Piecemakers4Life

My latest paper doll block has a western feel to it with its pink plaid vest.  I also added a little ruffled lace to the hem of the skirt.

Before constructing block five, please read the introduction to this series where you will find helpful information.  You may also want to read through the instructions for blocks  #1-4 since one tutorial builds on another.

Download the following PDF files from BOX in the right margin:  12_LS Boat-Neck Top Applique, 13_ A-Line Skirt Applique, 14_ Vest Applique.

Roughly cut out the printed applique pieces and adhere them to card stock.  Now cut them out true-to-shape.  These will serve as your templates.

Outline the three templates onto double-sided fusible web.  Flip the vest template to its mirror image and outline it as well.

Outline Templates onto Fusible Web

Roughly cut out the shapes and adhere them to the back of your chosen fabrics.

Stick Fusible Web onto Back of Fabrics

Carefully cut out each applique shape.

Cut Appliques

From a pastel cotton fabric, cut a 7 ½-inch background square.  (Kona cotton is a good choice.) Starch and press the square and adhere a light tear-away stabilizer to the back.

Mark the center of your square background block.  (It is helpful to fold a vertical and horizontal crease into the center of the background square.)  Measure the height of the applique and place a piece of tape at the top and bottom placement points.  This insures that the applique will be centered correctly.

Cut a 4 ½” piece of lace and ruffle it by sewing a 4.0mm straight stitch along the top edge.

Ruffle Lace with 4.0 Straight Stitch

Ruffled Lace

Peel off the backing paper and position the top and a-line skirt onto the background square.  Tuck the lace under the hemline of the skirt and finger press down.

Position Appliques

Cut two 1 ¼” sections from 3/8” wide white satin ribbon.  Fold in half and finger press.  Place one folded tab on each side of the lower skirt by carefully lifting the edge of the applique and tucking the raw edges of the tab underneath.  Finger press the area to re-adhere the fusible.

Following the package instructions, press the applique pieces in place.  Always use a pressing cloth for this step.

Set up your sewing machine with a thread color that matches the top and skirt fabrics.  Blanket stitch around the sides and bottom of the skirt using a 2.3mm  length and 2.0mm width.  If your sewing machine doesn’t have a blanket stitch, simply use a zig zag stitch.

Blanket Stitch Sides and Bottom of Skirt

Change to a satin stitch and stitch across the waistline of the skirt.

Satin Stitch Waistline

Using a straight stitch, stitch up the side of the top.  This part of the applique will be covered by the vest.

Straight Stitch Side of Top

When you reach the sleeve area, change to a blanket stitch and continue stitching until you reach the opposite side of the top.

Blanket Stitch Sleeves and Neckline

Straight stitch down to the waistline.

Straight Stitch Remaining Side

Position the vest pieces in place and press.

Position Vest Applique Pieces

Blanket stitch around both vest appliques.  Change thread colors if necessary.

Blanket Stitch Vest Pieces

Gently remove the backing stabilizer.

Block five is now complete!  Save all your templates so that you can mix-and-match more paper doll outfits in the future.

Check back soon for block six.

Happy stitching,

Nancy

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My dh and I just returned from Grand Rapids where I took this picture of Lake Michigan.  The weather was cool and breezy all week making it a perfect trip from beginning to end.  Isn’t the lake awesome?

I really like the simplicity of block four.  I’m a comfort dresser so the a-line dress holds  appeal for me.  Are you ready to cut into some more girly fabric?

Before constructing block four, take a few minutes to read the introduction to the series where you will find helpful information.  You may also want to read through the instructions for previous blocks since one tutorial builds upon another.

Download the following PDF files from BOX in the right margin:  10_A-Line Dress Applique and 11_Pointed Collar Applique.

Roughly cut out the printed applique pieces and adhere them to card stock.  Now cut them out true-to-shape.  These will serve as your templates.

Take the A-Line Dress (10) and Pointed Collar (11) templates and outline them onto double-sided fusible web.  Peel away the paper backing, stick the shapes on the back of your fabrics, and cut them out with short-nosed craft scissors.

Outline On Double-Sided Fusible Web

From a pastel cotton fabric, cut a 7 ½-inch background square.  (Kona cotton is a good choice.) Starch and press the square and adhere a light tear-away stabilizer to the back.

Mark the center of your square background block.  Measure the height of the applique and place a piece of tape at the top and bottom placement points.  This insures that the applique will be centered correctly.

