Finding Doll Props: More Food Erasers and a Tea set?

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Oh, what joy!  Anna has brought home more delightful doll props, at least I am hoping.

Anna made trips to both Target and the 99 Cents Only Store.

Well, let us first see what is in the Target bag.

It’s a bulging package of food shaped erasers.  Anna says she found them among the party supplies.

They are quite similar to some of our previous food purchases (see Finding Doll Props: Erasers and Office Supplies and Find Doll Props: At the Party Store?).

Quite an assortment of food, there are various cakes, ice cream, sandwiches, hamburgers, hotdogs and French fries.

Almost all of it is junk food!  Couldn’t Anna have gotten something healthier?

“But Hikaru, I thought you loved cake. :)“

That’s different, fine cakes and sweets such as these are certainly not junk.

Sakura, keep your hands off those French fries!  They are horrible for you.

“Why is it bad for me to have French fries, but okay for you to have cake?”

Yes, Hikaru.  Why is the cake okay?

…Um…Cake is different…

Anyway, there doesn’t seem to many options for Shiro.  Luckily, we already have apples and plenty of tea. 

Now we should see what is inside the 99 Cents Only Store bag.

It is a plastic tea set in pink and yellow.  At first glance, I can’t really say much about the quality.

After opening the package and setting it up, this tea set doesn’t appear quite as cheap.

The scale seems a tad off, just look at how large this tea pot is compared to my dainty hands.

But Hikaru, a larger tea pot means more tea for you and the others to drink.

That is a good point, the tea seems to go so quickly around here lately.

Though it may still go too quickly with the size of the tea cups.  They look almost like mugs, particularly attractive ones at least.

And the matching plates and flatware seem particularly gargantuan compared to Sakura here.  However, she seems particularly happy about this detail.

However, Shiro seems to be having a bit of trouble sipping from the large mug.

Ah well, the food is ready and the tea is set.

Let us partake.

And may Anna someday find us a suitable table to use for our tea parties. 

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

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Of Bjd Fashion: Lingerie for Dolls? Bra and Underwear Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

As mentioned yesterday, Anna made various socks and tights for a few of us dolls. 

However, it became apparent (thanks to Usagi) that some other sort of doll clothes were made which we will discuss today.

But first, Yuki must leave the room at once.  Only ladies should be present.

Anyway, although I myself first arrived at Anna’s doorstep with appropriate undergarments, not all ball jointed dolls are as fortunate.  Usagi and Misako are such dolls, so it became necessary for Anna to make these…

Bras and underwear, perfectly sized for msd or 1/4 sized ball jointed dolls. 

And as with the socks and tights yesterday, Anna has created patterns and a tutorial for these most essential articles of doll clothing.

Let the sewing begin.

Bras and Underwear for MSD and YOSD Bjds Tutorial

Materials:

• T-shirt or knit fabric
• Pattern
• Lace
• Thin elastic (for underpants)
• Safety pin (for elastic)
• Thread
• Basic sewing supplies
• Soft Velcro, snaps, or hook and eye (for bra)
• Ribbon and other embellishments (optional)
• A doll

Here is the pattern.  Although I am making sets of bras and panties for MSD sized ball jointed dolls, the pattern does include Yosd sized underpants because they need undies too. 

The patterns were based on Misako and Sakura’s measurements which are found on the doll’s profile page.  However, these pieces should be easy to fit to dolls of varying measurements.

The Bra

First cut 4 pieces from the pattern, two for each “cup”.  You may find it helpful to mark with a pencil the top and center part of the pieces.  Otherwise, it’s easy to mix up the sides.

Pin the pieces with right sides together and sew around leaving the bottom side open.  Repeat for the other “cup”.

Turn each one right side out.  If you wish, you can top stitch along the edge of only the “center” sides.  You will see why later.

Sew a running stitch along the bottom and pull to gather, this will give it the right shape (check out my doll dress video tutorial for an demonstration of gathering). 

Adjust it to fit your doll before tying off.  The bustier your doll, the more gathering you may need to do.

Measure your doll from just under her bust in front to about the same spot on her back, then cut two strips of lace. 

These will be the bra straps.  Don’t worry about making them too long as they will be trimmed later.

Pin the “straps” along the sides of the cups and sew in place.

Measure your doll around her chest under her bust and add 1 inch (2.5 cm.), then use this measurement to cut another strip of lace.  This will be the band for the bra.

Pin the cups on the center of the lace and try this on your doll before sewing them in place.

To finish the band, hem the ends of the lace.

Then sew on your choice of Velcro, snaps or hooks.  I chose this soft Velcro because it isn’t as bulky and can be cut to the size I need. 

Be sure to try the bra on your doll before finishing this step.

To finish the straps, put the bra on your doll inside out and carefully pin the straps where you want them.  Remove the bra and sew the straps in place, trim off any excess lace.

Now the bra is ready to be worn by your favorite doll.

Doesn’t it look great?  Now it just needs some matching undies.

The Underpants

Cut one piece from you pattern and fold and pin the edges as shown.  Then sew to hem the leg openings.

Pin and sew the side seam on one side only.  The other side will be done later.

Double fold the top edge and pin.  This will be the waistband.

You can also pin on some lace before you sew, but this is optional.

After sewing, cut a piece of elastic as long as your doll’s waist and thread it through with a safety pin.  Just like with the tights tutorial from yesterday.

If you are sewing this with a sewing machine, you can also try sewing the elastic on to the fabric with a zig-zag stitch, stretch the fabric as you go.

After adding the elastic, all you have to do is pin and sew that other side seam.

And now you’re done!

And we have a complete set.  This one was made for Misako.

It’s trimmed with lace giving it a simple but sweet look.

(Anna, is it absolutely necessary to show the undergarments worn?)

