This is my first attempt at making some doll clothes. As I wrote previously, I wanted to get Anya a Fancy Nancy doll for Christmas, but the extra doll clothes were a bit too expensive. I bought the dolly, took her out of the excessive packaging and measured her all up. I sat down at the kitchen table to draw the patterns and cut them out. Anya was there and was very interested in the “baby” patterns I was making. Soon I won’t be able to pull the wool over these little eyes!
Later I cut out the pattern pieces from some of my many small bits of extra fabric…before I tested to see if at least one fit. Silly, silly me. The arms were a bit too narrow and too long and the pants were too long. Fairly easy fixes, and I didn’t have to recut too many pieces. It was nice to be able to use the many, many scraps in my big bin to make clothes. Plus they will match some of Anya’s clothes.
In this situation, bias tape is your friend (narrow double-fold). That and rolled hemming on the serger. Some of these little tiny seams are a bit of a bear to do. The backs of most of them are open all the way down so it is easier for her to put them on and take them off. I used snaps for closures. I had a bag little buttons and some satin roses I used to pretty them up.
I just need to figure out how to make her some new shoes. I’m sure there is a way, I just need to figure it out. I’m definitely not buying a $20 outfit for a doll so it can have shoes.
This was such a fun little project. It makes me wish I were a wee little girl so I could play with dolls again. 🙂 The first picture shows her “suitcase” that I found to put all the clothes into. It was a nice little suitcase-like box that is light enough for a little girl to carry around with her. Anya was very happy with Nancy and her new doll clothes, and she even got a few new Fancy Nancy books for Christmas from Grandma Joan. She all set for much playing. 🙂
*****
Just an FYI, if you had bookmarked my Sundress tutorial…I deleted that post. It got linked on Stumbleupon and on another site and got around 4600 views. And not one thank you. That annoys me to no end, so if you need it, just look on my “I make things” page – it’s at the bottom. I really don’t mind putting the work into doing a tutorial, but people are so rude these days. I guess if I didn’t get any thank you’s, then it wasn’t worthwhile so I might as well pull it. Of course, I did get one comment that the dress was “sooooooooooo uglllllllllllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!”. So…yeah… *DELETE*
You are the most awesome mommy! Those are way better than the store bought stuff. My mom used to make my Barbie clothes and I always liked them sooo much more.
I can admire the craftmenship and the skill it took to make it, and they look nice. But sorry doesn’t inspire me to play with dolls at all :o) great pic’s Stacy..
Wow! My almost 3 yr old Mia is just getting into Fancy Nancy…I must say that I prefer your outfit by far to the mass produced ones. Yours have sooo much character, and I’d love to wear them, too! I guess we all have a little Fancy Nancy in us 🙂
I can’t pick a favorite, but I’m leaning toward the bottom left (red) and the top left…oh, WONDERFUL idea was the suitcase! You’re constantly amazing me with your creativity 🙂
Wooo-eee – that’s the fanciest Nancy around! Anya must be thrilled. I love all of these!! (once again I’m gonna say it – Etsy!)
I can’t believe so many people took advantage of your generosity without a word of thanks. That’s awful. I’m sorry, Stacy!
Holy cow those are the cutest doll clothes I have ever seen. Makes me want to play with Fancy Nancy. Harper got a couple of Fancy Nancy books for Christmas too and I love them. They are so fun!
Thank you so much everyone! It was really fun making them. 😀
OMG, Stacy I wish I was your little girl! Those outfits are just spectacular, make me want a little girl and to learn to sew better.
Those are SO CUTE! I can’t believe how crafty you are…and I keep hoping that some of that will rub off on me!
I LOVE these clothes. When I was little my grandma and aunt made me a bunch of Barbie clothes and they were the best. They made a wedding dress and so many other little things. My mom made clothes for our Cabbage Patch dolls and I think I still have them. The fabric was from things around the house, which made it much cooler. I bet Anya will continue to love handmade because you do it so well!
All the clothes are darling. I bet Anya will enjoy them so much.
