Our family is super blessed to have been chosen to review Rosie’s Learn How to Make Doll Clothes Video Course with 8 Free Doll Clothes Patterns from the Rosie’s Doll Clothes Patterns store. I’ve always wanted to make super cute and fun things with my sewing machine, but I’ve been intimidated by it for a long, LONG time. Which is truly sad because I have a wonderful sewing machine.
So imagine how excited and freaked out I was when I realized we would be reviewing this course. It was truly a “woohoo!-oh-no-what-have-I-signed-up-for!” moment. But I had no reason to worry.
First, let me tell you some of what you will learn with this course. I say some because there is truly a lot of great information here. I mean with over 130 instructional videos, even an experienced seamstress might learn a new trick or two. So here’s the break down:
Week 1: Rosie gives you an introduction to sewing doll clothes, goes over setting up your sewing room, and talks about several sewing tools and how to use them, teaches all about fabric, and gives the low down on elastic. She even adds tips and tricks that are fun to learn from an experienced doll clothes maker.
Week 2: This week is all about working with the patterns, cutting out the fabric, quick tips to make it easier, troubleshooting, and a discussion on thread. One of the neat tips is to use your child’s favorite old outfit to make something for her dollies. I LOVE this idea.
Week 3: This is the week Rosie discusses straight stitches and zigzags (I had no idea zigzag stitches allowed for stretching), ideas for sewing a straight line (let’s just say I’m still working on this one), various types of hems (curved, square, Lettuce Leaf Hem, and some Serger hems), and some more tips and tricks.
Week 4: Here we dive into stay stitching, sewing seams (convex, concave, square and corner), troubleshooting seam issues, and creating casings, tubes, and straps.
Week 5: This week we get into different tools to use when threading elastic, stitching through and over elastic, elastic tips and troubleshooting, plus gatherings, puff sleeves, frills, ribbing and collars.
Week 6: This is the final week of videos, and delves into the finishing touches such as trimmings (motifs, buttons, bows, lace, ribbon, felt shapes, and sequins), fastenings, button holes, and of course wonderful tips here, too.
Now, as if all this wasn’t enough, Rosie also includes 8 of her doll clothes patterns as a bonus. We received patterns for shorts, a top, long and short sarongs, a halter top, a summer nightie, a hat, a pumpkin costume, and what every modest dollie needs: undies.
Not only do you get the patterns and instructions, but Rosie has step-by-step videos to guide you through the construction of each article of clothing. Thank you, Rosie!
Since I’m a rather inexperienced sewer, I asked to be on this review for myself. Forget the kids. Just kidding. Sorta. I did want to use it myself, but I also wanted my two teens (and eventually my younger two) to learn some sewing skills, too.
So I fired up my lap top, sat between my teens, and started in on the instructional videos. I almost watched them all in one day. My teens? They hung on for a while, and then agreed, I could call them over when I wanted them to see something. Now, these videos are not boring by any means, I just could. not. stop. watching. Rosie makes it all look so easy, and doable. Even by me.
After we (mostly I) watched all the videos in a day and a morning, we dove into our fabric stash and gathered what we wanted to use. Then we pulled together every thing else we needed, printed and assembled our patterns, and away we went.
We have one machine, and three of us, so we took turns on each step, and learned together as we went.
I have to be honest, my teen son thought I must be joking when I told him I wanted him to take this course with his sister and me. It took a lot of convincing to get him on board. Basically, I said he would learn a lot of things he could apply to other projects in the future, and how this would really bless his little sister. Plus, I wasn’t letting him off the hook. Mamas can do that.
Once we got over his initial reservation, all three of us really enjoyed working together. It was really cool to learn the construction of the different clothing items, and such a reward to see their sister’s delight at receiving adorable outfits for her dollie. I’ve gotten a lot of hugs from her as we’ve worked through the patterns.
Not only did we follow her patterns, but I was able to modify the shorts, and make some pants, too. I also adjusted the crop top to make it a longer top, and plan to use the nightie pattern to make some cute dresses simply by changing the way I do the straps. I have learned so much, and feel the kids have, too.
By the way, the kids have been able to use the course by themselves to work on their outfits, too. It really is super simple to follow her instructions, and I’ll easily take what I’ve learned and apply it to other types of sewing projects in the future.
Final thought: I totally LOVE this course. I am so blessed to have taken it with my kids, and feel confident enough to try people clothes now. In fact, I’m hoping to make matching nighties for Amber and her dollie. I’d already planned this when she asked me if I would make her some matching clothes. I think she loves this course, too.
Once again, I have to say, thank you, Rosie, and by the way, I love your Australian accent. Your course has been an absolute delight and a wealth of information plus a real confidence builder.
Rosie’s Learn How to Make Doll Clothes Video Course with 8 Free Doll Clothes Patterns costs $47.51 (US) for a 12 month online membership which you can have delivered over the course of 6 weeks or receive immediate access all at once.
A third option is to get the course on DVD for $66.53 (US).
I think this course, recommended for ages 8+, is well worth the money whether you are a beginner sewer, a beginner at making doll clothes, or someone who wants to teach their kids how to sew.
Rosie also has a blog which I’ve enjoyed perusing, too.
