American Girl Dolls Invade

Have you been hit? With 3 girls, I knew it was only a matter of time before.....the invasion of the American Girl dolls!  Which in all honesty is partly my fault. When I was little, we got the AG magazine in the mail. I would read that thing like a novel! I loved it! My favorite was Samantha. I loved her long dark hair and Victorian style. Alas, I never got her...sniff, sniff. So I signed up for the magazine and now my girls read it like a novel. They received the Target version for their birthdays, but they are hoping Santa will bring them a real AG! 

So I have been making some things around here for Christmas to go with their current dolls and whatever Santa brings them:) Yep, I am one of those people who get ready months in advance!  

Let me tell you about one of my awesome thrift store finds! I found 4 quilt tops! And they were $0.49!!! So I bought them all! They are small and perfect for AG dolls! I picked up a full size sheet as well for a couple of bucks. I am using it as the back of the quilt.  Isn't that cute fabric?  (Close up proof that it was only $0.49!)

I made a quilt sandwich!  All basted ready to go!

Another reason I wanted to buy these small quilt tops was to practice some techniques.  Something I have always wanted to get good at is free motion quilting.  I have done straight stitching and stitch in the ditch.  I love the way free motion quilting looks, but have been scared to death to try it! 

I came up with an idea.  I am a bit of a perfectionist and I couldn't just rush into it.  What if I got stuck in a corner, what if I crossed over a line, etc.  You get the idea.  So I cut some freezer paper the size of the quilt top and drew out the perfect meander pattern.  I ironed it on.  Then started quilting.  But the safety pins you say!  You are right!  I marked where all the pins were on the paper, then I would pull the paper up before I got to the pin.  I know this is not the most effective!  But it worked for me and helped me to get the feel for FMQ without really messing up these beautiful lines I drew.

Now all I have to do is bind the dang thing!  Maybe if my baby would start sleeping through the night I could get some energy.  Or if I get my jam done. ;)

So who is your favorite AG doll?  Have you been invaded????

Jen