In the last few weeks I have organized Florabunda and Twinkle’s clothing. Today it was time to organize Tender Heart’s clothing. I found a blue plastic box about the size of a shoe box to use for Tender Heart’s trunk. I used two small bins for her shoes and hats. Her dresses, separates, and undies fit neatly in the box.

All three dolls now have their clothing organized. The dolls can be stored inside the boxes or basket with their clothes when play time is over. An advantage of small dolls is how easy it is to find storage for them.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls, getting organized

A few months ago a friend gave me a vintage sewing basket. When I saw that the basket’s lid was padded and covered with part of a miniature star quilt, I knew that I would use it for Twinkle. Today I packed her shoes and hats in two of my mini bins and arranged her clothes in her basket.
Here is the top of Twinkle’s basket. Her shoes and hats are ready to go inside.

Twinkle can ride inside the basket with her clothes or sit on top. She may decide to take a nap when she finds her cover and pillow.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls, getting organized

I have always loved small dolls. I think that their size is charming. They are easier to display and store than larger dolls. Because they can share possessions with Barbie, their accessories are easy to find. I seldom need to buy fabric for them, because their clothes can be made from fabric scraps.
These little dolls also make wonderful dolls for popular eighteen inch dolls such as American Girl Dolls. The small dolls can add another level of creativity to doll play.
Here is my new Springfield doll with Florabunda, Twinkle, and Tender Heart.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls Accessories for American Girl Dolls, Accessories for eighteen inch dolls

Lots of stores have organizing tubs and bins on sale at this time of year. I bought two tiny plastic boxes at an office supply store. The boxes inspired me to organize Florabunda’s clothes. Here are Florabunda and her possessions. Her clothes and accessories will soon be organized.

The small boxes hold her shoes, socks, hats and undies. I found a designer box to hold her clothes.

Florabunda is organized. Now I need to work on the rest of my sewing room.

sherralyn getting organized

My local grocery store had a sale on miniature evergreen trees, so I bought one for my small dolls. I enjoy small dolls, because it is so easy to find accessories for them.
It takes at least two girls to twist the gold rope around the tree.

Hanging ornaments takes a lot of patience. The ornament hooks are always getting tangled up.

The littlest one gets to hang the star, but she needs help and encouragement.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls Christmas

Tech support (husband) has uploaded a fairytale that I have written. It stars my small dolls. You can find it on my pattern page at the bottom of the page. It is next to my children’s Chlristmas story.

The story is called “Princess Florabunda and the Dancing Sleepover.” Here is the first illustration from the story:

sherralyn Free Children's Stories

Dolls and storytelling go together. Stories can inspire dollmakers to create characters from the story. Famous dollmakers like Madam Alexander offer many dolls dressed as storybook characters. I was inspired by children’s books to make four different character dolls.
Instead of being created to illustrate a story, dolls can reverse the process and inspire storytellers to write stories. Children often use dolls in their imaginative play to create interesting stories. This year I have written a Christmas story to go with the dolls that I designed. It’s called “Problems with Babysitters.” I also have ideas for several more stories and have almost finished a second story about princesses.
If you would like to read the story, please go to my patterns page. Click on the story in the red free downloads box on the right side of the page or simply scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the story.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls, Free Children's Stories Doll Stories

A kit of basic sewing tools is a nice gift for many people. Anyone who wants or needs to learn a few sewing skills would appreciate the gift. Check my free download “Tips, Tools, and Techniques” (available on my patterns page) for tool suggestions.
If you are making a doll wardrobe for a special little girl’s Christmas, she might enjoy a sewing kit. She could try her hand at sewing for her doll after Christmas. The pillow, pillowcase, and cover from my “Doll Bed and Accessories” pattern are excellent patterns for beginners. Next she can make the simple sundress  from my free sundress pattern. It is also a good pattern fro beginners.
With a few tools and instructions you might give someone a lifetime of sewing pleasure.

sherralyn Christmas Sewing, learning to sew, my patterns sewing for small dolls

I think that a small doll with a custom made wardrobe would be a wonderful Christmas present for a little girl. If you are considering purchasing a small doll and making it clothes, you should should spend some time deciding on the right doll.  The recent Ginny and Tiny Betsy McCall dolls that I have purchased have a warning on the box that says the dolls are unsuitable for children younger than 14 years. The only hazard that is listed on the box is a choking hazard, which is usually a danger for children 3 years old and younger. I am not certain why the dolls are not considered play dolls. They are hard plastic which means that the arms and legs are connected with rubber bands suitable for doll stringing. I am not sure if this construction technique is hazardous or not, but it might be traumatic. I have several hard plastic Ginny dolls from the 1990′s. One day not too long ago, I opened my doll cabinet to show my four year old neighbor a miniature tea set. The head of one of my Ginny dolls fell off and hit my shoe. I was afraid that my young friend was going to be upset, but she was too interested in the tea set to notice the tragedy. I quickly removed the victim and she is now awaiting repair with some of her sisters.
If the warnings about hard plastic dolls concern you, other options are available. You might make one of my small cloth dolls. The joining buttons and small arms and legs on my dolls are choking hazards for children who are still inclined to chew on their toys. I think that  my dolls would be suitable for most children over 3 or 4 years old.
The mail order company Lillian Vernon has a small vinyl doll that is suitable for children. The American Girl mini doll is made for ages 8 and up. I hope that you can find the right doll for that special little girl.A

sherralyn Christmas Sewing American Girl mini clothes patterns, Vogue Ginny doll clothes patterns

Since I have a new clothes pattern for my small dolls, my husband and I discussed taking a new group photo of small dolls. The picture in the left column of this blog does not have any dolls wearing the new dresses.
Taking the photograph reminded me of group photo day, when I was a school teacher. First I had to make sure everyone’s hair was combed, collars were straight, buttons were buttoned, and any other grooming problems solved. Little dolls need the same type of grooming care.
Then I had to line the children up by height. This operation is not as simple as it sounds with school children. Children have their own opinions on who is the tallest. At least the dolls did not argue with me.
Once the line is established, the group is arranged on risers. Every little face needs to be seen and to be looking at the camera. Dolls don’t wiggle, but they don’t take instructions either. I couldn’t say, “Wendy and Ginny please look up.” Each little head has to be posed and then checked through the camera. Even if they do not purposely poke one another as energetic children might do, one leaning doll can knock over a whole row of its peers.
After a little thought, we decided to leave the picture up a little longer. Maybe sometime next year we will shoot a new one.

sherralyn Displaying Dolls