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I made these thigh high socks for Misako, but the pattern was originally made for Usagi.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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Finding Doll Props: Kinder Joy

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

Sometimes Anna’s search for appropriate doll props takes her in odd directions.

Such as with theses egg shaped packages.

These are called Kinder Joy.  Anna picked them up from her store, but they are available at a wide variety of grocery stores.  It seems many humans pick them up for their children for Easter and Christmas as a delightful treat.

Let us take a pick inside one.

On one side of the pack is this delicious looking dessert.  It consists of chocolatey wafer balls floating in rich cream.  Anna says the cream is bit too rich for her taste, however her nephew adores it.

The other side of the package contains a small unassembled toy, with instructions.  Oh, dear.

Well, let us get started with this, right Sakura?

Hmm, is this piece suppose to go here?  And then here?  Hmm.

“Look Miss Ghost Lady, it’s done!  Isn’t it so cool?  Can I play with it?!”

Well it appears to be some sort of space ship with a launching device.

And as Sakura has demonstrated, it is simple for a child to assemble.

“Look Yuki, isn’t is so awesome?  Do you want to hold it too?  Want to play now?  What’s cream?”

Anyway, inside the second Kinder Joy egg is another unassembled toy.

I’m not even going to bother with the instructions, here you go Sakura dear.

“Yay!”

Once assembled, it appears to be a toy robot figure.

I’m not entirely convinced these Kinder Joy toys are suitable for ball jointed dolls, but Sakura seems to enjoy them.  And she has shown a remarkable aptitude for building sets.

“Yuki, you can hold this one too.  Do you think it will fit on my train?  Does it want to ride my train?  Do you want to play with my train?”

Now all that is left to do is tidy up, all this plastic packaging lying about, including these egg halves.

However, I can’t help but wonder if Anna could reuse them to make something doll size, such has some lovely hats for myself. 

Alas, that is for another day.  Be at peace my dear readers

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Naming Dolls: Our Clover Doll Echo

Our newest bjd (Our Clover Doll Echo) has been with us for nearly four months.  My, where has the time gone.

She has since adjusted well to living among us, though something still puzzles me.  She still has yet to say even one word to anyone.  It is quite peculiar to say the least, however it is an almost refreshing change from the constant noise coming from many of the other dolls.

Anyway, since this doll has been with us so long, it is high time that we properly introduce her.  Anna has finally decided on a proper name for her.

So allow me to present…

Misako.

It has such a nice ring to it, but I am certain Anna got it from another anime series or something of that sort.

Yes and no.  I did first hear of this name from a manga series, Kodocha.  The character, Misako Kurata, is an eccentric novelist and mother to the main character.

However, in this case Misako comes from Misako Aoki, a model, President of the Japanese Lolita Association and an official Kawaii Ambassador for Japan.  She also works as a nurse.  That’s right Hikaru, I named our new doll after a real person.

Anyway, according to Wikipedia, the name Misako has several meanings depending on the characters used.  These include “beauty, blossom, child” and “truth, serene, skillful child”.  The fact that we all think this new doll is beautiful is hardly a secret here.  She could easily be a model like her namesake.  It is my hope that with this name, Misako will blossom into a very talented or “skillful” individual.   As soon as we get to know her better.

Well, now at least we know her name, but there is so much about her that is still a mystery.   How will we get to know her if she doesn’t properly speak to us?

“…Um, maybe she is just really shy.  And if we’re nice to her she won’t be so shy anymore...”

You may have a good point Yuna.

Maybe in time she will open up more.  For now let us enjoy a nice cup of tea together.  Tea is wonderful for bonding and harmony.

What is wrong, are you not enjoying your tea?

“…Um, I don’t think she has ever had tea before…”

Well Yuna, there is a first time for everything.  And new experiences will help with her development.  I still wish I knew what Misako was thinking.  Maybe someday.

But for now, be at peace my dear readers.

What Misako is thinking.

(The one with the white hair talks so much.  Why is she so noisy?  Would it be rude to tell her?)

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Of Bjd Hair: Fatiao Doll Shop Wig Review Plus a Wig Try On

As with any fine bjd, one of the things needed for our newest doll (see Bjd Unboxing: Surprise Again, Clover Doll Echo) is hair.

Thankfully, after much searching online, Anna has finally located and purchased an appropriate wig.

To help with her research on hair styles, Anna decided to let the new doll try on almost all the wigs in the house. 

