Keeping up the challenges.....

As I mentioned last weekend, I've set myself a challenge to sew something using patterns that I've not used before.  Well I've really been busy this week and although some of my 'challenges' have not exactly involved new patterns, they have involved modifications to those patterns.  For example, I made a sleeveless gillet for Dee's Elfine (The Sasha Village blog) and where the pattern calls for the gillet to be made unlined in knit fabric, I decided to fully line mine in lilac and white gingham and make the gillet itself in deep lilac corderoy.   I had to do quite a bit of it by hand but am very happy with the finished result, and so I believe is Elfine, so that's the main thing! :)  Here is the gillet being modelled by Hope, my Kaye Wiggs girl. 

And here are the details of the jeans....because I know it wouldn't be 'fitting' to ask HRH Princess Elfine to show us her bum ;)....they have 5 working pockets, opening front fly, leather tag on the waistband and red tag on the pockets, as well as tiny metal 'rivets' like real jeans have.  I don't generally add belt loops as they add too much bulk at the waist.  And please ignore the printing on the leather tag...not good...but once I'd put it on, there was no getting it off again. :(

Another challenge this weekend was to make a pair of boots for my Kidz n Cats dolls.  This pattern is designed for the American Girl dolls so is a little bit wide in the leg for the Kidz, however, I think with thick socks or boot toppers, they work very well.  I used red faux suede for these.

Sian (2014 Grace) gets to wear them first as she doesn't have any other footwear that remotely matches her outfit....

Earlier in the week I also finished a couple of outfits for another friend in the UK, these are for the Little Darlings and the ski pants are another pattern that I'd not used before but adapted from a different pattern.  Finn is modelling them beautifully for me.....(you'll also notice that she's trying a couple of different wigs....what do you think?)

Sewing aside, I also did a bit more work on the eye sockets of my other Kidz n Cats girl, Elise from 2013.  I wanted her to have these eyes but they are oval, flat backed, glass and wouldn't sit right in the sockets, I have now got them to fit perfectly, so I'm very happy with that as I think these glass eyes are much nicer and more natural looking than those I'd previously used.

And finally some photos of both Kidz girls together, Elise on the left with Sian.....they are the best of friends :)

Thanks for stopping by, I hope you all have a lovely week :)