New DollHeart outfits for preorder - for Azone's Pure Neemo!

I'm delighted to announce that DollHeart has released a preorder for Rainbow Fairies, which includes two new outfits for Azone's Pure Neemo size dolls. You can purchase the set of fairy costumes (dolls not included) for $84.90, which saves you $4.90 (10%) off retail. They are available from DollHeart directly or from your favorite DollHeart dealer.

Iolanthe is a lavender fairy (according to Wikipedia, it's "a feminine given name, derived from the Greek 'ιολη' (iole) for 'violet' and 'ανθος' (anthos) for 'flower.'" This outfit includes a one-piece dress, skirt, headdress, chain accessory, wing, underwear, petticoat, and socks. It's $44.90 and available for preorder today with an August delivery date.

Ainsel is an aqua version of the rainbow fairy set, and includes a one-piece dress, choker, headdress, wings, a pair of bracelets, petticoat, bloomers, and socks. It's $44.90 when purchased alone and is available for preorder now, with an August release date.

Just for kicks, I looked up "Ainsel" on Wiki, too. You might find it interesting.

Additionally, there's a preview of a new limited costume set called Moloko Plus, which I believe will be released especially for attendees of the Osaka Dollism Plus show. This outfit includes a one-piece dress, hat, belt, underpants and mesh stockings. Price is still to be determined.

All photos are property of DollHeart.

Interview with Patita Taylor

Integrity Toys Dynamite Girls Aria, modeling Patita Taylor outfit

I had the pleasure of meeting Patita Taylor at this year's Barbie convention where she is a regular attendee and salesroom vendor. She is also a regular attendee at the IFDC in Las Vegas.

Her outfits are meticulously handcrafted--starting at just $35, you can get an outfit, including a cocktail dress, matching belt, hat, shoes, bag, and earrings--all packaged beautifully in a gift box. I left her table with more than one outfit in my bag, and an agreement for her to do an interview with me for the Fashion Doll Review!

About Patita's business:

How long have you been in business? How did you get started?

I started sewing about three years ago. I had sewed some 40 years ago, and I met this young lady and asked her how to make a dress, and from there I just kept it up.  I really don't have a business; I only sew for the convention and if someone wants me to make a dress for them only.

Where can we find your outfits? 

If someone wants an outfit, they contact me email patita@patitataylor.com

I notice you sew for 11" sized dolls. Is this how you got started, or did you work in another field first?

I got started just by making 11" sized dolls clothes for Barbie. People want me to do clothes for them, but I just want to stick to the small stuff.

How long have you been designing outfits? Do you sew other items as well?

I really don't design, I just use pieces of different patterns. I just go to different stores and if I like a fabric I buy it.

What is your workspace like? Does it work well for you?

My workshope is one of my bedrooms.  It does not work very well, because it's kind of small.

Where do you get your inspiration? Do you generally decide which outfits to sew first, and then choose fabric and supplies, or do you let the fabrics find you and inspire you?

My inspiration comes from people wanting to redress their dolls.  I do not really decide which outfit to sew: if I like an outfit I will sew it. If I love a fabric: ask myself, would this look good on a Barbie? Yes? Then I buy it.

What is your favorite part of creating a doll fashion? What is your least favorite part?

Will it look good and will other people like it as I do? The least favorite part of a doll fashion is cutting the outfit out.

When you create fashions, how much do you keep your collector in mind? Do you mostly design what you like or what you enjoy collecting? Do your collectors have a predictable style?

I keep in mind the size of the prints on the fabric, color, and what a collector would buy. I design mostly what I like and what someone else would like for their doll. I sometimes wonder what style people would like. Some like vintage--pencil skirt or a full skirted dress. Color plays a big part with the style also.

Have you ever created an outfit and decided to keep it for your own collection instead of selling it? (I think if I were talented in sewing, I'd be doing this all the time, LOL!)

On items that I sew sometimes I like to keep the outfit for myself, but I have to let them go to the convention.  If I don't sell the outfit at the convention, then it comes back home to my dolls.

Do you have favorite places to shop to add your stash of supplies?

I like to shop at F and H Fabric and Jo-Ann's.  If I am in a mall and they have a fabric store, I will visit that store.

About your own doll collection:

Do you collect dolls yourself? How long have you been collecting?

I only collect Barbie dolls, and I have been collecting for over twenty years.

Do you have themes in your collection? What sorts of dolls do you collect?

You can say I do have themes in my collection, but I buy what I like.  I only collect Barbie dolls, I have attended the IFDC, but sell the doll. I mainly go to this convention to take the classes they have to offer for making things for your dolls.

Do you have a current favorite (or a few favorites) in your collection? 

I do have a favorite doll: Bob Mackie's Starlight Splendor.

What sorts of things attract you most about a doll?

If I like a doll I buy it. Sometimes when I like a doll I buy three to four at one time.

