Erin Hentzel - Me and My 18 inch Doll: Sew 20+ Matching Outfits, Accessories & Quilts for the Girl in Your Life

Publisher: Amy Marson Creative Director: Gailen Runge Acquisitions Editor: Roxane Cerda Managing Editor: Liz Aneloski Editor: Katie Van Amburg Technical Editor: Alison M. Schmidt Cover/Book Designer: April Mostek Production Coordinators: Tim Manibusan and Zinnia Heinzmann Production Editor: Jennifer Warren Illustrator: Linda Johnson Photo Assistant: Rachel Holmes Photography by Kelly Burgoyne of C&T Publishing, Inc. Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549 Dedication To my grandma Mayme, who patiently taught me to sew sock dolls and many other hand-sewn projects, and who made me so many cute handmade clothes to wear when I was little. I miss you, and I thought of you often while writing this book. I know just what youd say to me if I walked through your door: Ta-da! AcknowledgmentsA very special thanks to: My son, Nicholas, for your example of hard work and dedication to what youre passionate about.

Eric, whose unconditional love, friendship, and unwavering belief in me mean everything. Diana, for being such a kindhearted person and friend, whose support means so much. Laura Cunningham and Jan Bechler, for their sewing help in completing the quilts for this book. I appreciate your time, talent, and graciousness. My young helpersCamille, Gwen, Nora, Sophie, and Wrenfor being such good models for me while working through the sizing of the clothing projects. Thanks also to: Andover Fabrics, Clothworks, Dear Stella, and Moda Fabrics, who graciously and generously sent me gorgeous fabrics and trims to create many of the projects in this book.

Dill Buttons, for sending me high-quality and clever-looking buttons to complement the projects created for this book. Bloc Loc Rulers, C&T Publishing, Dritz, Omnigrid, and Sulky, who provided me with stellar sewing tools and notions for drafting the patterns and sewing the projects. Laura Cunningham of Graceful Stitches and Janis Workman of the Serial Quilter, who longarm quilted my quilts for this book and made them look amazing! IntroductionMe & My 18 Doll has been such a labor of love for me. Writing this book has brought back many fond memories of that special time when my kids were little and insisted that a stuffed bear, cat, or doll had matching handmade clothes, accessories, bedding, and anything else I made for them. Creating new designs for children and dolls was like visiting a familiar friend. General Sewing Patterns The patterns are printed on both sides of the pullout pages, so youll need to make a new copy, either by tracing or photocopying. General Sewing Patterns The patterns are printed on both sides of the pullout pages, so youll need to make a new copy, either by tracing or photocopying.

This is a great habit to adopt for multi-sized patterns; you preserve all sizes so you can sew for multiple kids or sew the design in larger sizes as your child grows. For those who prefer to print and cut out the patterns, download them at tinyurl.com/11340-patterns-download. Some projects have simple drafting instructions with diagrams instead of provided patterns. These are becoming a standard in todays sewing world, and being able to draft patterns is a great skill. As I walk you through the process, youll see how simple it can bechances are, you already have the knowledge to do this easily. Sizing One size rarely fits all. Sizing One size rarely fits all.

For the best fit, follow these simple guidelines: Measure the child while she is in her underclothes. For tops and dresses, choose the size with the chest measurement closest to the childs chest measurement. For bottoms, choose the size with the closest hip measurement. Reality Check Choose a similar garment of the childs that fits well. Measure the crucial points: waist, chest, hip, length. Compare those to the pattern pieces, measuring the pattern within the stitching lines and multiplying it as needed for the full measurement.

This helps determine if the size chosen is accurate. Make a Muslin! I make sure special garments fit first by making a wearable muslin from muslin or unwanted fabric. The wearable muslin may become your daughters favorite! Size ChartFabricsFor cottons, consider how the fabric feels on the skinsmooth and soft to the touch (soft hand), or a little scratchy (if so, you may want a different fabric)? Higher-quality cottons feel softer, wrinkle less, and have a better drape (how fabric hangs off the body). For tops, a finer, lighter-weight fabric gives the top or dress a better drape. For linings and underdresses, look for lightweight apparel cottons, such as specialty cotton, batiste, or lawn. For skirts and shorts, choose a regular-weight quilting cotton or try chambray, fine wale corduroy, linen, or lightweight twill.

Use fabric to enhance the design. Lawn or very lightweight fabrics provide a flowy look; crisp poplins or lightweight quilting cottons provide more structure. Sewing Levels Beginner Advanced beginner Intermediate Prewashing Prewash all fabrics before sewing, especially when using natural fibers such as 100% cotton or linen, to avoid shrinking after the garment has been sewn. Its always a good idea to purchase a little extra to ensure there is enough fabric after it has been prewashed. Tools and SuppliesFrench curve, hip curve, or other curved ruler for tracing or self-drafting curved cutting lines Large acrylic ruler (quilting ruler) Pellon Easy Pattern or Swedish tracing paper: If you dont plan to use the pattern more than once, large butcher paper or medical paper can be used. Flexible measuring tape to measure child Rotary cutter and matFasturn for making bias tubing Interfacing Interfacing provides shape, structure, and strength.

Avoid grabbing whatever is convenient. Determine your desired end results; then choose the interfacing that best facilitates achieving that goal. When applying fusible interfacings to garments in areas besides pockets, interfacing should be fused to the lining fabric, not the garment fabric. Its best to use a pressing cloth when fusing interfacing. Tender Touch interfacing doesnt change the hand of the fabric and is soft against the skinideal for childrens wear.