Week 1 challenge: Collars. The challengers were told to make a garment, designed by Erin, with a collar. They were not allowed to modify the pattern, but could embellish it to their hearts content. Let’s look at their entries.
Janet chose to make the Absolutely Aline Dress, from Doll Dress Boutique, with the scalloped collar in a beautiful Sunflower Print with gold glitter accents in both the print and collar fabrics. Janet told us that the “fabric is such a bold, rich fall print that I felt the simplicity of the pattern’s look would complement it.”
Claire chose to make the Button-down Shirt from Doll Days!Claire used a bright print and added buttons along the mock placket. Claire told us that the fabric choice was a trickier one to work with, but she forged on and managed it beautifully in the end. Claire especially liked doing the faux placket and plans to use it again.
Alida chose the Princess-Seamed Dress from Doll Dress Boutique, adding many details: piping, embroidery, lace, to go with this pretty pink and yellow floral.
Diana chose the Button-down Shirt from Doll Days!, making it a classic red and white polka dot print. She chose to accent the sleeves in white, using the polka dot print for the sleeve binding and toped it off with buttons and lace. Diana tells us “my go-to Avery Lane pattern is the button down shirt from Doll Days. I have made it multiple times, and it always looks adorable.”
Angie was inspired by the new Harry Potter dolls from American Girl and made a Deathly Hallows dress using the Modern-Vintage Sundress pattern, from Doll Days! Accented with a gold shimmer satin fabric and owl graphics on the collar.
Gayle made the Vintage Party Dress pattern from Doll Days! in a vintage Clothworks print with playful bunnies and polka dots. She used a soft pink polka dot, for sleeve finishes and collar, to match the pink bunnies and polka dots on the vintage fabric. Gayle chose to stay true to the vintage inspired design (1950s era.) by not embellishing her dress. As Gayle points out, “The Korean War was starting at that time, which would mean the same austerity program would be in place as it was for the two previous wars.”
Andee chose the Absolutely Aline with an asymmetrical collar from Doll Dress Boutique for her challenge entry, which is another challenging collar design. Andee chose this adorable dinosaur print, as a reminder girls love dinosaurs, too. The embroidery on the collar was the first time Andee had done embroidery and added a ruffle and contrast band at the hemline.
Kimberly chose to sew the Princess-seamed Dress from Doll Dress Boutique, adding lace details to this pretty floral print. Her daughter says it reminds her of an “English Rose” style.
Kristen chose to make the Simple Top pattern fromDoll Studio Boutique, and added the collar and sleeves from the Vintage Party Dress (also from Doll Studio Boutique) in a pink and white polka-dot cotton fabric. To show off the collar, Kristen chose white fabric to contrast with the pink. The shirt is accented with a silk rose embellishment.
Marlene chose to sew the Modern-Vintage Sundress, from Doll Days!, in a soft green and yellow floral, and used yardage lace to cover dress collars and waistband. Marlene used a double layer of lace to give it color and texture.
Aren’t those spectacular garments sewn by the challengers!? Dana and I have our work cut out for us in choosing the Garment of the Week, for sure! We are nearing our final decision and I think we’re in agreement, though there are so many beautiful collars and garments to choose from. Well done, everyone!!
Sadly, Michelle did not submit an entry and will be leaving the competition this week. We are so sorry to see her go and wish her well.
After announcing the maker of the Garment of the Week to the challengers, I will post the result here. The Week 2 challenge brief will then be sent to the challengers and they can get to sewing again. I can’t wait to see their entries and be both inspired and impressed!
