DIY Doll Clothes Hangers

Early in December, I sold doll clothes at my first really large craft fair.  It was fun and exciting.  I sewed everyday for a month prior to the fair just to make sure that I had enough doll clothes for people to choose from. But how should I display all my creations?

My husband made me awesome tabletop clothes racks but now I needed doll clothes hangers.  I checked eBay, Amazon, Walmart,Target, etc, trying to find reasonably priced hangers.  What I discovered is that they are expensive plus you don't get free shipping at most sites without a minimum dollar sale.  Next, I hit local store where I found that I could buy a small quantity, have it now but it really wasn't worth the cost.

My husband and I brainstormed and voila! a reasonable, easy DIY alternative.


 
I went to my local Dollar store and found children's plastic hangers.  They were 6 for $1 and came in white, pink and blue.  My husband used a pair of clippers - the kind used for cutting or pruning small branches - and clipped them just after they little indentation used to hold clothes on the hanger.  If you're concerned about whether the edges might be too sharp or might catch on fabric, you can file them.  However, I use them as is and haven't had a problem.

We discarded the bottom portion in the recycling bin.  The best thing is that these hangers are meant to fit on a regular sized closet rod so you don't have to worry about whether the hanger will fit on a rod.  The doll clothes fit perfectly on the hanger and the indentation is in just the right spot for skinny shouldered clothes, spaghetti straps, etc.

This was such a cool project - easy, colorful, functional, fast and inexpensive. If I had bought 30 doll clothes hangers, I would have spent $24.00 plus shipping!  So to recap:

• 30 toddler hangers = $5.00
• Cutting time = 15 minutes
• 30 doll clothes hangers = priceless

ENJOY and SHARE!

Introducing Nila....

Ahhhh the holidays!  All the running around - all the shopping, wrapping, decorating - all the family!  I love it love it love it!

This Christmas I received the most awesome gift - a My Life Doll - my life as a Student doll.  I know, I know - kind of silly that I should want a doll for Christmas, especially at my age, but I just couldn't help it!  I first saw her during the fall of 2015.  She was on a Clearance Rack on an end cap at my local Walmart.  I remember telling everyone who would listen about this beautiful doll.  Never did I think that my granddaughter would remember.  However, after Christmas dinner, we all sat together, taking turns opening gifts (Believe me 17 people, opening one gift at a time, takes a good 2-3 hours!)

I unwrapped the gift and immediately got choked up!  There she was, the doll I saw months ago - brown skin, brown eyes, sweet puff ball pony tails!  Every doll I have has brown or light hair and light skin which is why I wanted this dark -skinned beauty.  I want little girls to be able to see the clothes I make on dolls that are like them or that they have.

Therefore, I'd like to introduce you to my newest little friend, Nila (pronounced nigh lah) I can't wait to photograph her with my  creations and to show her off.

And with that, I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and I wish you all a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2016.

Behind the Scenes

My clothing tags

How I love the fall - the cool weather - sleeping without needing AC or fans. I'm a cool weather person anyway.  I find the summer heat exhausting. And I feel my creativity wane.  But with this change in season, I feel invigorated!  And I feel my creative juices flowing again.

I've got so many ideas for doll outfits for 18" dolls like American Girl and Our Generation, 15" dolls like Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin and I'm working on something for 23" dolls like My Twinn.  In fact, I've been re-working some patterns and trying out new purchased patterns.

But first, I thought I'd give you a quick behind the scenes look at the process.  Last year, someone asked me why I make doll clothes to which I explained that it's fun to make doll clothes.  I have a creative outlet and I'm able to have my own business.  She commented that it's probably alot easier, too.  I felt insulted.  Maybe I was being overly sensitive but to be quite honest, it's not easier.  Sewing is sewing and a well made article of clothing takes skill, time and patience.  When making doll clothing, seams are reduced.  So instead of 5/8" seams, I'm sewing with 1/4" and 1/8" seams.  And believe me, sometimes it can be tricky!

I had some really pretty flowered streth fabric along with an extra large woman's size tee shirt that I decided to turn into a cute shorts and tee shirt set.

Cutting out the pieces for these small outfits goes by quickly when I use rotary cutters.  I used to pin everything and handcut with my fabric scissors.

I've assemble all my cut pieces and selected my thread to begin sewing. 

Most seams, as I've said are 1/4" seams.  To give the clothing a nice finished look, I over hand stitch all the edges.  If I had a serger, seaming and finishing would be much easier.  But, alas, I've got a regular sewing machine which works just fine even though it takes a little longer.

I spend a lot of time switching presser feet and changing stitches.  Hey!  Maybe Santa will bring me a serger for Christmas. 

Progress so far..... shorts working pockets are complete.  Front sides attached and tee shirt shoulders are complete as well as the collar along with a last minute decision to attach lace. I think I really like the lacy touch.  What's left, you ask?  Attaching the collar and sleeves, attaching the back of the shorts, the waistband, and oh!  elastic..... wait! can't forget velcro closures!  Way, too much left to do.

And lastly...... adding my tags. Locally (and I mean very locally - like just down the street from me), there is another sewist who makes and sells doll clothes. She sells her doll clothes through her online store as well as in a local consignment crafters shop.  I happened across her items while browsing through the shop and considering if I wanted to put some of my items in the shop.  Her clothes are very nice and well made there were no labels in any of the clothes.  I firmly believe that all handmade items should have the crafters name and, if possible, how to locate the shop/crafter, etc.

Anyway, the outfit is done! and here it is.  Check it out at my MadeMagical shop to see this outfit along with other outfits in my shop!  Hope the rest of your September is awesome!  Peace :D