SWAP what is that?

I’m planning another fun sewing challenge for our sewing group, a SWAP using Doll Days! Sew an Everyday Wardrobe for 18″ dolls. A SWAP= sewing with a purpose.

Sewing with a purpose of creating a mix and match wardrobe.

I entered an Ottobre Magazine SWAP contest several years ago, 2012. I chose to sew for my daughter, who was 10 at the time and wore a lot of handmade, mama-made clothes up until middle school, when she began making some of her own clothes.

When I announced what the next sewing challenge would be, I got many questions about what a SWAP is. In order to help explain for particpants, I thought I would share my own SWAP.

I searched and found my old photos from the contest I entered. It started with a storyboard. Unfortunately, they have the photo bucket thing on them, but hopefully it gives everyone a good enough representation of the SWAP.

A storyboard is just a visual representation of what my plan was. The patterns and fabrics I planned to use to create a mix and match wardrobe.

Then I sewed. And sewed and sewed.

It is a larger collection than the Doll Days SWAP sewing challenge in my group. I made 2 pairs of skinny jeans, a 5 pocket denim skirt, several t-shirts, a dress shirt, some casula yoga pants, leggings, and a hoodie. My daughter helped choose the fabrics and the patterns. I surprised her with some little extras: like the cat embroidery pocket detail, appliqué tee and the belts.

I entered photos of the separates in action to create different outfits and looks 🙂

She loved those cut out shoulder tees so much. She requested them for a couple years after this.

Of course, once the stores started selling them and the trend started, she lost interest…she is funny that way.

It was such fun creating my SWAP entry and even more fun watching my daughter wear all her clothes she helped design throughout the year. I can’t believe it’s been 8 years now.

~Erin