Five Minute Couture

It's New Year's Eve and though you've been so very good to your dolls all year long, suddenly you realize not everyone has something to wear for that very special party. Okay, so they are still smiling at you, but you know deep down, they are NOT happy! Here are a few last minute hacks to get your dolls all glammed up in a matter of minutes.

Taffeta Is Your Friend

This is an amazing fabric that is a skirt or dress waiting to happen. Available in silk or polyester, it is a crisp material that holds its shape. With the exception of the opening photo which is silk, I used polyester taffeta for the rest of this project which is pretty inexpensive. The easiest and quickest thing you can make is a simple, yet spectacular skirt.

 For this skirt, I took a length of fabric measuring approximately 12x30 inches (30x75 cm).

You can pleat, scrunch or manipulate the fabric any way you want. It's like working with clay, so have fun and express that inner designer that resides deep within you.

 Wrap around the hips of your doll and pin.

Replace the pin with a rhinestone pin. For the top I simply took a small bit of fabric and crushed it, then wrapped it around the doll's bust. Add a fur boa and she's good to go! If you want to make this skirt more permanent...add a snap or hook & eye to the point where the two ends meet at the hips.

Combine with the previous project on body chains and add a shawl (simple rectangle) of fancy fabric and voila....you've got a super glam look!

If you have a wee bit of time (but not much) you can make a dramatic gown.

 I started with the basic foundation. This can be anything from a strapless camisole, a hip length top (pictured here) or a sheath dress. It all depends on how much control you want over the drapes. I then took a piece of fabric which I had previously hemmed.

Again, you can pleat, crush, or squeeze the loose fabric anyway you want right onto the foundation. Squeeze where you want the dress to fit. You can always change your mind. There is no right or wrong with this project.

Once you have it the way you want, pin in place. Then tack in place onto the foundation underneath. As you can see from the photo on the right, the fabric holds the shape and the dolls simply slips in.

I've added a rhinestone pin to the waist and a length of glittery tulle across her shoulders.

Crown Jewels

Don't have time to get to the fabric store? No problem. A bit of bling-bling in the doll's hair is all she needs for her party persona. Early we saw Hedi Slimane at Saint Laurent accessorize his model's looks with tiaras. If you have or can get your hands on a Barbie plastic tiara, all you need do is to add a coat of sparkly nail lacquer to the existing finish as well as a rhinestone or two!

Or....add a bit of sparkle to dolly's hair by piling her hair into a updo then draping it with a rhinestone necklace or bracelet from your jewelry box.

 You can also use vintage clip earrings or rhinestone broaches.

You can use almost anything including a string of small seed beads!

Fashion Doll Stylist wishes every, good health, good fortune and lots of dolly love in 2016.

Happy New Year!!!

 

 

 

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