Trying out a blazer pattern ❤️


Hey you dollings!

I hope everything is peaceful at your side of the globe. There's so much going on around, but despite that I wish you are hanging in there. At least that is what I am trying to do :) Things are okay here in my town, family is doing well, and thankfully, I am still able to do the things I love. I wish you the best as always.

New-to-me project

Last month, I committed to creating a pattern set for a suit (blazer jacket and skirt) for a Made to Move Classic/Regular Barbie. I've never done one before, so it was both exciting and a bit scary ;D Well, basically, it's a giveaway prize at a facebook group I am hosting. I started late with this project/commitment than planned because I had backlog work, which was mainly another prize giveaway. Until now, I am still bad at resource management; it's annoying. But what can I do? My real, ultimate talent is putting as much on my plate without checking my previous commitments. I know, right? Sigh...

But anyways, here I am still trying to keep up with my uber-driven self.

So I had been drafting several blazer patterns for the last two weeks, I think, and have managed to prototype five. To be honest, I was just like on cloud 9 making each one of these, learning my way as I go. I started documenting my changes only later in the entire project, but I'll try to remember and list the things I learned so far. Who knows? Someone new to this miniature fashion design venture might just, in the future, find this post useful.




Adapting a similar pattern to create a new one

So I started my first prototype with a pattern I adapted from my existing shift dress pattern. I thought that the shape of the sleeve hole will look nice on a blazer, too. I added some ease, changed the neckline, created a center front, added some sleeve length, among other tiny changes here and there.

This step is rather different from my usual. What works for me is draping a piece of clothing or sturdy kitchen paper on the doll, then fold darts and draw lines to get the shape I want. But since this garment is an outerwear and does not require to fit the body shape, I thought I really need to draft based on measurements.


Drafting the first pattern from a shift dress pattern

Here's pretty much my muslin/toile/pre-prototype of sorts, complete with the shawl collar/lapel.

This one does not have a lining yet, which made it lay flat and nicely on the doll...

Since I liked the way the muslin draped on the doll's body, I proceeded with some fabrics I thought would be perfect for the blazer. I chose all woven fabrics, in light colors. The main fabric is an italian cotton shirting, the lining is gina silk and the lapel I believe is charmeuse.


Tamica modelling the first prototype

I remember being happy about it, except that I became ambitious and wanted to add darts at the back. I didn't put any at first because I wanted it to be a loose, relaxed blazer. But somehow, I changed my mind and went on to update it and added some back darts.

Prototype 2 looks good but...
The back darts were too wide apart...

So, up next is the third pattern alteration, but using a different set of fabrics. Turns out, the design does not call for them.

this pattern 3 fabric choice was a no,
but perhaps the pattern could work with the old fabrics.
So, from the third pattern, I created something that has a longer hem, wider chest, longer darts I believe.

I actually quite like this 4th version.

Actually, I was really happy with this version. There are only very tiny things to tweak.

When curiosity strikes...


But then again as I was browsing through social media, I stumbled upon the really awesome works of Instagram's @dolldressmaker. I'm a fan of this talented young man and I was so inspired to see his latest Homme suits. I thought, maybe I could try making a simpler version for my girls, too? He's on facebook, too and posts his works at the Facebook crafting group, Barbie Sewing Club.

I didn't know how I fell into yet another black hole of curiosity, but yeah I then watched a lot of youtube videos on how to make blazers. But among the many hours spent curling up in a corner, absorbing as much info as I can, my favorites are the ones from Dami Dimension. I love this girl; such a beauty, very talented, and super generous of her knowledge. This video teaches you how to draft your  own blazer pattern:


and this one below, is for constructing/sewing the garment.


The blazer she made for herself is just gorgeous, isn't it?

So, I did try it on my MtM gal. And like how I feared it to be, human-based patterns almost always look too bulky on our sixth-scale fashionistas.

Pattern 5
But, despite the outcome, I was more than happy to have tried making it! I've learned so much for this fifth pattern I drafted.

I enjoyed learning to draft each of these lining and main fabric pattern pieces...

I learned to appreciate the importance of pressing the seams...

Tapping into my trusty basting technique..


And just seeing how each pattern make a whole...

So, yeah.. I know I detoured, but like most detours I do with my work at atelierniSHASHA, it's always a blissful one:D

So, what next?

After having collected so much learning from the past two weeks, I am again very excited to draft the next pattern. My sixth pattern, which I did earlier this morning, will be an alteration of the fourth one, with again small changes here and there.


Sixth pattern. Crossing fingers she's the one, but regardless of the outcome,
I'm sure the process is all worth it.

