I knew what I was getting into. But still, it did take a long time. A flannel nightgown and robe for one daughter, and then a smaller matching nightgown and robe for the favorite doll. Multiply that by 3. That's 12 garments.
Trying to sew for all 3 girls has been really interesting. If I had one daughter, it would be insane. But with 3, I pace myself and I think it's a good thing.The key to sewing for them (I have recently figured this out and hope it doesn't change) is to NOT do it for a birthday or holiday gift*, take my time, (like these took about 8 weeks) and let the girls have them as I make them—because then they can appreciate how long they take and that I can't just whip them out in a weekend. They pick out the fabric with me, if they want to, and decide if they want a matching doll version. (Who says no to that? No one. I'd make miniature versions of everything I sew for myself too if that weren't just too weird.) I also alternate who gets the first completed project, so they all learn to wait and know theirs is coming. This means I can sew these without grumbling and have fun. I also sew for myself during this time—these projects for the girls are sort of in the background of my sewing, not always front and center.
I used Simplicity 9292. The only change I made was to add elastic on Liddy's and Delia's on the neckline. The doll versions (for their American Girls) are just drafted up using other doll clothes we have lying around as a guide. I have a serious love of sewing doll clothes, which I think I inherited from my Mom (grammie) who has a serious love of making miniatures in any form.
*There are exceptions to this. I do sew something for all 3 of them for Solstice each year. This year it was capes which I will show soon. They were way more stressful to make because I broke two of my rules—they were for a deadline/gift and I had to keep them a secret, which means I couldn't work on them during normal life. I can't image not sewing for them for Solstice, but it's still a mixed bag. I'm always super happy I did it however, and am this year as well.
