We had another busy week and weekend!! I mean between Steve's birthday and Valentine's Day the weekend should be one big party, but we had some cleaning and getting ready for our guest. My 13-year-old nephew is arriving tonight (after several delays) for a week long vacation!! Hazel is so excited!! It was hard to calm her down today. After I write this post, I am off to the airport to pick him up. I hope he took all the adults seriously when we told him he had to wear warm clothes to come here this year. Boston is experiencing the coldest day in almost 60 years and I can feel the cold even with the heat on in our house. Anyway, one of our chores this weekend was going through Hazel's clothes and pulling the ones she has outgrown. We had a few piles: pass down to friend, donate to Salvation Army, keep as memories and make crafts or doll clothes. Some of her favorite clothes she does not want to part with and so I make some into doll clothes for her 18-inch dolls. She had this fun sweater dress from Gymboree last year.
Since it was well worn and had the fun design on it, we thought it would be good for a doll dress. I went searching for a long sleeved dress pattern for the doll and found one at The Craft Patch: American Girl Doll Basic Knit Dress Pattern and Tutorial. It includes the pattern for free! I laid out the pattern on the dress. I estimated the length and where the pattern would be and I used the finished bottom so I would not have to hem it.
I also used the sleeves to cut the doll sleeves again using the bottoms of them so I would not have to hem them. Since it was a cut up sweater I needed to zigzag the edges to keep them from unraveling. I then sewed the shoulder seams. Then I attached the sleeves to the shoulders and finished the neckline. Finally I sewed up the sides and the sleeve seams. Then I added Velcro to the back and finished those seams. Then I tried it on Mimi because she was right there. As you can see she was having a very bad hair day. 
I decided to do something with her hair, but did not want to spend too much time on it since by this point it was late at night. I straightened it with my hands and did small braids pulled back.
She even still has her necklace from last Valentine's Day on so it was perfect to put a dress with hearts. Then I left her on the couch for Hazel to find in the morning. Hazel was so excited to see the dress on her.
I also pinned several newborn onesies to make them into t-shirts for the dolls. Now I just need to sew the hems for Hazel and she will have many new fun t-shirts for her dolls. I have been shopping the clearance bins to find them cheap.
Thank you to everyone who shared with us at last week's party!! It was another large party! Welcome to everyone who is new to our craft party!! We love having you!! I divided the features into three groups: Crafts for Kids, Needlework Crafts and Other Crafts. I hope you will check them all out and remember it is just a sampling of the amazing crafts shared.
Also remember for your child-oriented crafts, activities, lessons, etc. Sharing Saturday is going on!! For any cultural related posts (diversity and/or multicultural as well) be sure to share at the month long Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop. A new Creative Kids Culture Blog Hop starts next Sunday morning! Here is a sampling of features from last week's party!
Features:
Crafts for Kids Features
1) From Cool Mom Tips: Apple Heart DIY
2) From Growing Up Gabel: Horton the Elephant & His Clover Cotton Ball Painting
3) From Bombshell Bling: Chinese New Year Paper Lanterns
4) From Bombshell Bling: Romantic Heart Toddler Necklace
Needlework Features
1) From Busy Being Jennifer: Geo Style Heart Hoop Art
2) From Flamingo Toes: Leather and Bow Fold Over Clutch
3) From Sunny Sweet Days: DIY Picture Frame Pin Cushion
4) From Crochet for You: Crochet Cutie Carry Purse
And More Features
1) From Simply Darling: Glitter State Art
2) From Sunny Sweet Days: DIY Sea Glass Decor
3) From Living La Vida Holoka: DIY Adult Coloring Tote Bag
4) From Life Anchored: DIY Vanilla Sugar Scrub Recipe
5) From NEPA Mom: Lemon Sugar Scrub
Thank you to everyone who shared the last week!! I hope you will share again!! If you are featured here, please feel free to grab a featured button to display proudly on your blog. I would love the help spreading the word about Crafty Weekends!!
Featured Button Code:
Please share family friendly crafts here. Just crafts and/or patterns--no recipes, lessons, etc. You can share craft product reviews as well. By linking up here you are giving me permission to share your links and to pin your links. Please follow my Crafty Weekends Feature Pinterest Board to see all the features from these fun link parties!
