70s Fashions to Sew for Your Julie American Girl Doll

Sewing for BeForever character Julie Albright?  Her stories are set in 1974 and she has some groovy fashions! Give your Julie a personalized 70s themed wardrobe with these twists on PDF sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat! Find all of these patterns in my Etsy Shop:

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Click on the links below to go right to each easy tutorial.

1.  Sunshine Dress with Daisy Trim
2. Jumping Jack 3 in 1 Jumper Set
3. Boardwalk Boutique Ruffled Maxi Dress
4. Playtime Peasant and Sugar n Spice Everything Nice Overskirt

What other Oh Sew Kat! patterns might work for Julie outfits? Visit the Julie page of the Historical Fashions gallery for more ideas.  See more sewing ideas for the BeForever characters like Melody and Maryellen too!  Comment below with your ideas!

Visit & follow my 1970s doll fashion PINTEREST Board for more ideas. Pin these images to save them for later!

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! HISTORICAL FASHIONS GALLERY TO SEE MORE IDEAS.

Five Popular Pattern Hacks for Oh Sew Kat! Patterns

Don’t you love making special doll clothes for the girls in your life with the easy PDF sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!  The easy to follow photo instructions are designed to help even the novice sewist have a successful time.  In many of my more recent patterns, I’ve started to include some ideas and simple instructions for variations on the patterns.  You can “Step them Up” or “Step them Down” to your heart’s content.  Read below to see five of my favorite (and most popular to date!) pattern hacks.  Click on the photo to go right to the tutorial of Kat’s favorite pattern hacks.

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Find all these patterns, plus many more in 5 popular doll sizes in my Etsy Shop or other places Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.

Take a new twist on Oh Sew Kat! PDF sewing patterns with these favorite pattern hacks.

 

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   Tee shirt Dress tutorial:  Make a cute, tee shirt dress from the Simple, Sweet Tee Shirt pattern.  Works for any size doll.  Find the pattern in 4 popular doll sizes here.

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2. Pumpkin jumper:  The classic Boardwalk Boutique pattern doesn’t have to be put away when the weather gets cooler.  Use it as a base to make cute holiday themed outfits as well as summer play clothes.  A little orange fabric and an iron on pumpkin face took this simple halter top to a cute jumper for fall. Layer it over a Playtime Peasant Top or a Jumping Jack Turtleneck!
   

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3.   50s overskirt dress:  This one isn’t even a pattern hack.  Make a 50s or 60s classic look dress with an overskirt for Melody or Maryellen.  The Sunshine Dress is worn underneath an overskirt made from the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern.
   

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4.   Make a Halter Maxi Dress:  This easy hack to the Boardwalk Boutique lets your fabric shine with one or two big ruffles.  
   

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5.   Add lace to a ruffle skirt:  Take your skirts to a new level with an added lace layer.  See this easy tutorial for any ruffled skirt- shown with the Four Season Skirt and Playtime Peasant Twirl Skirt patterns.

 

Easy to sew Pattern Hacks for 18 inch and other sized doll clothes.

Find all these patterns, plus many more in 5 popular doll sizes in my Etsy Shop or other places Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.  See more pattern hacks and tutorials HERE.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

50s Fashions to Sew for your American Girl Doll, Maryellen Larkin

Sewing for Maryellen Larkin?  Try these twists on patterns from Oh Sew Kat! Find all of these patterns in my Etsy Shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/ohsewkat.

1.  Sunshine Dress &  Sugar n Spice Bundle
2.  Bloomer Buddies
3.  Boardwalk Boutique with Bloomer Buddies Shortie Bloomers
4.  Party Time Peasant Dress

Click HERE for a tutorial to make a cute headscarf for your doll!

Find more ideas to sew for Maryellen HERE and HERE.

Julie Albright’s Sunshine Dress Tunic Top

As it is such a simple dress, The Sunshine Dress sewing pattern has so many options. There are many different ways to style it up to create just the look you want.  Here, I used it for the 1974 BeForever Character, Julie Albright.

Find tutorials for other ways to sew Oh Sew Kat! patterns for your Julie Doll HERE.

This top is very simple.  I only made one change to the pattern- I cut off about 1 1/2 inches from the hem.  I added a little bit of crochet trim, and Julie has a perfect tunic to wear with her bell bottoms.

See more ways to make the Sunshine Dress here and here, and find more fashions for the 70s and Julie Albright here and here.

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Find the Sunshine Dress Pattern for 18 inch Dolls here (other sizes also available.)

Summer time Sunshine Dresses for Dolls by Oh Sew Kat!

With three options to change up the front of the dress, the Sunshine Dress is a great pattern to stitch up some summer dresses for your dolls.  It’s available in three sizes:  18 inch dolls, 14.5 inch dolls, and 16 inch Animators.

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Use this tutorial to turn the Sunshine Dress into a pretty Hawaiian muumuu dress.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

The Wellie Wisher Sunshine Dress is so sweet.  Photo credit:  18onMain.

Don’t forget the Animators dolls!

How about a sleeveless version?  Find the tutorial HERE.

