Sewing doll clothes pattern hacks

What has been spinning around my head the last few weeks?

Pattern Hack Packs!

The concept is not new for me. However, I have been mulling over how I can best present all the ideas I have for sewing doll clothes.

The first pattern hack pack goes out in an automated email sequence when you join my tribe by signing up to the mailing list. These are hacks for the basic A-line Skirt pattern.

As at 13th Jan 2022 the email sequence includes:

• Fitting
• Sewing the basic skirt
• Including front slant pockets in the skirt

There are two more hacks to add.

Click the image below to start the Basic A-Line Skirt Pattern Hack Pack.

Don't worry if you are already on the mailing list, you can access the pattern hack instructions in the Newsletter Patterns and Tutorials folder. 

New Pattern Hack Pack

The next pack I am creating is for the 1837 Everyday Shirt for 18" dolls.

This is a cute mini me type design with a collar and stand and 2 piece sleeves for an authentic shirt sleeve placket look.

To use the pattern hacks you need to have the original shirt pattern or one similar.

If you are a bit handy with adjusting your pattern pieces you should be able to do the hacks just by reading the blogs.

Not everybody has the  time or inclination to cut and change the pattern pieces for the hacks so as well as the blogs I have Pattern Hack Packs that will go in the shop.

I'm a bit excited about publishing what I am hacking for this first pack so you will have to wait until I finish all three hacks before it goes in the shop. Hopefully, once I get into a rhythm I will be able to put each Hack Pack in the shop at the time of the first blog post photo tutorial.

Each pack will include 3 hacks along with any altered pattern pieces and printable instructions. 

The format is not set in stone yet as this is the beginning of this journey for me. As with all my patterns and projects I like to tweek and adjust over time.

I even want to do some you tube videos to help with inspiration.

1837 Everyday Shirt Hack Pack No.1

Hack 1

The 3 hacks in this pack are:

1. a back yoke and a one piece sleeve with an in the seam placket and a back pleat
2. back and front yokes with a shoulder seam and a separate front button band
3. Combined front back yoke (no shoulder seam) with soft gathers in the main front and back shirt pieces.

Create your own simple hacks

I was thinking about pattern hacks from the very beginning of my pattern making. Many of the designs have the same armholes and necklines so it is possible to interchange collars and sleeves.

Don't just stop at the hacks I have outlined.

You can put the 1806 Open Neck Blouse sleeves on the 1837 shirt or maybe the 1804 The 18" Dress sleeves.

Up next in my blog is the first pattern hack for the 1837 Everyday Shirt. Don't forget you need a shirt pattern to start with.

You can get the 1837 Everyday Shirt pattern from my Etsy shop now.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

5 out of 5 star  Great pattern! I love the way it turned out. So cute!