Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Post by Keri on Oct 27, 2007 23:06:44 GMT -5
Pidgetgirl - I think the patched are from the same screenprinted fabric, but cut from different places. On mine, you can see some of the words, but nothing about NOLA. It's more like the one on Anna's set, but a lot more faded. As for other thoughts: I love how realistic the overalls are, with the pockets and shoulder straps and everything. I was afraid I wouldn't like the patch on the knee, but in person, it didn't bother me at all. I do have a few concerns about this set, though: -- The snaps for the shoulder straps were difficult to do/undo, though one was harder than the other. I always had problems with these things as a kid anyway, but that might be a concern. -- You can adjust the length of the shoulder straps, but they aren't sewn onto the sliding bars or anything, so you have to be careful or the strap might slide out all together! -- The velcro on the side, at the waist, doesn't work quite right on the left of my pair. The rough side is sewn down on only one side of it, and the free side got jammed under the fake button, or something. At any rate, it doesn't secure very well. I took a photo of it - it's not something to exchange the set for, but it might happen on someone else's and not be as minor a problem. -- I didn't realize it, but the cap is sewn to the brim in one spot, to maintain the floppy look. I thought that was weird. -- All the pockets on the overalls are real except for the one on the top with the flap. Also a bit weird, but understandable. -- I like that the shirt has velcro on the cuffs AND a pearlized button! Very cool. -- I don't like that the velcro on the front of the shirt only goes down partway, but the fact that it's on the front at all is awesome. I can see why the velcro would be short, though - any longer and it might be too bulky to wear with other jeans or shorts.  - You can see how it was stitched down.  - The underside - the edge was made to be contiguous under the brim, to help maintain the floppy look that way, too.  - The patch, for comparison purposes.  - You can see how my velcro doesn't secure all the way...  - ... because it was jammed under the button/rivet thing.  - Careful with the straps!   --- KERI |
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Post by Keri on Sept 6, 2006 0:06:43 GMT -5
Kit's Christmas Outfit is made from polyester. That's a very good reason why the Scotty Dog pin is actually a magnet - if you put holes through the polyester, they're there for good. Plus, sharp pointy things aren't very nice for kids. Or for me.  I actually doubted the CS woman who told me the dress is polyester when I called to ask about items with wool! I thought "no way, it looks like a nice thick cotton." Well, it is. I was very disappointed in the texture and feel when I got it today (nice eBay buy - only $10). Currently, the dress is on a Laura Ashley doll I picked up at the Salvation Army the other day, and it doesn't fit her quite right, so I'm going to wait until I get it on an actual AG before I make a final decision. As it is, I think I'm going to duplicate it in a soft cotton and send the polyester to someone who wants it more. The hair ribbon came attached to a barrette, which was nice. I'm not sure if that's because of my seller, or if it's from AG, but it definitely keeps the bow looking fresh! Grade: C --- KERI --- |
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Jul 27, 2007 21:44:38 GMT -5
This is the neatest piece of furniture I've seen yet! ...well, except it's only the second. Things I like: -- The roll top feels like a real roll top, with a flimsy hood that has strips of wood attached. -- The two side drawers and writing tray are secured so they don't come out too easily. -- The chair can be pushed in so that it's almost flush if there isn't a doll in. -- Or, if the doll wants to sit at the desk, she can do so easily with her feet underneath and eveyrthing. -- The chair is a great shape and Beatrice has been able to sit in it no problem, whether she's tucked into the desk or not. -- It looks good from all sides. Things I'm not as fond of: -- The handles on the roll top feel like they're going to break off if I tug on them too hard to open or close it. -- The roll top doesn't move smoothly, making me feel like I need to tug it. -- Overall, the scale is MUCH too small. Beatrice practically towers over the desk and I can't fit her books into one of the lower drawers, which I very much wish I could. -- It can't fold down or anything for storage, which means it's one of the bulkier pieces - not that any of the other desks do, either, but still. For appearance, playability, and storage, I give it an A-. It's fantastic and I'm so glad I puchased it! --- KERI |
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Day Bed
Apr 4, 2007 20:34:43 GMT -5
Post by Keri on Apr 4, 2007 20:34:43 GMT -5
My official review of the daybed and mattress set: B-Why? -- The bed really isn't THAT amazing. The cute details on the headboard and footboard are decals, its sturdiness is questionable, and as it is metal, it is prone to rust. But it is really cute and the fact that there's room for at least two dolls makes it worthwhile. Plus, it's easy to take apart and store if you don't want it on display or only want it out for playtime. The bedframe is a lightweight metal painted green with decorative stickers on the head and footboards to mimic molding and painted details. Well, actually, it has a bit of weight to it, but not a lot. There are three pieces to it: headboard, footboard, and mattress support. The frame connects with one hook at each leg. The side bars of the mattress support (hidden by wide guards) slide into a thin hollow tube attached to each leg of the endboards. These hollow tubes are more like C's, with a missing chunk of each. I don't know why. But mine don't fit very snuggly and they tend to rattle - it's as though the C's got stretched out or something. At any rate, there's no screws or anything needed for putting it together. It all slides in and out. This does, however, mean you have to be careful when lifting it up. If you lift it by the middle, it will slide right out of the hooks and you'll only be holding onto the mattress support part, with the endboards