Have you tried the Sunshine Dress pattern yet?  Share your photos with hashtag #ohsewkat.  See more ways to use this versatile pattern here and here. Be sure to stop by the Inspiration Gallery for even more ideas!

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Step it Up! Series: Make a 50s Style Sunshine Overskirt Dress for Maryellen Larkin- A BeForever Doll Pattern Hack!

These outfits came about completely by accident.  They don’t even need a tutorial or pattern hack. I simply used pieces from two different patterns together to make a new outfit.

I was making a doll skirt from my Everything Nice pattern. (The Everything Nice pattern is the accessory pattern that is sold bundled with the Sugar n Spice dress.) . It is a quick little skirt, attached to the waistband, with an open back. It was designed to give “dress up options” to the princess themed Sugar n Spice Dress.  In order to check my hook and loop tape placement, I grabbed the closest doll.  It was Melody, and she was wearing a Sunshine Dress I made for THIS post.  The dress seemed tight enough for my test, so I did not remove it.  As I stood back to check the skirt fit, I realized that by simply using two of my own patterns, I could create a similar look to Melody’s fancy dress or the popular overskirt fashions of the late 50s and early 60s.

I went right to Pinterest for some inspiration and found this pin,  and also this pin, and this pin.

Next I went to my fabric stash- and found some navy fabric to match one Sunshine Dress I’d already made…and chose some creamy, dreamy roses fabric for the other one.

This dress is the Sunshine Dress sewn with the princess seams option.  The Everything Nice overskirt fits perfectly over it- open it in the front or in the back!  Easy peasy lemon squeezy!  Find the Sunshine Dress HERE.

What other patterns can be used together to provide more value for your time sewing and money spent?  Share in the comments below.  Make a 50s or 60s inspired dress for your dolls today by checking out these other pattern hacks here and here!

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Step it Up Series: How to Sew a 70s Sunshine Dress for Julie – A BeForever Pattern Hack!

The Sunshine Dress, with its three variations and classic A-line look can easily be adapted to look like it came from the 70s era with just a few minor tweaks to the pattern.

Make a 70s doll dress for your BeForever Julie Doll with this easy sewing pattern.

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I used this photo from Pinterest for inspiration.  Here’s another one.  Based on the first photo, I am using View C, the princess seamed option, but I really think that any of these views can be easily adapted to create this daisy trimmed look. The second photo definitely looks like View B.

Start with the Sunshine Dress pattern.  This pattern has had a recent update.  Check your file and make sure that it says Copyright 2018 at the bottom of the front cover.  If it doesn’t, you can find the updated version where you purchased the pattern, or contact me.

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1.  Raise the neckline by quite a bit- I used almost a half inch for the 18 inch size doll. Don’t forget the lining piece needs to match too!
2. Skip the top stitching after assembling the dress front.  It would be covered by the trim. If you want your trim to disappear into the seam at the shoulders (and not go down the back), you need to add it over your seams before you stitch the front to the backs as I did here.  If you want the trim to go over the shoulder and down the back, it will be attached after the dress front and back are joined but before you do the hem.  I just attached mine to the front (to conserve my trim mostly).  Add the daisy trim with transparent tape to ensure you have the look you want; you can follow the seam lines if you have them, but if you don’t, put the trim where you think it should go. Stitch in place.  I used a machine and just carefully stitched down the center of my flowers.  You can also add your trim by hand.  If the trim was wider, or for a real girl and would be washed, I would put a row of stitching down each side to hold it securely.
3. Raise the hem by an inch or even more. Dresses for girls were short then too! (I usually do this after the dress is sewn together unless I’ve done it before and have a good measurement.  Once the dress is done, it’s easy to (use a ruler) and trim off the right amount for right look for the era.) .
4. Optional:  Add lace (again by hand?) around the neckline.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! HISTORICAL FASHIONS GALLERY TO SEE MORE IDEAS.

Make a 70s inspired dress for your 18 inch doll.

One final note.  I do not profess that this pattern is historically accurate.  I found an image on Pinterest and used my own pattern, which looks very similar.  However, in the world of child’s play, “close enough” is usually enough to save you a few dollars at the American Girl Store if you have a young friend pleading for Julie Albright or items from her time period and collection.  When my daughter was very young, and a new doll was released, I usually kept her focused on who she already had with just a few new doll dresses to fit the new era or theme.  The one that comes to my mind is when Elizabeth Cole, Felicity Merriman’s best friend was released in a beautiful pink, ball gown.  I was able to make and buy a few colonial dresses for my daughter’s Mia doll, and off we went to Williamsburg happy as can be.  Elizabeth never did join our doll family by the way.  😉

Use the Sunshine Dress PDF sewing pattern by Oh Sew Kat! for BeForever Julie Dolls.

PLEASE NOTE:  The Sunshine Dress has been updated since it was first published. The current version has Copyright 2018 on the bottom of the cover page.  If you are unable to get the updated copy from where your purchased it (download it again from your Etsy or Craftsy account, or find the link in the update email from Pixie Faire), please contact me at ohsewkat@gmail.com with the details of where and when you purchased the pattern and I will get you the updated copy!

