LAURINBURG — Fifty years ago, Patty Smith began making doll clothes as a hobby that delighted her children.
Today, Smith’s dress making is a unique business that sometimes serves to help others in need.
“I feel like sewing is a gift that God has given me, and I enjoy the gift,” she said. “I think when you have something given by God that you need to share it, and I have the time to do it now, and I am very much enjoying doing it.”
Smith, whose business is called Sew-So-Sweet, has been selling doll clothes since this summer. Part of the reason she began making dresses was to help provide struggling parents with a less expensive alternative to high-priced doll clothing that can range in price from $24 to 58 per dress.
She also hopes to use all of the proceeds to help a family in need.
“I just saw a need, and that’s when the idea came to make doll clothes and try to sell them to help out,” Smith said of her project.
Out of need
Smith began making clothes for her three children: Lisa, Carol, and Eric when they were little and soon added Barbie doll outfits to her sewing repertoire.
“When I started first sewing for the [children], it was out of necessity. I had to learn how to sew to help make things for them,” Smith said. “With the dolls clothes that was just part of their Christmas so the new Barbies would have plenty of clothes,”
Smith is the former owner of Roger’s Funeral Home in McColl, South Carolina. The business was started by her grandfather, James S. Rogers Sr., in 1906. She retired after 34 years of serving the town’s funeral needs.
But Smith said she couldn’t remain idle. So, she sews.
“I’ve worked all my life, so doesn’t seem right to sit and do nothing,” Smith said.
Now she makes doll clothes.
Her latest designs are quite a bit bigger than the Barbie doll clothes she started out making. Smith’s fashions now fit 18-inch dolls like My Life Dolls and those sold by the American Girl company.
While doll clothing and accessories can be pricey, Smith said she wanted to make doll clothes that parents could more easily afford. Her prices range from $10 for a sundress to $25 for a three or four piece outfit.
Like any fashion designer, Smith tries to address a wide range of doll fashion needs. Smith’s doll couture line includes cowboy outfits, swimsuits and beach towels, berets and other hats, miniskirts with tights and tops included, dresses, coats and even nightgowns and bedroom slippers.
One style she doesn’t make is period clothing for American Girl dolls because they require more effort and detailing than modern clothes.
“A lot of kids, even if it is a period doll, they play with anything they have to put on them.”
Smith doesn’t keep track of the cost her materials; if she sees a material she likes or that inspires her she buys it.
“I don’t keep up with it. I just see something I like, but I do like good material. I love going to the cloth stores, you’ve got a better variety of material, better quality too,” Smith said. “I see something and I just kind of envision what I want to do with it.”
She also doesn’t keep up with how much time she spends on each outfit.
“I don’t sit [with one piece] from start to finish. I might have three things started work a while one and work another while on the other. On some of them I’d say, a couple of days if I worked continuously,” Smith said.
She has sewing patterns for her doll clothes, but like a true fashion designer, Smith mixes and matches elements. She might take a sleeve pattern from one dress and pair it with the bodice of another.
Currently she is working on her Christmas collection.
She can also take a favorite piece of clothing that a child has outgrown and make an outfit for their favorite doll.
Smith does not sell her dresses at craft shows, but said that people interested in her outfits are welcome to call or drop by her house. She can be reached at 910-276-1243.
“Anyone is welcome to come out and look at what I’ve got. They make excellent Christmas presents, and they make nice birthday gifts too,” Smith said.
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