Holiday Dresses to Make for Your Dolls

Is it too soon? 🙂   Have you thought about the special girls in your life that might enjoy new clothes for their special dolls this holiday season?  Here are a few ideas to inspire you to ring in the season! Click on each photo to go right to the Oh Sew kat! sewing pattern I used.  Visit my Etsy Shop to find a full selection of patterns for dolls from 14-18 inches tall.

Four Season Skirts ^^ Find this free pattern HERE.

Jumping Jack  ^^

Party Time Peasant Dress  ^^

Sugar n Spice Dress Pattern Hack ^^

See more holiday doll clothes ideas HERE and HERE.

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Tester Tuesday: Easy Up! Jumper Pattern for 18 inch dolls

My Oh Sew Kat! test group never ceases to amaze me. Their talent and creativity are top notch! I always love checking me email 2-3 days after sending out a test because my mailbox is full of photos like these lovelies below!! Enjoy the doll clothes eye candy- and click HERE to purchase the new Easy Up! Reversible Jumper pattern for 18 inch dolls.

First up is this Nanea stunner made by Michelle Anderson.  She put the pleat in the center instead of on the sides.  We will have a full tutorial on this later in the month.

Juliette Auckland’s baby cord jumper is stunning with the red heart buttons and long sleeve shirt. Her doll is ready for back to school!

Kathy McMillin has Josefina ready for the summer heat in her pretty, pink sundress version of the Easy Up! jumper.

Denim and gingham- what could be cuter? Sandy Simpson added cute bows to the sides of her jumper with the adorable daisy front and center.

This simple pattern has a lot of options to make it for any season in any fabric. Make it reversible for two dresses in one!!  Find the pattern here and see more Easy Up! Jumpers in the Inspiration Gallery HERE.

4th of July Doll Clothes

It’s time to celebrate the red, white and blue here in the USA!  Here are a few 4th of July inspired outfits made with Oh Sew Kat! patterns.  Click on the photos to go right to the pattern.

Melody looks adorable in Bloomer Buddies!

Kendall shows her pride in Party Time Peasant Dress (photo credit: Amy Violet’s).

Sam is also in a Party Time Peasant Dress.

The Bitty Twins are ready for a picnic in their HalterAlls.

Summer classic:  Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.

Emily and Mary keep cool in Popsicle Tops and Sandbox Shorts.

Nina Self made this cute version of Boardwalk Boutique.

Ashley Crawe has Bitty Baby all decked out for the holiday in a Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.

Willa and Kendall look cute in their Popsicle Tops and Four Season Skirts.

 

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.

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.

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.

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.  😉

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.

iCreate Monthly Doll Magazine May/June 2018 now available – Final Issue!

iCreate Monthly is available for May/June 2018!  This month’s theme is Makin’ A Splash!  This post contains affiliate links.

Whose dolls are ready to head into the fun and sun of summer! Be sure to head over to at iCreateforDolls.com to get your issue of the iCreate magazine! It includes full color articles, how to’s, and crafts! This issue features:

• Sew a swim suit cover up (free pattern!)
• Make a doll size photo booth
• Plan a doll related party and make doll sized goodie boxes
• Discounts and special offers
• and much more!

I like to share great doll finds with my readers as I come across them.  Let me tell you, this magazine publication is top notch! Unfortunately, this is the last issue!! It’s full of ideas, patterns, interviews, printables, projects, information, coupons and more!  You can purchase a PDF download, or you can buy a printed version that is a full 8×11 size glossy magazine! Both are worth the money, in my opinion, for all the tips, ideas, and coupons you receive.  Head on over to www.icreatefordolls.com and get your copy today!  You can join the iCreate community for free and take advantage of many of its new features.

Be sure to purchase the back issues as this magazine will no longer be published after June 2018.  I am so sad to see it go, but you can still enjoy the “all about dolls” website as it moves into its second year.

Last winter, I hosted a holiday themed sew-along. There’s alot of fun doll related activities and chat going on at iCreate.  I’ll see you there! (Be sure to invite me to be a friend!)

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 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.

Boardwalk Boutique Sewing Pattern for Dolls

Spring has arrived, which means that summer is just around the corner! Your dolls will be cute and cool in their Boardwalk Boutique Halter Top and Capris!  Or maybe try something new and stitch it up as a simple sundress!  Enjoy these simple variations of this popular pattern.

This pattern is so quick to sew, you can easily make up one or two in a naptime!  The easy elastic back and elastic pull on pants help little hands dress their own dolls. With fabric or ribbon ties, you can make up a set with a fat quarter of fabric.  Here are a few ways to stitch up your Boardwalk Boutique.  (Don’t forget, this pattern is available in 4 sizes!!!)

Nanea is ready for the beach.  I cut this yellow top off the center fold, to have extra fabric to make a little, center pleat. The extra fullness in the top is cute!

Have fun with ruffles!! Cut the longer top version and add a very tiny or very wide ruffle.

Cut the longer top version and leave off the ruffle.  Add some pretty trim for a sporty sundress!

Use pretty eyelet lace to make the back look special!  Find the full TUTORIAL HERE.

Double your ruffles and make it a maxi dress!! Find the full TUTORIAL HERE.

Or simply try the halter top with something different on the bottom. Here, Maryellen is wearing the standard halter top with the shortie length bloomers from the Bloomer Buddies pattern.

How will you make your Boardwalk Boutique for your doll this summer?  See more Boardwalk Boutiques here and here.  Find the pattern for bitty baby, animators’, and wellie wishers in my etsy shop.

 

Step it Up: How to Make a Lace Backed Halter Top with Boardwalk Boutique – Try this Pattern Hack!

Every little girl loves lace and roses! This tutorial will show you how to take the Boardwalk Boutique Halter Top up a step with a pretty, lace back.

