Mood:  a-ok

Kind of a busy day today, too. Ran Beloved Hubby-based errands today, and Leia-chan drove fine. I think I may be filling her up with water, too much, and the expansion's what's causing the leak. Hubby's gonna have a look this weekend. Her coolant tank levels are hard to read, so it's difficult for me to tell if she needs more or not - or when I'm adding more than necessary.

Errands run, I took Dearest Son to GoodWill. He found a car that folds a bit, which causes the doors and hood to fly open. I'm assuming it's simulating a car crash, but what the heck, he loves it.

I found a blouse I liked and just as we were walking up to the register, I spotted a handful of Tupperware miniatures, keychains and magnets. I have a few already, from when the Barbie 'must have everything' monkey resided on my back in an all-weather tent and was considering bringing relatives for visits. While I thought mini Tupperware was clever, the pieces  were actually a bit big for sixth-scale, so I rarely used them. Most came from a short-lived thrift store, some were from an Avon and Tupperware dealer's booth in a flea market. 

At 25c each, I scooped up two of everything - red hard plastic bowls with trademark lids, white softer plastic bowls with blue snap-on lids, and these large 'big gulp' kinda drink containers that I later discovered were miniature mixers. You can see the lot on the 'Tonner Taste' page.

Also did a bit of sewing. Another DSD pattern - the tunic I did yesterday, the skirt was tonight. Just to show how photos lie. I made the same skirt in red first, to test it out. Fit was great. So I did it again in black. Same actual pattern - the very same one. While the red fits fine, this one, in thinner material, using a slightly more narrow seam allowance (adjusted during the sewing), is so darn tight, I could barely get it on her. 

It's not that the red fabric is stretchy. It isn't. Neither is the black 'peachskin' material here. But I get to re-make it tomorrow, maybe adding a bit of ease to the hips. I have no idea why thinner material with a slightly lesser seam allowance would be tighter, but there it is.

It's rather a shame, because here, it looks darn good ! 

At least it's not a total loss. With a slight repositioning of the snap, it fits standard Barbies just great. Annoying, but I'd rather fit it to another doll and make another - it's not like I don't have more fabric ! - than scrap the whole thing. It's only an hour, start to finish, but I do like to have something to show for my sometimes off efforts !

 Plus, I Fray-Checked the whole thing. This peachskin stuff frays with no encouragement from me. I think it took more time for the F-C application than it took to sew the skirt ! So I'm glad it's not going into the trash. I swear, though, one day, I'm gonna edge an entire doll outfit in clear nail polish. It's cheaper, smells as bad, and it's easier for me to brush that stuff on than it is to get that perfect F-C bottle squeeze tension going while I drag fabric over the tip.

And, heck, I know what I'm sewing tomorrow ! Since I'm gonna redo the pattern, I may make it a bit longer. As-is, it's kind of an 80s look, with those slightly oversized buttons, but I do like it.  

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:55 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 9:39 AM CDT

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Mood:  lazy

Man, Tripod is slow today. But,  heck, it's free, so I shouldn't whine.

Busy day, unlike yesterday. Well, yesterday was busy too, no time for any doll stuff. But today, I got tons done. Rendered the last three bras into component elements - I now have four new colors of elastic and buckles, not to mention hooks and eyes. You can' t imagine how glad I am that's done. Have no idea why I felt such a compulsion to do it all at once.  And I made Leia a new tunic from a DSD pattern. Fit's OK, but the sleeves are tighter than I wanted, and I found out that, for some reason, it printed a much smaller seam allowance than I'd programmed.

So I tweaked her arm measurements and printed out a new pattern. Hopefully this one will work, just not sure when I'll have the time to try it. I've forgotten what sewing in sixth scale is like - itty bitty collars, tiny wee facings. I'm also thinking of making matching skirts, one red, one black, since I put black buttons on the tunic...

