Hobbies And Interests
Scissors and Needles
Narrow lace trims and cotton fabrics with tiny prints unravel when cut like their full-sized counterparts. Large scissors used to cut paper aren't effective with small, delicate materials. To cut materials required to make miniatures, you'll need a pair of fine, sharp scissors. The smaller the point, the more accurately you'll will be able to cut cloth and trim. Outfits from the past were often more detailed and finely made than modern clothes. Small scissors do a better job at cutting corners and angles. You need small needles with tiny eyes for the same reasons. The tinier the pinprick, the less tension on the fabric.
Magnifying Glass
Stitching historical dresses in miniature is challenging. Not only are the dresses smaller, the stitching on period dresses is more complicated because dress designs are more complex. Civil War-era dresses for Southern belles often featured layers of ruffles on the skirt. Frequently the bodice consisted of overlapping sleeve layers and panels of fabric, sometimes with velvet trim. To capture this look and do it neatly, precision is needed. It isn't enough to have the right-sized instruments for stitching. A magnifier is helpful in seeing how precisely the stitches turn out as you go. The sooner an error is spotted, the more easily it can be corrected.
Ideal Lighting
One of the biggest detractors from working on miniatures by hand is eye strain. Without adequate lighting, progress is often cut short prematurely. To avoid eye strain, try to work in the light of a lamp directly above your work area. Overhead lighting is helpful but sometimes too far away to be effective. Use a lamp that sits closer to the work station. A lamp with light that simulates natural sunlight or one with higher wattage is most effective. Bright light allows you to line up trim exactly where it should be, assuring a better outcome.
Tape Measure
Achieving the exact length is critical to the success of doll dresses. It isn't just the dress that needs to be measured but also trim lengths, Velcro, lace width and button sizes. A tape measure is more useful than a ruler because of its flexibility. Often the tape must be turned to follow the cut of the outfit. Not only should a measuring tape be used rather than a stiff wooden ruler, the seamstress should have a measuring tape in centimeters as well as inches. Widths are small on period doll clothing. The more accurate the reading, the more successful the project will be.