Choosing a colour palette for your 18” doll clothes patterns

 

I did some sewing a few weeks back when I got all excited about the beautiful palette of fabrics that I bought. I used an autumn colour palette and matched the fabrics to it but the idea works just as well when you match the colours in a fabric pattern. 

This summer strappy top has all the colours I chose and also has a blue that will work as well.

The colour palette was easy to take to the store and use to match the solid colours on the shelf. Luckily the homespun was all 40% that day.

I took my colour palette from a PDF booklet file that I bought. It is a perfect collection of lots of colour palettes all sorted by several different criteria, such as by season or main colour or various key words. It was not cheap but it is just so much easier to use than looking through Pinterest.

 

You can see how both tops made out of slightly different fabrics go really well with the colours I bought.

I tried out another patterned fabric that I had. This one has all the same colours.

I tried a couple by themselves. This pink one looks great.

This yellow one not so great. The dots seem to go back into the fabric rather than popping they way they do with the pink fabric. I usually put my fabrics together various ways because it is not always obvious what will look best.

I bought this collection of fabrics particularly for Lea. They suit her colouring. The dark colours are not the best for my blonde doll but because I have the pink next to her face rather than the orange she can pull it off.

That shell necklace is one I made a few years ago. I was practicing that sliding knots adjustable string. You can open it enough to get over her head then you slide the knots apart to shorten it. I used a you tube video to learn the knot.

My girls are showing off their dresses in the jungle I made on Canva. I love using Canva to create images. Some of the jungle items are the Pro images but there are lots of free ones too.

More and more I have been using the pinking shears to tidy the seams.

I put my photo of Lea into Canva and gave her a new pendant. This one is turquoise. Turquoise is meant to be the best gemstone for me.

You can find the tiered dress pattern on Etsy. It is perfect for Fall colours or Halloween fabrics or Christmas fabrics like this one below.

Check it out now

I have another hobby! It always feels good to start something new. In my case I am restarting my jewellery making. With everything I know about an Etsy based business I hope to add another string to my bow and start selling bangles and necklaces. This time I am concentrating on gemstones. They are just so beautiful and I love all the mystical properties attributed to the different crystals. I am not a fanatical believer in the metaphysical properties of the gemstones but I think they make great reminders of our affirmations and goals. Each stone is said to enhance particular positive qualities of a person.  I love to journal and I know that writing something down makes it more likely to happen. I think it is the same with the gemstones. Amazonite is associated with self care, self love and emotional balance. Wearing an Amazonite bracelet and knowing what it is associated with I will be reminded to take breaks or not let other people upset me.  I think of the gemstones as my goals and affirmations written in stone. Happy Doll Dressmaking, Val Don’t forget to have a look at the tiered dress pattern. It is perfect for using up small strips of fabric or mixing up patterns and plains. Get the tiered dress pattern There are a couple more things in the freebies folder. One is the envelope for the 18” doll dress pattern. I realised that it was not exactly half size in the file in the shop so I put just the envelope in the newsletter folder. I fixed the file in the Etsy shop so you have the right file if you bought the pattern after Sept 2021. Click the link below to sign up for the newsletter  and also get access to the Newsletter Freebies Vault. Doll Dressmaking Newsletter Freebies Copyright (C) 2021 Valspierssews. All rights reserved.

Doll clothes Summer capsule of perfect patterns for 18" dolls

Do you want to create doll clothes that can go together to make a series of nice outfits?

Do you want a plan that you can use to gradually build a co-ordinating collection for your doll?

Do you want a formula based on types of garments so you can use patterns that already have?

If you say yes to any of these questions then planning and sewing a doll clothes capsule collection is the way to go.

What is a doll clothes capsule?

The idea of a wardrobe capsule for people has been around for a while. If you search for wardrobe capsule on Pinterest and select summer capsule you get something like this:

If you search on Google and select for wardrobe capsule 2021 and click images you get something like this:

You find collections of clothes divided into types of garments and coordinating colours so you can mix and match and create lots of different outfits.

The doll clothes capsule works the same way.

I have used a simple capsule formula that can be repeated so you can build whatever size doll clothes collection you like. You can make separate capsules where only a few items might cross over or you can plan a series of colour coordinated capsules so nearly all the pieces can be mixed and matched.

I have put together a Summer doll clothes capsule based on my simple formula of 3 tops, 2 bottoms, a jacket and a dress. I will also be making an infinity scarf or two and a bag or two to go with it.

I have gotten my inspiration from a fashion vlogger on youtube.

I'll be using the free gathered skirt that has the sewn on elastic casing band and the free tank top pattern.

I decided to use the shirt that has the roll tab sleeves as my third top because I think it will also work nicely as a second jacket and look great layered over the other tops or the dress.

I am offering each garment as a separate pattern so you can just buy what interests you. 

I thought it might be useful to also offer them as a Summer collection so it takes some of the planning out of the creative process. You will find these designs and the combined collection inside the Summer Capsule section in my Etsy shop during Summer 2021.

