Rag Doll Sailor Dress

I've been working through my 18 inch doll binders trying to make sure I keep some classics each year but add to the range of items I make as well. This Sweet Silver Creations pattern most often is cited for its shoes as it is my go to pattern. In recent years I've started to try to include it in the actual donation. After making the Sundress for the My Life doll I started in on the Sailor Dress as I already had the White Baby Bernat Sport Yarn out.

As I was making it I realized this might be one of the 18 inch outfits that can work for the Rag Doll and possibly the 16 Inch Baby Dolls. I was preparing this one for the My Life Doll but after trying it on the Rag Doll I realized the first one was going to the Rag Doll and I will have to make complete sets for the My Life and the 16 Inch Baby Dolls.

You can purchase the pattern here.

I did not make the hat or shoes for this doll. The hat won't fit over the hair and the doll has sew on shoes.

I used an H hook for this project. The white yarn is Baby Bernat Sport, the blue is Red Heart Super Saver, and the Red is old Red Heart Sport yarn. I'm currently trying to find a sport navy that would work better for this project but so far haven't found one. I'm thinking perhaps when I have my next Herrschners' coupon I'll search for navy along with the odd sized thread I seem to need for some of my Barbie projects.

If I make this for the Rag Doll again I would think about making it slightly shorter and working on the button issue for the back. This has actually given me some thoughts about what to do for the My Life doll as I wasn't as happy with how this worked.

Also a note regarding the collar. Finish off navy and start white from other end.

Our Generation Dovetailed

This is another one of my favorite free Darski patterns found here.

I love the historical look of the pattern and that it works up quickly without being too challenging. I've been making this outfit in pink and grey for years, but I'm thinking about possibly making this for the My Life doll in different colors to try something new this year. We will see what happens.

I originally intended this outfit for the My Life doll. I'm trying to keep a balance for the donation but I didn't use elastic for the waist band and as a result the waist was a little too big for the My Life and fit the Our Generation Doll a bit better. The top was also made with the suggested H hook and fit well for both dolls.

American Girl Hippy Outfit

I thought I was done making AG clothes for family members. Most of the girls seemed to have lost interest in the dolls and then Julie arrived for Christmas. While the other dolls had been interesting, for one girl in the family, Julie has become a hit. Julie is the AG doll from the 70's and as much as it pains me to admit it, that time period is now considered "historical." So, it appears I won't only be crocheting 18" doll clothes for charity.

At some point I had picked up Maggie Weldon's 18" Doll Hippy Wardrobe Pattern, so I decided this would make a great May birthday present now that I can actually use the size 10 thread required to make certain parts of the outfit.

I had a huge ball of white size 10 thread so I started with the shirt. This was actually my first clothing thread project and I loved working on it. As my thread crocheting improves, I think there will be less signs of issues with changes in tension. One disappointment is that I could not get the pants pattern to work. I tried it a couple of times, but I obviously misunderstood the directions. I went back to my fall back pattern Abby, Allie, and Annie and added a bell-bottom look to those pants. I loved the crocheted rainbows and flowers. I remember my older sisters and my mother embroidering details to clothing. I am not sure they ever considered crocheting them.

I am still hopeful I can finish the dress from this set to add to the birthday package going out in May. It will be nice for Julie to have some period clothing.

One of the added benefits of the project is it helped me work on my stash busting goals. Other than the thread, the rest of the yarn came from my rather overgrown stash that I am working on using up. The vest was made from yarn I used during for last year's doll donation projects. I joined a stash busting CAL at Crochetville and it is helping me focus on keeping track of what I acquire and what I am actually using for yarn.

Barbie and American Girl Doll Free Patterns are listed on my blog at these locations:

Barbie Crochet and Sewing Page

Barbie Knitting Page

Ken Page

Kelly/Skipper Page

American Girl Doll Crochet and Sewing

American Girl Doll Knitting

Doll Blankets and Pillow Patterns

Additional Doll Patterns also Available on the Holiday Blogs:

Christmas

Valentines

Easter

Graduation

Patriotic

Halloween Page

Thanksgiving

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