Buyer BEWARE!!!

Oct 222011
 

The Sew Essentials Cutting Table you can get at JoAnn’s is a major waste of money. I bought one 3 years ago and the welds gave out on it tonight as I NEEDED it for a project. I bought it because it was at a better height for cutting out projects of which I did cut quite a few out but the longer I had it the more wobbly it became. I kept the screws tight on it but they never held. Finally as the welds have broken it will go out in the yard for the next dump run. It was a WASTE of $60. For that amount I have the supplies I need to build Anna White’s “Sewing Table for Small Spaces” which is for me all wood 3/4″ thick, with large wheels and space to store my machines. It’ll also fold down to about 12″ wide! I can hardly wait to start on it in a week or two as I need it for various projects I plan to attempt to complete by birthday/Christmas this year!

When I complete my new table I’ll be sure to post photos…. it’ll be one of the first projects I do with the new circular saw I now own out of sheer necessity! 

 

Please note that the above is PURE opinion but fully the truth as my former table is in pieces! :-(

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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Tracking a Project

Sep 032011
 

There are many ways to track projects. Everything from task lists to online trackers to spreadsheets. I use a combo of various methods based on the project I’m doing and if there’s a deadline to complete it.

For sewing projects I tend to use a hand written list occasionally transcribed to a spreadsheet which lets me add information about where I am in each project. I’ve also created custom project sheets that give me more detail right on the project. These project sheets or in the fashion industry are also known as spec sheets. Each page includes a design description, list of supplies along with yardage, a drawing of the design and an area for notes such as construction techniques or rough instructions. Sometimes there is a photo of a muslin sample or even a first try or similar design.

Below I’ve included a free download for one of mine in a MS Word format.

Specification Sheet Form (one from my college years geared towards figuring the costs and general supply list of a design)

Pattern & Samples Planner (revision with two to a page for my Circa Notebook geared towards writing more instructions than a cost analysis of the design)

 

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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Places to find fine fabrics

Aug 082011
 

Miniatures and small scale sewing requires fine fabrics and even a small amount of fabric can get expensive. You can recycle various common items into wonderful doll costumes. A linen handkerchief or napkin come with rolled hems usually done by hand or machine. If you can find one that would no longer be useful for daily use those finely crafted hems can become the hem of your doll’s new dress or sleeves!

Silk blouses are also a common item that get worn spots rendering them unwearable but the rest of your former blouse can be used for your next project!

Personally I like to purposefully get blouses and such at thrift stores and second hand shops.  I tend to buy items that are too small for me and usually on a sale rack. Once in a while I find a blouse for myself, wear it for a while and when it wears out use it for a doll outfit.

I keep my nice fabric in totes by color so I can find what I need or want.

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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Dolllfie patterns…

Mar 222011
 

A pair of my favorite dolls are the Dollfies. I have three of them one is the Elegant Collection smooth body poseable doll and the other is the Beauty B with the many points of articulation. The last is the Goh Guy whom, I still have to finish outfits for so and  I will post photos of him later.

I love these dolls because I can move them like a human would be able to move. They are more like an adult doll than Barbie or other fashion dolls who are not as flexible. I do have to admit to loving the Urban Vita for the same reason but that’s another story!

The Dollfies were my first articulate dolls and came without face painting or even hair, along with having to install eyes! This allowed me to customize the dolls a bit more. When I got them I didn’t do much customizing though and it was several years later that my sweet heart actually did the painting for me. In the meantime however, I did manage to make patterns for them shown below.

Elegant Collection Halter Dress

Elegant Collection Halter Dress
Strapless Elegant Collection Gown

Elegant Collection Strapless Gown
Pattern  $5.00

 Pattern  $5.00
Strapless Beauty B Dress

Strapless Beauty B Dress

$5.00
Halter Top Dress for Beauty B Dollfie

Halter Top Dress for Beauty B Dollfie

$5.00
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Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

NEW! Find me on FaceBook Sue's Tiny Costumes

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Pattern Drafting for Dolls

Mar 162011
 

Have you ever wanted to create an outfit that YOU had in mind but couldn’t find a pattern for? One that was your own individual creation?  Or you could find the pattern but it’s for the wrong doll or the wrong size doll? Would you like to learn to draft your own patterns instead of purchasing patterns that may or may not fit your doll right? The Pattern Drafting Crash Course is an easy to follow tutorial that lets you learn to draft for a child doll. I developed it and have used it to draft for dolls as small as 1/2″ tall all the way up to a toddler size outfit for my daughter when she was 2! (she’s 11 now!)

If you find it useful, and I think you will the full book is available at my main site, Sue’s Tiny Costumes. Please let me know what you think or if you find it helpful! I’d also LOVE to see patterns you’ve created just drop me a note I’m more than happy to show off what you’ve done!

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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