Sewing For Dolls With Computerized Sewing Machines

Most dollmakers and doll collectors are aware of the computerized sewing and embroidery machines that are available today, but they often think that such machines are not useful for sewing doll clothing.  Many collectors are content with a Singer Featherweight that sews perfect straight stitches.

I am an owner of a Singer Featherweight machine, and I have shown on this site authentic doll clothing that I have sewn on this antique machine in the Joan Nerini Costuming Seminar article.     However, I also own two amazing computerized sewing machines--the Viking #1+ and the Viking Designer 1.   The capabilities of these machines, and other computerized sewing/embroidery machines from manufacturers including Bernina, Pfaff and Brother, are truly amazing and can greatly enhance your doll-related sewing, especially in conjunction with the embroidery software available to customize, resize and digitize your own designs.   Here are just a few things you can do with these wonderful machines (I will talk about the Viking machines since those are the ones I know best; other machines have similar capabilities):

SMALL EMBROIDERY

I just returned from a three-day sewing seminar which included Viking educators (this is another benefit of owning one of these marvelous machines--the companies offer truly wonderful seminars geared toward your brand of machine). The seminar was inspirational! One of the things that I explored was the remarkable ability of the embroidery machine to make SMALL designs, suitable for a doll's outfit. 

Several of the companies, including Viking and Pfaff, offer "mini" embroidery designs which are sized just for dolls.  Viking even offers a mini hoopfor the #1+ machine.  AND, the most amazing thing, is that both Viking and Bernina now offer software that lets you completely resize a large design to ANY size you want (for us, that's SMALLER!) while re-calibrating the stitch count and density!  This is significant--before, lets say you found the perfect rose to embellish your American Girl's dress, but it was too large.   Your only option before the advent of this new software was to scale the embroidery design a bit smaller in your embroidery software.  This MIGHT work, but because the stitch count didn't change, you often ended up with a lumpy design (or, the design wasn't small enough to work with).  Now, your options are nearly endless for embroidery--you can embroider dolls underwear, jackets, dress collars, dresses, nearly anything!

HEIRLOOM SEWING TECHNIQUES

Another wonderful feature of many of the computerized machines (including those without embroidery, like the Viking #1)  are heirloom sewing stitches.  One of the most useful on both of my machines is the entredeux stitch which is an heirloom hem stitch that is made with a wing needle (wonderful for attaching laces to fabric!) and adding a bit of a design around a hemline on batiste.  

The Bridging Stitch is a lovely stitch to use when sewing lace to fabric. Delicate scallops can be sewn on the bottom of a dress or skirt (the computerized machine lets you change their width and length to suit your outfit).   There is even a "faux" smocking stitch on some machines, plus the ability to do easy cutwork. 

DOLL "HOME DEC"

Some of the larger embroidery patterns produce designs almost like tapestry--great for pillows or upholstery for your antique doll chair, or for throw pillows on your Gene doll's swan bed.  The designs can also be used to make doll accessories such as travel bags or purses.

MAKE YOUR OWN FABRIC AND LACE

With the large hoops available today, you can literally design your OWN fabric for a small doll right in the hoop, with a digitized design or a simple mix of decorative stitches and small embroideries.  You can make lace to dress your dolls  (see www.criswell.com ).  Even if you have a computerized machine without  embroidery, you can make your own insertions--just program a repeating pattern using the many decorative stitches available, sew a long strip, then attach to fabric using a bridging stitch, entredeux, or even a simple zig-zag.

FREE EMBROIDERY DESIGNS

Finally, although the machines are expensive, once you own one, there are hundreds of free embroidery designs available on the internet.  And, with today's software, you are not limited to a particular brand of sewing machine's embroidery designs--you can download in almost any format, then convert the design to YOUR machine's format.  My favorite collection of free designs is available at www.annthegran.com  which has literally hundreds of designs digitized by generous designers. 

Do you sew doll clothing?  What sewing machine do you use?  Visit the Dolls Forum to discuss with other doll collectors!

And, don't miss:

Free Embroidery Machine Designs:  Links to sites with free designs, from Sewing at About.com.

Machine Embroidery Tips:  From Sewing at About.com.

Doll Costuming How-Tos:  From your Guide.

Online Demo Of Resize Plus Software

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Photos by Denise Van Patten with permission of Theriaults, © 2000.  All rights reserved.