Customer Reviews

Period & Contemporary: Patterns for Fashion Dolls

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is an exciting book with some beautiful designs that are well presented. The only down side, and for me it was a big one,is that after purchasing the book, you have to enlarge the patterns on a copier. Since this will make the enlargement larger than a standard page, it takes either extra large paper (expensive) or several copies to get the entire pattern. This adds considerably to the price of the book. I would have preferred the publisher include the patterns in the correct size.

I bought this title because I enjoy making outfits for Gene and Madra. In the past I have mainly used patterns by leading manafacturers, which by the time you have bought two or three you would have paid for this book which gives you lots more designs to choose from.
After reading the reveiws of others, I thought I'd give it a try.
The book gives you plenty of ideas and you can adapt pattern pieces together to create an outfit all of your own. It also gives you tips on making accessories and suppliers of items needed to complete your outfit.
The only thing against this book for some people may be the fact that you have to enlarge the pattern pieces to scale, but I tried enlarging them on my scanner, then I printed them onto cheap paper this worked fine for me.
I still gave the book 5 stars because it is well thought out, beautifully illustrated and I think well worth the money.

I am a very recent Gene groupie and ordered this book for myself for Christmas and what fun I have been having! Not only are the pictures just fabulous (great close-ups and color photography) but the instructions are clear and easy to follow. I am a very experienced seamstress, but these instructions would be easy for just about any level of skill. The suggested techniques, fabric selections and reference material all add to the authenticity of costuming Gene in all her splendor! (Actually, all the clothes and accessories fit not only Gene, but her 15-1/2" cousins as well: Madra, Tyler and some others I have yet to meet personally!) Victorian through Mod fashions are represented . Suggestions are given for variations and modifications for these outfits and accessories to keep this Gene lover busy for a long time to come! What I also very much like about this book is the innovation the author uses for adapting items probably on hand; i.e., costume jewlery earrings which were made into a small purse, hats from bits and pieces of silk flowers and feathers, and the use of fabrics and materials from vintage sources like old belts and handbags, beaded sweaters, etc. The mind tingles with possibilties! Hmmmm....I seem to remember a red beaded sweater given to me as a present a few years ago.....it really is a bit too small....where did I put my sissors???!!!

When I first got this book I couldn't put it down long enough to get myself to print out the patterns in the proper size as was explained to do. When I did I printed all the patterns and have made a few outfits.
I couldn't recommend this book any higher with the exception of her other book, which I also have, FAmous Couples Fashion Doll Patterns.
Also, Hazel McMahon is so open and willing to help you through patterns by just emailing her.

I bought this book as I have a couple of Gene dolls and thought it would be nice to try making some outfits for them. I have been making clothes for naked Barbie dolls until now.
From reading reviews I was aware of the need to enlarge the patterns but, having recently bought a scanner,copier,printer I hoped I would be able to use it to do the enlargement. I can.

However I was delighted to realise that the unenlarged patterns can also be utilised for my Barbie clothes. I have just made a 1940's 2 tone dress for a Mattel My Scene doll and whilst I used a stetch fabric (cotton lycra) in this case I reckon by adding a milimetre or 2 to the side seams I could use a non stretch fabric next time. The patterns that are not as close fitting will be perfect for the barbie dolls.
This really is a great book with a lot of useful information.

This book contains patterns to make fashions for the 15 1/2 and 16 inch fashion dolls such as Gene and Tyler with full color step-by-step instructions. Also contains sewing hints, costume history, web links for resources and supplies, instructions for knitting, crocheting and beading, and instructions for hats and purses. Well written, informative, with excellent photography. Designs appear to be perfectly scaled to the size of the dolls.

Excellent book on sewing for fashion dolls such as Tyler, Gene, Scarlett, etc. I found the photographs, helpful tips and suggestions inspiring. Easy to use, very well done!

This book contains patterns to make fashions for the 15 1/2 and 16 inch fashion dolls such as Gene and Tyler with full color step-by-step instructions. Also contains sewing hints, costume history, web links for resources and supplies, instructions for knitting, crocheting and beading, and instructions for hats and purses. Well written, informative, with excellent photography. Designs appear to be perfectly scaled to the size of the dolls.

This is one of the best books on making doll fashions that I have come across. The photos are wonderful; one can really see the details on the outfits. Instructions are easy to follow and some are accompanied by photos. Patterns? There are many and varied patterns. Granted, one has to copy the patterns and enlarge them; however, I do not find this to be a detriment; this allows one to tweek the size of the patterns, for all dolls are not created equal, some are more endowed than others.

The text is very interesting and informative. Not only does Ms. McMahon provide useful tips and ideas for construction and acquiring materials, she also provides a history of the various types of fashion.

This is an excellent book and a bargain at the price.

I haven't tried to make any of the clothes yet, but the patterns are going to be easy to use. It is a much better investment than buying patterns of tissue that are hard to reuse. The pictures give lots of ideas. My 13 year old niece and I spent a long time just looking at the pictures together. She wants to become a fashion designer. She has a doll and a machine. Now she has new ideas. Lots of variety. Good ideas. Good price.