I admit it, I am in love American Girl Dolls. If they had been around when I was a kid, I would have been in seventh heaven. Luckily for me, Lily and Emma love them too. Kit Kittredge and Ruthie Smithens are American Girls from the 1930’s. Their stories teach resourcefulness, determination, and hard work. When Kit’s dad loses his job during the Depression, her family finds many ways to “Make Do.” The dolls are so darling and fun to play with, my girls don’t even know they are learning valuable life lessons in the process. The only trouble with American Girls is they aren’t exactly cheap. And their clothes aren’t exactly cheap either.
A few weeks ago when we were having dinner with my husband’s Aunt Jeri and Uncle Bruce, Jeri mentioned that she used to sew outfits for her granddaughter’s American Girl dolls. What a great “make it do” idea! I found this apron pattern… Little Retro Aprons for Kids
Here is a quick tutorial on how to use rickrack on your next sewing project….
1. When sewing the rickrack on the aprons, I first ran a zigzag stitch along the edge of the fabric.
2. Then pin the rick to the right side of fabric. Make sure that the middle of the rickrack is past the inside edge of the zigzag stitch otherwise it will show when you do the last step.
3. Using a straight stitch, sew down the middle of the rickrack, erring a bit to the side closest to the edge of the fabric.
4. Press the inside edge of the rickrack out to make a ruffle (folding the outside edge toward the wrong side of fabric.)
5. Then stitch just inside the edge of the fabric to secure the rickrack hem in place. It’s easy and very cute.
Just in case you didn’t get enough of the finished aprons and the girls… I really dig having twin girls!
My daughter also loves American Girl dolls. She received Kit for Christmas. I absolutely love the apron for the dolls as well as the apron that you are giving away. I would love to be included in the drawing.
The drawing for the apron was closed yesterday. But check back, I will be doing other drawings in the near future. Don’t you just love Kit. I like to sit down with my girls and play!
My oldest daughter loved American Girl, too. Kit was her favorite. Did you know that at one time American Girl sold patterns for the dresses in girl sizes? Yes, they did! I made a couple of them for my daughter and she loved wearing them. That’s been a long time ago (she’s 24), so thinking of it has brought back a great memory.
The aprons are so cute on all of the girls.
[…] though we’re talking Mother’s Day gifts, don’t forget about Little Retro Aprons for Kids patterns too. My girls love wearing their aprons that match the ones I made for their American Girl dolls […]
Hi I’m from Northern Ireland and I love sewing toys and gifts, I’ve just discovered that other sewers ues blogs and often have free tutorials(I know – where have I been). I love these dollies but I was wondering if you made your toadstool pin coushion (in the step 1 picture) and/or if you knew where I could find out how to make my own?
Many thanks, Nicolex
Hi Nicole, The toadstool pin cushion was a gift from a friend. She bought it at a little boutique. It is VERY cute, though not the best pin cushion. The base of it is foam, a half sphere top and a cone for the stem. Then it’s covered in fabric. I’ve wondered if I could duplicate it, but have never tried. I’ve wondered if the fabric is applied using modge podge or something similar. If you make one, I love to hear about it. cheers, Calli
[…] though we’re talking Mother’s Day gifts, don’t forget about Little Retro Aprons for Kids patterns too. My girls love wearing their aprons that match the ones I made for their American Girl dolls […]