Review ~ Rosie's Doll Clothes Patterns

 Hello, my name is Beth, and I have become a doll clothes sewing addict!

God has blessed me with 3 little girls at home right now, so there are lots of dolls to dress up around here. Dress up is a daily thing for the girls, so of course dressing up their dolls is something they enjoy doing too. I have loved reviewing the Learn How To Make Doll Clothes Video Course from Rosie's Doll Clothes Patterns website. It was made for ages 8 and up, so it is perfect for sewing together with your kids.

Rosie is a mom who remembers making doll clothes when she was a young girl, but when she started making them for her own daughter they seemed much harder to make than when she was little. She began designing her own patterns and instructions, then took it a step further and made video lessons to go with each pattern so others could learn to sew beautiful doll clothes too.


With this course you get 6 weeks worth of video sewing lessons, over 130 of them, which are streamed from Rosie's website so there are no huge files to download. For those of you with flaky internet, I feel your pain, and the course is also available on DVD's for you! The patterns and instructions can be printed and kept forever. The video lessons can be watched for a full year, so there is plenty of time to try out all 8 patterns that are included for free with the course. These patterns are for 18 inch dolls like American Girl, What A Doll, Australian Girl, etc. Patterns for Cabbage Patch dolls are also available to go along with the course if you prefer those instead, just email Rosie after your purchase and she will arrange that for you.


The bonus patterns include Sport Shorts, Crop Top, Sarong, Halter Top, Summer Nightie, Hat, Underpants, and a Pumpkin Costume. We made everything except the Pumpkin Costume because we couldn't find the fabric for it locally.

My daughters and I watched the videos together from the beginning. I have been sewing for years so much of it was nothing new for me, but for them it was just what they needed. Everything is covered from what tools you will need to setting up a sewing space to step by step sewing demonstrations.

My 9 year old daughter ironed the fabric, cut out the pattern pieces after I printed them, and pinned them on the fabric properly after watching the first few videos. Each lesson is short, no longer than 10-12 minutes each.


I was very impressed by how thorough her videos are. They are very clear with good sound quality and you can see every little detail while she is demonstrating each step. Of course watching a video and actually sewing are two different things. I am a hands on learner, but being able to watch things being done first was very helpful. My daughter is a visual learner, so this was right up her alley.

Rosie has truly found easier ways to sew doll clothes, her tips and tricks were pretty amazing. Based on my past experiences, sewing doll clothes is a pain, but I have genuinely enjoyed sewing with her patterns and instructions.

Rosie gives the cutest ideas for adding things like buttons and lace to make your outfit one of a kind and special. My daughter picked buttons to add to this summer nightie. We think the nightie pattern looks like a sundress too.


You don't need large amounts of fabric to make the outfits, I have used up a bunch of small odd shaped pieces.

We also recycled clothing that was stained, outgrown, or just loved too much to give away to make new outfits. This was another of Rosie's great ideas. The tie dyed sarong was originally a pair of pants from the thrift store, then pillowcase dresses worn by all 3 of my youngest girls, and now they can enjoy it on their dolls.

The denim fabric was a dress I got out of the free bin at the thrift store with a big stain on it. I got several pieces out of that one dress that would have been thrown away. I look in those bins with a different view now. There are so many things that can be re-used, its like a smorgasbord of sewing fun for free!

Rosie gives tips for making the clothes fit other size dolls. I modified the patterns a bit so that their 15 inch Bitty Babies could wear them. We have one Bitty Twin boy doll and he couldn't be left out. The sport shorts are gender neutral, I added length to the crop top so it looks more like a tank top. Now he's stylin' too!

I plan on purchasing more patterns and making clothes for the girls' dolls for Christmas. I am looking forward to seeing even more patterns available in the future. I'm hoping for shoe patterns!









Sewing is one of the most important life skills I want my kids to know how to do. It saves you money, is enjoyable, and is something my family has always done. My grandpa was still hemming his pants to fit his short legs when he was in his 80's. You can also make extra money or even an entire income with sewing skills.

The time I have spent with my daughters making these outfits has been wonderful! When I think back on my days as a girl I don't remember half of the gifts I received, but I do remember the time that people spent with me. I remember the things people taught me to do, like sewing and cooking. I am making memories with my kids and that is the best investment any parent can make!

If sewing is something you enjoy or want to learn to do, the Learn How To Make Doll Clothes Video Course is a fun way to spend time together, to learn together and be creative, and is a gift your child will not forget.








You get a full year of access to over 130 sewing videos, 8 patterns with instructions to download and keep forever for $48.00 USD ($49.94 AUD) You can also choose DVD's for $67.23 USD ($69.94 AUD) Prices are correct at the time of this posting, they could fluctuate a bit depending on the exchange rate.

Special price note from Rosie's Blog: 

From now until midnight on the 24th December, 2013 when you purchase my How to Make Doll Clothes video course I’m giving away an additional pattern of your choice absolutely free!

She even offers a money back guarantee! Try a taste of her tutorials for FREE, scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your name and email.

