Customer Rating:  
Summary: Great technique book but some shortcomings.
Comment: The book gives a good idea of technique to alter patterns to personalise them but doesn't give very complete instructions for each outfit shown. For instance, a bodice may be detailed but the skirt not shown and little detail in precise finishing of the garment to get the same look. I found the patterns less straightforward than I thought and I have been dressmaking for forty years. Some of that is only practice with sewing at this scale but some is a need to trial the patterns in a less expensive fabric. I thought the patterns given would not need this adjustment, only new patterns you create using these techniques or patterns for similar but not the same size dolls.
It is disappointing that while the author talks about the hats shown and that a milliner gave her pointers to making some herself she doesn't share the pointers - perhaps her next book?
This is not a book for beginners.
Customer Rating:
Summary: extremely helpful, but not for beginers
Comment: This is a great book if you are an experienced seamstress. Mrs. Ionikers's directions on pattern alteration and sewing for fashion dolls is exceptional. however this book is written for the perfectionist, and the experienced. The patterns are all for basic wardrobe pieces that she encourages you to customize for your own work. If you have never sewn for a doll before you should start with a pattern form one of the designers you can find on the web. If you are an experienced seamstress the directions are easily followed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Fashion Doll Clothing by Rosemarie Ionker
Comment: I loved her designs. They were well done.
Customer Rating:
Summary: A two-part piece - book facts and book review
Comment: The facts : "Fashion Doll Clothing" includes a total of 70 patterns in seven sizes for modern popular fashion dolls. There's three sizes for 10-inch tall dolls - "A" is tailored to Cocquette Jacqui, "B" is Tiny Kitty, and there's a general "10-inch dolls" size that presumably fits both. Patterns for 16-inch tall dolls are arranged similarly - "A" fits Alexandra F. Ford, "B" fits Tonner dolls like Tyler (straight arm) and Glinda (bend wrist), and a general "16-inch dolls" category that should fit both. American Model dolls, also by Tonner, are the sole occupants of the 22-inch size pattern group.
You get 6 general 10-inch doll patterns, 9 to fit the "A" doll, 9 to fit "B". The 16-inch tall girls get the most - 12 for general 16-inch tall dolls, 11 "A" size, and 13 "B" size. AM dolls score 10 patterns. As seen on the cover, most are for dresses and skirts, but coats, pants, and tops are included in all sizes.
And the patterns don't repeat. If you see it for Tiny Kitty, you may find something similar for Tyler, but it won't be the exact same thing. Author Mrs. Ionker wants her readers to experiment with adaptation - so each size, even `A' and `B' within the same scale, has all unique stuff.
I found more photos of the contents by researching the book on auction sites - since FDC doesn't feature the `look inside' option - but you can't beat Amazon's price !
The review : While the two dresses I've made went together easily and fit great, this isn't a book for beginning sewists. Very few step-by-step directions are found here. You get fabric advice, general sewing tips, and even a brief history of zippers, but very few garments have a paragraph or three of instructions. As long as you're familiar with basic garment construction, however, this book will give you few problems. I've added photos of my doll wearing the two dresses I've made from this book to the image gallery above.
I did have a few confusing moments. There's lots of great photos that reference the patterns, but the patterns don't reference the un-numbered photos. I did it myself with a pen. A full cross-reference would have enhanced this book, I think. Sometimes I look at the pattern first, not the photo.
On the pattern pages, Mrs. Ionker shows the altered sloper she used to create the final pattern. It's nice to see, but a bit confusing when the page has solid grey parts (sloper) under black lines (pattern). I wondered for a few minutes what I was supposed to use to make that great dress on page 20 ! I understand she wants her readers to learn pattern drafting, but usually, I wanna get going on my latest project before I run out of time ! Use the black lines. And get some great ideas from the altered sloper.
I also found that the General Sleeve was much too tight to fit over my bend-wrist doll's hand. I had to resew it much more narrowly, and even then, had to wiggle and bend her thumb to get it on her for the photos. It's an easy fix, just wanted you to be aware of that possibility in your sewing.
In conclusion - this is a great, reasonably priced selection of patterns that fit well and sew quickly. A great value, in my opinion - there's something here for the intermediate as well as the advanced. I only have one of the dolls she created patterns for - an '05 Tonner Wicked Witch known as Elphie - imagine how much more useful it'll be to you if you own Tyler, Tiny Kitty, and an AM !
|
