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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Displaying Dolls Christmas

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.

Displaying Dolls, Free Children's Stories Doll Stories

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.

Displaying Dolls

The pattern I am currently designing for princesses’ ballgowns can change to a pattern for  girls’ classic dresses. Fabrics, trims, and skirt lengths make all the difference.
Here are my three small dolls in their classic dresses.

The girls have dressed up before having  tea from my dainty tea set. The set is new. I couldn’t resist showing it. It was hand painted by Ellen Westmoreland, a friend of mine. Ellen’s business is called Ellen’s Hand Painted Treasures.
To see the ballgowns check my posts for September 18 and 25.

Displaying Dolls, my patterns sewing for small dolls

To everyone who is celebrating today:

May you have a blessed and happy Easter.

Displaying Dolls sewing for small dolls

This tiny Easter basket is made with fabric, paper, and rick rack.

 
Draw a three and one quarter inches by three and three quarter inches rectangle. Draw a one inch square in each corner. I used grid paper to keep my lines straight. Extend the lines of the squares to match those in the picture below.

Draw a diagonal through each inch square. In my illustrations the red lines show where to fold and the black lines show where to cut. Mark A and B tabs in each square.

Use low heat fusible webbing to bond a small piece of fabric to the back of your basket pattern. Remember to bond the fabric to the blank side of the paper and leave the fold and cut lines visible. Cut out the basket.

Cut the four short diagonal lines to create A and B tabs. Fold the A tabs to the inside and glue down.

Fold three side of the basket up to a basket shape and glue the B tabs over the A tabs.

 
Fold the last side up to make a basket and finish gluing the tabs.
Cut two 4 or 5 inch strips of rick rack and twist them together. Press the strip if you wish.

Glue each side of the rick rack handle to inside of the basket.
Add plastic grass or tissue paper filler and a small toy or Easter candy if you wish.

Displaying Dolls sewing for small dolls

Years ago my sister-in-law and I spent a pleasant afternoon making tiny Easter baskets from colored construction paper. My mother gave them to the children in her preschool class. The children loved them and I thought they were charming. I decided to use fabric and rickrack to make a similar little basket for my small dolls.

Here is Florabunda in her new spring dress with her Easter basket.

Here is a close up of the basket. I filled it with tissue paper instead of plastic grass.
Next week I will tell you how I made the basket.

Displaying Dolls sewing for small dolls