BJD Headbands:

Here's an easy tutorial I posted on DOA for BJD Headbands back in July of 2011. These are fun and super easy to make:

Supplies:

• Small metal bracelets (Marzipan is holding - those are what you want). Mine were a gift from Walmart and came in a long tube of 50 bracelets for $10. You can also find these at the thrift store. They are just cheapie bangles.


• Jewelry pieces. I search thrift stores looking for small and sometimes broken costume jewelry. Earings, necklaces, charms and pins all work great. You can also use buttons, really anything that you can imagine so long as the back has enough space for glue.


• Styrafoam ball in your doll's head size.


• Tin Foil.


• E-6000 Glue Clear Transparent.


• Wire Cutters


• Painter's Tape (I LOVE this stuff for BJD sewing and crafting because it's not super sticky and doesn't leave a residue)


• Chop Stick


• Not shown glass cup that is not too short but not too tall for support.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Steps:
  
  1. Skewer the bottom of the styrafoam ball with a chopstick.
  2. Cover the ball with tinfoil. This is super important as the glue reacts very VERY badly with the styrafoam.
  
  
  3. Drop the ball on stick into your cup for support. This now free's up your hands.
  
  
  
  
  4. The bracelet will have a section where the metal has been fused together. You want to cut this section out.
  5. Using the wire cutters cut out a small section so that the headband is the size you want - I kind of eyeball this. For a Littlfee I usually cut off a 1/4 section, I may leave a little extra for a larger head.
  
  
  

6. Shape the head band so that it's got a smaller curve.



7. Then try on the headband to make sure it's the right fit. If needed clip off more of it or reshape it.



8. Pick the piece of jewelry you want to use.
9. Remove all unwanted stuff off the piece using the wire cutters. Snip off earring posts, pin posts, charm loops. You want a flatish back for glue.



I had to send Marzipan away for this next bit because I am a Klutz and didn't want to get glue on her.

10. Put glue either on the back of the jewelry piece OR on the headband direcly. I usually like putting it on the piece unless it's tiny.
11. Put the piece of jewelry on the headband.


12. Use the painters tape to help hold the piece down then put aside and let dry. I usually leave it 3 to 7 days to dry and cure.
13. Once dry remove the tape and headband from the ball. It's now complete!

Problems: I've had it happen where a piece either doesn't glue to the headband or glue's crooked. With metal pieces the glue can peel off and you can try it again.

LittleFee Skirt Tutorial & Bodice Pattern

Here's a pattern & tutorial for a simple LittleFee skirt. I've also included a link to the Bodice pattern though I haven't created a tutorial for it.

Patterns can be found here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3807411991/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3807188884/in/set-72157619751176744/

1. Put two pieces of cotton fabric right sides together. You could use two different fabrics to make the skirt reversible.

2. Pin the pieces of fabric together so they don’t slide.

3. Using a Mark-Be-Gone pen trace the pattern onto the fabric.

4. With your machine on a short stitch length (I like 2 or 3) do a straight stitch along the waist and hem of the skirt.

NOTE: On the pattern this is the red lines. I used white thread on the fabric so that it would show up for the tutorial.

5. Cut out your skirt leaving seam allowences along the edges you sewed (The waist and hem).

6. Clip along the curve of the waist and hem.

7. Turn inside out.

8. Press or iron.You should now how a 'tube'.

9. Tuck in the outside open edges so that the raw edges are hidden in the tube.

10. Press again.

12. Stitch up the open edges of the skirt.

13. Attach either a snap or velcro to the ends on opposite sides so they over lap.

14. Embelish or decorate to your hearts content.

Little Fee Sock Tutorial and Pattern

Spent some time sewing this weekend and wanted to share a simple tutorial and pattern for making LittleFee socks. I like to make doll clothes such as T-Shirts and socks from human shirts. I can never find the correct fabric and scale at the fabric store. But I can easily find stripped shirts on sale at Old Navy. The pink shirt in the tutorial was $2 - far cheaper than what I can find at the fabric store.

