Hi! My name is Melissa. I'm a self-taught seamstress living just outside of Philadelphia. I started sewing in 2012 and taught myself using RU-vid and Google as my instructors. Now, I enjoy making costumes for myself and my clients. My true love is historical costuming and I’ve experimented with Renaissance, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian. I’ve also made several hats for those eras. I can truly dress you from “Hat to Hem”!
I uploaded my first round of videos between 2015 and 2017. They were all quick time-lapse videos and were just meant as ways for me to be able to look back at how I made certain items, kinda like a virtual sewing bible. I launched my business in 2018 and started making a whole new batch of videos! I post video diaries, sew-alongs/tutorials, and I have some costume drama videos planned.
Again, another beautiful job! I love my Samantha doll, and seeing your sewing videos is bringing so much nostalgia to my life. Also, you make this look so easy, I am enjoying learning new tips and tricks from you! Hope you continue to make the rest of the outfits with these patterns!
You did such a wonderful job! I just printed the patterns for my Samantha doll, and need to make the cape, nightgown, and lacy whites (since I already have the Christmas and Birthday outfits), but I am just in awe with how beautiful this turned out! <3
Your videos are very helpful to me as a beginner. Thank you! I don't have a sewing machine so for now I hand stitched... I think I used fabric too heavy for my under petticoat, and petticoat. I recycled 2 thrifted 100% cotton curtains. Now when I put everything on the ensemble is a bit heavy to wear;😕also my ties are a bit bulky after tying them ... O well, live and learn .😄
This is exactly what I was looking for! I had the idea to replace my dress’ zipper with a lace back just like this for my brothers wedding. Thank you for being a life saver
You did a gorgeous job on this outfit. I especially love how the lace shoulder straps on the pinafore turned out. Just beautiful to look at. I have all six of the PC patterns and haven't made one outfit yet. Just dreaming about doing it all these years. Your two Samantha dress videos have encouraged me. Please make more doll dresses. I love your videos!
Thank you so much! This is actually from years ago! That baby just turned three! 😅Life has been very crazy, but I have a video coming out next month explaining what's been going on and hopefully I'll be back to sewing videos after that!
Thanks great info. I also learned that you should measure half front and back, this way your waist is more oval. I did it and crazy my dress form really did well. I also used old socks under the form.
Everyone should check that their measuring tape is accurate. The most accurate measuring is the metal, corked backed ruler by Westcott. Check 0 to 1; 0 to 5; 0 to 17…. Then pick a random measurement….say 36 inches… I use blue painters tape on the floor. Then mark the measurement from your tape then compare with the ruler. For the duct tape, wrap yourself in plastic wrap prior
I luv your half scale projects, i hope to see more videos of you doing it. Its inspired me to get one, as ive always wanted to make these lovely dresses, but would be impractical to make them for myself, ide never wear them. Are there any other sewers or clubs, groups that do half scale?
I absolutely LOVED your sewing videos!!❤ I’m currently starting on Samantha’s beautiful birthday dress and am so excited to see your video!! I got the pattern off eBay also. I am 66 years old and exploring new hobbies. I have always Loved American Girls and now I have four of my own. Samantha Elizabeth Felicity and Kirsten. I have my daughter’s dolls Kitt and Kaya. I will be sending those two to American Gitl for a refresh and renew Love to see more sewing videos!!
Hi Melissa, I hope you and your loved ones are doing well. I went to an estate sale, which was advertising American Girl dolls (I wound up getting several dolls for a breathtakingly low price, but, I think they're not quite American Girl Brand). I have no idea how to go about rehoming most of them, I just couldn't such beautiful work be potentially released to a thrift store that throws out unwanted items.
I just wanted to say this is the best tutorial I've found for a placket opening - so simple and such a clean finished look! Thank you so much for this!
Lovely dresses. I am planning to make the prairie dress, I have the book, I appreciate that you are telling us the fit is tight on the AG dolls I will add a bit on the back to make sure fits well. Thank you for this video and the explanations. I like both dresses.
I grew up with AG dolls and had a similar experience! I always asked for the dolls instead of the big sets, but then I started asking for clothes so I got a few outfits. I've cherished the dolls for a long time and I love sewing and crafting for them! It's always a joy to find videos on American Girl dolls and sewing for them. Thank you!
This is a great tutorial! I’m thinking that using an old body suit as the first sleeve and using foam padding from old bras and scraps might work. If not then I will most certainly purchase one of the systems you referenced. Thanks for your infectious positive attitude 🤗
Wow, If I hadn’t known better, I might just have assumed this was the original! Such a good job! And where on earth did you locate the fabric for it?! It’s perfect!!! Is it a silk?
You sweet sweet lady you have just made me feel so much better. I am so fed up seeing these beautiful and expensive dress forms. I have hidden a dress mannequin, well using it for coats. 😂😂😂. Just started padding the dress from and you're right you definitely need to have patience with it. It is not looking like my beautiful body yet, but I vision the end result. Thank you for sharing this was a huge help.❤
Wow! That is so beautiful! Was the fabric called taffeta? Did you need a special needle to sew it or did you just use an all purpose needle? I can't wait to see more things you make!❤️
Maybe if we were to put the clothe on first pin it the place the padding and pin it into place. I would probley put a top on that I wear a lot and see if it looked like what I see in the mirror. Your looked very nice, I can't wait to fix mine. Thank you.
