A little over a month ago I received six beautiful packets of fabrics and trims from Purl Soho. They knew I donated dolls with clothing sets to children in need. I decided to send the packets to six of my blog readers with my doll dress patterns to see what they came up with.

I put a request in my blog and received over 60 requests from talented and generous readers all willing to take on this sewing challenge. Again, thank you.

Yesterday, I received the first set of doll dresses back and I was blown away. They are gorgeous and so sweet.

This set was from Alison Castaldo of Windsor New York. Alison is also an Etsy shop owner. She sells adorable stuffed bunnies and stuffed bunny patterns here.

Alison told me a bit about herself, where her artistic eye comes from and how she approached the dress challenge.

"I have BFA in illustration from Moore College of Art & Design. I worked as a freelance illustrator before my current job (technical artist for a denim company.) I really enjoy cute and vintage things, and am a bit obsessed with cats and bunnies (which I'm allergic too, haha). I collect vintage stuffed animal/doll sewing books."

Alison's love of vintage shines through in her dress designs.

"When I first got the packet, I was a little perplexed at the trims included. They weren't trims that I would have thought to use for doll clothes (webbing, rayon hem tape, bias tape, and twill tape) So I approached this like a 'Project Runway' challenge. When it came to sewing the dresses, I decided I wanted to do 4 different ones.

"I cut out all the pieces at the same time. This helps me from waffling my decisions and overthinking my choices. I went a little off road with one pattern divided the single pleat skirt into multiple small pleats. I was a little nervous when sewing since I normally sew a larger seam allowance and can try things on as I go.

"Overall, I feel that the clothes were quick and easy to sew up. Next time, I'll try sketching out the designs since it's what took the most time!

"The project was a great confidence booster."

I am sending Alison's dresses with a doll to a 4 year old girl in the Family promise Program. I have already told them about the dresses and they wrote that this particular girl will be over the moon about this.

Thank you so much Alison!