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).

Lined Graph Paper

My daughter wants to start cross stitching. If you know The Amazing Turnip Girl at all, you know, she's not one to follow patterns. She'd much rather do her own thing, go her own way.
I used her desire to start cross stitching as an excuse to make a new kind of graph paper.
This is set up to print at 100 ppi. If you print it at that ppi, the darker lines are exactly a quarter inch apart which makes it quarter ruled notepaper as well as being graph paper. This means you can write notes to go with whatever you are using graph paper for on something that's pretty close to being lined like regular notebook paper.

Click on the image for the full sized version.

I have many kinds of graph paper for crafters and beaders here. I think it's probably the biggest collection of free beading graph paper on the net. I'm really not sure. 

Ribbed Soft Bangle (crocheted)

Originally, I was going to make a wrist wallet for my daughter who doesn't always like to carry her purse or wear something with pockets if she's just going to the convenience store. The idea didn't work out as planned so a few rows in, I decided "bangle bracelet".

That's the one on the bottom. She loved the bangle and has worn it every day since I finished it.

Really easy to make, and I think I'm going to try a beaded variation soon.

Abbreviations:

ch= chain

sc= single crochet

sl st= slip stitch

fpdc= front post double crochet, yarn over,  insert your hook around the post of the dc on the previous row from the front, finish double crochet as usual.

bpdc= back post double crochet, yarn over, insert your hook around the post of the dc on the previous row from the back, finish double crochet as usual.

After the first row of fpdc and bpdc all the fpdcs and bpdcs are worked on the previous row of them which forms the ribbing. It's a very simple technique if you haven't tried it before.

Ribbed Soft Bangle Pattern

Supplies:

Worsted weight cotton (dishcloth type yarn)

Size F hook

Size G hook

As shown, the finished bracelets have a 3 inch inner diameter.

For both bracelets:

Chain 30 loosely and join chain with a slip stitch being careful not to twist the chain.

For different sizes, a multiple of 6 for the top bracelet, a multiple of 2 for the bottom.

With F hook

Round 1-5: Ch 1(does not count as first stitch), sc in each stitch around, sl st to join.

For the bottom bracelet:

Switch to G hook

Round 6: ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in back loop of each stitch around. Sl st to join.

Round 7: ch 2 (counts as first dc), fpdc in next stitch, bpdc in next stitch, alternate fpdc and bpdc all the way around, ending on a fpcd. Sl st to join.

Round 8: ch 2 (counts as first dc), fpdc in fpdc of previous round, bpdc in bpdc of previous round. Repeat all the way around ending with a fpdc, sl st to join. 

Break off yarn leaving a long (at least 14 inches) tail. 

Fold the tube in half with the single crochet rows on the inside and the ribbing on the outside. Stitch closed all the way around working in the back loops of the ribbed rows and through the beginning chain on the single crochet side. Weave in all ends.

For the top bracelet:

Switch to G hook

Round 6: ch 2 (counts as first dc), dc in back loop of each stitch around. Sl st to join.

Round 7: ch 2 (counts as first dc), bpdc in next 2 stitches, fpdc in next 3 stitches,* bpdc in next 3 stitches, fpdc in next 3 stitches*, repeat ** around ending with 3 fpdc. Sl st to join.

Round 8: ch 2 (counts as first dc), bpdc in all bpdcs, fpdc in all fpdcs. Join with sl st. 

 Break off yarn leaving a long (at least 14 inches) tail. 

Fold the tube in half with the single crochet rows on the inside and the ribbing on the outside. Stitch closed all the way around working in the back loops of the ribbed rows and through the beginning chain on the single crochet side. Weave in all ends.

You can vary the ribbing counts to make different styles. It makes a nice, chunky soft bangle bracelet. 

Racing Recipe Set for Rosemary

I love the alliteration.
I hope you like this set that I drew up for a dear friend. Click on the images for the full size 100 ppi versions.