Pattern can be found here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3806398259/in/photostream/

This pattern is easy peasy when you use fabric from a shirt as you can use the hemmed edging for the top of the sock. You can adjust the height of the sock to be below or above the knee.
1. Using the hem of a shirt fold over right sides against each other.

2. Pin so that the fabric doesn't slip and the pattern lines up correctly.

3. Using a Mark-Be-Gone pen trace the pattern onto the fabric.

4. With your machine on a short stitch setting (I usually use 2 or 3) stitch on the line you drew.

5. Cut out the sock leaving enough room on the edge for a seam allowence.

6. Repeat all the steps so that you have 2 socks.

7. Run the sock under water so the 'mark be gone' lines disappear.

7. Allow to dry then turn inside out.

Little Fee Sock Tutorial and Pattern

Petite Ai and Pippos Sundress Pattern & Tutorial

Tools:

1/4 or 1/2 a yard of fabric - depends on the print of the fabric.

Sewing Machine ruffler foot

Mark-B-Gone Pen

One of those tube turner things - I forget it's official name.

1 Snap

Trim

Patterns for Petite AI, Pippos and MSD:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3626430151/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3626430215/in/set-72157619751176744/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/3691248669/in/set-72157619751176744/

Note: The pink edges of the pattern do not have seam allowences. You will do some sewing on the bodice before you cut the pieces out of the fabric. The stitch length should be small - 2 or 3.

Step 1: The skirt

1. There is no pattern for the skirt as it is just a rectangle. You will want to figure out how long you want the skirt to be then add in seam allowences. Take into consideration the length of any trim added to the hem. You will want the rectangle to be as wide as possible. I usually cut it 5 1/2 inches long by 45 inches wide - running it the whole length of a piece of fabric. When using the ruffler foot it is better for it to be to long than to short. You can also hand gather the skirt but the ruffler will give you consistent and neat little pleats - plus it makes it so much easier.

2. Hem the bottom of the skirt. Iron or press the hem. Add any desired trim to the hem. Gather the top of the skirt - either by hand or run it through the ruffler. Iron the top of the skirt so the pleats lie flat. If using the ruffler I would recommend sewing at the top of the skirt again, following the line from the ruffler. This will stop the pleats from sliding when attaching the skirt.

Step 2: The bodice

1. Put two pieces of fabric right sides together. This will be the bodice and the lining.

2. Use the washable end of the Mark B Gone pen, outline the pattern on the fabric. When using prints watch the placement so that the print is straight.

3. Pin the fabric together.

4. Sew the arm holes, neck holes and back seams. On the pattern these are the lines drawn in pink.

Step 3: Cut and Wash

1. Cut out the bodice. On the unsewed lines cut along the Mark-B-Gone pen. On the edges you sewed you will need to leave a seam allowence.

2. Clip the fabric along the curve of the arm holes and neck noles.

3. Wash and let the fabric dry. The Mark-B-Gone pen lines will now have disapeared.

Step 4: Turn the bodice inside out.

1. Insert the tool from the bottom hole of the front and through the bottom of the back.

2. Using the little hook - grasp the fabric and pull the back section in to and through the shoulder and front of the bodice. Turing it inside out. Repeat for the other side.

Step 5: The finish

1. Iron the bodice flat. Don't worry if it wrinkles a bit on the shoulders as this section will be on a curve.

2. Add any trims or decorative elements such as ribbons, buttons, or lace.

3. Sew up the sides under the arm hole. Do a fitting on the doll before attaching skirt. That way you can adjust the side seams if they are to large or small.

4. Attach skirt to bodice. I fold over the edge so the raw hem is not exposed.

5. Trim off the skirt if it's too long and turn over the other edge.

6. Sew up the back of the skirt.

7. Add the snap.

If you'd like some inspiration I have some other dresses in my flickr account using this pattern:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/melancholywings/sets/72157602785774951/