Collegiate Tailgate Party for Dolls!

Are you ready for some football?!?!  As the cooler temps start to show in the mornings my heart starts getting reading for college football season.  We are HUGE WVU fans in this house.  To celebrate football season I created a collegiate tailgate party for dolls!  This party will take place over a series of seven posts.  This series is to inspire you to create your own party for your favorite team.  Post 1 will consist of an Our Generation Camper makeover, party décor, and cornhole.  Post 2 is all about a fabulous collegiate folding chair giveaway.  Post 3 is about the doll folding table and tailgate food.  Post 4 is on the tailgate grill.  Post 5 is on the tailgate tent and tv.  Post 6 is on the stadium cushion and blanket.  Post 7 in on the doll collegiate gear.  Let’s go Mountaineers!

My first goal was to give the Our Generation doll camper a new look.  This camper can be found in stores and on-line at Target.  This camper is adorable but my daughters were tired of all the pink

With a little sewing in coordinating fabrics I was able to add WVU’s blue and gold to the camper with ease!  The curtains were the first thing I tackled.

The previous curtains had to be cut down.  I did not want to mess with Velcro to create rod pockets.  However, without rod pockets I still needed to create a full scrunched look to the curtains.  To do this you need to use more fabric.  The more fabric, the more bunched up and pleated the curtains will look.  Plus, you get a nice finished look of the curtains from the outside of the camper too.

I created a 5 inch x 13 inch pattern.  This pattern was cut eight times.  Two panels were sewn like sides together lengthwise and then folded right side out.  Use a 1/4 inch seam.  Press panels and fold in half and press fold.  Fold up and in a 1/4 inch hem and sew each end closed.  Slide finished panel over rod and tie a ribbon in middle.  Pinch together to create look of pleats.

The throw pillows were created by making a pattern of 4-1/2 inches wide by 4-3/4 inches high.  I found an image online and scaled and printed onto Jolee’s Transfer Sheets For Dark Fabric. You can find these in a 5 pack at Michaels.  Iron the image to the casing, fill with filler, and sew shut.  1/4 seam allowance was used.

The cushion  pattern was 9-1/2 inches x 12-1/2 inches.  Cut two panels, place right sides together and sew long sides together.  Fold right side out and fold in one side end 1/4 inch and sew shut.  Cut your batting to size of pocket and arrange flatly inside.  Fold in other end and sew shut.  Mark center of cushion and sew a seam down center to create cushion fold.  If desired use hand needle and thread to create a quick knot stitch for look of tufting.   I put three stitches on the back and seat cushions.

Use scrap fabric to create towels to hang from the oven handle.  Print off a game schedule and hang on the fridge door.

You will need to cut away the old cabinet curtain.   The curtain rod is a very tight space and I didn’t want to mess with shoving the fabric over it.  I decided to use one wrap Velcro.   The Velcro I use for doll projects can be found here:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/231939132773?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=531149393911&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT .  Velcro was attached to cabinet and fabric curtain with Aleene’s fabric fusion tape 0.25 inch : https://www.amazon.com/Love-Create-Aleenes-Adhesive-0-25-Inch/dp/B00KKV69P4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1472045164&sr=8-3&keywords=aleene%27s+fabric+fusion.  You can also find the tape at Michaels.  Remember…attach Velcro with alternating sides.  The pattern for the cabinet curtain (sink apron) was 7-1/2 inches wide and 8 inches high.  I used a very small hem in all sides.  If you desire a wider hem add a 1/4 inch to each side of pattern.

Find college pics on internet searches and print off.  I laminate everything to hold up with play.  Attach to camper with poster putty.  Small blue solo cups were found at Krogers.  These cups were still too large for dolls but made great flower pots.  Print off an image and place on a coffee stirrer for a quick arrangement decoration.  Even the camper stools got a makeover!

Every tailgate party needs a game of cornhole!  This particular set was a tabletop cornhole set that was won at a Christmas party gift exchange.  It makes a perfect doll size!  This cornhole set could easily be made with foamboard.  And the dolls need a place to sit while they enjoy the festivities….these amazing foldable collegiate doll chairs are from the Lemon Bay Doll Company.  And to celebrate this series of posts the Lemon Bay Doll Company is giving away a set of two chairs with the winners choice of team logo!  More info on this giveaway in an upcoming post!

Of course the camper needed a special “WV Girl” license plate!

I love how the camper collegiate décor turned out!  My daughters fell in love with the camper all over again!

Looks like this tailgate party has a serious game of cornhole going on!

Stay tuned for much more the Doll Collegiate Tailgate Party Series!  Craft on!