(Author’s note: I only became acquainted with Grace in December when I ordered some doll patterns from her. I asked her a few questions about them and I was impressed by how incredibly friendly and knowledgeable she was. At the time, Grace was working on her Ideas in Flight project. Soon after, I asked her if I could write an article about the origin of gracefaerie designs and the new project. )

Gracefaerie was brought into the ABJD hobby early when her husband, a photographer, acquired a Volks SD13 Nana doll in 2004 to use in his work. Grace already had numerous antique and vinyl dolls.  She was immediately captivated by this unusual resin doll. Her husband asked her to create an outfit for Nana. Soon BJDs became a new inspiration that eventually led to gracefaerie designs.

In creating patterns for BJDs, Grace quickly found out that the proportions of the dolls that she had previously worked with were entirely different from the contours of a BJD. In an interview on LeDolls, she said” I started ‘from scratch’, using the  draping method and a lot of muslin. I loved the sense of discovery, and the thrill of inventing solutions for these wiley models.”

Grace has designed outfits not only for Asian ball jointed dolls, but also for American doll makers LeDolls and Goodreau. “Paulette Goodreau and Aaron Egawa are gracious, endlessly supportive, and genuinely enthusiastic about others’ achievements. Paulette’s generosity is legendary, and I know first hand how it feels to be touched by her friendship and support. The beautiful Goodreau ad in Doll Crafter and Costumer, January 2009, looks like an ad for gracefaerie! She featured my patterns in her full-page ad.  Her sculpts are original, full of personality and spirit, and truly inspiring for me.

When Aaron’s new line, LeDolls debuted, his excitement was so contagious – I could hardly wait to start designing for his new dolls. The LeDolls body sculpts are just beautiful, and they hold a pose like a dream. Each facial sculpt is so unique – I now have every one of his SD size boys and girls.”

 Many of her outfits were inspired by the dolls she worked with.  Further inspiration comes from friends who are also involved in BJDs.  The unique Steampunk Dress for SD girls was based on a fanciful sketch sent to her by Shellie of Monkeytailz. “The design of that dress was not easily rendered in fabrics, so I started experimenting with ways to reference the design elements without actually replicating the shapes. I had an idea for a surface texture, but did not know how to achieve it, so decided NOW is the time to learn how to do double needle pin tucks. Then I found the tiniest watch parts and stitched them onto the skirt panels. Shellie’s suggestion inspired me to expand my skills and reach to a deeper level of composition and surface design. After the pattern was offered, many people posted photos of dresses that they made with the pattern – each one is so original! ”

Fans of gracefaerie patterns began creating new outfits by combining pattern pieces from different patterns and posting the results online. This inspired Grace to create a series of new outfits using her existing patterns in new combinations. The new Ideas in Flight section of her website is the result.” Many of you have posted photos of outfits that you made by combining elements from different patterns. Playing with patterns looked like fun, so I thought I’d give it a try..  After the first two rompers, I just couldn’t stop!” Currently there are eight new designs in the section.

With the new project, Grace hopes to encourage others to experiment. “One forum member commented that the Ideas in Flight garments helped her “think outside of the box” – I like that!”   New patterns are currently under development  including a school girl outfit,  MSD sized version of Metro-gender Steampunk, and an MSD shorts set pattern.

With the new Ideas in Flight project as with all the fashions she designs, Grace continues to successfully combine intricacy of design with simplicity of construction. Her inspiration and enthusiasm for her work is contagious.

” Playing with patterns IS fun!”

Photographs of gracefaerie’s complete line of patterns along with the photos of her Ideas in Flight projects can be seen in our gallery HERE.  Special thanks to: gracefaerie designs, Monkeytailz, Jonijewelry, Laura Downing

Steampunk Dress

Short Romper (stockings & arm warmers by Monkeytailz)

Pattern Designs © gracefaerie designs, Photography © Laura Downing.

gracefaerie patterns can also be found at : Jpopdolls, Denver Doll Emporium, eBay Store BJD SD Patterns Clothes Jewelryand in the Netherlands at Dolls Department 25