Summer dress

Summer gathered shorts - still to be published

Summer Strappy top

Summer Tank top - 

free when you get the newsletter

Gathered skirt with a sewn on band - 

free pattern and instructions when you get the newsletter or see instructions on my blog here.

Summer cardigan

1806 Open neck blouse 

(extra layer plus extra top)

I am offering each garment as a separate pattern so you can just buy what interests you. 

I thought it might be useful to also offer them as a Summer collection so it takes some of the planning out of the creative process. You will find these designs and the combined collection inside the Summer Capsule section in my Etsy shop during Summer 2021.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

Start your new creative endeavour with some of my free patterns for 18" dolls

So why do I publish free patterns?

Mainly because I like to give something to you that has been made with passion and creativity.

Other reasons are:

That some designs are just so simple for me to put together that I don't think it is right to charge for them, or

Some of my wonderful customers have been buying from me for many years and I just like to give them patterns.

Way back when I started designing and selling my patterns I wrote a bit of a manifesto in my About Page on my blog. The doll clothes concept was all about using lots of nice fabrics and satisfying my passion for design. The Sales concept was all about creating the sorts of patterns that I would like to buy and make them great value.

Over the years my prices have increased a little and I have also added some higher priced items to my shop but I still keep a wide range of classic and fun patterns around $5AUD and less because I haven't lost site of why I started designing and sharing them in the first place.

My free patterns are just the same as my paid patterns. They have some photos, step by step instructions with diagrams, full sized computer drawn pattern pieces and usually a file folder page and an envelope.

Just because they are free doesn't mean they have zero value. I create them with the same care for formatting and fit that I approach the paid patterns.

1804 Dress $10.25AUD

Free Hobo Bag

There are lots of ways to use the free patterns. I love making doll clothes capsules with several garments.

This little outfit is made from the free infinity scarf, the free tank top and the free chiffon skirt.

Nos 2, 12 and 15 in the Newsletter folder

If you would like to get instant access to the free Newsletter patterns folder then just click here to add your email to the list.

If you are not into mailing lists then I have been publishing the free patterns on Etsy for just $1.25AUD

There are several up there and I am adding more.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

Start with a summer dress for your 18" doll

You can start with a summer dress but no doll is going to look her best unless she has a perfectly curated series of outfits.

Mix and match just 5 pieces to create 5 different outfits. Add the cardigan and you get 5 more new looks.

Let's Start with the dress.

You are going to love how easy this design is to put together.

No buttons or closures to fiddle with. Just simple 1/4" elastic in the straps and the back.

No need to worry about the fit if your doll is a bit pudgy. The elastic in the back and the high waist skim right over the doll's tummy.

It will look great on your Our Generation 18' doll, also your 17" baby doll and if you have a 20" girl doll like my Australian Girl Doll you will be pleased to know it looks great on her too.

One pattern, 3 different dolls.

Don't get hung up with this being a summer dress. You can add the cardigan and voila, you have a perfect into Fall outfit.

What about that t-shirt under a strappy dress look? I wish I could get away with that. It looks great on the dolls though.

(Little doll owners may need a bit of help getting the elastic back up over the t-shirt)

You can get this pattern from my Etsy Shop

Happy Doll Dressmaking

Val

The 4 best ways to add some glamour to your doll clothes collection without breaking the bank

It is always nice to add some new pieces to your doll's wardrobe.

In the lead up to Summer these pieces will make perfect transitional garments and I am discounting them from now to the end of May 2021.

It is always easier to put cardigans and jackets over sleeveless tops so I have discounted the beautiful 1877 Pieced A-Line dress and the fashion top 1857 Curved Shirt.

Can't go past a sweet A-line dress

1877 Pieced A-Line

The only tricky part with this pattern is joining the big pattern pieces together before you cut them out. 

Everything sews together easily to give you 3 gorgeous variations.

Add a touch of class with this fashion top

1857 Curved shirt

If you want something a bit different to work on, this cute top with the curved hem front pieces won't disappoint.

There are lots of ways to show off the design and you can make it with or without the collar.

Edge to edge with buttons at the back or simple overlap with velcro.

Add a new jacket and new trousers to your collection and you will be able to create lots of new outfits using the dresses and tops that you already have.

Everything goes with this casual jacket

College Jacket

You are going to love how easy this jacket comes together. The tracksuit knit is nice and firm so it is not difficult to sew.

The easy going jacket is perfect for boys and girls on those cool Spring or Fall days.

Add some crazy colour to your doll's wardrobe

Fashion file 5 Pieced Pants

These complex looking pieced pants were my first foray into making something not usually made for dolls.

They are quick to make with easy to sew elastic casing at the waist and ankles. No knits used here. It is all pretty woven fabrics.

You will find them in my Etsy Shop

1877 Pieced A-Line

1857 Curved shirt

College Jacket

Fashion file 5 Pieced Pants

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