Showers of (fabric) blessings!

A very sweet and generous lady gave my girls a bunch of fabric after seeing pictures of them sewing on my husbands facebook page. It was like Christmas!



THANK YOU so much, the girls are so excited about all of this!

Ill be sure and post pictures of everything they create with all of this. They have many ideas in their heads, I simply need to take the time to help them decide and cut and get started. Time seems to be in short supply recently! Some activities are ending for the year soon, and we can use that time to do some serious sewing. :)

Id love ideas! Leave me comments with projects you have done with your girls, and any tutorials or blog posts you have written please :)

Fairy Dolls

Over the weekend the girls and I finished making fairy dolls from kits their aunt gave them for Christmas. It actually took two weekends to do this. The first weekend, my oldest daughter was home and she helped stuff them and make the skirts. Yesterday we finished up the hair, added the jewels and the finishing touches.

 The girls insisted I share pictures after all the work we did putting these together :0)

River's Doll.....







Skye's Doll.....







Star's Doll.....

Activity Bags ~ Craft Kits in a Bag

We were blessed to review two other products recently from Activity Bags.com, Preschool Activities and Reading Games in a Bag. We have enjoyed those learning games so much around here. I was so excited to learn that they now have a new product available, Craft Kits in a Bag! There are 3 eBooks to choose from, each containing 32 sets of instructions to make craft kits for your kids ages K through 6th grade, swap with others, or give as a gift.



I haven't met a kid yet who didn't enjoy some kind of craft! I thought making some of these craft kits would be a great idea for the kids to give as Christmas gifts. We didn't actually get to do that though, we had a terrible sickness go through our house TWICE between Thanksgiving and Christmas, so we decided to make some after Christmas and give them as birthday gifts this year.

The instructions are clear and easy to understand, and most of the kits required items and supplies we already had here at the house. Some we bought at the Dollar Tree, and I have a few things in mind to look for at yard sales this spring.


I love how I can put these together ahead of time and have a handy gift or activity when company with kids comes over. Everything goes in the bag except the standard supplies needed to complete the crafts such as glue, tape, or scissors. 

See a sample craft from eBook 1 and the Table of Contents HERE.








My kids are all the crafty types. They enjoy making things and decorating the house with their creations.

We like to have our Fridays be relaxed and do "fun" things if we have been able to complete our schoolwork for the week. Knowing they can pick out a craft kit on Friday is a GREAT motivator for them to finish their assignments by Thursday evening.

See a sample craft from eBook 2 and the Table of Contents HERE.





For the most part they are able to complete the kit by themselves. This leaves me free to catch up on some work of my own!

I have a small tote with a handle that I keep basic school supplies in so we can find them quickly. This can be carried to the dining room table or coffee table while they work on a kit, and then put away when they are done. This has really helped keep any mess at bay!

See a sample craft from eBook 3 and the Table of Contents HERE.




 You can download the Coordinator Handbook for FREE if you would like to organize a swap.

Grab a FREE  eBook sampler by filling out the survey on this page.

Craft Kits in a Bag eBooks are available for instant download for $15.00 each. Take a look at the samples offered for each eBook to see what crafts are offered in each book.

Learning to Sew

River is 8 now, and has always loved sewing and needle arts. She has used my machine quite a few times and does pretty well with it. We decided it was time she had her own sewing machine.....



Her Nan Nan gave her a bag full of little squares to make a doll quilt, she already has it laid out to begin sewing.



I think we may start out with bigger squares however, these are really small and she got aggravated with them quickly. I will post again when she has a finished project to share!

Homemade Christmas Ornaments Ideas

 My Mom came up with this idea. Last year she made these with the kids using burned out light bulbs, acrylic paint, and wired tinsel which we found at a dollar store for $1.00 a roll. You could also use new bulbs. We tried both frosted and clear bulbs and we preferred the frosted.

Using acrylic paint, make your design on the bulb and let dry completely. I recommend using a clear acrylic spray to keep the painting intact if you have some. We didn't use any and the paint is starting to rub off.  Wrap the wire tinsel around the ridges of the light bulb end and make a large loop to hang it from. These ornaments have been hanging from my kitchen cabinet doors for months now. Amazingly none have broken!

Be sure to add the child's name and date with a sharpie!

I found a kit for making felt Christmas ornaments a few months ago at the thrift store. I had almost forgotten about it, but saw it near my sewing area the other day when I went to sew a patch on my daughter's Cubbie vest. Although these ornaments were made using sticky back felt, it would be just as easy to use glue.

I'm sharing this because it would be so easy to create your own unique ornaments using felt or other materials you have lying around the house. I plan to try some different ideas this week with the kids. I think felt candy canes would be easy and fun, and would even make a nice gift for kids to give friends along with a copy of the candy cane story.

Felt can tear easily, to make it stronger where the hanging string is tied use some ordinary school glue and let it dry and harden before you add the string and hang it.

Using a solid piece of felt as backing makes the ornament stronger too. 

I hope you enjoy these ideas! Have a very Merry Christmas with your family!! Blessings!