It's also funny how little fabric it takes for Barbie-size sewing. I've made Leia pants, two dresses, and a tunic blouse, and the scrap of brick-red I've used for 'em is still useable and plentiful. I have miles if not parsecs of fabric, so I don't know what the heck I was thinking when I bought it all, when a full sixth-scale doll wardrobe uses about a third of a yard. So no new fabric for a while. Got the new Hancock Fabrics ad, and it sat for two days before I even glanced at it. About all that's interesting is the half off notions wall Aug. 05. Not sure if I'll find anything. But I'm already thinking of getting another package or three of black and white buttons...

The Butterick 224 pattern I have - the one I bought for Leia but never used - shows a cute vest, blouse, and skirt, modeled by a still-earmuffed Leia doll on the envelope. Unfortunately, the seamstress used people-size buttons, so it looks way off.  I think these buttons look a bit big on Barbie-scale clothes, but comparing them makes 'em look better !

Leia-chan, my car, had a minor leak today. (sigh) Wednesdays are just not her day ! She got us home safely, and Beloved Hubby'll check her out tomorrow. Not planning on going anywhere, so that's fine. Leia-doll's tunic took longer than expected - over two hours ! - so not a lot of housework got done today. Imagine that, I sewed instead of scrubbing the bathtub !  

Posted by dorriebelle at 11:54 PM CDT

Updated: Wednesday, 26 July 2006 11:59 PM CDT

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Mood:  lazy

Had an early-morning grocery run, so I decided to give Leia-chan a test run. She's performed beautifully all day. No drips, no leaks, nothin'. Here's hoping it stays that way - it'll be a while before I stop checking and worrying each time I get in or out of the car !

Was exhausted tired this afternoon, so I napped through most of it. Sometimes Dearest Son let me sleep, other times, he woke me for no discernable reason. When I finally woke up feeling better, I found that he'd fallen asleep next to me ! So while he napped, I got my housework done and finished ripping up another bra I started yesterday. Then I ripped another one apart. Aside from larger pieces for my own clothes, I should never need elastic again ! Plus, I have three new colors of plastic sliders and o-rings for belts and accents !

Not much else going on. I'm hoping to try an easy 'Fashion Doll Fun' blouse for Leia tomorrow, then maybe a skirt and a pair of shorts whenever there's time. And I only have four more bras to rend into component elements. After that, if I *ever* buy another yard-sale bra, it's for sure to be something special. 'Cause my fingers hurt from the seam ripper !

Tomorrow I promised to take Son to Dollar Tree. I already went through all their backdrop posters, so I doubt I'll find anything for me. But it's always fun to look !  

Posted by dorriebelle at 10:56 PM CDT

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Mood:  happy

Yup. That was most of today, rippin' up bras. Not mine. Ones I got from yard sales and such. If you look at the new Leia photo on the Barbie page, you'll see her latest dress has a white ribbon belt with a silver buckle. That buckle used to be the sliding adjuster on a bra. So, whenever I come across interesting or unusual colors cheap, I buy 'em. Take 'em apart, salvage the sliders, the hooks and eyes, the o-rings, the elastic, the bow, etc. I even have a couple of interesting 'belt buckles' that used to be front clasps on Victoria's Secret brassieres. Just need to rename a doll with something that starts with a 'V'.

Taking bras down to their component elements is easy. Seam ripper and scissors is about all you need, and you can get a lot from a well-chosen one. I keep 'em in a sewing bag - you can take them apart anywhere. Although you might get stared at in the library... 

And, as mentioned,  I made Leia another dress. This one was adapted from a pattern in 'Fashion Doll Fun' by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. If you ever wanna start sewing for your dolls, I'd recommend this book. Most of the patterns are easy, one piece outfits in basic shapes that would adapt well for other doll sizes.

Since Leia isn't as narrow as a standard Barbie, the 'Everyday Dress' wouldn't fit without some changes. I scan all my patterns, so I printed a fresh one as-is, split it in the middle from neckline to hem, then spread it apart, taping it to scrap paper and paper-fitting until I had one that would go all the way around her. I then taped it well and made a test garment. Not bad, but I want a bit more fullness around her butt next time. Still, it was easy to alter, and it's basic shapes with simple sewing. Not counting the alterations, it only took about a half hour to sew it, start to finish. 

