What Do You Love?

People who love crafts usually love them all, but when given opportunity to choose a craft to do, they will lean toward a particular type as being their favorite. For me, it's sewing and dolls. As I said before, I used to sew Barbie Doll dresses for sale on eBay. It was probably one of my favorite times in life, but one I lost hold of as life demanded more of my attention.
It was around 2002 to 2003 that I was involved in doll dress design. Most of my dresses were the frilly ballgowns that were so popular for the time. How I longed to do something more contemporary, but there did not seem to be a market for the type of dresses that I wanted to do at the time. Unfortunately, I never got back to it when a market did grow for that style of dress. The Mattel Silkstone Barbie collector doll and the Integrity Fashion Royalty dolls were rapidly gaining popularity after I stopped sewing. Soon, one doll fashion designer began to stand out fr0m many others selling on eBay; a woman named Brenda from Canada (Sorry, I do not know her last name) who sews under her label, Matisse.




Her use of pattern and fabric are stunning in combination with her skill in sewing in miniature.Every detail is perfect, right down to buttons, linings, buckles, and handbags. Notice the fabric used in the brown jacket? It looks like leather, doesn't it? It is liquid knit, undoubtedly much easier to work with in miniature than leather. Each tiny outfit is perfectly accessorized,complete with belts, scraves, and jewelry. Her skills in sewing are as good as her skills in photo composition and marketing. I have been following her work for years, and quite possibly it was she who created the market by the beauty of her work and her stunning displays. Truly amazing.

I could just sit here all night and put pictures up for you to see- but just do your self a favor and visit her blog. She offers lots of information on sewing in miniature, as well as links to many other tutorial sites.
Lately, I have been reinspired to design for Barbie. I was going through my fabric stash and came across some dresses I had started before. Wouldn't you know it, there are several Valentine dresses that only need minor work to complete them. Just in time for Valentine's Day! (They are "frilly ballgowns" but I will finish them.)
I also just ordered a CD on eBay that is loaded with several of the vintage fashion doll patterns- quite a steal at $4.95. Such a steal that I don't mind not having the actual pattern and having to print out the pieces (transferring doll patterns to card stock works much better than the flimsy tissue paper paper, anyway.)
Soon, I'll be sewing away and selling on Etsy this time! My plans are to sell doll dresses, handbags, glamour aprons, miscellaneous accessories, and some supplies like fat quarters and bags of trims. My shop will be opening soon. Keep watching Etsy for Sunday Sewing Shoppe. That will be me!