See other ways to make clothes for Julie here and here, and more ways to sew the Sunshine Dress here.

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How to Sew a 60s Sunshine Dress for Melody – A BeForever Pattern Hack!

The Sunshine Dress, with its three variations and classic A-line look, can easily be adapted to look like it came from the 60s era with just a few minor tweaks to the pattern.

I used this photo for inspiration to make my Melody her vintage 60s dress.  Click here to see Melody modeling View A (without any changes, just a retro feeling fabric.)   Based on the photo, I am using View C, the princess seamed option with just a few minor changes.

This dress is made from the Oh Sew Kat! Sunshine Dress pattern. Click the photo to visit my Etsy Shop to purchase it. This pattern has had a recent update.  Check your file and make sure that it says Copyright 2018 at the bottom of the front cover.  If it doesn’t, you can find the updated version where you purchased the pattern.

1.  Raise the neckline by a quarter inch or so. Don’t forget the lining piece too!
2. Raise the hem by an inch or even more. Dresses for girls were short then too! (I usually do this after the dress is sewn together unless I’ve done it before and have a good measurement.  Once the dress is done, it’s easy to (use a ruler) and trim off the right amount for the right look for the era.)
3. To make the pocket flaps:  Cut a piece of paper 1 1/2 by 1 3/4th inches (This is the 18 inch doll size.)  Fold it in quarters and round the corners.  Open it back up and cut it in half the short way, so you have two pocket pattern pieces.

4. Trace two flaps onto the wrong side of your fabric, leaving at least 1/4th inch all the way around. (I probably cut mine a little close in this photo.)  Pin two layers together right sides together, and stitch exactly along the drawn line, leaving a small opening to flip it right side out.  Carefully cut out the pocket with a 1/8th inch edge border all the way around it.  Press your seam line, clip the curves, and flip it right side out.  Press well.  Do your best to make both pockets look the same.  Slip stitch the opening closed if needed.  Top stitch around the bottom, curved edge if desired.

5. Put your dress on your doll and pin or tape the pockets in place. (I use transparent tape to hold them on, so they don’t shift as I sew.  The tape tears easily away from the stitching when I’m done.) . Very carefully, top stitch along the top of the flap to attach it to the dress, being careful not to catch the back of the dress under your seam.  If you prefer, you can stitch the flap on by hand.

One final note.  I do not profess that this dress is 100% historically accurate.  I saw an image on Pinterest and used my own pattern to duplicate it.  However, in the world of child’s play, “close enough” is usually enough to save Mama a few dollars at the American Girl Store if you have a young friend pleading for Melody Ellison or items from her time period and collection.  When my daughter was very young, and a new doll was released, I usually kept her focused on who she already had with just a few new dresses to fit the new era or theme.  The one that comes to my mind is when Elizabeth Cole, Felicity Merriman’s best friend, was released in a beautiful pink, ball gown.  I was able to make and buy a few colonial dresses for my daughter’s Mia doll, and off we went to Williamsburg happy as can be.  Elizabeth never did join our doll family by the way.  😉

See more ways to sew Oh Sew Kat! for the BeForever Character dolls here and visit the Sunshine Dress Inspiration Gallery here.

 

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

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Fan Feature: Disney Animators’ Outfits

I love getting emails or seeing posts of the amazing outfits you all make with my patterns. I was blown away by these outfits that Michele Anderson sewed and shared.  I hope you enjoy them too!  I love the entire ensemble!!

Here is Snow White. She is wearing a Sunshine Dress (made into a top- so cute!) and the capris are from the Boardwalk Boutique pattern.

Ariel is wearing a Sugar n Spice Dress with the reversible corset.

Anna looks so sweet in her Sugar n Spice dress. And that purse is adorable!!

Merida is dressed in a sundress made with the Boardwalk Boutique Halter Top.  The contrasting ruffle looks great with her hair!

And here is Belle, in her Boardwalk Boutique outfit.

Thank you so much for sharing, Michele!!  It’s so hard to pick a favorite!

Which one do you like best?  Find these patterns for Disney Animators, along with patterns in other popular doll sizes in my Etsy Shop.

 

Simple Sunshine Dresses for Melody Ellison

The Sunshine Dress pattern is simple and stylish- there are so many different ways to sew it up for your dolls.  Currently available in 3 doll sizes, it’s a must have for your dolly wardrobe.  This pattern has had a recent update.  Check your file and make sure that it says Copyright 2018 at the bottom of the front cover.  If it doesn’t, you can find the updated version where you purchased the pattern, or send me an email with where and when you purchased it and I will send you the update.

Read on to see some simple sundresses made from the Sunshine Dress pattern for Melody.

Here, I used view A (solid front) and THIS TUTORIAL to make a sleeveless version that is perfect for Melody Ellison, the BeForever character from 1964.  This dress started as a pair of shorts of my daughter’s! The bold print was perfect for the simple front of the Sunshine Dress. A little accent bow completes the look.

Here are a few Sunshine Dresses with some fun fabrics! This simple dress will be perfect for all of your dolls.

Elastic headbands for dolls also make great belts!!!

Find more ideas for the Sunshine Dress pattern here and here.