Isabelle's New Clothes

I took a little break from the store preparations yesterday to make a few things for Isabelle. (She used to be Isabella, after Isabella d'Este, but the name Isabelle grew on me and we're sticking with that for now.)

I know the title says "clothes" but I want to start with my favorite new item, her sewing studio. Even with all the pinkness, I think it looks pretty cool, and the Melody Valerie dress looks great hanging in the armoire. The dress form is actually sized to fit my dolls, so it can be used to model their clothes, and the pockets really work. (Those were a pain because I cut them and then glued paper to the back to cover the cuts, so I had to re-cut through the glue. But the fabric and dance program look nice, so it was worth it.)

I set Alia up with the painting set from Saige's collection to create an art studio, and had way too much fun photographing it. 

All that the studio needs is some artwork for the walls.

My favorite detail in this picture is the tape measure on the dress form, but the pincushion and scissors are a close second. The sewing machine goes on the empty shelf (the supplies are stored in the box on the top shelf), but when the machine is out the shelf looks so bare. Any ideas for things to store there?

The sewing studio all packed up. You can just make out the machine behind the folded table.

Just like in American Girl's version, the armoire has mirrored doors and a dance barre, though I liked the mirrors better without the curved tops so I left them rectangular. Isabelle is modeling the next new item, her performance outfit. It too has some changes from American Girl's design, because I love having the freedom to adapt American Girl's items to suit me. Maybe someday I'll make the crown, but I think Isabelle looks nice without it.

Corazòn is modeling the rest of Isabelle's new clothes, minus the leg warmers because that's just too much pink. It was a pain to fit the thumbs through the holes in the sweater, which makes me glad that the hands are glued on because I don't want to have to go through that again. Do real dancers have this much pink in their wardrobe? Individually I like all these pieces, but together that's a bit overwhelming.

Here's Corazòn's previous outfit broken up among the trio. As you can see, the pieces can work as casual clothing as well as dance wear, so virtual cookie to American Girl for clothing versatility. Who do you think looks the best?

I hope you enjoyed these pictures. What have you made from Isabelle's collection?