How do you sew that small….

Mar 122011
 

I’m amused I post a 16″ pattern and am asked how can I see to sew that small? The answer is lots of light, magnifying glass and zoom on  the computer along with strained 20/20 and mild glasses! Honestly I work even smaller than Brends Starr, I work in 1/2″ scale too. This means my smallest doll I’ve sewn for is a whopping 1/2″ tall!

Tiny 1/2" tall Baby

Tiny 1/2" tall Baby, the dress is computer drafted and *machine* sewn!

I started in 1″ scale making patterns for my lady doll Katherine, from there I made a smocked dress pattern for a 1″ baby I named after my then 1yr now 11yr old daughter Seraphine.

Baby Seraphine

Baby Seraphine 1 1/2" Tall

I was hooked on drafting in miniature! I have even written a book on it and taught online & face to face classes locally.I branched out to larger dolls that my daughter could play with such as Madeline and Tiny Betsy both of  which are in great condition despite being played with!

Various Dolls who Fit Tiny Betsy Patterns

Various Dolls who Fit Tiny Betsy Patterns

Beyond that I’ve don some things for various fashion dolls from Tiny Kitty to Kitty Collier and several dolls in between.

I love drafting for the various size dolls and once in a while I get to play with them more. This summer I hope to get into my backyard and start taking photos of the dresses that will improve the look and feel of the main site along with allow me to share what I’ve created over the years more clearly. The smallest dolls are the hardest for me to photograph but I have a better camera and should be able to get better photos. Beyond that I’ll share some of the patterns that I’ve completed.

How do I do all this…. very carefully, patiently and with a lot of trial and error on the sewing construction end of things. The hardest part is writing up how to put the outfits together so someone else can make the outfit.

Enjoy what I’ve shared!

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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New Miniature Doll Pattern finally posted!

Nov 142010
 

A new miniature pattern has finally been posted. It’s been complete for a while but I am slowly making time to add each new pattern to the site with it’s cart buttons and so I’d like to point out the “Tiny Infant Girl Dress & Pinafore Combo Pattern” today!

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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What dolls do you sew for?

Aug 172010
 

I sew for just about any doll I can lay hands on but there are a few that I really love to sew for. Tiny Kitty and Kitty Collier are among my top two. Gene is another I love to sew for and will shortly have patterns for as well. I need to take photos and finish up her patterns. I adore Tiny Betsy and especially love the challenge of sewing in one inch scale. One doll I have not had the chance to sew for is the Urban Vita I got in January. I am looking forward to working on her patterns soon too!

So who do you love to sew for? Add your comments below!

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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On dolls and scales and magazines….

May 172008
 

Wednesday, January 19, 2005


One of the focuses of my business is dollhouse miniatures…. to answer the questions on scale you have several scales that are popular or gaining popularity.

1″ or 1/12 scale is the most common with tons of Yahoogroups for it and other online forums including Small Stuff Digest which is where I got my start… large international list for nothing but miniatures (not just 1″ scale tho)

1/2″ or 1/24 scale is smaller and has gained popularity in the last couple years as the 1″ scale people run out of space for minis This is a niche market that has a growing base… not saying 1″ scale is on it’s way out just that 1/2″ is growing in popularity due to the main body of crafters being retired or *my* elders (I’m not yet 30) and on space and money budgets that are shrinking.

1/4 scale is also popular but I’m not up on it much but I can say it is extremely tiny … if you’ve ever seen the original 80′s Poly Pockets those come close to the correct scale or a Z scale train is right. This is considered a dollhouse scale for inside a 1″ dollhouse!

On the larger end of the scale is 1/6 scale which is Barbie and the number of adult collectors wishing there were more things for her that weren’t Barbie Pink has a huge base. Then there’s the Tonner and larger 15-18″ fashion dolls that would dearly love more items including houses and such for their dolls.

As for places to learn about miniatures or dolls…..Ashdown Inc produces Doll Magazine (I’m a correspondent….Pattern columnist- unpaid except for exposure), and American Miniaturist (used to subscribe and adored it but budget had to give somewhere)

Jones Publishing and Scott Publications produce Doll Crafter, Miniature Collector, Dolls, Doll Costuming and a whole host of other magazines that deal with various subjects within the doll or miniature world. (Don’t ask me which publishing company publishes which I just know that those are the 3 big magazine producers)

I’ve been into dolls since 1988 when my mom started her doll business. I have been seriously into collector dolls and miniatures for about the last 2 years.

I should also add in something about reborn dolls, re-painted dolls and art dolls… there are lots of those out there too who redo, repaint or sculpt their own dolls that need and use props… you might just have a niche in one of these categories.

Sue Darby
~www.suestinycostumes.com

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