Dolls! Tonner 16 inch Fashion Doll & Bratz Dolls Makeover Plan

There is often a lot of talk and planning going on at Lizzie's Arty Crafty, or a lot of "gunna do" (say that last phrase with an Australian accent) but not always action. I got this Tonner doll a couple of years back and got a pattern to make an outfit for her, but never progressed any further except to tie the spangled tulle around her hips.  She came in the pink halter neck swim suit which is quite nice but I am sure she would like a change.

Audra and I have been comparing Tonner dolls, and after she blogged about her amazing thrift store find, I said I would blog about my doll (which was just an ebay purchase) so she could see what my one looks like. I checked the Tonner website as advised by Audra, but could not really say for sure she was a Tyler Wentworth. I looked on ebay and saw a Tyler Wentworth Signature Style doll who had much the same face, but I would prefer to get the information from the Tonner site as then I could be 100 percent sure. Then after all those exhausting searches, I remembered that she came in the pink outfit, so maybe it was tagged - and it was! TW in very swirly letters was printed on the tag.  Audra gave me the contact details for Tonner, so I think I will send a photo of my doll in and get her identified 'officially'.

 I said to Audra that I didn't think she had a nice expression on her face as her doll does, but looking at the photos she isn't that bad.  Maybe she is cross sometimes because she has been wearing that gaudy pink swimsuit for so long!

Here she is dreaming about the new outfit that I am meant to be making her.  It is style 92 for 16 inch fashion dolls designed by Marsha Olson.  One day...

Here are some front and back shots. She has a twist waist and can also twist mid torso!

Action pose.

Now for the Bratz dolls part of this "gunna do" post.  I was op-shopping today (yes, yes, I said that I was cutting down), but something made me get this bag-o-Bratz dollies.

I don't particularly like Bratz dolls, but the thought of a dolly makeover challenge made me decide to get them. I couldn't really see what exactly was in the bag but when I got home and opened it I was pleasantly surprised. Bratz dolls are actually quite well made. Their hair is abundant and rooted and their face paint isn't too bad. I will try washing and conditioning their hair, and if that is no good, I will get some of the Twin Pines hair products for dolls.



I don't really take much notice of Bratz dolls, but I do know they come in these edgy urban styles. Some of the dolls that I got have all or some of their outfits but I am thinking of how I can give them a different not so trashy look, perhaps using Simplicity 0382.

They are all missing the lower part of their legs, so that is where ebay will come to the rescue! 

I also got this little carry case that hasn't got a scratch on it. It has a clear window which I don't think has photographed very well.  I couldn't stop the flash from reflecting off the back of the tin.



Back of the carry case



Little Animals Fleecie Dressing Gown Butterick 5537, Finished!

I have been an absent blogger for a while, but here I am back with pics of my finished dressing gown, Butterick 5537. It is a hard colour to photograph, so these photos have been lightened slightly. I lengthened the gown by about 2 inches, and shortened the sleeves by lots! I am a smidge over 5 foot, so it is wonderful to get the sleeves the perfect length for me.

Back view with visiting celebrity model "Bootsie".

I had a little trouble with the front facing as it was loose all the way down the front. I stiched it by hand in three places, so it does not flop out while I am wearing it. I also top stitched the collar and the front.

I found a kind of overlocking/serger stitch on my Janome so I used it to sew the whole dressing gown (except of course the top stitching). It worked quite well and used up quite a bit of thread. I like this dressing gown pattern and would use it again.

Overlocker/serger stitch on my Janome

I think I am going to be a very intermittent blogger over the next couple of months but don't despair, it will be back to business as usual before you know it!

Happy sewing everyone!