Now Playing: "Caddyshack" - for laughs, and because it ain't Star Wars.
Current Mood : Celebrating ! Wheeeee !
Oh, the weather outside was frightful, and it still is. Icicles on the overgrown rosebush under the office window grew from an inch to three inches long as the day progressed. And the worst is predicted still to come. Perfect day for staying warm and snug inside, with yesterday's cookies and a challenge.
A few weeks ago, I found several adorable flannel prints at Mal-Wart, and I could literally *see* a pair of pajamas for Elphie in the variegated pink with white stars and moons. Only two problems with my little vision - Elphie hates pink, and the pjs I saw in my mind had your typical notched-lapel collar. I have yet to have a true success with notched collars or lapels, even with Simplicity-type patterns and directions. I just didn't ‘get' how to sew them. Some block in my mind simply doesn't decode it the way I needed so I could understand it correctly, or something. But I bought a half-yard of three flannel prints anyway, including the pink with stars, knowing that flannel's not terribly stable, and doesn't put up with a lot of handling. My vision of Elphie's pjs was just too clear and sharp.
Before I had the flannel washed, I had a photo essay brewing in my mind, and it included an explanation of how Elphie got caught wearing pink. I hope to get that started on the main page tomorrow. Kind of a ‘Winter is...' kind of thing. The Kohl's sweaters, some Happy Meal toys, and an action figure feature prominently, as well as whatever else I can come up with as the season continues. I figure that once Winter '07 is over, I can store it in a photo album and link it to the main site.
Well, I have the Kohl's sweaters, and some of the toys I want...what about Elphie's pajamas ? The fabric's been sitting around since October or so, waiting for me to take a breath and take the chance. With a miserable day outside, it was a great day for hanging out with a warm sewing machine located right over a heating vent and do it !
I've tried the ‘simple, basic' notched collar a few dozen times. Mostly on Fiyero wear, and it never came out right. Didn't matter if I used a kitchen-table type pattern or a commercial one, I just never ‘got' it. Or got it right. So today, I went for broke. Pulled up Doll Shop Deluxe and printed out an ‘unfitted shell' blouse, with the dreaded notched collar and full button front. Got it all Fray-Checked and ready to go.
Now, bear in mind that DSD does *not* have directions for anything. And if Simplicity says ‘sew this, then this, then attach this to that', it's a virtual guarantee that if you try that same order and procedure with DSD, you'll end up with a waste of time and material. Ask me how I know. (sigh) But the only way through it is to do it, and futzing around with it until it made sense to me was probably gonna be the only way I could ever master it.
So....I ended up redoing the shoulder seams three times, the facings twice, the waistband three times, and the collar four times. Until it made sense. And, poof, suddenly it did ! Ta-daaaah ! Elphie's new winter pajamas !
I had to redo the waistband because I didn't refigure the casing correctly for the elastic I wanted to use, otherwise the pants were fine. And what I never really understood about that collar was that the collar is sandwiched between the facings and the shirt, the layers have to be ‘just-so' and in the right order and position, and it requires some skill to get right. In fact, I didn't really get it right - the collar's not even on both sides, and it should be wider than it is, but I'm darn happy with it. I understand. Finally.
And, as promised, you always get the first look at it. I'm still darn near dizzy. I can do this again, anytime. Tomorrow morning, I'll sew the hidden snaps - I've already done the buttons since the photo was taken - and maybe make some fuzzy slippers. In white, I think this is about all the pink Elphie's gonna put up with. Or I'll let her go barefoot, since I normally am around the house !
Also in the photo is the silver candle-stand I bought at a thrift store 28 November. I'll probably use a freebie CD-R as a table base, maybe cover it with fabric or a linoleum square cut to shape. It's just about right for Elphie and Fiyero for breakfast !
The black/silver/shiny oval thing is, of course, a decorator Kleenex box. A white piece of paper - salvaged from today's pattern print-out - covers the logo and dispenser. After seeing one used as a Barbie bar in a loft party diorama, I wanted one, too ! Found this cool design with some other holiday prints, but I thought this one had the most post-holiday potential. There's a ‘Kleenex" logo under the gold stripe on both sides, but that's easily covered with paint, ribbon, fabric, or a well-posed doll. It could easily be used with the gold stripe at the top or bottom, with something as simple as construction paper covering the dispenser or bottom label. This one also came from Mal-Wart, bought a week or three ago. I don't think I ever recorded the purchase as ‘doll spending' but it was a buck or two. I'll probably frequent the paper goods aisles more thoroughly now...
You can even design your own oval Kleenex boxes, at http://www.mykleenextissue.com/ for $5. each plus about $6. to ship 1 to 6 of ‘em. Hurry if your dolls need a buffet before Christmas ! I liked looking through the background images - they'd all make great doll furniture. Heck, Elphie could probably use one as a mod sofa, with a cushion running along the curved back. And you get tissues !
For it being a miserable day outside, I had a great day inside. What I saw a month or so ago I made happen ! and I finally understand collars. Wow. Now, if I can just get a move-on with Han's shirt and those shoe pincushions, I'll be almost a Galactic Empress of crafting !
As for your book sale adventures, you are a strong lass. I would have sat through it and just gone through the pain of it instead of trying to stay away from it. But some people just don't know when to keep things to themselves. But hey, you got a doll out of it! 
Have you are doll in mind already or will you just let it happen it naturally? If naturally I hope there is a sweet find at TRU or on one of your thrift store/yard sale trips. Anyway you need to greet your new doll house with a new doll. 
So make it special!