I also redid Leia's photos. And wrote a short book about fitting her. Sheesh. I redid the photos to save space, and ended up with a huge block of unbroken text instead !

I got to read and watch 'Herbie:Fully Loaded' again, per Dearest Son's request. It helps that star Lindsey Lohan is mostly dressed. From the promo photos, I thought the film would be butt-ruffle skirts and elastic cleavage from start to finish. I have a bit of fondness for Herbie, having grown up in the late 70s - and he spit water at me from his driveway at Disney-MGM during Spring Break 1990. Hard to believe it was so long ago...

I've had fun at YouTube.com. Just about every MST3K short is on there somewhere, and I've watched videos of other stuff I still don't believe I saw. In case I haven't said it in public lately, I freakin' LOVE the internet !

Beloved Hubby did some work on my car this evening, so here's hoping. With 109 degree days, I can't help but worry about Leia-chan, but I have a cell phone and I'm never far from help, so it's not so bad. I just need to calm down and get my butt to bed !

Hope your weekend was stellar - and as nice as hearing from a great friend ! :)  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  a-ok

New Leia photo on the site - here's the same outfit, different angle ->

The photo makes her look shorter-waisted than she is, and the pants' crotch looks low, too. But it's all angle. Everything fits - well, the blouse arms are a bit tight. I misread my notes. Maybe if there's time tonight, I can make another. Blouse fabric is super-fine recycled men's shirt that frays like nobody's business.

Rented several movies yesterday - so far Batman Begins and Herbie: Fully Loaded have been surprises. I guess I'm nostalgic a bit, working with my Princess Leia doll, but... frankly, the latest Batman was what I wanted for another movie series. Namely Episodes 1 - 3 of Star Wars. 

After being a dedicated LucasFan for twenty years, it was hard for me to see that the man I so admired was just a man. One with his own family, and out of touch with the fans.  Hell, it's not like GL owes us his life. It was our choice to throw tons of money at him. I guess I expected too much when, given unlimited funds, unlimited special effects, and unlimited control, he told the story he wanted to, instead of telling us the story we wanted to hear.  IMho, the 'story'. buried as it was in digital effects and delivered by actors who clearly don't give a wet Wookiee, was unlimited crap. Shoulda seen it coming when Return of the Jedi was such a....fuzzy-wuzzy disapointment. Empire Strikes Back seemed so real. So adult. Like we were growing up, growing jaded, growing hurt along with the series. So for Jedi to be almost "Disney does Home Alone", well... I kinda felt cheated. Just like I did in 1999, 2002, and 2005. I have to keep the 'new trilogy' from tarnishing my memories of the ones I loved.

Well, I still have my imagination. My only doll remaining from childhood. And the memories of a thrilled eleven-year-old. I understand that there's gonna be a new release of the 'original' movies (SW, ESB, ROTJ) as seen in theaters. No new 'special edition' footage, no additional sound editing, nothing that wasn't there in 1977, 1980, and 1983. I'll probably want it. Heck, I still sometimes watch my old VHS versions. The ones where there are no fan squabbles about who shot first, Greedo or Han. The ones I loved. 

Aaaanyway... Beloved Hubby worked darn near all day, so I gave him a break and picked up Dearest Son from his grandparents'. We all need some time alone. I finished cleaning the house while he was at work, and did some banking. There was some confusion about the deposit - I thought I'd shorted the bank, but I forgot I had that $20. from the day before. Glad I got that sorted out ! Tonight we saw Herbie, and it was better than I thought. Son loves just about all car movies, so we've seen the others in the series, and most make me cringe. I actually enjoyed H:FL. 

Tomorrow, we get to work on Leia-chan, my car. Hubby's gonna try to fix the radiator instead of replace it. I mean, heck, I've driven her twice in 102 degree temps without even losing much water. It's possible we can repair it, but we won't know until we dig in.

