My Sewing Skills Just Keep Getting Better!!!

The second doll I ever made was Molly by Expressions. Here she is with my very first smocked dress attempt. I even made the little clown doll she is holding. All the supplies to make this doll are available at: www.expressionsdolls.com





Here is a picture of the Original Doll made by Dianna Effner of Expressions Dolls.





I just love her pouty face and adored her smocked dress. I had no idea what smocking even meant at the time but I was determined to find out...so I researched it. At the time I didn't own a pleater so I used tracing paper and made a pleating diagram which I used to pleat all the panels and sleeves to make the dress. It took a long time to pleat the fabric and smock it...and when it came time for construction, I was at a total loss! You see, when I set out to make dolls, I didn't even know how to sew a button on...but determined to make dolls, I purchased some simplicity doll patterns and taught myself how to sew...so when it came time to construct this dress, there was a lot I still needed to learn. I fought and fumbled with the dress to get it together and when I finished, I was so upset because it didn't quite fit right. The top button just wouldn't close. I decided to leave the dress on her since her hair covered the boo boo...and as time has gone on, since I didn't finish the seams with a zig zag stitch, it has started to fray. Now that I know more about sewing and have honed my skills, I am in the process of re-making Molly. I own a pleater now and am going about smocking the panels. So far I am really happy with the way it is turning out. I will post some pictures of my First Molly along with some more WIP's of my new Molly and I proceed! Enjoy!!!!








SUNDAY JANUARY 17, 2010


Today I worked on finishing up the Smocking on the panels and sleeves on my dress. I also added two more pieces of piping to the yoke. Since I am sewing all this on by hand it is taking me a while. I am also thinking about stitching the panels to yoke by hand first so that I keep the pleats nice and straight. I really like the way this is turning out so far.





I also ordered some more checked fabric. Here is what it looks like.





I have not gotten it yet but as soon as I receive it, I am going to make this dress again since this color and pattern is closer to the original. I will post more when I start on it!