Goodbye dolls!

My daughters are growing up, and growing out of things.

They've decided that they no longer want their Barbie and Bratz dolls and so they've been packed into a bag together with all their clothes and accessories and are waiting by the door to be taken to a new home.

I have to say it is a little sad to see them go.

Last year, we did have some fun together when they helped me out with some sewing and DIY!

They helped to make themselves a whole camping set - complete with tent, car and sleeping bags!

Go here if you'd like to see them in action!

They also had a sew-off between the Barbies and Bratz - to see who could make the best cushions!

So, farewell ladies! We had some fun times - and I'm sure you'll have lots more with your new owners!

Scrappy Friday - Barbie and Bratz redecorate!

Taking a break from scrappy bags this week, I wanted to give another shout out to the blogging dolls who post here occasionally.  A few weeks back they did a guest post on another blog.

For anyone who missed that post- I thought I'd republish it here and welcome the dolls back 'home'

Here they are with their very own Scrappy Friday post:

"Have you ever seen so much BLUE in a girls room?  It's just not right I tell you - something needs to be done!"

"Come on Bratz - time for some more sewing"

"Ok, I've found the pink box - and look what mum's put in the scraps! I mean this is totally OUR fabric isn't it?"

"And here's more pink - my gosh mum is a bit messy isn't she?"

"A BIT? You call this heap a BIT of a mess? 

Honestly, if she actually took the time to sort through this, who knows what she might find?

Anyway, I need to iron MY fabric since it's been all crumpled and stuffed in the box. No respect....."

"There! Now let's just snip through these booties here.."

"NOOOO don't you dare - they're my favourite, you go play with your Barbie fabric and leave us to the Bratz stuff!"

"What Barbie fabric? Ohh... erm...."

"Right, I think we're ready to go onto the machine now girls."

"OK, I'm all set - push the pedal!"

"Easier said than done! Er, it's rather large and heavy..and I just painted my nails.."

"*^&%&*(***(**!!!!!!"

"There!  all done, and not a broken nail in sight - go Barbies!"

"Hmpf!  Patchwork, smatchwork, let's get some bling happenin' ladies!"

"What's this bargain shiny stuff? Let's use it!"

"Right you are - press that pedal to the metal! Let's go girls!"

"I'm on it honey! (don't say a word Mickey - you are such a darlin,  He he he!)"

"Gimme five!  Whoo hoo! You just have to have ruffles, they're so chic!"

"Not bad girls!"

"And so much better pink than blue!"

"Time for a well earned rest I think! My these cushions are comfy!"

"And don't forget stylish girlfriend!"

By the blogging dolls

(to see any of our previous adventures, click here)

Jill

Bratz lending a hand

A couple of months ago I discovered my daughter's dolls had a bit of creative talent (click here to see what I mean!), so when they offered to help me with my sewing tasks this week I jumped at the chance!! So without further ado, I'll hand over to them.....

 
 

Ok Girls! Mum said she needed to either fix this or make a new set of hanging pockets to put on the back of the car seat, for the girls to put their toys and books in for when they go camping!

OOOOHHHH! And would you just look at the fabric she's got sitting up here! This was her latest find from the charity shop! Wouldn't it just be perfect girls??

Fantastic, so we've got the material for the front, here's some plain pink for the back, and a roll of stiffening to hold its shape!  We're ready to start!

So first we need to cut out the front part. 

We'll use the old one for size, just cut around that one!

(We cut 45cm by 65cm in case you don't have one to cut around!)

These scissors are a little too big for me - but don't worry! I"ll manage....somehow....

Next cut a piece of stiffening the same size:

And a backing piece also the same size:

You're right, these scissors are tricky!

Hey! You've lost a foot!!??

Ohhh, Give me that back - why don't you do it then?

Now cut some pockets out from whichever material you prefer - we of course believe you can never have too many Bratz!!!  Make them whatever size you like - some big, some small, you never know what the girls will want to stuff in these pockets!

Ok, now I think we should give the material a bit of an iron before we stitch it!

Ok then, get ready to catch it when I push - but watch out it's heavy - and hot!!

WHAT????

Nothing like a bit of teamwork to get things done!

Now it's time for sewing! 

Double turn over the top of each pocket and topstitch:

Now you're ready to place and pin your pockets to the main fabric:

Place them all first, to make sure they fit where you want them, then pin them along the sides and bottom, turning each edge under like this:

Once you've got them all pinned on, you're ready to stitch them in place:

Topstitch each pocket close to the edge along the sides and the bottom.

To make the pockets more secure, stitch a triangle on each top edge. This should help prevent the pockets ripping when the girls tug on them as they put their things in and out!

Now we're getting there! The pockets are done! We're doing a pretty good job so far aren't we girls??

Now for the bit that hangs the pockets up.  We'll just cut off that part from the old one and use that:

Watch her hair!!! 

Ok, now pin this part to the pocket section and stitch securely in place like so:

Of course if you don't have an old one to use, you can just attach a strap like this one:

Now to put it all together.

With the pockets facing right side up, lay first the backing fabric, then the stiffening on top like so:

Then pin all around, leaving a gap to turn it out through:

Stitch the three layers together, then trim the corner and edges.

Turn the whole thing right side out through the gap you left, then fold the edges of the gap over and pin.

Then topstitch around the whole finished piece!

All done girls!  Let's go put it in the car to see how it looks!!

Mmm, I obviously didn't think this one through too well!

HELP!!!

This is great!! It works!

Mmm!  But it's not FOR us! Go and put something else in the pockets!

Oh alright!  How's this?

Perfect! Good job girls! 

Now who fancies a spin?? I'm sure if we work together we can figure this car out..

Then again, maybe not!  Perhaps we should quit while we're ahead!

Hopefully this has helped Mum a; bit in her Round Tuit project for this week!

Have a great week.

Love from the Bratz girls!