remove pins before
you sew over 'em. If needle hits pin, it can lead to eye injury, machine damage, all sorts of nasties that'll totally ruin
your day. It'll even throw your sewing off, due to the riccochet. I broke my first sewing machine, a $50. Singer, when I hit
a pin and it broke off something inside. Machine was completely unsalvageable, and I was heartbroken. Until I got a new one,
which I love and protect by doing my best to keep pins out of the feed dogs' reach.
Plus, taking a second to remove a pin may actually improve your concentration.
It gives you a break, a reason to look away and stop for just a second, and keeps your eyes focused. Makes sense that a simple
thing can protect your beautiful eyes, your beloved machine, and your patience.
4)One sleeve/leg/side is longer than the other.
Ya know, one of the good things about sewin' for dolls is that stuff like that's
rarely noticeable. Tuck pants into boots, pull up sleeves, or re-hem or re-sew if you need to. Or go all the way and announce
loftily, 'It's asymmetrical.' Or 'That sleeve's shorter so you can see her charm bracelet...now where did that microscopic
thing go ?' Go all the way and dip into the 80s and have fun. Cut off that naughty sleeve and leave the other intact. Revel
in your fashion rebellion ! Make your doll the latest in Flo-Jo suits. Bet she'd like it.
Half the time, I fix parallel-type issues by simply playing with the fit. Make
sure the collar's lying flat before altering sleeves - it may simply not be sitting on the doll correctly. Pull one leg down
a bit firmer, let the other relax. They probably match close enough for you not to mess with further, and you can always save
the quest for perfection for your next attempt. Remember, you're the designer and creator, and your word is law !
Yeah, most of this prattle is obvious. But knowing there's a simple fix for nearly any error helps all our
confidence levels, maybe enough to get you started. For that, I'll gladly be obvious all day ! Everybody that ever sewed has
made some real horrors, so don't get discouraged. Even the worst horror you ever make may be priceless, in experience and
bravery.
Now, go sew ! Or at least stare at pattern books...
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