hanging out on their own. The head and footboard are two different heights, but otherwise, they're exactly the same. There is a hollow tube frame, and vertical smaller wiry tubes with a panel in the middle. The panel is made to look like it is molded and painted by the use of a sticker, and there is one on each side of both the headboard and the footboard. If you wanted to decorate the beds yourself, I can't imagine that it would be difficult to use Goo-Gone on the stickers to remove them. The trundle part is very simple. The heavy-gauge wire frame of the mattress support is duplicated and attached to one side with two hinges. There is a small guard over the hinge part, so that fingers are less likely to be pinched. There is another hinge at the opposite side of the trundle, which attaches the support. It can fold either on top of the trundle or underneath when the bed is in single-mode. If it isn't set up at the right angle, though, the weight of your doll could cause it to collapse. Also, this bed WILL rust if you get it wet. Mine's showing rust at the hooks on the legs, where they were welded to the tubing. But the each leg has a plastic cap on the end, so that there are no raw edges to scratch floors, skin, or furniture. The mattress is two pieces of foam covered in cotton or muslin or something that's white, and with a strip of that same fabric connecting them longwise. It's really simple, honestly, but seems to be fairly sturdy. You can fold it in half with either sides facing, and the strip is wide enough that the two sections don't bunch up or anything if you're using the bed in single-mode. They lie nice and flat. Another benefit of that little strip is that when you have the mattress/bed open, it covers up the hinges of the trundle. The bed also comes with a pillow that I forgot to take a photo of. It's very plain. A piece of foam a little bit less than the width of the bed, with a green cover. I think you might be able to see it in the corner of some of the photos I've listed already. It's plain and simple, nothing fancy. It's odd to me that there's only one, though, if the bed is meant to sleep two people.          --- KERI |
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Day Bed
Mar 14, 2007 23:12:54 GMT -5
Post by Keri on Mar 14, 2007 23:12:54 GMT -5
I purchased Kit's Bed from an eBay seller on a whim - didn't even think I'd win the auction, but I did. And I'm really glad about it, too! I love this bed so much! However, I don't think it's the sturdiest thing in the world. When I was setting it up, the end boards kept tilting precariously and at one point the footboard slipped away from the mattress frame. That's a bit frustrating! It seems like there ought to be caps or something to secure the mattress frame to the legs. As it is, I have to be very careful when opening the trundle, so that I don't accidently knock the bed off balance and have it fall apart again. I was disappointed that the painted detail on the endboards is actually a large sticker. The bed is metal, maybe a heavy grade aluminium?, so I thought that the endboards would have been molded when the metal was shaped, and then painted when they painted the rest of it green. It's probably more durable in the long run, though, since paint can chip and wear away more quickly than stickers might. When the mattress is doubled on the bed (without the extended trundle), it makes a lovely, thick and comfortable place for Kit to lie. The mattress is very soft cotton, though I'm not sure what the batting is made from - probably a foam of some kind. It is actually two mattresses the size of the bed with a good size strip of cotton connecting them lengthwise. That strip rests over the hinges when the bed is open, and it's wide enough to let the two parts of the mattress lie flush when you've got it in single bed mode. The pillow is very simple. It's the width of the bed and about the same length as a doll's forearm - perhaps a little shorter. The casing is a similar green to the bedframe, so it doesn't need a fancy pillowcase if you don't want to give one.  Overall, I give the bed an A+ for style and concept, and a C for stability. Beds need to be very stable, I think, and this one just isn't quite steady enough. But it might be easily fixed, if Moni's never had trouble with it. I would pay $45 for the bed, mattress, and pillow, since the design on the endboards is only a sticker, and it isn't as sturdy as the other beds. --- KERI |
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Kit
Dec 26, 2007 18:07:10 GMT -5
Post by Keri on Dec 26, 2007 18:07:10 GMT -5
One of the things that really makes me go "bleh" about Kit - as cute as she is - is that she lacks the short hairs in back of her head. So when you give her pigtails, she's got the weird wig-hair and I hate that look, especially when she's so adorable from the front with them.
--- KERI
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Dec 20, 2006 8:15:03 GMT -5
I was sent a new Rose Garden Dress from CS, because I was worried about how big the first one was, and the lady I talked to (Karen) said that it's definitely not supposed to be THAT big. Well, the new one fits so much better! I can fit one hand under the dress, between the fabric and Beatrice's torso, rather than two, and the ruffle is nice and perky. The colors are so flattering on Beatrice, too. I can't wait to make her a matching cap and apron!  I finally put the Rose Garden Gown on with the new replacement shift underneath (it's the shift with elastic in the neckline), and I have to say it makes a HUGE difference in the fit of the dress! It doesn't seem big at all now, instead of being a little gaping, and I like the bit of gathered fabric you see above the ruffle. You do get a problem with the shift's sleeves bunching under the sleeves of the gown, but I was able to fix that but sticking a finger underneath and tugging it down. I should really get that apron made soon, because the dress looks awesome on Beatrice --- KERI |
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Nov 28, 2006 14:46:51 GMT -5
I received this the other day as a gift for myself, and I opened it to check it over before giving it to my mom to wrap, and I noticed that the blue stripe in the print was a LOT more prominant than in all the pictures I've seen of it.
