Vintage Suspender Skirt Pattern for 18" Dolls

Sometimes you just want to make something cute for your doll. This suspender skirt design is perfect for a 50s look. Team it with a blouse or a turtleneck or even a t-shirt.

It looks pretty simple to design but why bother designing your own when you can just buy the pattern already neatly drawn with clear instructions. You know when you make it up it will fit your 18" doll. It is designed to fit dolls similar to the American Girl Doll®.

No need to experiment.

These outfits are made by teaming the skirt with 1806 Open Neck Blouse View 1.

If you like to design you can try the circle skirt from 1827 on this waist band. Just put the skirt pieces together then trim off 1 1/2" from the hem edge.

Or you can just wait for the next suspender skirt that I am working on. It has a high waist and the short circle skirt.

Buy the gathered suspender skirt in my Etsy shop.

Happy Sewing,
Val

Free Hobo Bag Pattern for 18" Dolls

While making designs for my pattern business I often come across ideas that are great for making up for the doll but are really quite simple as far as construction or pattern pieces goes.

The cute hobo bag has only one pattern piece that you cut out 2 main and 2 lining. Construction is easy but has a few steps. I figured this was a perfect design to offer for free.

If you want this pattern and tutorial as well as get access to lots of free resources for doll dressmaking you need to sign into dolldressmaking.teachable.com and enrol in the different resource sections.

Each section has a growing list of free patterns and tutorials. You also go onto my mailing list to receive regular updates about my blog posts, free resources, special offers and new patterns.

If you like sewing for dolls there is always something doll related in my newsletter either as free or as a special offer. I also include links to my latest blog posts and tutorials. I include updates on new designs I am working on and let you know when new patterns go into my shop.

Get your free pattern here

Happy Sewing,
Val

Look Forward to this New Doll Clothes Pattern Coming Soon

I have so much fun designing all sorts of doll clothes. They don't all become published patterns but this one is just so cute and so easy to make I had to take it through to be published.

There are 3 variations for this Pieced A-Line Dress.

The one with the pleat was the initial design but I could see that the other 2 versions were logical additions to the pattern. I always like to include several views in all my patterns.

With just a little bit of taping you can create a single piece for the front so you can make plain A-Line dresses. With just a couple of snips you can also create different shaped pieces for the front of the dress. This is something I will be exploring when I get a chance.

I was so pleased that I had a set of the buttons made for covering with the dress fabrics. These ones are just 11mm wide and a bit fiddly to cover but well worth the effort. I ended up putting stick glue on the circle to get it to stay in place while I put the back on. With the back pushed down a bit I gradually pushed in any stray edges.
The only real trouble I had was with the first circle that I cut to the size recommended. It was too small! So I cut all my circles 1/8" bigger all round.

The armholes on this design are a bit lose without looking baggy so there is plenty of room to add a thin turtleneck underneath. I suggest scooping the front neck a 1/4" lower in the centre to create a jumper dress.

Look out for this pattern in my shop in a week or so. (May 2018)

While making this design I made two other A-lines of different widths. One a bit narrower and one almost straight. It is just A-line enough to fit over the hips. Once I have played with these ones a bit I will put the pattern and my ideas for it in the shop.

In the meantime if you would like to have a go at drafting your own A-line dress you should watch my video on You Tube. You will need the bodice of a round neck dress that fits your doll.

Watch the Video

If you would like to know when I publish videos or tutorials or new patterns you should get my newsletter.

Yeah! I want the newsletter

Happy Sewing and Designing,

Val

18" Doll Clothes Pattern for Boleros and Jacket

18" Doll Clothes pattern by valspierssews

This is the first of my designs to have the huge range of variations included with full instructions for each variation. My other patterns have huge potential with pieces that can be swapped around but I am still in the process of showing what can be done with them.

The variations I have included instructions for are just some of the possibilities with this design. I am really excited to have a go at tracing the 1804 dress armhole over the drop shoulder armhole to create a new pattern piece front and back that can take regular sleeves from other designs and still have the cute bolero style. You can easily do this yourself.

When I first brought out this series of designs I published them as separate modules with a big discount on the price. Module 1 was even offered for free in my newsletter.

If you are not getting my newsletters then you are missing out on some great free patterns and great special offers as well as lots of ideas for using my patterns. I even include the occasional suggestions to make your life easier in general.

Visit my Etsy Shop to get the Bolero series for just $12 AUD (plus taxes if applicable)

Make sure you sign up for my NEWSLETTER for lots of great pattern ideas and offers.

Happy Sewing,
Val