Pajama Party Baby Dolls For Chloe

Well, it has been a long hiatus from blogging but not from sewing!  There are many things that I have been creating that I would like to document and share.  The first item up is from several years ago.  Sweet Chloe was midway through first grade and practicing for a class musical performance of "Pajama Party".  (I can't believe that in August Chloe will be in fourth grade! Where does the time go??!!)  Her mama, my wonderful friend Kaye, was searching for old fashioned baby doll shortie pajamas without any luck.  Two days before the performance she asked me if I knew of any other place she should look.  I have to admit I rolled my eyes a bit and exclaimed,  "Only in my sewing room!  Two days, Kaye!"  

 

Pajama Top:  Self drafted

Bottoms:  Pantaloons from "Christy", an old Kaye Guiles pattern

Fabrics:  Tanja Whelan florals from the stash

Trims:  stash

I started with Chloe's measurements and Kaye's general design idea and drafted a super simple design made fancy with special trims from my stash of goodies.  The top was made just from Chloe's measurements and the bottoms were adapted/shortened from a pantaloon pattern in "Christy" by Kaye Guiles, one of my favorites from 20 years ago.

I decided to make the waist 'paper bag style'.

 

Getting all 'dolled up' in her mama's classroom the night of the performance.

I put bows on everything!  Even the stuffy and Chloe's slippers!

Dance moves from the show just for us!  She rocked it on stage, too!

Check out that dimple!

This move is part of a song where the mom says,  "Pick up your toys!"

 I do adore this child!

The Hope Chest Inspired Shower, Part 2: The Nightgown

An Heirloom Nightgown for Kelly

Goodnight Poem

 by Mykaela Maxino:

Touch your heart,

Close your eyes.

Make a wish,

Say goodnight.

Sky so wide,

Stars so bright,

Off the lights,

Sleep so tight.

Every bride needs a feminine, romantic nightgown, right?  

I made this gown as part of my niece, Kelly's 'hope chest' gifts (see previous post).  The nightie was made using a delicate pink Imperial batiste (a fine polycotton blended fabric) and pretty cotton lace from my stash.  I used a pattern from an old Sew Beautiful magazine and added a section of smocking below the high yoke.  I made it in the smallest size, but it was still very large on her petite frame.  I think that it would be perfect for mama/baby photos someday.  

The lace used on the front yoke was purchased from an estate sale along with a large box of other laces and trims.  What a find!  I did my best to match up the pattern and joined the strips of lace with a zig-zag stitch.  The lace around the neckline and armholes was from the same box of laces.  The cluny lace on the hem was purchased some time ago from Martha Pullen Co.

I apologize for the photos.  They were taken in the living room amidst all the commotion of the wood flooring being installed, and I didn't realize how out of focus they were until I had already given Kelly the gown.  The smocking was adapted from a smocked dress in another Sew Beautiful magazine.

Psalm 42:8:   But each day the Lord pours His unfailing love upon me, and through each night I sing His songs, praying to God who gives me life.

Charm's First Nightie Part 1

This is the little daygown front and sleeves that I started a few weeks ago. The smocking and bullion embriodery are complete and this is awaiting construction. Charm is due at the end of May and the baby shower will be at the end of April. Charm will be her nickname and her given name is still undecided. (Third sweet daughter for my dear friend: "Three times the charm!")

The smocking plate is "Taylor Rae" by Peanut Butter-n-Jelly Kid's Designs. The roses are more full-blown than those on the plate. Since there would be only three of them I wanted them to really make a statement. Charm's mommy asked that I not make anything white (my favorite for babies) and really limit the lace. She also wants things that are easy-care so this is Imperial Batiste with the tiniest French lace I have in my stash.

This little trailing vine of flowers will go on the little bonnet brim. This will be it's only adornment (I am trying to make 'plain' but it is so hard for me!!!)

I have had to put this aside to make two outfits for customers but I hope to get back to it next week.

Hannah Rose Models the Nightgown!

Hannah Rose's mother emailed me these photos of Hannah on Christmas Eve. Doesn't she look lovely in her special nightgown? She plays the piano beautifully, by the way. She loves it and it shows in the way she plays. She has only been taking lessons for about a year but she has progressed through several years of material already.

Love those slippers! Doesn't her face capture the excitement of waiting for Santa ?

Christmas morning brings a happy Hannah with her new Molly doll dressed in the matching nightgown.

Smocked Nighties for Hannah Rose and Her Doll

Doll's nightgown modeled by my daughter's doll.

I was very pleased with the way these matching nighties came out! The blue was lovely (more like this first picture) and the white lace, smocking, and hand embroidery contrasted nicely. Most importantly, Hannah loved the nightgowns and kept talking about how nice the fabric felt (Imperial batiste) against her skin. She was given the nightgown on Christmas Eve and awoke to discover her new AG doll, Molly, dressed in the matching gown.

The doll's dress was made using a pattern from Martha Pullen's book Martha's Attic.

This was the last set I made in 2009 and one of the sets I most enjoyed making! Thank you, Pam, for allowing me to be a part of your vision for Hannah this Christmas.

Hannah Rose's Nightie Part 2

Smocking on the gown for Hannah is complete, as is the embroidery for the bodice. The dollie's gown is smocked but the embroidery is just traced at this time. The gown is smocked using an adapted portion of an old smocking plate by Terry Collins: "Angela" 1983. I made up the smaller doll's smocking plate to match. The embroidery is from a design by Sarah Howard Stone in her book Hand Sewing For Infants, a gift from my Heart Sister Jana. (Thank you again, Sweetie!)

Hannah Rose's Nightie Part 1

A sweet friend has commissioned me to make a nightgown for her 9 year old and her new doll for Christmas Eve. I was delighted to be asked. I have known Hannah Rose since she was almost 2 years old and I was proud to be her kindergarten teacher. Hannah Rose is like my own Victoria-Rose was in body type and purchasing or making age appropriate clothing that fits is a challenge. In all the hundred's (no exaggeration) of patterns I have, none would fit Hannah that matched what Pam (mommy) and I had in mind. Soooooo I set out to make my own pattern. Since this nightgown will be given to her on Christmas Eve, I cannot fit the pattern to her and am hoping for the best. We chose a sleeveless style because it is warm here in Florida most of the year and Hannah Rose really dislikes the feel of sleeves when she is sleeping.

Blue batiste to go with her pretty eyes and lovely English lace.

I have already begun the smocking and embroidery since these photos were taken. I will post the progress made soon.