Wish us luck ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 8:46 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 9:38 AM CDT

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Mood:  a-ok

We got Leia-chan, my car, home safely. Only took one gallon of water to fill her reservoir, and she drove as if nothing had happened Wednesday. Go figure.

Since Dearest Son was at Granny and Grand-dad's, I went through most of his toys. What a job ! Two and a half hours, and I didn't get 'em all. There's some in the 'Cocoon' I have to go through, too. (the cocoon is where the TV and family room is) Only two bags of broken parts this time. Got 'em into the trash and the trash out ten minutes before the collection truck came. Whew !

It was unusual for him to have this many toys - and I pondered why. We really haven't been buying him much besides Cars miniatures and modules for his LeapPad. Then I remembered. Very few of this year's Christmas toys have bit the dust. The Thomas the Tank Engine Ultimate set has been surprisingly durable. Even now,  it's snaking under my feet, and it's in daily use. Many of his requested vehicles have been quite sturdy, too. 

Debated going to GoodWill - with Leia-chan unsteady and there not being much I needed, it seemed silly. But when you add in 'house-bound since Wednesday afternoon', it doesn't seem quite so reckless. I did want one thing - a shallow plastic container for Son's Hot Wheels-size cars, but GW was unlikely to have one.  Still, it'd do me good to get out for a bit.

And, they had a perfect shallow plastic bin that fits right over the other one his cars are stored in - for just 99c !  Found two books for Beloved Hubby, too. Ironically, I didn't find anything for myself, but Hubby told me to go ahead and get one pattern I'm looking at. Yaay ! I'll order it later this week. 

Oh, and I did get the shoe pattern, finally. Ordered it at the first of the month, two mere pieces of paper. It just arrived today. For some reason, even though I used PayPal the day I 'won' it, the seller took over two weeks to mail it. Guess I should be happy I got it at all. Man, I am so done with eBay and Prego. Both give me a lotta grief for very little pleasure.  

I'll probably post a new photo of Leia's clothes on the Barbie page tomorrow. Leia the doll, not my Leia-chan car ! :) I forgot that Barbie-size  clothes are a little harder to sew than Elphie's. But it's like realizing a long-ago dream to sew for Leia. And when it comes out good, I feel amazing ! I forgot how beautiful she is.

Yaaay ! Hubby's home ! Gotta run - have a good Friday night !  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  incredulous

Home all day today. We're gonna go retrieve Leia-chan tonight, wish us luck.

I got into it today. Because I was bored at home, I visited Prego. You know, every time I go there, I get pizzed about something. So why do I keep going ? I can only assume I want to get upset.

And today was no exception. Few days ago, they posted a red note at the top, urging all members to read. Seems a site star had some setbacks and declared bankruptcy, but decided to keep her 'sewing for people' and her 'sewing for dolls' businesses.  After a helper quit, she decided to toss her 'sewing for people' business into the bankruptcy, but keep the 'sewing for dolls' one going. She added all her creditors to the bankruptcy.

Now, she doesn't make cheap blouses. She makes really, really elaborate and expensive gowns for historical recreationists. So when she tossed her 'people' business into the bankruptcy (which you can't do after you've declared - her lawyer is either stupid or it's her), she cheesed off a buncha people who'd paid her upwards of $400. and got zip but a notice from Bankruptcy Court. 

These people were, in my opinion, justifiably upset. And when they found out she had a still-running doll clothes business, they took their anger there. Not a brilliant move, but I can understand. Prego said any mention of this in any form would be immediately stricken, 'cause after telling us all this, it would be a form of harassment to discuss it, according to Bankruptcy Law.

Fifteen minutes and Google later, I had the other side. Sorry, Prego. Don't make a big deal about showing me the curtain and then tell me not to look behind it. I found that she'd taken orders *after* she declared bankruptcy and told one woman who'd shelled $1300+ for her wedding dress and his wedding suit that she'd mail the items next week, ensuring she had the bride-to-be's address. Instead, what the b-t-b got was a notice from the Court saying she had five days to protest. She wasn't getting her money back, or the gown, or even the fabric.

