I received doll-sized headband blanks and hangers in the mail that I ordered to use with a Christmas project I am doing! I had to work fast this morning-- this has to stay hidden from little eyes until Christmas day when they are presented with the dresses I have been making. I can't wait!
I pulled out the hot glue gun and figured that since I have already singed off my fingerprints with a previous project, why not give it another go. (Just kidding; what I thought would surely turn into blisters was mostly just whining.)
I traced the headband onto paper, much like the way you trace a lampshade to make a pattern. I added about 1/2" to the sides and used it to cut my fabric. Then it was a simple matter to hot-glue it to the blanks. I couldn't believe how easy it was to do this. After a few, I got better at getting them covered smoothly... though I could still use more practice. What luck: I have to make about seven of these so plenty of opportunities are coming!
I marked the center of the fabric cut out and the center of the headband and started gluing at those center points.
Then I jumped down to the ends and glued those. With the fabric anchored, I glued all the areas in between.
Once covered, I glued a strip of ribbon to hide the seam. This was my first one and I learned to get them more smooth on the under-side on the next one.
Happily, even with the tucks underneath on this first one, the top is smooth. I loved it with the little dress I made.
I found an old Martha Stewart felt flower kit that I have had forever. Those flowers are pre-cut and have a stitching that runs through the petals so all you have to do is pull up the threads and magically a flower is formed! I used it on the next one I made.
I grabbed a doll out of my sleeping daughter's room just to test...
The headbands are from Punch Place Plus if you are in the market for this sort of thing. I preferred the 7/8" size and they seem to be perfect for my daughter's American Girl Dolls.
I will be sharing all of the little dresses I am sewing soon... Just have to finish all the dress sewing (and headband gluing) before my daughter is on Christmas break from school!
Happy Wednesday! Thank you for checking my blog post today. To see many of my previous projects, check My Project Gallery. I am off to work on yesterday's December Daily/ Journal Your Christmas page!
So.... What's on your workdesk this Wednesday?
40 comments:
Those little head bands are perfect and go so well with the beautiful dresses that you made. You are so clever, she is going to love them. Enjoy watching her receive them with Joy.
Happy WOYWW
Eliza 12
great headbands trace x #9
Beautiful work! I know Piper is going to be thrilled with the wardrobe! Stunning creations, as usual!
The headbands are so sweet! Just another great project. Now I have to make them but when??? LOL
I love the dresses also. Nice job!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you for visiting my desk... I saw the American doll last year when I visited New York ... The headbands are just great well done
Jackie 22
How perfect! What a lovely and charming gift you are doing for your daughter...what a sweet moment when she opens these. Thanks for coming my way! Sandi 5
OMG - you must have WAY more patience than me to create those beautiful dresses and headbands. They are so neat and pretty - clever you! I'm sure the lucky little girls who receive those are presents will be thrilled!
Thanks for dropping by!
Hugs, LLJ #27 xx
PS LOVE the title of your blog (and the reason why!)
Awesome idea! I feel so silly, but I never would have thought to just trace the headband like that! Thanks for that tip...I'm hoping it will work on full size headbands, too, as that's what I work on sometimes. Anyways, the dress you showed is just darling, I totally pinned that puppy to my inspiration board! Not that I have a daughter, blessed you are there, but still I know some of my followers do and I think they will just adore this idea. You're so clever and talented! Thanks for sharing the step-by-step with us. :) Deeyll #48
P.S. I saw on another WOYWW post last week a lady had some finger tip guards for using with the hot glue gun, just thought I would mention it since it might help you not get singed so badly. :)
Fabulous!! I know two little people who would be thrilled with them... you've got me thinking now!
Happy WOYWW
Laura
97
Fabulous project, lovely to see something really different. Your daughter is going to love these! Have a great week, Hugs Shaz #67
WOW they are going to love the new clothes and headbands on Christmas morning. I think making things is the most fun of all at Christmas but haven't been able to do much this year. I feel guilty, almost, at taking a cruise at this time of year! I had a great time on my cruise but now I am so feeling the crunch of the holiday season. I plan on getting the tree and decorations up by Friday and leaving them till...?? I hope you have your holiday plans more in control then I do! Thanks for visiting my desk and leaving such a nice comment! Have a great week! Vickie #3
Really, really love that little dress you have shown us and those headbands are gorgeous too. I agree with LLJ above, you must have tons of patience to make these gorgeous little things. Thanks so much for sharing them and for your visit earlier. Hugs, Anne x #21
hi and thanks for visisting me. those head bands and that little dress are so cute your daughter is going to love them how talented are you... have a fab week x #28
fab head bands you are clever , happy woyww Jill # 30
How cute is that?! Lucky Piper!