It still may not be the one I will use as the giveaway prize, but I know for sure that the process is going to be all worth it. Like they say, the path is the goal. When you realize that it is the daily things that you really live for, not the by-products, which by the way, are simply nice-to-haves, life is so much lovelier.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend, dollings and thanks so much for reading through my messy collection of thoughts again.

xoxo,
shasha

Comments

  1. Hi Shasha. Judging by the photos, I would say I like the shape of number 4, but the color combo of number 3. I think it's incredible that you've commited to learn something new for a giveaway. I think you can use everything you've learned for future projects or items for your store.

    I'm glad you and your family are doing OK during this crazy times. Here in Spain the situation is starting to go back to normal, and so far we're all good.

    Take care.

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    1. Hi MC ❤️ Yes, you are right. I am very excited to dive into the unknown with this project because there's so much to be learned as I go. I love the fourth one too, but the perfectionist side of me still wanted to tweak it, jjjusssttt a teeny more 😅

      I am so glad to hear things are starting to get back to normal where you live ❤️ It must be nice to visit favorite restaurants and shops again, eh? Anyways, take good care if you, my friend and see you around as always 😘😘😘

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  2. Thank you for sharing this process with us. I have only once made a tiny jacket, it was a denim jacket for an 11cm tall doll and that was the first and last time....just too small for my patience! I think my favourite on your photos is number four and love the photo of Tamica wearing hers with her skinny jeans and heels :)
    x

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    1. Hi Sharon, tgabks so much for dropping! I also did a denim jacket before, one and only 😅 Indeed it is very complicated maybe due to ita many parts 😁

      Pattern 4 is also popular in other doll communitiws I shared this with - a longer hem must really compliment dolls' skinny bodies. Tamica is one of my fave gals, and the mint jacket really compliments her beautiful skin tone 💕

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  3. Another interesting post, I love your patience and determination Sasha. The long line jacket is my favourite, perhaps because I would choose that for myself to wear. :) I was surprised you used charmeuse for the lapel, it's such a darn slippery fabric and one that I tend to use for draped garments rather than fitted suits...so well done you!
    Big hugs,
    X

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    1. Same here! For some reason the longer hem gives a dignified look as it covers the hip section 😉

      Haha, yes the charmeuse was an experiment. I was looking for a different texture, yet still light. As always, I baste-stitch to keep the shiny right sides together 😅❤️❤️

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  4. Oh, my dear Linda <3 How lovely to hear from you again, and know that you are safe and well... Thank you so much for always being so wonderful and kind through the years, my friend. My shop will be back with those original Shasha pieces soon, because you guys are there to give all your love for them. Thank you so so much. I hope things are going well over at Belgium - here in the Philippines, we are awaiting our president's decision regarding quarantine measures for the next weeks/months, as he will announce tonight. Take good care of you, and no matter what, always choose to be in the moment. Love lots, shasha

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  5. Wow, I really appreciate how much effort, thought and research you put into creating your clothes! This is why I could never make my own doll clothes: I just don't have the patience and perseverance for all that work! I think prototype 3 is my favorite. I can't wait to see these in your shop!

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    1. Hey Champagne... How have you been? It's so great to see your comment again, dear! Gosh, clearly, I haven't been around the blogosphere lately! I think I'm gonna spend my Saturday night catching up with my fave blogs later ;D
      Thanks so much for your love and support for my shop and craft, dear. I guess you could call them patience and perseverance, at the end of the day. But to me, it's just a series of wanting to find things out :D I don't really remember much my feelings while I'm crafting; it's really neutral...but yeah, that's what blogging is for. You reflect and share to others, who knows what you've written might help or inspire others ;)
      Currently, I cannot ship internationally but once I can, I should be adding a few new things at the shop. As of now, I am inspiring the doll community to try sewing for their dolls, to spend their time creatively, and maybe, economically ;)
      Thanks again for dropping by, dear! xoxo, shasha

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    2. Of all the blogs I follow, you're the only person who still posts,so I guess that's why I'm always hanging around! All of the other blogs on my reading list have been dormant for a year or longer. I used to be heavy on Flickr until a few years ago, but lately I've been thinking about starting to post again. I don't know; we'll see lol.

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    3. Well, I did have some 10 months or so of hiatus. I am trying to list the reasons why I paused, but it seems like mainly very personal, even spiritual. I'll try to set some time to sit down and reflect on it soon ;)
      You are so right about the blogs we've been reading for years now - most of them are dormant for 4 years! Some are not posting for 6 months, some 1 year. I found a very few ones posting a week ago and I feel so happy to see just read about them, really.
      I have quitted Flickr for maybe two years now as the fee is too much already. I know I will miss out on the collectors I have started my journey with, but I guess I have to accept that I have other things to spend my hard-earned money for.
      Yes, please just post whatever it is that you think is worth reflecting on - about life as a whole. To be honest, I can feel a little intimidated to write a blog post because I feel like I need to know what I'm talking about. But now, I want it to serve me as my confidant, not an audience to wow, but a place to reflect on my creative life ;)

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