Um, no. Creditors in a bankruptcy get 30 days to file. Not five. And while you are allowed to add a creditor you forgot, you can't add a whole business after you've filed. I know. The Prego message itself said she filed in April and added the 'people' business in July. Can't do that, dear. That's fraud. And the creditors, led by the ripped-off bride, have started proceedings. Department of Justice has a file on her and she's being investigated. If she doesn't get bankruptcy - and frankly, I don't know how she can at this point - she can be sued. There's at least 31 people in this fight. She knew darn well she couldn't fill orders after April, if she had intended to declare the business along with the rest. But she did. And accepted money.

I'm sorry. She's embezzled from her own company, took money for orders knowing she can't fill them, then lies to circumvent bankruptcy law ? No. I got no dog in this fight, but I can't sit back and take Prego's approval of all this. They actually said that with her 'hard work and determination', her doll business should succeed. I have no idea who could still trust her after she ran a business into the ground, defrauded over 30 people and lied on government documents - but I'm supposed to buy her stuff 'cause Prego says it's OK ? If 'hard work and determination' was enough, her 'people' business wouldn't be part of a bid to defraud dozens of folks and the courts.  

It's just another example of how insular they are over there. It doesn't affect the doll folks, so why should they care ?  I can understand how Prego doesn't want flame wars over it, but it's still rather reprehensible to take her side on it. If I can find out all this with a ten minute Google search, why didn't they bother ? And you know d@mn good and well they wouldn't do this if I asked, nope just for one of the site stars. I know, they don't wanna see both sides, they wouldn't be able to take her side. But still... it's still wrong what she's doing. 

So I wrote the women who got defrauded and told them of the Prego announcement. They needed proof for the DoJ attorney that she declared then tried to add the business. Well, that's all over the Prego news release ! I know it doesn't affect me. But I am not gonna sit by with information that can help, just because I personally wasn't hurt. She did these people wrong, then hid behind bankruptcy. I don't think she should get to hide. I have a responsibility to do what's right, even if the 'woman' (gosh, I hate to call her a woman !) can't. I can completely understand things hitting the fan. I have no idea where we'll get the cash to fix my car. But I'm not gonna take a buncha cash for doll clothes then say "I'm out of business, your bad luck, huh ? " .  I'm sure she could have worked with these people. But she didn't. I'm sure I should have stayed out of it. But I can't. 

Upshot of the whole thing ? Her doll clothes site says there's a 90 day wait for any orders. If anyone's dumb enough to order from her, knowing all this, then I can't work up much sympathy for 'em.  And she wrote Prego, asking if she should sell some fabric scraps.  Man, if I saw my wedding gown fabric cut up and made into doll clothes, my fury would be visible from Mars ! I wouldn't buy a hundred dollar bill for $1. from her. Can fabric contain karma ? I wouldn't go near any of it if it was free on the stop-sign corner at the end of the street. 

So that was my day. Hope yours wasn't so involved ! 

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Friday, 21 July 2006 1:53 PM CDT

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Mood:  down

Oh, man, what a day. Yesterday, Beloved Hubby's truck had a flat. I took it to the tire place to get it fixed, and it was gonna ride in my trunk until he swapped tires this weekend. Today, coming home from Dearest Son's summer school, Hubby passed right by us, so we followed him. While we chatted and hugged, Son kept walking to the front of my car, Leia-chan, looking at it, then walking back. It wasn't until we went to leave that I saw this large green lake flowing under Leia-chan. Well, scratch one radiator...

Hubby got us home safe, even though his truck isn't set up with three seat belts. He returned to work...well, he tried to.  Twenty minutes later, he called. Another flat. On a different tire. And the repaired one was in my trunk, halfway across town. Luckily we had family to help, but what a pain. Leia-chan's still in that doctor's parking lot, and I hope she doesn't get towed until we can get her tomorrow. 