First we tried what I believe to be the finest wig in the house, my own.  It is a msd sized Dollzone wig purchased from Angelesque (see It's Here at Last! Or a Wig Review ).  The unusual white color looks very well with our doll’s complexion and the style suits her. 

Next is Yuki’s hair, a short blond 1/4 sized wig from Alice’s Collections (see Of Bjd Hair: Reviewing Three Wigs?).  The cut and color of this wig are also quite flattering on this doll. (It’s because the Clover Doll Echo is an incredibly versatile sculpt.  Everything looks good on her!)

Here is Usagi’s wig, it is this 7-8 size For My Doll wig in cream pink, purchased from Angelesque (see Of Bjd Hair: Another Wig Review and an Announcement ). 

This one was Anna’s personal favorite for our new doll.  So much so that she would have purchased another one for our new doll.  There was just one problem, it is too large.  This doll has a fairly small head, and sadly For My Doll wigs seem to run a little large in our experience.  Such a pity.

And here is where things get amusing.  This is dear little Sakura’s wig, a long blond wig from Alice’s Collections.  Despite being a wig intended for a 1/6 scale doll instead of 1/4, it fits this doll perfectly thanks to her small sized head.

So with the help of this research, Anna choose a wig from a shop on etsy called Fatiao Doll Shop.  A shop that specializes in doll wigs, shoes and accessories.  This particular shop was unknown to us, but they had excellent reviews so Anna thought it best to chance them. 

So she made the purchase, and less than a week later, our packaged arrived!  Such speedy service.

The wig arrived packed in a nice box and carefully wrapped in bubble wrap.

The well designed box is a welcome change from the usual plastic bag that most bjd wigs arrive in, it adds a pleasant touch.

And the business card is adorable, Anna thought so as well.

It doubles as a thank you card, a truly delightful touch.

Out of the box, the wig is neatly wrapped in netting and we can see the beautiful and familiar coloring.

As you can see, Anna tracked down a wig in almost the same shade as Usagi’s fine wig.  It is one of their fine Msd sized wigs (currently our of stock).

The difference is that this wig fits our new doll well.  Anna insisted on finding a wig with bangs because she loved the way they look on her.

I personally adore the look of the curls, and the fibers on this wig are wonderfully soft.

Here is the wig in different lighting and after a trim.  After properly fitting our doll with a wig cap, Anna thought the bangs were too long.

We are all quite pleased with this new wig.  The color and quality are wonderful and the service was superb.  I will encourage Anna to continue doing business with Fatiao, perhaps maybe she could find something for me there, my birthday is coming soon.

Anyway, more about the wig. As you can see, it is noticeably lighter in color compared to Usagi’s wig.  However, both colors are beautiful. 

And now there are three ball jointed dolls with pink hair.  We simply cannot forget about Yuna (see Doll Love Unboxing Part 2: Reviewing a Wig and Eyes).

This brings up the question, how many more pink wigs will Anna acquire?

Only time will tell my dear readers.

For now, be at peace.

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Doll Owner’s Corner: When Dolls Take Over Part 2

Beginning of the month, time for another Doll Owner’s Corner.  When I, the doll owner, talk about anything I want.

This month’s topic:

When Dolls Take Over Your Life

Continuing on from this post with more fun.

You know the dolls have taken over when:

• You realize it takes you more time to dress your doll than to dress yourself, but hey, it’s way more fun anyway.
• You plan trips to thrift shops, antique stores, flea markets, yard sales, etc. solely to look for furniture and props for your dolls.
• You regularly receive small items as gifts from friends and family members because they thought you could use them for your dolls.
• Most of the YouTube Channels you subscribe to are about dolls…
• …And so are several of the blogs you follow.
• Your dolls have more toys than your kids do…
• …And they have more clothes than you do.
• You frequently talk to your dolls, and catch your family doing the same.
• Just when you decide you have enough dolls already and it’s no more dolls for you, holiday sales hit.
• You spam your friends on social media with almost non-stop photos of your dolls, and dolls on you wish list, and doll tutorials, etc.
• You’re talking to someone about your new ball jointed doll and tell them it was “only $200”, and then you wonder why they seem so shocked.
• You find yourself learning more about holidays and customs of other countries because doll companies located in those countries have corresponding sales and events.  Happy Spring Festival.

And there will be more of these in the future as my dolls slowly infiltrate every part of my life, whether I like it or not.

Look forward to it.

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