My Class Finished Their Doll Clothes

I had 5 attendees for the 18 inch doll clothes class and they did not disappoint me.  Everyone had a different taste in fabric so we got quite a variety in the finished product. In the class we learned how to do French seams, use decorative stiches for adornment, make a casing with a zigzag stitch and how to finish with a double needle. Additionally, we used elastic thread in the bobbin to do shirring. Here are some of the clothes they made. You can go back to my previous posts http://juliannasjourney.blogspot.com/2014/02/more-doll-clothes.html to see what I started out with.

More Doll Clothes

So I have made a few more items for my doll.  I had a piece of white flannel and figured it would make a cute nightgown.  I used some of the decorative stitches from my Pfaff to make rows of stitching to adorn the sleeves and bottom of the gown.  I also attached wide lace to the sleeves, hem and neckline.  I did not have any beading lace to put at the neck so that I could put in ribbon to gather it, so I ran a zigzag stitch over the ribbon to make a casing; this worked pretty well.

 

Notice my logo on the bottom left above the stitching.  I am adding this logo to each article of clothing.

 

 

I also made a shirred bodice dress. Back when I was about 19 I remember a dress pattern that I made for myself in which the bodice was shirred using elastic thread. Now that was over 40 years ago but I kinda remembered how to do it.  I cut the body of the dress about 2 inches wider than I would need to allow for the gathers. I hand wound the elastic thread onto my bobbin and put in the bobbin case as I normally would. I used regular thread for the needle thread. It sewed beautifully. After I put 6 rows on front and back, held the steam iron over the stitching and it shriveled right up to form the gathers.  I also made a little over the shoulder purse for her. Each item has taken around 1/2 yard of fabric plus various lace and ribbons, all of which I found in my stash from other projects.  One can make a whole wardrobe for an 18 inch doll just from leftovers!

Kimono for 18" Doll

I am planning on teaching a class on making doll clothes for the 18 inch dolls, like Our Generation and American Girl. I have not made doll clothes since I made Barbie clothes for my daughter over 20 years ago. I was not sure I really wanted to do this but thought I would give it a try. First I needed a model, so off to Target I went and bought an Our Generation Doll. I actually had fun picking her out and then became excited about the clothes. Here she is in her store bought duds. I love her glasses too.

Danielle

 

Well I found a free pattern for a Japanese kimono but I was pretty sure it had major mistakes in it after 2 hours of trying to get it to actually be a piece of clothing that would fit her.  So I drafted my own and this is the result. I did put her hair in an updo and removed her glasses for the occasion.

I hope to draft a dress pattern for her tomorrow. Stay tuned.

 

Side View

 

Front View