Also, when I put it on Beatrice, it was really loose - there was about an extra inch of fabric all around the bodice. Is this how it is supposed to be?
--- KERI
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Nov 2, 2007 20:31:06 GMT -5
I really like how the sash from this outfit looks with the Harvest Outfit, if you want to switch things up any. Also, the dark red sash from the Harvest Outfit can be worn nicely with this one!
--- KERI
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Post by Keri on Oct 27, 2007 20:31:20 GMT -5
Compare Kaya and Mini-Kaya:  This is C.I.Fairfield's Kaya, by the way, with my mini-Kaya. --- KERI |
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Feb 12, 2007 23:52:29 GMT -5
My mini Kaya arrived today, finally! It's interesting that her mocassins tie on, apparently just like the real ones (with a faux leather thong wrapping around her ankles a few times before knoting), and her belt is actally a separate one instead of being attached to her dress. Since Kit's cardigan and sweater are one piece with that mini doll, it seemed that Kaya's clothes would be simpler as well. Her braids have an unfortunate tendancy to stick out Pippi Longstocking-esque, but the weight pulls them down. It's odd looking, but they're so silky and smooth... Love this mini doll. --- KERI |
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Post by Keri on Oct 15, 2007 18:41:17 GMT -5
The parfleche is actually a lot bigger than I thought it would be, and it holds a lot more than I expected. It does look kind of cheap, but no more so than some of the other things in the AG collection. I'd upgrade the grade on it to a C+ or B-.
The bracelet is pretty cool, but the leather tie sucks. If the opening were just a smidge smaller, it could be put on Kaya's wrist without needing a tie at all.
--- KERI
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
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Posts: 4,777
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Post by Keri on Oct 15, 2007 18:38:48 GMT -5
I was surprised when I was brushing Kaya's hair today (she's C.I.Fairfield's, for the record), and saw that it wasn't just black, as I inferred from these reviews. It's actually a black-brown or black with lots of deep brown strands mixed in, which gives it a beautiful multi-tonal, rich quality.
I also found that her hair brushes and styles MUCH more easily if you make use of a water spritzer. Her hair feels exactly like mine before I cut it off, and I could never run a brush through without coming upon minor tangles near the ends, even if I'd just combed it all not ten seconds before. Definitely separate her hair into sections, comb them, then combine them and comb them again for best results.
One of the things I did NOT like about her hair at all is the wig cap just over her ears. You know how most of the wig caps have hair glued underneath, so that you don't see the edge when you pull the hair back? That's not the case over her ears, and I'm not sure why - maybe so that the braids lie more easily? At any rate, it looks weird if you angle the braids behind her shoulders or pull her hair back into a ponytail, and that bugs the crap outta me.
I also think that her expression - contemplative, solemn, whatever - has a lot to do with her eyebrow style and eyes. The brows aren't as curved as most of the other dolls, and in this case, they're angled up a bit at the middle, more like FelicityFan's than wrxgal's or qnpoohbear's. Also, there is extra indentations around her eyes, which have a smaller opening than the other molds except maybe Jess's, and so her eyes don't look like they open as much.
Overall, she's a very pretty doll, and I think she's quite gorgeous, but seeing her in person hasn't made me want one of my own any more than I did before (though last winter I was contemplating it, I eventually decided that I only want #28).
I give her a B, because of the weird wig cap thing, the oddity of her eyebrows (which varies!), the velcro belt for the dress, the way the dress sometimes arrives with the linebacker style, and how her hair requires a bit more patience than other dolls'.
--- KERI
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Keri
American Girl Prototype
Tech Goddess Emeritus
Pineapple Ukelele = Love!
Posts: 4,777
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Post by Keri on Feb 11, 2007 19:39:23 GMT -5
Because you'd need alot of tule reeds to make a teepee and they where usually lashed together in small groups to make mats etc not larger coverings. Make them too big and them become prone to cracking and I think it would be tricky getting them to stay in place. By using hide(buffalo) it would be easier to secure and transport. -Sarah Just a note that Kaya's tribe used the tule mats for their tipis. That's probably why it's odd that the toy one is made of leather - but I can see how the leather is more practical as a toy. --- KERI |
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Keri
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Post by Keri on Jan 11, 2007 21:05:47 GMT -5
Mine only dings when I get to the very end of the line AND hit the return bar. I have to make sure the ribbons and things are removed, otherwise they interfere with the mechanism.
--- KERI
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