the hair bands are very clever and the dress is really cute i'm sure the little girls will love them for their dolls
have a great week
janet #24
Those head bands and dresses are so lovely. You are so brave starting this late with that project. Hope it all goes well. Thank you for your visit today. I will take a picture of the finished tractor wrapped for everyone to see, and hopefully with its recipient if she likes it. Have a good week. xx Maggie #33
Thanks for your earlier visit to my blog. What a clever little sewing person you are, I think the cute headbands are lovely.
Elaine #34
Your doll makes are superb and would have cost a fortune to buy. I love the size of the American girl Dolls and I have knitted and crocheted for the ones my nephew's (in Raleigh) children have. We don't see these dolls in England except when they are brought home from holidays. I recall dressing Barbies many years ago for my own DDs! So tiny to sew.
Thanks for popping in on me and for your comment.
Jo x
Wow that's a lot of work! So patient to make such small things! They're turning out fab! Thanks for the visit. Happy WOYWW! Nan 14
Thank you for visiting my Desk.
I love those Headbands. What a brilliant Idea to match them to the Dresses. I am certain that they will be loved:)
Silvia #52
What a delightful idea and what a wonderful gift for your little girl to open on Christmas morning. So beautifully made too.
WOW how adorable are those. What a lovely surprise. I guess your daughter has 7 dolls then? It has reminded me of a doll my mother once made for me. She dressed it up in a blue and turquoise tou-tou with a silver crocheted crown and left it by my bed for Christmas morning. Somewhere along the line it ended up with a yellow mac and hat, before or after I can't remember - must give her a ring. Thanks for stopping by BJ#36
Aw, so cute! I think someone will be VERY happy with these :)) Belated Happy WOYWW, Di xx
Wow, what a talent. You must be so dexterous to make such tiny headbands and the dress you show us is gorgeous. What a lucky little girl you have.
Hope to see more of your makes.
Hugs, Neet xx 2
Happy Belated WOYWW. Thank you for visiting my workspace yesterday. I used to buy clothes for my doll collection (loved the clothes more than the dolls almost!), but my hubby doesn't like a lot of collections around the house, so they all went to new homes. Your sewing is fabulous and your daughter will love it all. Ali x #20
Wow! What lovely headbands and dresses, real beauties. What is it about dolls dresses that make you smile. I remember a 'big' doll' I got one Christmas, hard plastic, long blonde plaits and wearing a sundress and hat (in the middle of winter???) but she could walk and talk (long time ago). I adored her.
Thanks for visiting my blog.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
Ann B
#31
What gorgeous dolly clothes you are making.
Hugs,
A x
What a lovely gift you are making! The dress looks phenomenal. Thanks for dropping by and leaving a message. I can highly recommend cross stitching:) Lucy #16 x
That dress is adorable and then a lovely headband to match! I can't wait to see the completed collection!
good luck with all your doll dresses and accessories. what a wonderful gift. it will create memories your daughter will treasure a lifetime. i still think fondly of the barbie dresses my mom created, on the sly, that are extra special.
very clever idea and those clothes look so sweet.
Sandra
So cute. Did you make her a closet? Looks like lots of hangers!!! I love the headbands too! Such a clever gal you are.
Lucky doll! mine used to get wet toilette paper mache dresses moulded onto them! LOL
Aw what lovely little gift ideas, the bands and dresses are delightful.
Happy {late} WOYWW and Festive season x
Hugz Minxy #23
your headbands are adorable. Love the outside the box thinking for a pattern.
Amazing! they are so gorgeous! xxxxxxxxx
Great headbands and I love the idea of secret sewing!
Thanks for visiting my desk already
kyla
Wonderful Job on the headbands! Just wondering where you ordered your blanks from? Giving hangers with the clothes is another great idea. Hanger source? Thanks for sharing!
Cindy- I posted a link to my source near the end of the post: Punch Place Plus. I bought the hangers on eBay but it wasn't a regular hanger vendor-- it was just super cheap. I think it was Lovbugg or something like that. Those were the only hangers from that vendor but there are TONS of doll clothes hanger vendors on ebay. I just looked for the cheapest one I could find. Hope that helps!
Post a Comment