The post in which I reveal my first apron for Amy’s Tie One On challenge and propose my first ever swap. (If you’re interested in having this little apron and doll for yourself, read on!)

I had decided even before the theme was announced that I wanted to participate this month, so I was a little bit distraught when it turned out we would be making an apron for a toy. Most of my stuffed toys are chubby little creatures who I couldn’t quite picture wearing an apron. So I was relieved when I found Miss Madeline hiding in the closet. Of course, she was wearing a Santa-style Christmas dress, so I had to make her not just an apron but a little outfit to wear underneath.

The apron is made of black lace trim, remnants of a white cotton sheet, and some green ribbon. This Anthropologie drawing room skirt was my inspiration. Her apron is really a tiny little copy.

She’s sporting a summer shift dress lined in green cotton. This was my first foray into making doll’s clothes (or any clothes for that matter) so it was challenging at times. In fact, Madeline was going to be getting a black dress instead, but that one was eaten by the sewing machine and ended up in the trash. This one was attempt #2, and honestly, I like the color scheme a whole lot better anyway.

I didn’t know how to make a doll’s dress, but I remembered all of you Blythe fans make doll clothes all the time. So I modified a Blythe doll pattern to make the little A-line dress. Madeline is still growing into her summer dress which is a little big for her in places. (And don’t even ask me to show you the back where the hem is all kinds of uneven.)

Now, the part about the SWAP… This is a little bit dangerous since I think there are maybe 3 people who visit me here, but I would love to do a swap. Madeline was sitting all lonely in the closet, and I would love for her to go to a good home where she could be appreciated. I would be sending you:

• 8” Madeline Doll
• Madeline’s red Christmas hat and dress
• Her summer A-line dress
• Her drawing room apron
• And assorted other goodies to be decided by me

Edited to add: What you'd like to send in return is up to you!

Anyone interested? Please leave me a comment or send me an e-mail at kelly(at)littlehappones(dot)com. Please keep in mind that the apron and dress were made by a very novice sewer, so they probably wouldn’t stand up to a lot of wear and tear from small children and animals. Madeline was never played with, but she did spend time in a couple of boxes during moves. Overall, she’s in very good condition and ready to be loved.