Naming Dolls: Our Aimerai Ling and Some Dress Up

It has been some time since we received our newest doll (see Bjd Unboxing: Aimerai Cat Doll?).

Now let's sit down to a nice cup of tea together and discuss the topic of names.

So as with many of us dolls, Anna had a name in mind for this doll long before purchasing. And I have no doubt that it probably came from some sort of anime series, just like with almost all of us dolls. She of course will explain further.

So without further ado, may I properly introduce our newest doll...

Tohru.

Hikaru is correct. The name, Tohru came from the main character of the series Fruits Basket. It is a manga series that was adapted into 2 different anime series, the first of which is one of my favorite animes.

It was sort of like when I named Sakura (see Naming Our Newest Doll and a Little News). I saw the product photo for the Aimerai Ling, and thought "this looks like Tohru Honda, sort of." She basically reminded me of a cat version of one of my favorite characters, so I thought if I ever bought that doll, then I will definitely name her Tohru.

Fast forward several years later, and she is now sitting in my room, drinking tea with Hikaru.

Or at least staring at the tea in a teacup.

Don't you like your tea? Do you need more cream.

I think she would prefer it with just cream and no tea.

I suppose you're right, our purple kitten always preferred cream over tea too.

Since Tohru arrived, the kitten has been quite attached to her. It is actually quite endearing.

However, it is time for the next topic for today, clothing.

Tohru is in need of more clothing, and it was suggested that we should search through Anna's "miscellanous clothing" bag. It's a bag of clothing and other accessories accumulated over the years. Much of it would have been discarded if Anna wasn't such a packrat (Hikaru can't talk, see Decluttering a Doll’s Wardrobe).

So let us see...

How about this lovely half-bonnet.

Anna made them using some straw hats she acquired (see Of Bjd Fashion: Turning Straw Hats into Doll Half Bonnets). Such an ingenious and elegant design.

It looks lovely on her, most becoming.

Unfortunately, it seems to be interfering with her ears, but surely this is something that can be overlooked?

"Hiss, hiss."

Or maybe not.

Cats normally don't like things touching their ears, and hats that pinch are even worse.

I suppose we should focus on main fashion pieces then.

Here's a selection of skirt and dresses that Anna has sewn for us. Surely, one of these will be suitable.

This is an eyelet skirt that Anna made for me along with several other pieces (see Of Bjd Fashion: Pretty and Pink and Short?).

I've always found it a bit too short for my tastes, but I suppose it is fine for Tohru.

Except that is seems too loose in the waist.  Oh dear, I didn't think our measurements varied that much.

Oh, I remember this dress. It is one of several dresses Anna made for us using her fitted bodice technique (see the video tutorial). Wait, why isn't she trying it on?

She's playing with the lace straps.

Let's move on to the next piece. It's Usagi's old jumper skirt, one of the first pieces Anna made for her.

It really suits Tohru. The style is so sweet, and the color brings out her eyes. She seems quite smitten with it too.

But, what about the white dress? I'm sure she would love it as well.

...If she would stop playing with the straps.

Anna, please stop distracting her!

Just having a little fun, I really should make her some cat toys.

Oh well, at least we found something suitable for Tohru. However, I wonder how Usagi will feel about Tohru wearing her hand-me-downs.

"Wow, she's wearing my old jumper skirt, it looks so cute! :)"

"Mew?!"

"So cute!"

"Meowr, mew!"

I take it they are both in agreement.

"She also wants to wear some of your clothes too, Hikaru! :)"

You can understand her?

"Of course, can't you? :)"

I'm not certain if this make things simpler or more confusing, my dear readers. I'm sure time will tell.

Be at peace.

"Meowr! :)"

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Of Bjd Fashion: Faux Button Down Tank Top and Skirt for Misako with a Tutorial

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

Our newest doll, Misako has gone far too long without a decent set of clothing.  Therefore, I am pleased to find that Anna has finally sewn a new outfit.

And doesn’t it look marvelous on Misako.

It consists of a casual sleeve-less top (she means a tank top), a floral half circle skirt, and a few accessories.  We will get to those momentarily.

I am concerned about the skirt.  It was made from the same fabric as one of my fine skirts.  Yet, I distinctly recall Anna promising to use the rest of said fabric to make a dress for me, preferable similar to this fine dress she made for herself.

No worries Hikaru, I still have more than enough to make a dress.  (Plus, I technically never promised to make it, you just decided on your own that I would make it and I went along.)

That is such a relief, maybe there’s enough left for accessories?

Anyway,  Anna decided to create tutorials and printable patterns for the “tank top” and skirt.  So others could sew this delightful warm weather Outfit.

