Book Review- All Dolled Up

All Dolled Up by Joan Hinds

This collection of clothing designs for 18 inch dolls and their owners is charming and sweet. The part that impresses me most is the simplicity of construction. Joan Hinds has streamlined a lot of techniques for this collection.

The collection includes dresses, skirts, aprons and accessories as well as tips for scaling designs to suit dolls and girls both. Even the most complicated outfits wouldn't take more than a couple days to make and many of them could be done in an evening.

Skirts include a darling pleated skirt sewn on a pair of old jeans with a matching vest and a tiered gathered skirt.The dresses are wonderful. There is a simple jumper set that's just too cute made with the right fabrics.

The techniques include a method for making straps that doesn't use interfacing and an alternative to basting to gather fabric that is very clever and quick. 

The included video shows the sewing techniques that you'll be using to sew the outfits. Nancy Zieman hosts the video with Joan Hinds. 

Many of the techniques and patterns are things that can be very easily sized up so that Mom and daughter can having matching aprons or dresses and match the doll as well.

It also makes a wonderful introduction to sewing for children who are just getting interested in learning how to use a sewing a machine. The adult can sew the child's dress, and help the child with sewing a matching outfit for their doll. 

A lot of the clothes remind me of the things my mom used to make for me when I was 7 or 8. Classic designs that have stood the test of time, so if you do invest in the book,it's not unthinkable that you would make some of the same styles of clothes for your granddaughter that you might make for your daughter. 

You can get the book directly from the publisher at MyCraftivity.com or you can get it from Amazon here (Amazon is an affiliate link).