OH my WORD!! Will you be my mommy??? 🙂 haha. She looks awesome!
what a lucky fancy nancy — she must be the best dressed of her set on the planet :)!
OH, she is SO FANCY! I love, love, love that first outfit and the suitcase!! That rocks.
Someday, I would love to make doll clothes, because they are just so much cuter than the expensive ones you buy in the store.
And I cannot believe that the sundress tutorial didn’t get one thank you? WTH??
I think I already saved it, I’ll have to go back and see…
How rude some people are, if the person did not like, than don’t comment.
There are no dolls around here- but I agree that she just got fancier.
Fancy Nancy looks freakin’ fantastic! Nice job. It’s even cooler that she can match Anya. Thanks for sharing!
you are a crafty gal I tell ya. I can’t sew a button on a shirt. I suck.
Oh Nancy is so fancy. What a great look for her! I’m amazed at people who can sew. Not my gift!! You are very talented girl!
julie
Thanks so much everyone. You all know how to make a girl feel good! 😀
As for the rude people…yes, it is hard to believe that I didn’t get one thank you. What is the world coming to?? I swear people are forgetting their manners, and that is such a sad thing to see. With the one rude poster…she apparently doesn’t know the saying, “If you can’t be nice at least be vague” 😉
Hi Stacy!!! These doll clothes are great! I especially love the flared pantsuit (fourth one…or is it a long dress now I look more closely?). Great way to use up fabric scraps and so satisfying I think. What about the suitcase???? Perfect! I am not surprised Anya was delighted with them. As for the tutorial, I can’t believe people bother to leave a comment like that. My mother says “If you can’t say anything nice…..” you know the rest! >:-(
Lovely! I so remember playing with dolls…I loved naming them most of all.
Ooh, la, la…Fancy Nancy is quite fancy, pantsy!
Wishing I had your talent for sewing! How sweet, I hope she keeps them forever, what a lovely gift~
🙂
Love the clothes, they are really cute! Probably cuter than the ones you could buy too. As for the shoes, my mom used to dress dolls for the Toys for Tots thru the army, and she found doll shoes in packages at the dollar stores. You might want to check that out, cheap and you don’t have to buy the $20 outfit for the doll. And depending on how big the feet are, you could make boots out of felt and slippers out of fuzzy material, and sandals shouldn’t be too hard either.
Those clothes are just beautiful. Very inspiring. I still have the dolls clothes my Mum made me. Very 70’s!
Holy Cow!! You continually amaze me with your talents!!! She looks great and how awesome that some of her outfits will match Anya’s!! I would have loved that as a little girl!!
Amazing! I am always awed and quite un-industrious feeling when I see what you just happen to “whip up” 🙂
That doll is better dressed than most little girls!
And if I’d known you had a tutorial up… I would have gone and left you some comment love – even if you do make me feel rather clumsy about my creativity 😉 Maybe some of yours will rub off on me???
First, the clothes are super cute! Somehow, I have no idea who Fancy Nancy is, but I keep seeing references to her, so I’m thinking she is big. And I’m betting your stuff is WAY better!
Second, 4600 views and NOT ONE THANK YOU??? WTF? Even if you might not like the particular fabrics, it’s totally easy to see the technique behind it, and you KNOW a good portion of those people went and used it to make their own. Hmph. Shame on them. And as for the one…she just must be plain miserable to feel the need to spread it around and give herself company.
Third..if I were making shoes, I would wing it, using a baby bootie pattern shape. Trace the sole onto paper, add seam allowance, and make a pattern piece that will fit over the foot and wrap around the back and close in a seam back there. Like a baby bootie pattern. Kind of a U shape. Make from a stiff fabric and bind the edges, or use a mock suede or something. Geez, I’m not explaining very well, am I?? I should make up a tutorial. :p
That little suitcase is such a nice adder. Anya is so lucky to have such a talented and creative mommy like you to make her doll clothes. The patterns are great. I CAN NOT pick a favorite. Those are “one of a kind” Fancy Nancy doll clothes. I see a fortune in your future! :o) Yes, as Christina said….ETSY!
She looks very fancy indeed! You did a great job!