Do you sew for your own doll collection?

I usually don't sew for my doll collection--only if I use them as models to display the outfit.

What really got me started in collecting was when I was a little girl around 6 or 7, we lived in projects and my mother could not afford to buy dolls all the time. When it was trash time, me and my sister went around digging in the trash cans and found Barbie dolls. Boy, do I wish I would have held on to the first ones made in 1959!  

Then also my father asked me one Christmas what I wanted, and I told him a Chatty Cathy doll, he did not get me that doll, and it hurt my heart. So my mother said I just went crazy when I was able to buy them for myself.  I also bought lots of Barbies for my daughter, because of what my father had done to me.  She gave them away when she was about fifteen. Boy, was I mad, because she did not tell me until years later when I got back into collecting dolls!

Silkstone by Mattel modeling Patita Taylor fashion

Silkstone by Mattel modeling Patita Taylor fashion

Silkstone modeling Patita Taylor fashion

Silkstone modeling Patita Taylor fashion

I took a similar fashion home with me! Modeled by a Silkstone

Patita Taylor, modeled by Silkstone

Patita Taylor modeled by Silkstone

Model muse by Mattel in Patita Taylor 

Two gorgeous Silkstones in Patita Taylor fashions

Silkstone in a Patita Taylor fashion

All photos are property of Patita Taylor.

Madame de l'Amour

Madame de l'Amour, a photo by alington on Flickr.

Madame de l'Amour is a sold-out outfit by Tonner Doll Company from the Gowns by Anne Harper collection.

It includes a one-piece Rococo style gown made of satin floral, with an attached lace apron and cotton collar and sleeve detailing. There is a petticoat for added fullness.

Also included are printed floral satin court slippers, a ribbon choker, white lace gloves, and a 17th century white wig.

My model is the lovely resin Ashleigh, a Two Daydreamers exclusive, also by Tonner Doll Company.

You can see a few more photos on Flickr.

2012 Barbie Con Dressmaker Details Fashions

Parisian Pleasure was presented to conventioneers at the Paris breakfast and fashion show. It consists of a black one-shoulder sheath with sequin detail on half of the bodice, hat with faux feathers, purse with beaded detail, black gloves, and black open-toe shoes.

St. Petersburg Sophisticate was given to conventioneers at the White Nights dinner. It consists of a 2 piece white suit with pink embroidered accents and faux fur trim, earrings, necklace, white gloves, faux fur hat, hose, and white closed-toe shoes with sling backs.

Both fashions were designed by Steven Fraser of Dressmaker Details Couture and will fit Silkstone Barbie dolls.

Great OOAK outfits for Barbie

By Patita Taylor! If you're here at convention, do NOT miss this room--check the bulletin board for her room number. Lots of dolls for sale, and great boxed fashions, including hats, shoes and accessories for only $35! Just wonderful work!

I'll have an interview with the artist in the upcoming weeks.

Momoko & J-Dolls are always there to save the day!

"Groovy Baby" Momoko

As someone who sews for Barbie, Fashion Royalty, Poppy Parker and all of those other tiny gals, I am always making mistakes that lead to outfits being too small for even them. However, because these "too small" outfits usually fit Momoko and J-Dolls, I can still add them to my Etsy shop, instead of writing them off!

Turning a silk scarf into some new wardrobe pieces

I recently found some silk scarf panels of fabric at my local swap meet (my favorite place to find cheap fabric!) and decided to see what I could make with them.

From the circular design in the center of the scarf, I was able to make 2 half-circle skirts. I added a waistband and 2 rectangular strips to one to create a halter dress. (My vintage brunette bubble cut models this one.)

The second half of the circle I folded over at the top to make an elastic casing, then made a seam at the center back. (I supplemented this outfit with a navy t-shirt knit bodysuit - also made from cheap swap meet fabric!) The 2 corners cut from the panel I used as the front and back of a tunic, with a pair of knit leggings to round out her outfit. (These are pictured on the 2 Fashion Royalty dolls.)

Miss Revlon in Moxie Teen

Miss Revlon in Moxie Teen, originally uploaded by alington.

Miss Revlon tries on a Moxie Teen outfit. It's a bit snug in the bust, but it still fits (barely). The velcro (not my favorite closure method) does not close all the way in the back.

With the jacket over the top, you don't notice the poor fit in the back. Plus you have some extra jacket coverage in the front for any sudden wardrobe malfunctions.

The shoes are a not quite right--the arch is a bit different and a bit big, but they work in a pinch. The gold belt and jewelry is from Shimmering crush.

All in all, I think this Moxie Teen outfit isn't bad for her size. At $9.99 from Target, you really can't go wrong. It's pretty cute. And also, she looks great in fuchsia!

More photos on Flickr. She's really a fun size--a little taller than Barbie, proportioned like Antoinette. And she hunches like Antoinette, too. She's adorable.

