Bathing Beauties

This is my Mary Hoyer doll, Annie.

She is wearing a knit swimsuit made

 from a vintage Mary Hoyer pattern. 

This swimsuit was made by my friend Janet.

This is my Mary Hoyer doll, Nina.

Nina and Annie decided the seagreen suit looked best 

on Annie, but what would Nina wear to the beach?

I decided to try crocheting a bathing suit.

This is what I came up with.

The bottoms are little shorts

with an added skirt.

Nina really likes her new suit.

Here they are together.

Next we just need to put together

some beach-going items.

They would definitely need a beach blanket

I "borrowed" a new shop towel from 

my husband's wood shop.

I decided to add these two vintage 

Rick Rack in blue and pink.

Here is the beach blanket with Rick Rack.

Now the girls need some beach chairs.

I wanted to mimic these vintage 1950s beach chairs.

I cut some long lengths of cardboard and chose a fabric.

I glued the fabric to my cardboard with my Tacky Glue.

I folded the extra length of fabric under and glued it down.

Both these girls are a little fair, so they needed sunhats.

I pick up these 5" coasters whenever I see them.

I push my thumb into the centers to make a cone shape.

Decorate with flowers and VOILA!

I hot-glued string elastic under the brim to keep

their hats from blowing off.

Well, I think the girls are ready for a day

at the beach.  Blanket, chairs, books, snacks

and BUSTER!

OH no! Buster, dogs aren't allowed on the beach.

Sorry buddy.

On their way to find a spot the girls snapped 

some photos on the rocks.

"Take my picture Nina!"

"Now me!"

"How about here?"

"This is a great spot!" 

"This looks great, besides I'm tired."

"Zzzzzzzz..."

(I hope they put on sunscreen!)

Here are some more photos of the Bathing Beauties

Annie in the seagreen suit.

Nina in the pink tankini with skirt.

Together these girls are two bathing beauties.

Greetings from Nina and Annie!

The Shared Pants Sewing Project

These doll jeans have been cut out and

sitting on my sewing table for quite awhile.

As you can see this pattern is for an 18" doll.

I wanted to do a step by step for

those who find pants confusing.

(If I can make them anyone can!)

First thing is to put the pieces face to face

and sew the side seam.

Next I always iron out my seams flat.

At this point I hem the leg.

Repeat with the other pant leg.

Guess what I did here?

Yes, I sewed the fronts together

and backs together.

ARGH!!

I am not too worried because

this pattern is for an American Girl

size doll and this gives me some

extra fabric to play with.

I trimmed away the excess and charged ahead.

(Yes, I know, charging ahead was my 

original problem)

I sew the 2 pant pieces together and only edge

the open back seam.

Now I am ready to fold the pants face to face

and sew the inseam.

I sew from one side to the other.

The back is left open.

First fitting!

Yes, these are for 

Miss Revlon, Marylou.

You can see how BIG these jeans are!

With a pin in back to create a natural closure,

I pinch a tiny bit of fabric and pin it.

Darts pinned in front...

And darts pinned in back.

I keep adjusting the darts til 

the waist looks nicely fitted.

I sew the darts in a steep angle from 

waist to fabric edge, about 1 1/2".

I have sewn all the darts I pinned.

This creates a nice slim waistline.

now I am ready to finish the waist.

I make a tiny double fold and sew.

My Grandma called this a shirt-tail hem.

ALL DONE!!

So now I want to showcase these

jean slacks.

Here is Marylou in a more formal jean

outfit. The pillbox hat has removable

pins to create different looks.

Hats, Pins & Crinolines

A lacy blouse and a blingy belt

are finished wth a draped sweater

and pillbox hat.

Here are the same jeans with a casual 

plaid camp shirt.

The blue shoes Marylou is wearing

had these yellow pom-poms.

WELL! I pulled the poms off.

I will save them, but honestly

I have had them for over a year 

and NEVER found an outfit they

worked with.

Towards evening at the beach you 

need a sweater as the temps drop.

I called these shared pants

because they will fit Cissy too, 

but Cissy needs a casual shirt.

I plan on remaking this oversize cotton top.

I brought the blouse in along the sides

and sleeves.  

After I brought in the sides and sleeves,

I added a pleat down the back.

Here is Cissy wearing the shared jeans

plus her newly remade blouse.

As you can see the jeans fit Cissy as capris.

Close-up of the blouse front.

I like the big collar.

Looking pretty and casual.

Marylou and Cissy love to share clothes!

Marylou is wearing a second pair

of casual slacks made from

the same pattern.

After an exhausting day being fitted for clothes,

it's time for a tea break with

 little sister Betsy.

AH, tea and cakes, what

could be better?