Soooo, scratch my plans for the day and the next. Oh, well. Hubby's already scheduling a radiator replacement, and hopefully she'll be back up in time to get Son to school next month.

You never know where you wanna go until you don't have a car to get there... I'm not as upset about it as you'd think I'd be. Radiator's had problems off and on since we got Leia-chan, and the fact that it's finally belly-up is a relief. At least we don't have to anxiously await it to blow up any more. And it was lucky that it went the way I did. Imagine that happening while I was driving her ! 

I really need to make Leia (the doll !) a shirt. Tuesday night, I made her a peasant blouse, using the directions from the site, but I used fabric that frayed like anything. Even though I sewed well above the raw edge, it frayed to the stitches by the time I was done, so I don't think I'll keep it. Maybe I'll finally break out that B224 pattern and use it...

Instead of making something, I tried to figure out how to make something.  I'd love to make Fiyero a polo/golf type shirt, with the front button placket. For the life of me, I can't figure it out. The only directions I have are for people clothes, and telling me to cut the opening a half-inch off center ain't happening...and adjusting the measurements as I read is giving me a headache ! I think I'll just buy the darn pattern already.  

Posted by dorriebelle at 12:01 AM CDT

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Mood:  chatty

Sorry for my absence yesterday. I got into something that my stomach did not like one tiny whit, and it let me know about it. Or whatever I ate was trying to bludgeon its way back out, one of the two. Ended up napping off and on, while Dearest Son indulged me by letting me rest and gently playing with me when I was awake.  

Got him the Cars module for his LeapPad, and he was beyond thrilled. He's just loved it. They acually got the movie's voice actors to do this, and it's so funny to hear George Carlin and Cheech Marin coming out of Son's learning toy. 

As is usual for me, I printed out a pattern - namely Leia's pants - Monday morning, intending to work 'em up that afternoon. Luckily, the gremlin in my tummy didn't start sounding off until after I picked Son up from summer school, but it meant I didn't sew anything. However, while I was shopping I did have a doll score.  Few years ago, I saw these keychain sneakers at Wal-Mart, and I've kicked myself ever since for not buying 'em. They looked like a perfect fit for Crissy.

So when I saw 'em again, I pounced on a pair. Not that pink glitter-dot sneakers are my style, but if I can get something to fit Crissy for $4./pair, I can learn to live with 'em. They fit beautifully, and they even fit Isabella (Interactive Belle). For kicks, I tried them on the Disney Princess girls - and they fit them, too. Even though Crissy and Isa are much taller than the  DPrincesses, their feet are nearly the same length. DPrincess feet are wider, but not much, so they were great for them. Goes to show, you never know when you'll find doll stuff.  

Beloved Hubby put me to bed early, where I slept twelve straight hours. And since I woke feeling much better today, I got to sew. Leia now has pants that fit. Not baggy like the Ken ones, not impossible like the Barbie ones, not $$$ like the Dusty ones. Didja know that Leia and Dusty have the same body ? They do. If you don't remember Dusty, she was Kenner's 'Sports' doll - she played golf, tennis, volleball, etc.  It's not as svelte a body as Barbie's, but it's respectably fit. 

It just amazes me. I used to dream of having well-fitting clothes for Leia. Couldn't afford 'em as a kid, and didn't know enough to hand-sew what I wanted back then. Mother refused, since I'd given away my childhood Barbies, to sew any more doll clothes. I was in awe of the dress she came in, and tried like heck to get Barbie ones to fit her. Before I started sewing, I wondered if I could pay someone to make some of the stuff I wanted, but figured 1)I'd be too embarassed to ask, and 2) It'd be too much cash at a bad time (during Son's first year).

Now I could do the dress myself - it's not that complicated - and may someday make her the Bespin dress. Or the prototype outfits that were never produced - I'll put links at the bottom. For some reason the new (&%$# !) Blog editor won't let me put links in the text here anymore. Growlmuttergrumble...

