Ember Costumes and Crafts

Every Maker needs a mark, so we had this one commissioned for John from the  Pirate and Green Parrot  shop on Etsy. This is a one inch wide circular stamper for leatherwork. We sent in the high-res image of John's self-designed logo and the text we wanted, and a few weeks later (it takes a while because they are custom made) we received the stamp! I think it looks great and I can't wait to see it stamped into all of John's custom leatherwork projects in the future! The stamp itself! Stamped into raw leather.

Sewing for dolls is so fast and easy and addicting! This went together in just a few hours, and the model doesn't squirm! I actually bought a half yard of this pretty blue cotton at the fabric store just for this project--it was so perfect, and it's so easy to spend just a few dollars when you need so little fabric!  This was also from the American Girl Historical Pattens , this time the "Apron Dress" style. I added cotton lace down the front, on the puffed sleeves, and along the hem. I do wish that these dresses were a little bit longer per historical accuracy, but they doo look really cute when the lace from the bloomers pokes out from underneath the hem. I had a little bit of trouble with the elastic on the sleeves, but I'm pretty sure it was user error. Overall the pattern was easy to follow and went together simply and easily. I lined the bodice with fabric that same white cotton sheet that I used to make her underthings .  Yes, there's...

As soon as I got my doll, I immediately stripped her naked and started sewing. This doll was destined to have a full pioneer wardrobe from the moment I bought her, seeing as my Little House on the Prairie obsession as a kid is what got me started sewing in the first place! I went to my fabric stash in my craft room closet and pulled out some fabric salvaged from a pair of old cotton pajama pants. I love the tiny white and pink and teal flowers--the print is the perfect size for a doll. Then I went to my computer and started googling doll dress patterns. Luckily I found links for all of the old  American Girl historical patterns . Dress dress is I believe the "school dress" pattern with the gathered bodice and cuffed sleeves. I also made a sunbonnet, apron, chemise, bloomers, and petticoat out of the old sheet, trimming them each with thin pink ribbon and scraps of cotton lace. I made the socks out of little tubes of white jersey. The tops are raw, since I don't ...

I don't watch a ton of T.V. anymore, but I will admit I watch a lot of Youtube videos. I watch Minecraft videos with my oldest, Disney songs with my 4 year old, and make-up tutorials and sewing videos on my own time, usually while I'm sewing up in my office. (Unless I'm binging Downton Abbey or Scrubs, also great to watch while sewing.) But this month I found  Angela Clayton 's channel entirely dedicated to period costumes and sewing and I can't get enough of it. I love the combination of vlogging, sewing clips, and her process for figuring out how to do stuff. It's fun to watch her projects go from concepts and sketches to beautiful photoshoot-worthy pieces. Sometimes she does things totally different from how I would do them, but they usually turn out great anyway. She even does hat-making and beading! Also, she has a great name. Here's one of my favorites! Check it out: Who else should I be watching? I used to follow a lot of costume and craft bl...