Faux Button Down Tank Top and Half Circle Skirt for MSD Bjds

The Tank Top

Let’s start with the tank top.  It was designed to be a “faux” button down because I love the look but hate making button holes.

Plus, the overlapping fabric in front is kind of bulky on a doll.  Something I don’t want on things like light and airy tank tops.

You will need:

• T-shirt fabric, and old t-shirt works great.
• The pattern below.
• Basic sewing supplies
• Small buttons or beads for the buttons
• (Optional) Glue like Aleene’s Jewel-It

Here is the pattern for the tank top.  It was made based on Misako’s measurements which are post on the doll’s profile page.  It is intended to fit a little loosely though for a comfortable fit.

First cut your pieces according to the pattern from the t-shirt fabric.  One front piece and two back pieces.

Pin the front pieces to the back at the shoulder a sew.

Then pin and hem the arm area of the top.  You only have fold edge once to hem since t-shirt fabric doesn’t actually unravel.

I hem by hand front the front side of the fabric using a back stitch (check out this doll tank top video tutorial for a demonstration of the back stitch.)

I use the back stitch so it will stretch with my fabric, and I sew from the front because the stitches look weird on the other side.  I want the weirdness on the inside of the top.

Anyway, here’s the interesting part.  You fold the fabric on itself in the center of the front and pin in place. 

This is what the fabric should look like when folded.  The fold is only about 1/4 inch (about 1/2 cm.) wide, but you may need to make it wider to better fit your doll.

Sew the fold in place by making two rows of stitches down the front of you top.

Moving on, pin and sew the sides of your top.  Don’t forget to try the shirt on your doll before sewing to ensure a good fit.

Pin and hem the bottom of the tank top, just like we did with the arm area.

Hem the back opening too, and lastly hem the neckline (I didn’t get a picture of that step).

After hemming everything, sew on your closure of choice.  I prefer to cut two small pieces of soft Velcro and sew them on by hand.  Small snaps are a great choice as well.

Finish off the top by adding buttons.  I glued on flat back pearls using Aleene’s Jewel-it.  I also recommend tiny faux pearls and other tiny beads.

Add any other embellishments you want like lace, ribbon bows, flowers, etc.

The Half Circle Skirt

This half circle skirt was actually based on this tutorial for a knit skirt (intended for humans).  It’s a useful tutorial, especially if you want to make a skirt for someone larger or smaller in size.  I recommend using the hip measurement instead of the waist, and adding a little extra for a seam allowance if you aren’t sewing with a knit fabric.

Anyway, let’s get going on this skirt tutorial.

You will need:

• Pretty fabric
• (Optional) fabric for a lining if your fabric is thinner.
• Thin elastic
• The pattern below
• Basic sewing supplies
• Small safety pin
• (Optional) Sewing machine if you don’t want to sew by hand.

Here is the pattern for the skirt.  Like the tank top, it was made based on Misako’s measurements which are listed on the dolls’ profile page.

Cut one piece of fabric out of the pattern.  My fabric is a bit sheer, so I also cut a piece of lining fabric. 

However, I’m cheating at making a lining.  The two pieces are layered on top of each other and I am pretending they are just one piece of fabric instead of two.

Start by hemming the bottom edge of the skirt.  This fabric does fray, so you will need to double fold to hem.

You will also double fold and sew the top edge of the skirt to create a casing for your elastic.  Make sure it is large enough for the elastic.

Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing.  You can used other tools instead, check out this doll tank top video tutorial for some examples.

Pin the elastic on each end of the skirt to secure it.

Now pin the ends of the skirt together and sew.  In one step you can sew both the elastic and the back seam.

And now the skirt is ready to wear.  You can also add other details like bows and lace.

Now you have a new doll outfit that’s perfect for Spring/Summer.  Enjoy!

End of tutorial.

Now let us discuss the accessories. 

First we have this fine pearl jewelry set.  A necklace and matching bracelet made simply by threading 4 mm. faux pearls on elastic thread.

To accentuate the hair, there is also this lovely hair clip, made from gathered lace and a few more pearls.

The base of this hair piece consists of a small barrette Anna purchased from a local craft store.

See how lovely it looks in Misako’s hair.

The accessories do so much to complete this lovely new outfit.

Misako does seem pleased with her new clothing.  Though it is quite difficult to know for certain since she still doesn’t speak to anyone, especially not to myself. 

Oh well, she is finally appropriately dressed and that is what really matters.  And perhaps someday she will open up.

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

What Misako is really thinking.

“It was nice of her to make me this pretty stuff, but why?  I thought that white dress was nice.

And why does the noisy white haired doll fuss so much about it?  Maybe she wants more clothes too? If I asked her would she get mad?  Or would she make even more noise?  I don’t want that to happen. :(”

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