To mark the vertical lines where the ric rac will be placed on the dress, fold the dress applique in half.  Fold again about half way and finger press a crease.  I’ve included a picture of the backing paper so that you can see where the lines fall.

Fold Creases for Ric Rac Trim

Applique with Crease Lines

Now position the A-Line dress on the background square.  Cut two 3 ¾” lengths of thin ric rac trim.  Apply a few dabs of fabric glue or basting glue to the back of the trim to help keep it in place as you place it along the outer fold lines.  Tuck the bottom ends under the dress hemline.

Place Ric Rac on Outer Fold Lines

Cut two 1 ¼” sections from 3/8” wide white satin ribbon.  Fold in half and finger press.  Place one folded tab on each side of the lower dress by carefully lifting the edge of the applique and tucking the raw edges of the tab underneath.  Finger press the area to re-adhere the fusible.

Place the collar in position.

Position Collar

Following the package instructions, press the applique pieces in place.  Always use a pressing cloth for this step.

Set up your sewing machine with thread that matches your ric rac and collar.  Using a straight stitch, begin at the hemline and sew the ric rac down.  When you reach the collar, travel along the edge of the point until you come to the second length of ric rac.  Sew down to the hemline.

Sew Ric Rac with Straight Stitch

With a self-threading needles, take the thread tails to the back and knot them.  Trim off excess thread.

Take Thread Tails to Back

With a blanket stitch set at 2.3mm length and 2.0mm width, sew around the raw edges of the collar.

Blanket Stitch Around Collar

Change the thread in your machine to a color that matches your dress.    Now blanket stitch around the raw edges of the dress.  If you don’t have blanket stitch, use a zig zag stitch to secure the edges.

Blanket Stitch Around Dress

Gently remove the backing stabilizer.

Block four is complete!  Save your templates so that you can mix-and-match more paper doll outfits in the future.

Check back soon for block five.

Blessings,

Nancy

What fun I’m having coordinating one little outfit after another for this paper doll applique series.  Today’s block is graced with a long sleeve top, round collar, full skirt, and apron.

If this is the first block you’ve clicked on, please read the introduction to the series as well as the instructions for block one.  You’ll find helpful information in those posts regarding the download of needed files and the necessary supplies to insure success.

For block three, download the following files from BOX in the right hand margin:  6_Long Sleeve Top Applique,  7_Full Skirt Applique,  8_Apron Applique,  9_Round Collar Applique.  Follow my previous instructions for making templates.

Outline the templates onto double-sided fusible web, such as Steam-A-Seam Lite 2.

Outline Templates on Fusible Web

Peel the backing paper off and stick them to the backside of your selected fabrics.  Carefully cut out each piece with short-nosed craft scissors and set aside.

Cut Out Applique Pieces

Cut a 7 ½-inch background square from a pastel solid cotton fabric such as Kona cotton.  Starch and press the square and adhere a light tear-away stabilizer to the back.  (I use a 50-50 mix of starch and water.)

Mark the center of your square background block.  You may find it helpful to measure the height of the applique and place a piece of tape at the top and bottom placement points.  This insures that the applique will be centered correctly.

Peel off the remaining backing paper and position your applique pieces on the background square, working from back to front.  For example, place the long sleeve top on the background square first, then the full skirt, collar, and apron.  The pieces are repositionable so don’t worry if you don’t get them positioned correctly the first time.

Placement of Applique Pieces

Cut two 1 ¼” sections from 3/8” white satin ribbon.  Fold in half and finger press.  Place one folded tab on each side of the lower skirt by gently lifting the edge of the applique and tucking the raw edges of the tab underneath.  Finger press the area to re-adhere the fusible.

Using a pressing cloth, heat set your applique according to package directions.  These will vary depending on what brand of fusible you are using.

Cut a thin piece of trim for the apron waistband.  I chose ric rac and used a light dab of basting glue to help keep the trim in place.

Cut Trim for Apron Waistband

Beginning with the apron, sew a small blanket stitch around the raw edges using a matching thread.  I set my blanket stitch at 2.0mm width and 2.3mm length.  When you reach the ric rac areas, switch to a 2.0mm straight stitch.  (Test the decorative stitch on a sample fabric first.)  If your sewing machine does not have decorative stitches, a simple zig zag stitch works quite well.

Straight Stitch Ric Rac

Blanket Stitch Around Apron

Switch to a thread that matches the remainder of the ensemble and blanket stitch around all raw edges.

Blanket Stitch Raw Edges

When you come to a sharp corner, leave your needle in the down position and pivot the fabric; then continue stitching.