I'm hoping to sew a nice blouse tomorrow, so I can post a photo of her newest clothes. Just not in the same red I made the pants and jumper from ! Right now, she's wearing the pants with that striped 'My Scene' shirt I couldn't get to fit Elphie. Looks pretty good, I think ! I just like to post photos when I made everything in it !

 Unproduced Leia prototype, Bespin Gown :

http://www.toysrgus.com/images-unpro/doll-esb-leia2.html

Other Star Wars prototype photos - look under 12" figures for Leia clothes :

http://www.toysrgus.com/images-unproduced.html 

Posted by dorriebelle at 7:30 PM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 18 July 2006 7:47 PM CDT

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Mood:  lazy

Finally got off my round rump and got my 1978 Kenner Princess Leia measured in Doll Shop Deluxe. I've put it off for so long - even bought a near-vintage 1979 Butterick 224 pattern that had her on the envelope, so I wouldn't have to use DSD. Not a good sign.  Guess I should confess that I haven't used B224 either, so...

I don't know why I'm so timid about making Leia clothes. I mean, she's the only doll left from my childhood. And her so-close-but-not-quite Barbie figure means she needs clothes, even more than most of my others.  Sheesh, Elphie has enough of a wardrobe that the box I bought to store her stuff in is approaching max load already. Just bought that box this spring !

I learned my first sewing steps in the attempt to make Leia clothes - many of 'em the hard way. For one, it's not enough to have fabric. The sweatshirt I tried to make her a dress from (using a Barbie pattern) just did not work. Not just any fabric will work for doll clothes. In addition to paying attention to any print's scale, ya gotta keep an eye on thickness. The never-finished dress was not only huge, it made Leia look even more awkward than the pinned-up Ken clothes did. 

Tube dresses, even if you gather them a bit in the front to make a neckline, don't work for some dolls. Leia's one. She just looked like she was wearing something else that didn't belong to her. That may be the problem. She's a 70s doll, and has the aesthetic from those times. Which means she looks rather silly in ballgowns and fluffy things. Simpler clothes, with straight lines - like straight skirts - look good. Non-ruffly peasant blouses look good, too. I guess I just never considered her time - while supposedly the future, was actually the 70s - when contemplating her wardrobe.  Because I didn't want to make stuff she'd look bad in, I didn't make anything.

Well. I think I can fix that now ! I usually make the jumper first  - what'cha think ? Photo's been posted to the 'Barbie and Sixth Scale' page, too. Think the last time that page got anything new was 2004 ! Yikes.  

Anyway, had numerous problems with this one, mostly due to the fact that I must've sewn the shoulders too high. Oh, well. That jumper that small isn't very easy anyway. Tomorrow, if there's time, I'll work on a blouse or something. Maybe a skirt. All else fails, I can use B224, for kicks ! 

Otherwise, it was a quiet day around Chez Insanity. Pizza for dinner, wrecked house. Like most Sundays. Before I started on Leia's dress, I did some more fabric sorting, ditching a bag of stuff I know I won't use. Maybe Dearest Son's school can use 'em, I'll ask. 

You'd think all this sorting and ditching would give me a ton more space. Nope. Getting it all organized and visible simply means there's less of it in the same space. I can see it all at a glance, but that means there's less in the container. But, heck, I make mostly doll clothes. Five milk crates half-full of folded stuff, two plastic bedding bags full of larger cuts, and a laundry sorter in three sections : small bits, old clothes, and nice stuff that doesn't fit in the milk crates - all that is plenty of stuff. About all the sorting and ditching does is make me feel horribly guilty for even thinking about going fabric shopping in the near future !  

In other news, it's been a busy, and rather long day. Hope your weekend was happy and satisfying. Right now, my eyes are tired, and this new Blog Editor is a PITA. So I'm gonna logoff before I get snarky. OK, snarkier.

Rest well tonight.  

Posted by dorriebelle at 8:32 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 2 May 2011 9:38 AM CDT

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