How to alter a Build-A-Bear top to fit your AG doll

Now that I am retired and have more time to sew I am working on altering several "tops" that I purchased at Build-A-Bear to fit my American Girl Doll.   The Tops cost between $5.00 - $7.50.

A little information about BUILD-A-BEAR (BAB).  If your not a member of their Stuff Fur Stuff club I highly recommend that you join.   I'ts FREE!  Here's the link to see all the benefits you get as a member: 

http://www.buildabear.com/shopping/contents/content.jsp?catId=1000015&id=4500007

It begins with selecting the right top to alter.

For the rest of this post click on the link below or the

"NOT" just for Bears tab at the top of this page.

http://sosewsuziamericangirldollclothes.blogspot.com/p/not-for-bears-only_28.html

Tissue Boxes for your AG Doll and you.

Always have tissues handy for both you and your AG doll.    Free printable layouts for  Kleenex "Boutique" box for you and a matching mini one for your doll.

layout

prints 3 on 1 sheet 

Click on the link below and save as a JPEG on your computer.

Print in portrait mode

Supplies

Card stock, printer, glue or double sided tape, scissors,

Bone Folder and a little bit of tissue or toilet paper.

Boutique "Doll" size

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/78471261/Multi_Bout_KL_KMD.jpg

Kleenex (flat box)

3 different layouts on 1 sheet. "NO" glue needed

Click on the link below and save as a JPEG to your

computer.   Print in portrait mode.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/78471261/AG_3_mixedTB.jpg

                           Boutique "People" size layout

2 pages

Click on the links below and save as JPEG to your

computer.   Print in landscape mode.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/78471261/Kleenex_Boutique_Irw_Btfly_Pg_1_SuziM.jpg

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/78471261/Kleenex_Boutique_Irw_Btfly_Pg_2_SuziM.jpg

Click on the link below to see "you've Got Mail" another printable layout to share.

http://sosewsuziamericangirldollclothes.blogspot.com/p/kiki-getting-her-letter-this-is-kiki.html

At last! I finally got to organize my fabric

I had fabrics stashed everywhere.   The fabric was spread out in dressers, cabinets, linen closets and bedroom closets on all 3 levels of our home.   I'm not quite finished but I am off to a good start.   I picked up 2 Martha Stewart cube units at Home Depot and put them in a closet in one of the Guest bedrooms.  This will make my life so much easier.   I plan on getting one more cube unit and I will still have hanging space for guests clothes.

Updated 5/15/12 to show 3rd (last) cube unit closet finished...for now.

American Girl Doll Clothes Patterns.

With my current interest in sewing clothes for American Girl dolls, I've seen my collection of patterns grow by leaps and bounds.   In order to reign in the chaos of over  120 plus PDF patterns I have resorted to using 2 inch binders filled with clear plastic sheets .   Each binder holds 18 - 20 patterns.  With so many patterns it was necessary for me to sort them by categories:  Tops, bottoms, dresses etc.  Each plastic sleeve is home to the printed out PDF Pattern instructions and the the cut out pattern pieces which I printed on card stock and laminated.   I trace the pattern piece onto the fabric with a fabric pen.   Secure the traced outline with  2 - 3 pins and cut away.

Pleated Top, Tunic & Sundress

Found a great pattern by Kotton Candy doll fashions -   PDF sewing pattern.   Easy to sew, clear detailed instructions and a great fit - what more could you ask for.   Oh yeah, reasonably priced and since it's a download pattern, I printed the pattern pieces on card stock and laminated them for easy tracing and cutting on fabric.   I've made about a dozen of them in the 3 different lengths.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KottonCandyPatterns.

Top

Tunic

Dress