Miss Revlon in Liv outfit

Miss Revlon in Liv outfit, originally uploaded by alington.

Next, we're trying Miss Revlon in a Liv doll outfit. It's a bit snug, to say the least. She's wearing what is meant to be a dress, and it barely covers as a tunic and won't velcro in the back.

But with the cute shrug over the top, you can't see the lack of closure in the back. She's also wearing ill-fitting 1980s superstar Barbie hose (which are still too big on her, as they were on Barbie), for some extra sparkle.

I have her in her original bracelet and necklace, but the bag is by Liv. Liv shoes are too small for her feet, so she's wearing her own.

I think she's cute, but she needs a bigger size. You can still see more photos of this outfit on Flickr.

New items from Wilde Imagination‏, plus free shipping promo code

Tears of Endearment, Photo Property of Wilde Imagination Wilde Imagination has added a few new dolls, outfits and accessories to its website. You'll find one new basic doll, Feeling Drained; two new dressed dolls, Tears of Endearment and Wit's End; and three new outfits, Stolen Moments, Ties That Bind, and Fur Real. Plus, don't forget to check out the new cat carrier, listed under accessories. (After all, what doll is complete without a carrier for their kitty, right?)   When you checkout, enter promo code SPRING11 to receive FREE shipping on your order of $75 or more. (Or, if you are an international customer, use promo code SPRINT11INT to save $9.95 on orders of $75 or more.) This code is valid until February 28th at midnight.

Two New Offerings from Randall Craig

Surprise Sheath fits a wide variety of fashion dolls.

Authorized dealers began taking pre-orders today for two new offerings from Randall Craig. The first is called Surprise Sheath. Why? Because you won't know the fabric design of the dress until you open it! Apparently the way the dresses are packaged, even the dealers won't know. Surprise Sheath is a basic sheath done in a cotton print, no accessories are included. There are over 12 different fabric prints available which include fabrics used in other outfits, vintage fabrics, or even fabrics from Randall's own personal stash. What fun! The dress is fitted to Monogram dolls, but can also fit Silkstone Barbie, Model Muse Barbie, Fashion Royalty NuFace, Poppy Parker, or Dynamite Girls. Their suggested retail is $20. At that price, I'm buying several. I can always give duplicates as gifts or take them to a dolly convention to trade with others.

My Romance done in teal.

The next item is My Romance which looks to be a color variant on the 2010 IFDC Exclusive My Romance. Last year's sold out outfit was done in red and was limited to 50 pieces. This year's outfit is done in teal and is an LE 100.  Included with the dress are a floppy brimmed felt hat, black drop earrings, black patent "leather" clutch, and black pumps. There is even a little brooch attached to the dress. This outfit is designed to fit standard Fashion Royalty dolls and will retail around $60.


Visit Randall Craig RTW for a complete list of authorized dealers.

All photos property of Randall Craig RTW.

10 Reasons your doll makes a better model than you

16" Goodreau "Secret"

Here are a few reasons that your dolls - from Barbies to BJDs - are much more pleasant models to deal with than their human counterparts. (If you think of any additional ones, please add them.)

1. She has a perfect body.
2. Her weight doesn't fluctuate (unless an arm falls off).
3. She doesn't require any undergarments for support - those plastic parts aren't going anywhere.
4. Her outfits require less fabric.
5. Her wardrobe takes up less closet space than yours.
6. She can hold a pose for a LONG time.
7. Labor laws don't require you to offer her a salary or benefits.
8. If sleeves or pant legs are too narrow, you can pop her hands or feet off to get her clothes on. (Okay, so this probably can be achieved with a human, but it would be a long, painful, expensive & messy process.)
9. She doesn't require food or water, which means she can't spill them on your clothes and ruin them.
10. She won't give you any attitude. (Actually, scratch that. I don't know how the manufacturers do it, but the occasional dolls seems to have some "sass" built in.)

These Barbies may not cater a luau, but they will waitress!

My good friend, Stacy, is expecting her first baby very soon, and I had the privilege of throwing her a baby shower - the first one I've ever put together. The shower was co-ed, and - much like Stacy herself - not entirely "traditional." In the spirit of bucking tradition, I decided to enlisted my little Mattel army to host the snack table.

Kimonos that create themselves! (well, some assembly required)

Feeling bored? Or creative? Feeling like your doll needs a new look? Or just want to play "fashion designer" for the day? Grab some supplies and join me for a kimono sewing bee! (Mine was made on a rainy afternoon in Maine, while on vacation with my husband's family!

So you think you can't sew?

Sewing anything, from a pillow case to a ball gown, can seem intimidating. When your dolls need a new look, why not keep the money in your doll savings account for the next beautiful body on your wish list? Sew a brand new outfit for that vinyl beauty on your shelf and you’ll feel like the UPS truck already delivered a brand new one! There are many reasons to embark on the adventure of stitching up a great new outfit!