We asked Nancie of NanKatts  if she would be interested in adding a few fairy-related items to her shop to go with the May Elf & Fairy Month theme at BJDcollectasy. In response, Nancie created  not a few, but a whole section of fairy costumes for a Pipos Baha Anthro, Creedy,Goodreau, and Bobobie girls. She topped it all off with a specially made stuffed cat fairy. This is much the way Nancie approaches any doll fashion request, brimming with ideas and enthusiasm.

Doll collecting and sewing are intertwined with Nancie, and like many who do both, she started at an early age. Her doll outfits were assembled on a treadle machine. She also sewed in the 4-H club.  Nancie moved away from dolls as she grew up, married, and had 4 children, two girls and two boys. She eventually began making doll clothes again for her girl’s Barbie dolls, and later sold some doll clothing at church craft fairs. She worked primarily as a teacher for special education students.

Nancie eventually started collecting dolls, first antique, then fashion dolls. “ I purchased several Gene and Tonner dolls and enjoyed making clothes for them and selling them on Ebay. After a while, the BJDs started becoming more popular than the others, and I ventured into that wonderful world.” Nancie sews for all sizes of dolls, but she especially enjoys making tiny doll clothing. “My absolute favorite to sew for is Ani the little 10″ Dollzone girl.”  Nancie has a complete section devoted to the DZ tiny size called ‘Ani’s Closet’. She has also made outfits specially designed to fit Creedy dolls like Laughter.

While Nancie has outfits pictured on her site, she is more than happy to custom design clothing for her customers. She makes not just the basic clothing but creates multi-piece sets. “Most of my sewing is of ensembles which include a dress, slip, panties, jewelry, sometimes purses, hats etc. I really like to see complete outfits so that the kids can go out in public and look well dressed. The accessories are the ‘frosting on the cake’ so to speak.”

The name ‘Nankatts’ relates to Nancie’s background in breeding, showing and judging cats. “I have owned or been owned by cats since I was about four years old. This love took me to great heights in breeding Persians, then on to some Exotic Shorthairs and finally in about 1984 Scottish Folds.”   At one time, she sewed cat-themed items. “I had been operating under the name of Nankatts for several years where I sold many crafty items with cat themes at Cat Shows that I attended. This is the name that I continued to use for my doll fashions.” After travelling to cat shows around the world as a judge and breeder, she has retired from cat breeding. “I am no longer breeding my cats and the remaining ones are not allowed to be anywhere near my sewing area. What a disaster they could create! They would truly love to get tangled up in threads, and materials, but that is strictly forbidden.”

Nancie wanted an online site, but was unsure how to build one. “I tried to set up my own website a few years ago and was having a terrible time doing it, when my dear friend and wonderful Artist, Karen Kay from Texas sent me a Christmas present of a complete website.”  Nancie’s website is colorful and sparkly with  lots of pictures of dolls and also one of her award-winning Best Cat in 2006  Silver Nuggettes Mc Prinz Whiten – a blue eyed white longhair folded boy.

Nancie will custom make outfits for any size doll.  She states “Should you need something special for your kids, please contact me as I love to do commissions!”  She sends picture to her clients for approval before shipping. At our request, she put together a full ensemble with shirt, t shirts, shorts, hat, socks, and a jacket for our KazeKidz Pip at a very affordable price.  She suggested different items she could make, and asked if she could add a hat for free as she thought it would be a fun challenge.

We will update with pictures of our outfit when it arrives.

Nankatts Doll Fashions

Fairy Outfits in assorted size

Laughter dresses

Ani in outfit

Goodreau Hint in green and gold

Silver Nuggettes Mc Prinz Whiten