Needle Down at Corners

With a self-threading needle, take all the thread tails to the back and tie them off.  Trim off excess thread.

Take Thread Tails to Back and Tie Off

When your block is complete, gently tear away the backing stabilizer.

Since the quilts I make are donated to crisis pregnancy centers, I don’t embellish them with any small objects that could come loose over time.  On this particular block I did add a crocheted flower at the base of the collar.  It is glued and sewed down to the point that it will never come off.

If you are making this quilt for a wall hanging, consider embellishing the blocks with  beads, sequins, Angelina fibers, yarns, or other decorations you have on hand.

Have fun and stayed tuned for block four.

Nancy

This is the first block in my new paper doll series.  Please read my introduction to the series before starting this tutorial.  You will find important information in that post entry regarding the download of necessary files and their approved uses.

First, you will need the following items to successfully complete the blocks in this series:

• Small print cotton fabrics

• Pastel fabric such as Kona cotton for background blocks

• Fusible stabilizer

• White satin 3/8″ ribbon for tabs

• Embellishments such as ric rac, ribbon, lace, etc.

• Embroidery thread

• Sharp short nose craft scissors

• Steam-A-Seam 2 Lite or other double sided fusible

• Card stock for applique templates

• Sharp thin-leaded pencil for transferring designs to fusible web

To construct block one:

Download these files from BOX in the right margin:  1_Frock Applique,  2_Low Skirt Applique,  3_Peter Pan Collar Applique

Roughly cut out the printed applique pieces and adhere them to card stock.  Now cut them out true-to-shape.  These are your templates.

Use Card Stock for Applique Templates

Transfer the applique shapes to your fusible web by drawing around the edges with a sharp pencil.  Follow package directions to determine which side of the fusible to draw on.

Outline Shape on Fusibile Web

Peal away the paper side of your fusible and place the sticky side on the back of your fabric.  Cut out your applique pieces with a sharp pair of craft scissors, carefully following the drawn outline.  Set aside.

Cut Out Appliques

Cut a 7 ½-inch square from a solid pastel cotton fabric that coordinates well with the fabric prints you have chosen for your appliques.  Starch and press.  Partially back with a fusible tear-away stabilizer.  You can find my favorite stabilizer for quilting purposes here.

Back with Fusible Stabilizer

Mark the center of your square background block.  I also find it helpful to measure the height of the applique and place a small piece of tape at the top and bottom placement points.  This insures that the applique will be centered correctly.

Mark Center of Background Block

Peel away the paper backing on applique #1 (frock).

Peel Away Paper Backing

Position the frock on the background block.

Position Frock

Cut two 1 ¼″ sections from 3/8″ wide white satin ribbon.  Fold in half and finger press.  These are your tabs.

Place one folded tab on each side of the skirt by gently lifting the edge of the applique and tucking the raw edges underneath.  Finger press the area to re-adhere the fusible.

Placement of Tabs

Using back to front order, position the remaining applique pieces on the background block.  For example, place the frock on the background square first, the low skirt second, and the collar third.  Add embellishments as you go along.  I chose to place a ribbon embellishment down the front of the frock.

You can cut away some of the frock that is under the low skirt to reduce bulk.  Add any additional embellishments you would like to accessorize the outfit.

Take the block to your ironing center and covering it with a pressing cloth.  Follow your fusible instructions for the setting and time in which you press the applique pieces in place.

Set up your sewing machine with embroidery thread and an open toe foot; loosen the upper tension slightly.  Choose a nice decorative stitch and embroider the area where the lower skirt meets the frock.  (It’s always a good idea to test your stitch on a sample fabric first to make sure the tension is correct and the stitch is to your liking.)  If your machine does not have decorative stitches, this would be a good place for ric rac or some other embellishment.

Now sew a small blanket stitch around all the raw edges.  I set my blanket stitch at 2.0mm width and 2.3mm length.  Again, test the stitch on a sample fabric first. If your sewing machine does not have decorative stitches, simply sew a zig zag stitch around the edges.

Gently tear away the  backing stabilizer.

Block one is complete!  I hope you had as much fun as I did constructing this adorable block.  Since many more wardrobe pieces will be offered in future block tutorials, you may want to place pieces #1-3 in a zip-lock bag for safekeeping.  It won’t be long before you’ll be able to mix-and-match the pieces to create unique paper doll applique outfits.

Stay tuned for block two, which will be coming soon.

Happy stitching,

Nancy