(Yes Hikaru, our readers need to see the finished product in detail.  Plus, Misako has a gorgeous figure that’s worth showing off a little.  Anyway, isn’t this exactly why you kicked Yuki out of the room?)

(Well, it isn’t appropriate for him to see a lady's undergarments.)

(True, but you did hurt his feelings.  You should apologize to him later.)

(…I suppose you do have a point…)

This second set was made for Usagi.  I used ribbon for the straps and added ribbon bows to the bra and panties.  I used a decorative elastic on the underpants, they’re sewn on with a sewing machine.

Usagi has a smaller bust than Misako, so I didn’t have to gather the cups as much to fit.

You can use all kinds of different laces and trims for these.  And if you used different fabrics, you could even make doll swimwear instead of underwear.

Have fun making cute bras and/or undies for your dolls.

End of Tutorial

Our dear young ladies at last have suitable undergarments.  Now if only Misako had some suitable clothing to wear over them.  She has been wearing the “new doll” dress far too long.  When will Anna sew her a lovely new outfit?  I suppose only time will tell.

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

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Of Bjd Fashion: More Doll Socks and Tights with Tutorials

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info.  Thanks!

Anna has been busy at work sewing some much needed basics for a few of us dolls. 

Yuki here has been in dire need of a decent pair of socks.  And dear little Momoko and our newest doll, Misako have been in need of legwear as well.

So Anna has produced several types of socks and tights.  They are almost exactly like the ones she made for myself and the other dolls.  She had intended to post patterns before, but never got around to it until now.

With much persuasion from myself, Anna has created a printable pattern and tutorial for all to enjoy.

Socks and Tights Tutorial for MSD and Yosd Bjd

Materials:

• Tights
• Matching Thread
• Pattern
• Thin elastic (for doll tights only)
• A small safety pin (for elastic)
• Basic sewing supplies 

If you don’t have any old pairs of tights around the house, dollar stores sometimes have some cute options.  That where I got the spotted ones I used for these doll tights.

Here is the pattern you will need for both the tights and socks. 

The Socks

First, cut two pieces from the pattern.  Unfold them and determine which side is the right side and which is the wrong side. 

With solid colored material like this, it doesn't matter, but if you used tights with a cute print it will make a difference.

Fold and pin the top edge to hem.

Hem the edge using a back stitch (check out our doll tank top video tutorial for a demonstration of the back stitch if you don’t have a clue about it).   I hem it while facing the right side because I think it looks nicer that way. 

You can try to sew this with a zig-zag stitch on a sewing machine, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are really good at sewing tiny stretchy things.

After hemming, all you have to do is re-fold the sock with right sides together, pin along the edge, and sew. 

If you want you can trim off some of the excess material to reduce some bulk.

Turn the socks right side out and they are ready to wear. 

I made these thigh high socks for Misako, but the pattern was originally made for Usagi.  Because they are so stretchy they can fit a wide range of doll feet.

These are the crew length socks for msd sized dolls, as marked on the pattern.  They hit about calf height on the dolls.

They fit Yuki perfectly!

Now he actually has a pair of socks to go with his shoes, and Hikaru can stop whining about it.

(I wasn’t “whining”, I merely pointed out how untidy it looks.)

(Sure, whatever you say.)

The Tights

Just like with the socks, you first need to cut two pieces from the pattern and then determine which side is the “right side”.

Unlike with the socks, you need to pin together the pieces right sides together and sew the “front” seam.  Trim off some of the excess fabric, especially at the top.

Then you fold down the top edge twice and pin.  This is to make a casing (it’s like a tunnel) for the elastic to go through, so make sure it is large enough for your elastic.

Cut a piece of elastic as long as the doll’s waist, and use the safety pin to thread the elastic through the channel. 

It may be a little tricky to get the elastic past the part by the front seam.  That’s why I said to trim off the excess.

Use pins to secure the ends of the elastic.

Now pin and sew the “back” seam, securing the elastic in the process.

Now it’s time to pin the legs of the tights.  It’s just like sewing a pair of pants (check out my doll jeans tutorial for comparison).

Sew up and down both legs, then trim off some of the excess fabric.

Turn them right side out and they are ready for wearing.

And here they are worn by Momoko.

Momoko and Misako both got a pair of these cute tights.

I hope everyone enjoyed this tutorial and can make plenty of legwear for their dolls.

End of Tutorial.

“Oh dear, Miss Misako doesn’t have any shoes.  Won’t her new tights get dirty?”

You are quite right Momoko dear.  Anna made her new stockings, but forgot about appropriate footwear.

No I didn’t.  Usagi and I made arrangements for that.

“Here Misako, these are for you!  I don’t wear them anymore so you can have them if you want. :)”

…

Those are the shoes I bought for Usagi last year.  They look cute, but the fit is a little snug for Usagi, so she actually prefers to wear the sandals I made for her (see Of Bjd Fashion: Improved Lace Sandals with a Tutorial).

So you are forcing our newest doll to wear Usagi’s hand me downs?

No one is being forced to do anything, Misako has accepted them and seems to like them too.

(How can you tell, she still hasn’t spoken to anyone.  Oh whatever.)

I suppose it is alright, for now.  They are attractive shoes. 

However it is hard not to notice a little fitting problem.  While the shoes were snug on Usagi, they are quite large on Misako’s rather petite feet.  Thankfully the ankle straps keep them securely on in place.

Anyway, at least everyone in our little doll family has appropriate legwear at last.

Hikaru, you seem to have forgotten what else I made, specifically for Usagi and Misako here.

“Oh, you mean this thing?”

No Usagi!  You can’t show that here!  Yuki, quickly look away!

That right!  I made these girls bras and underwear.  And we will have tutorials for them tomorrow.

Look forward to it.

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