Two-Hour Dolls' Clothes (Hardcover)

~ Anita Crane (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This book should interest many of the same patrons who check out Lyn Waring's Hats in Miniature (see review below). Although patterns are designed for 12", 14", 16", and 18" dolls, instructions for measuring your doll and adjusting the patterns to fit make the book of interest to almost any doll collector. Make no mistake: these clothes, while easy to sew, are quite attractive. Although purchased laces and trims cut sewing time, the more ambitious doll clothier can fancy up these creations even further. Crane is an accomplished watercolorist, and her illustrations add the flavor of a beautifully illustrated children's book to this volume. Each design includes a photograph of a doll or teddy bear wearing the garment, a drawing of the completed design, drawn full-size patterns, a materials list, and step-by-step instructions. Highly recommended for public libraries and subject collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

The key to today's crafters' hearts is time, which prolific author Crane has zeroed in on. Specifically, two hours is the time parameter for the projects in her newest how-to book. The mere design of these doll clothes suggests that they are indeed workable in 120 minutes or less. That is not to say these adornments are dowdy, drab, or dreary. Included among the 30 styles are enough contemporary and period-style design-worthy outfits to dress any doll, whether a ruffled pinafore for a bisque cutie or coveralls for a Cabbage Patch look-alike. Templates are simple illustrations, folded into directions that feature lists of fabrics, tools, and notions as well as step-by-step instructions. Metric equivalency chart appended. Barbara Jacobs

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling; illustrated edition edition (December 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0806938897
• ISBN-13: 978-0806938899
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #770,517 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Whimsical doll fashions, April 7, 2000

By A Customer

Simply designed cheerful clothing for 12, 14, 16, 18 inch dolls. Basic sewing techniques and terms explained and illustrated for the novice seamstress. Patterns are overlapped for the different size dresses and may need to be measured and adjusted for specific commercial dolls. Very clear instructions that can be easily followed. Would be an excellent book for a child learning to sew

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Creative Inspiration, April 4, 2003

By	Tracy Robert (Albuquerque, NM United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Two-Hour Dolls' Clothes (Two-hour Crafts) (Paperback)

"Two Hour Dolls' Clothes" is a colorful and unconventional look at sewing for dolls. In this book, there is more emphasis on creative fabric choices then highly skilled or detailed sewing. As an "advanced beginner" seamstress, I found this book to be very liberating. The photographs and watercolors are delicious to look at, and this has changed my view of sewing into one that includes enjoyment with fabrics and style instead of frustration for a lack of perfection in my sewing skills.

However, from a practical level, the patterns are unclear. Patterns for different sized dolls are set inside of the larger patterns for the same piece, and they are colored in with watercolor designs, suggesting fabric. I would recommend "Two Hour Dolls' Clothes" for those who enjoy photos and watercolors of dolls and their clothes as well as the creative use of color and fabric. It may open your mind to new visions of what doll clothes can be.

For those who would like a more straightforward book with clear patterns of basic pieces in a variety of sizes, I would recommend "The Dolls' Dressmaker" by Venus Dodge in addition to "Two Hour Dolls' Clothes". "The Dolls' Dressmaker" takes a more traditional instructional approach to doll clothes construction. With both books, one is sure to create skilled and creative clothing for dolls.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Quick, eclectic dolls' clothes, December 28, 2001

By A Customer

I found the projects in this book really are quick. These are very basic patterns which are made special by one's own fabric choices, lace, buttons, embellishments, etc. As shown, the outfits have a country/funky/eclectic look that can work for contemporary or old-fashioned dolls. Some sewing experience is assumed, and these projects do take a somewhat "quick and dirty" approach in that edges won't be finished, bodices won't be lined, etc. But great for quick, cute, doable projects.