First in a series of dolls clothes patterns

I have just published a pattern for an 18" doll blouse on my Craftsy shop. This first one has been a fairly long process but now I hope to add to the series quite quickly.
I love to create systems. My doll clothes system consists of three size types:

• Snugfit - this fit is as it sounds. Fairly snug blouses and dresses and light jackets and the like.
• Loosefit - this one is a series of patterns suitable for mid weight fabrics or garments that are meant to be loose like PJ's or over shirts or a raincoat.
• Largefit - is for heavy weight or thick fabrics and outer wear garments.

I set about creating Snugfit patterns for a variety of garments. The bit I am excited about is that the pattern pieces are swappable. All the sleeves in the Snugfit series can be used on any of the garments. All the collars designed for back opening garments can be used with any of these garments. I have even made a cute vest pattern that can be used to make a dress or a sleeveless top as well. 

I had all my test samples done for the blouse and realised I still needed to test out one of the methods for finishing the armhole on a sleeveless blouse. I didn't just want to make another sleeveless sample so I added a fancy yolk overlay to make it look like a western shirt. I think it looks really cute. I will be keeping an eye out for some smaller navy buttons. The ones I have used are just a fraction too big.

I was surprised that the plovers have had another batch of babies. 3 tiny things. These two hatched out the day before this picture. I took this on full zoom from across the road. There is a third one but I couldn't see it at the time. I am happy to say that there are still three babies after a few days now.

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Craftsy sale and some doll pattern progress

The Craftsy banner below is an affiliate link and I receive a commission if you join Craftsy or purchase anything through this link. It is a great sale! Even with postage the yarns and fabrics are a good price.



On the dolls clothes front I have been working on the instruction modules. I have several modules that can be used in more than one pattern such as sleeves and collar instructions. This first set is for my first pattern which is a blouse with several variations.

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

Sewing for my doll

I have been closeted in my sewing room trying to perfect a pattern for another doll tote bag. I decided I would make a pattern for sale so I have been taking my time to make sure it is up to a standard I would expect if I paid for something. Fingers crossed my step by step instructions are clear enough.

I have also been working on doll clothes patterns where you can interchange many of the pieces. The sleeves from the dress can be used on the blouse as well, or the collars can be swapped. It is quite a lot of fun working out how many things I can interchange. So far I have 2 blouses, a pinafore, a dress and a set of vests. I just need to write up the construction steps.

I am visiting mum again next week so the Welcome to the North Pole post will be a bit late. I will post on Saturday 29th June.

Happy Quilting and Crafting
Val

Visit valspierssews's Craftsy Pattern Store »

Some Craftsy mini classes are free.

Since not much is happening on the sewing front while I try not to use my hand too much I thought I would share some free Craftsy ideas.

Try a Free Mini Class at Craftsy

**This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Are you looking to take your crafting to the next level, or perhaps branch out and learn a new skill, but aren't sure where to get started? Check out the Craftsy Free Classes, mini classes that allow you to sample everything from food classes (Who couldn't use Complete Knife Skills with Brendan McDermott?), to quilting (How fun would A New Look at Longarm Quilting with Mandy Leins - FREE! be?), to photography (Seriously, Learn How To Take Professional Family Portraits with Craftsy for FREE! could only help us all.) and more! Just register for your Craftsyaccount and get started!

Happy Quilting and Crafting,

Val

Welcome to the North Pole SAL for March

After flying to Sydney and spending time in the city I have caught a cold. I will never fly again without dosing up with immune boosting supplements. I took them when I went overseas for six weeks and I didn't get sick once.
That said, I did enjoy my time in Sydney. It is just such a pretty town in places. The Queen Mary 2 was in the harbour.

I returned home to some exciting mail. I won the charm and charm holder on Let's Book It at Vrooman's Quilts last month. Join in at the end of each month with a project you have made from one of the many books you own and be in the running for a quilt charm.

There are so many lovely pins and charms at Pin Peddlers.

I have done a little bit on my North Pole table runner. I sewed down two stars and the moon and put some rick rack on Santa's roof. I hope to do the other stars and maybe start some windows. The windows look very tiny and fiddly.

If you are sewing along this year please link up your march blog post below. It was great to see some lovely work from last year linked up last time. There are some new people this year and some picking up from last year. Soon there will be lots of finished quilts.

I posted a giveaway yesterday. The prize is a free Craftsy Class closing 2nd April. If you are not into Craftsy it is definitely worth a look.

Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

An InLinkz Link-up

Give Away Craftsy class and Some Sewing

I had a lovely time visiting my mum. We get on so well together even in close quarters. I have a bit of catching up to do with my blog and my sewing.
Before I went away I had time to make two extreme;y useful draw string bags. One for my brush and comb and one for my teeth cleaning items. I now use floss, picksters and toothpaste and brush. I just love those picksters. They really stop the plaque.

I had several fat quarters of really bright fabric that I didn't really know what to do with but they were perfect for the bags. I made the first one and realised that I needed a label on the next one so one has 'Teeth' appliqued on it.

Also while I was away I got the email saying I could give away a Craftsy Class on my blog. There are some really great classes. All you have to do is click on the link and log in or sign up to be entered in the giveaway. It is free to sign up.
The giveaway will close on Wed 2nd April at 8am Australian EST. Craftsy will choose a winner at random.
Disclosure: I get a commission on each new member registration.

Enter to win a Craftsy class!

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Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val

I Love Craftsy and my new Tea Mat

All the links to Craftsy in this post are my affiliate links.

There are only a few sites I have joined in order to download patterns. Craftsy and Ravelry and Sew4Home. Now I have stumbled upon the Craftsy Affiliate program.

I am a real fan of Craftsy and have bought several patterns and an online class in the past and I download lots of free patterns and classes. Then I discovered that I can use my own affiliate link to earn commission on the patterns and classes I buy so in the end I spend less. I also earn commission when people visit Craftsy through my affiliate links on my blog or social media and register, make a purchase or sign up to become affiliate members themselves.

I was happy to recommend Craftsy before I joined their program so why not get a commission if people join up or buy because of me. ( I looked up a blogger friend and joined through her).

I bought a class last month before I joined the program.
It is called Finishing Schools: Edges & Bindings, Mimi Dietrich. It is all about binding and finishing off your quilts or quilting projects.
So far I have worked through Lesson 1 on using the backing as a binding. She has some great tips to offer and everything is very detailed and easy to understand.
I finished off my latest tea mat using the backing to binding method. I made it with an economy block. I think I will use my walking foot to sew the second one. I got a few kinks in this one.

I quilted little flowers in the triangles

Lesson 2 is all about making the usual quilt binding. Lesson 3 shows how to add trims to your bindings then it is on to scalloped edges then prairie points and finally putting on hanging sleeves and labels. These are all things that I want to learn about and try to improve my skills. I can highly recommend this class to intermediate and beginner quilters. I am not a beginner sewer but I am fairly new to quilting and patchwork so this class is perfect for me.

I signed up to Craftsy a few years ago so I could access the free patterns and free classes on offer. Quite a few of my favourite designers have their free BOMs set up on Craftsy.

Search for Sew Kitschy, Up the Garden Path and Birdhouse BoM March pattern in 'patterns'

If all this sounds interesting you can:

Join Craftsy’s Affiliate Program Today

or just visit Craftsy and register to download patterns.

I have two things to promote in future posts as part of the affiliate program - an online class review and an online class give away.


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Happy Quilting and Crafting,
Val