8-2014 -Aly's First Day of School
This is my entry for The Doll Wardrobe's 2014 Summer Fashion Design Challenge.
A bit about the outfit:
For Aly's first day of school, she decided on a pair of broken in shorts, a tank top she made this summer, and her favorite off-shoulder shirt (which will be easy to remove for Home Ec.). She'll carefully put her hair up in a bun, so her hair won't get in the way (especially while she's baking). She'll finish off her bun with a bow that matches her tank top. To prepare for school, she has stuffed her backpack with some paper, pencils, and a clipboard, plus some things for Home Ec class (her favorite!): a couple recipes that her Home Ec teacher requested from Aly's mom, a cookie sheet, two handmade hotpads, an apron, and a container with three frosting-topped cookies, one for her and two to share.
A bit about the outfit:
For Aly's first day of school, she decided on a pair of broken in shorts, a tank top she made this summer, and her favorite off-shoulder shirt (which will be easy to remove for Home Ec.). She'll carefully put her hair up in a bun, so her hair won't get in the way (especially while she's baking). She'll finish off her bun with a bow that matches her tank top. To prepare for school, she has stuffed her backpack with some paper, pencils, and a clipboard, plus some things for Home Ec class (her favorite!): a couple recipes that her Home Ec teacher requested from Aly's mom, a cookie sheet, two handmade hotpads, an apron, and a container with three frosting-topped cookies, one for her and two to share.
When thinking about what I could make to fit the Learning/School theme, I decided that, since it is still pretty warm here, I'd go with a summery outfit. Most summery outfits need shorts. So I started my design there. While searching for fabric, I actually thought up three different shirts/shirt sets, but ended up deciding on something comfortable looking rather than new looking. After all, the first day of school is the hardest day (was for me anyway) to get through, so why not be in your favorite things while figuring out your new terrain? Anyway, I decided on a tank top of some sort and a off-shoulder tee. I also added a upcycled backpack and some school/baking accessories which I will describe later.
I kinda went backwards with this project. Instead of starting with the outfit and then doing the accessories, I did some accessories, then the outfit, then more accessories. Both shirts are pull-over, instead of having a closure up the back. I normally don't like pullovers (musses the doll's hair), but in this case, I was short on time (the fussy machine and life....) and the fabric is super stretchy (a good thing about upcycling, both shirts were made out of clothes that I used to consider favorites) so it worked out very well. Both shirts are really easy to get on and off. The backpack I made using a child's purse, four larger jumprings, and a single spring ring. I used my jewelry making pliers to work a jumpring through one of the holes (from the stitching) in the strap, and once it was through, I connected it to the zipper pull. I then added three more jumprings for a decorative attempt, and the spring ring so things can be hooked on (like a bracelet during baking/cooking classes).
And the outfit is finally complete, about a week after I started, and much too close to the deadline. Oh well, at least I finished in time. My sewing machine is really old, and kept throwing hissy fits... so that didn't help any either... I tried to make a pair of shoes.... but.. well.. there is a reason I didn't include them in my entry... I need some different glue before I try those again.. Anyway, this is the first time I used any of the patterns, and the first time I've ever made pants for my dolls. I know they're not perfect, but I like them anyhow, and I hope you do too. :)
Aly: Just Like You #3 (pre-mattel)