A Stitch of Love for Valentine’s Day- Unique Valentines Gift Idea

A NATURAL TALENT

If you want a unique and original gift for your daughter or granddaughter for Valentine's Day, I might have just the right gift. Karen Binsfeld has been making doll clothes since she was a child; and wow! She's a pro!

FROM MOM WITH LOVE

When I was a kid, I loved playing with dolls. Barbie dolls, baby dolls, you name it- I went through all the stages of being a baby mom. My mom was able to sew some clothes for all of my dolls, too. From Dawn dolls to Barbies, to my Cher doll and my giant Tuesday Taylor doll, I loved to play with them as a child. I still have most of them as my Mom saved them for me.

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GREAT GIFT IDEA FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

This is something extra special you could do for your little one this year.

MEET KAREN BINSFELD

Karen Binsfeld makes doll clothes- and she lives right here in central Minnesota. She learned how to sew with a sewing machine from watching her mother. Karen's mom would make clothes for her and her siblings when she was a child.

KAREN'S STORY

A young Karen learned how to make clothes for her own Barbies, as well as her Troll doll. She said that when her sister was growing up, she got the original Cabbage Patch doll, and Karen would make her sister's doll clothing as well. Of course, some of her sister's friends then wanted some homemade clothes for their dolls too, so Karen has been an entrepreneur for a long time.

AMERICAN GIRL DOLL CRAZE

When the American Girl dolls came out, everyone wanted clothing for them as well, so that became a very popular trend for Karen to make clothes for.

Karen used to go to a couple of craft shows each year, but she enjoys selling her doll clothes to those who really want them, instead of sitting at a craft fair all day. She always has doll clothes ready to go. With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought this would be a very special gift for a child.

LOOKING FOR BLANKETS?

Karen also sews small crib-sized and lap-sized blankets and sometimes bigger bed quilts, but she doesn't like to make anything bigger than a full-size blanket as they are just too heavy to work with.

WHAT IS MOST POPULAR?

Karen said, "It's hard to say what's most popular because that always varies from month to month. I have made several items for a specific doll, maybe something that's an antique, which involves making up a pattern that fits that specific doll. Sometimes I have to make several outfits before I get one exactly right."

UNIQUE REQUESTS

Karen has had some unique requests over the years. "I had a request once to divide a larger quilt into two because two sisters wanted part of their mom's quilt. They were both very happy with their individual blankets!

One year my sister wanted one of Grandma's old quilts fixed up, so my mom and I worked on it to surprise my sister at Christmas. Because it was very old, it took a long time to take it apart and resew it with the parts that weren't too fragile," said Karen.

SPECIAL PROJECTS

Another project was a woman who brought her a doll that belonged to her mother and a red velvet dress that belonged to her mother. Karen was able to make the doll an outfit with the red velvet material, and it was to be placed on the rocking chair that belonged to her mother.

WHERE DO YOU GET YOUR MATERIALS?

I asked Karen where she gets all the materials to create her lovely pieces.

"People give me fabric. Sometimes I see a piece of fabric at a garage sale or church sale that I like. Some people bring me a specific fabric they want doll clothes made out of. I enjoy getting up in the morning, and having something to do," she said.

HOW TO CONTACT KAREN

Karen says that yes...people can call Karen to set up a time to come and buy doll clothes from her, or place special orders.

You can email Karen at karenb465@gmail.com. She usually has many things to choose from ahead of time.