Hi there, I have a website, www.topostreasures.com and I sell patterns for dolls such as Tyler, Sydney, Alex, etc. those types of dolls. I haven't done any as of yet for Gene but I plan on it within the next couple of months. I also am owner of a list at www.fashiondollcrochet.com and there are some of us that crochet for the larger fashion dolls there as well as the 11.5 inch dolls. Some other members that sell patterns and doll outfits are at: http://geocities.com/patterncrazykd/ http://www.ebdyznes.com http://www.rubyflamingo.com If you are in need of any assistance please feel free to let me know! Kathleen Here is a link that might be useful: Topo's Treasures

I'm trying to get my 12 year old granddaughter interested in sewing, so I wish you lots of luck. She's very skinny & I have to "remake" a lot of her clothes. I told her it would be real helpful if she would learn to sew because she was going to have to take in everything all her life or pay an arm & a leg to have someone fix them for her. She said she'll just get a good job! But...sewing something with fleece would be a good starter project. An eye glass case cut out with a decorative rotary cutter or scissors. A pillow with a decorative edge cut & seamed leaving the seams exposed. A 2 layer blanket with the same edge. A scarf (could be reversible), hat or head band. Green Pepper has lots of patterns for fleece & JoAnn's carries them. All the pattern books have a section with "easy" patterns. Let us know how she does.

I want to make (SEW) a girls coat size 6 or 8.One just below the knee. I am making it from Vellux material......any ideas. tk you

I was going to try to explain how to make a pattern from scratch but it may not work well for a dog as it would for a person since doggies don't stand still. Plus it is a lot of free hand drawing and cutting muslin then fitting and recutting. So my best suggestion when someone asks me how to do this and they don't sew a lot is use an old shirt, dress or skirt. You can de-construct a piece of clothing then transfer it to muslin and or paper. You said she has a unusual body shape so if you have one outfit that doesn't fit quite right that would be the one to use. Another suggestion if you don't have any outfit for your dog now is to buy people clothes to fit her. A thrift store is good. You can buy a boys or girls tee shirt and even some pajamas would work. You can adjust it large, small, longer, or even shorter. You will put the shirt or coat on the dog inside out. You couldn't pin it since you will need to pull if off the doggy and she may get stuck! Not good so I would recommend instead of pinning is just pinching the fabric up at the seams where it needs to be smaller and draw a line by your finger on each side with a marker. If you need to add to the area/seam to make it bigger you will have to guess a little and mark next to the seams +1/2" or whatever extra you need. If it needs to be longer measure and write how much you need to add or mark a line where you want to shorten it plus 1/2" for seam allowance. Next you then will just rip the seams out or if you choose to cut the seam then add a 1/2" seam allowance to your pattern. Iron the all the pieces flat. You will lay the pieces out on a paper or muslin. Next you will have to free hand the lines of the pattern if making it larger or just cut the shirt piece in where it needs to be smaller. I prefer to cut out my pattern on muslin first then sew it all together with a long stitch. One suggestion is to cut the muslin pattern with a seam or opening on the back of the dog if a pullover shirt. That way it's easy to put on your dog to check the fit. Muslin doesn't stretch and it would be hard to pull on but you will get the over all fit of your pattern. Once you have the fit you like with the muslin repeat as you did before mark the seams and length then take out the stitching recut the pattern to the adjustments. Now finally you can lay it down on paper and cut out a permanent pattern. I use a drawing paper that comes on big rolls. It's a little stiffer than regular paper plus it will last forever. If you make a full length with sleeves pattern first then you have one you can trace and make different cuts from. Example if I was to make a A Line dress pattern I would make a full length long sleeve first. I could then copy that pattern to another piece of paper adjust it maybe to knee length and no sleeves for the same person. My best tips are the neck opening, arm opening and arms are always tricky. If enlarging you will need to taper in each depending on the look or style you are going for. Remember to add fabric allowances if using non stretchy fabric. The first cut of a pattern alway's go a little larger then adjust. Don't forget the seam allowances. When using a shirt for a pattern they are already there except when you reduce your pattern. When you are pinching the area smaller mark it at the pinch but then note you will have to add 1/2" seam allowance to that area and if enlarging you will need to also add the seam allowance. Several fittings are best. Oh, don't forget the seam allowances it's the best advice I can tell you over and over. I tried to write everything as I do it step by step. But if not clear or any questions let me know. Have Fun and Good Luck!