Start with the Boardwalk Boutique sewing pattern.

Choose your lacy trim. I use pre-gathered lace because it’s already got a pretty, hemmed edge. When you buy it, buy as wide as you can.  Smaller dolls will use smaller trim. If you use eyelet or lace fabric, simply follow the directions as written.  Use these few changes to add the lace trim to the back of your halter top.

Carefully remove the stitching of the top of the lace trim with a seam ripper. If you lace trim is much wider than the pattern piece, you can cut it off. As you can see in the photo below, my trim was just a little shorter than my pattern piece (no need to turn up the 1/4th hem at the bottom) so I knew my top would be just a bit shorter than the pattern.) . Iron your trim and cut it the right size based on the pattern piece.  Cut out your front, facing, and ties (or ribbon).

Construct the front of the halter top according to the pattern directions, to include the back elastic casing and elastic.  You will have to hem the front piece before you attach it to the back.  Determine how big this hem needs to be based on the lace back piece as seen in the photo below.  Serge or zigzag the front hem, press up, and stitch in place.  With right sides together, sew the back to the front on each side.

It’s kind of hard to photograph these dolls’ backs.  🙂

Try this simple hack of the Boardwalk Boutique Halter Top for your dolls!  See more ways to sew this pattern here and here.

4 Sewing Tools that are worth the Investment for Sewing Doll Clothes

Sewing doll clothes can be a pretty quick project as a general rule. The pieces and seams are small, they don’t take long to cut out, and they don’t use much fabric. However, if you want to sew a lot of clothes (like for a craft show) or you just have a short nap time to work in, here are four tools that can save you a little more time and make your sewing time more efficient, and, in my opinion, are really worth the investment.

 

1. A good Serger- sergers are funny machines. People that sew fall into three categories. Those who can’t live without a serger, those that bought one but it’s still in the box and are afraid to use it, or those who simply don’t want one or see its benefits. No matter which category you fall into, one sure way to speed up your sewing is with a serger. First of all, the speed settings on a Serger are higher than a sewing machine. It doesn’t stitch backwards, but it goes faster! 🤗 When you use a serger, you learn to work with flat construction. This also speeds up the sewing process. Spend some time on you tube watching videos of your specific model, as well as how to use one in general. If changing the thread is intimidating, you can simply leave it with gray or white thread for most fabrics. 😉  I love my jet air threading Evolve serger made by Babylock!  (I use stickers to help me remember the settings for quick stitch changes!)

2. A Ruffler foot- if you like gathered skirts and ruffled hems, this one tool can save 10 minutes per outfit- at least! My machine is a Bernina, and yes, the ruffler foot was pretty pricey.  I watched one you tube video and I was off and running. There is a great e-book here if you want to get serious with the math. I just started to experiment and kept a spreadsheet with every measurement I tried. With that sheet, I have a baseline to start with to vary the stitch length to ruffle the skirt from each if my patterns with.  It doesn’t have to be exact- just “close enough” at first.  (You can always pull a little back out at either end if it ends up too short.)  It takes 15 seconds to gather an 18 inch doll skirt this way! Well worth the hefty price tag and time to learn and experiment in my opinion.  (You can also attach and gather the ruffle to the fabric at the same time…I intend to learn how to do that too, I just haven’t gotten to it.)

3. An overlock foot- this probably came with your machine; mine did. This is a much cheaper option than the serger.  Again, hop on over to you tube and learn how to use it. Since I purchased my new Bernina last June, I have really started taking advantage of all the feet that are offered. I change feet at least 9 times an outfit. (Bernina has an easy one hand hook mechanism so this doesn’t take long at all.) My Serger is around the table from my sewing machine. In some cases, making a quick switch to the overlock foot is faster and just as productive as using the Serger.  I also really like this thinner stitch for underarm sleeves on smaller doll clothes. Will this save you a whole lot of time? Probably not like the two above, but it’s another tool for your tool box and a great option if a serger machine is not on your wish list or in your budget.

4. The Cricut Maker- this is definitely not your cheapest time saver! At $399, it’s a big price to pay for something you can do with a nice pair of scissors. (You can save 10% with a subscription to cricut access; click AD: here to read more about that.). If you’ve never used an electronic cutter, you may need to get familiar with your machine and its software first. Once you are comfortable using it, and you spend the time to get your files set up, this can really be a huge time saver, especially if you sew mutliples items at once! The cricut maker cuts up to 12×24 inches- it’s perfect for doll clothes! I set up all of my patterns for the cricut maker and can cut them out quickly and cleanly in literal minutes! See this tutorial for more specifics.  There are also so many other fun things you can do with a cricut machine; sewing doll clothes is just the start!  (If you don’t want to splurge on the Cricut maker, or already have a cutting machine, the time to set up your files can be worth it to cut out your printed patterns as well, as another way to save a little time.)

So many sewists have a room full of tools and toys and still sew with the same 2-3 sewing feet or stitches day in and day out.  Hopefully this post has given you a little inspiration to dig out something you’ve already bought, or invest in something you hadn’t thought of. The right tool for the job makes this hobby even more fun!  What tools might you add to this list?  If you try something new, leave a comment and tell us about it!

 

 

New Sewing Pattern for A Girl for All Time

Newly released!! The Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt sewing pattern is now available for your A Girl for All Time doll.  Find it in my ETSY SHOP to download and print on your home printer.

With three different sleeve lengths and a “dress” cutting line, you will love creating this  basic outfit for your doll.   See how to add the lace between the layers HERE.

Look for more patterns for these lovely 16 inch slim dolls later this spring and summer!  This easy to sew pattern is also available in other doll sizes (18 inch American Girl, 14.5 inch Wellie Wisher, 16 inch Disney Animator) in my Etsy store.