Sewing for small dolls (marionettes actually)

Puppetry is a serious hobby for me, and I've started making some
marionettes (the kind of puppets hanging from strings). These are a
little smaller than most, being only about 18" tall. The series I've
started on is "Great Scientist's from History", and needless to say
involves clothing the marionettes in suits.

I have minimal sewing skills, but managed to make the suit for
George Washington Carver (well, mostly finished it). I've realized
that those tiny arm holes as I join the sleve to the suit are pretty
difficult.

I've tried a few rounds of hand-sewing on that area, but have never
had satisfactory results. My best results were actually using the
sewing machine, but that was certainly a challenge as well, since the
arm hole was only about 1/2" diameter.

I'm sure I will improve with practice, but I wonder if there is any
equipment that would make it easier. I've already purchased a small
"shirt tailer" foot, which really helped on the small hems. I'm
actually using a very old singer, but have been told that the better
quality modern machines have much finer control of speed, which should
help as I make small items.

I wonder if there are any specialized sewing machines which make
this kind of small work easier?

Other advice?

Joe Dunfee
my real E-mail (in mangled form) is
TO MAIL ME joespuppets GET RID OF @paonli CAPITAL LETTERS ne.com

Hi,
I have been using various Singer sewing machines since 1945. The one
I am using now is a 1958 model. I think if you stick with the older
model machine you will eventually be happy.
Sew the shoulder seams first.
Put in collar
Sew in both sleeves(you will probably need to baste these)
Sew sleeve seam and then continue down the side.
Sew the other sleeve and side in the same fashion.
Now you can practice by making Barbie doll clothes :-)!
Hope this helps,
Janice
Smiley wrote:

Puppetry is a serious hobby for me, and I've started making some
marionettes (the kind of puppets hanging from strings). These are a
little smaller than most, being only about 18" tall. The series I've
started on is "Great Scientist's from History", and needless to say
involves clothing the marionettes in suits.

I have minimal sewing skills, but managed to make the suit for
George Washington Carver (well, mostly finished it). I've realized
that those tiny arm holes as I join the sleve to the suit are pretty
difficult.

I've tried a few rounds of hand-sewing on that area, but have never
had satisfactory results. My best results were actually using the
sewing machine, but that was certainly a challenge as well, since the
arm hole was only about 1/2" diameter.

I'm sure I will improve with practice, but I wonder if there is any
equipment that would make it easier. I've already purchased a small
"shirt tailer" foot, which really helped on the small hems. I'm
actually using a very old singer, but have been told that the better
quality modern machines have much finer control of speed, which should
help as I make small items.

I wonder if there are any specialized sewing machines which make
this kind of small work easier?

Other advice?

Joe Dunfee
my real E-mail (in mangled form) is
TO MAIL ME joespuppets GET RID OF @paonli CAPITAL LETTERS ne.com