How to pick your knits for doll clothes

Why does my doll's tank top look so terrible!!

Your pattern is OK but you are probably using the wrong type of knit.

But don't rule out that your pattern is at fault.

I am giving you a perfect tank top pattern if you are subscribed to my newsletter. You can get on the mailing list HERE and get access to lots of free patterns mainly for 18" dolls.

The 18" doll Tank Top for knits

• Easy to sew and looks great
• Nice fit and doesn't need ribbing bands
• Fast to make using second hand t-shirts

Choose the right type of knit and your finished tank top will look great and fit great.

Below is one tank top made from a single knit fabric and one made from a tank top of mine that was made from the fine ribbing fabric. The knits don't look all that different until you try to sew them.

Logan is so happy that he got to wear the good tank top. Jenny is not so happy but she knows she will probably get Logan's tank top as soon as the photo shoot is over.

This tank top is quick and easy to sew, using strips of the t-shirt knit as bands that sew on, fold over and stitch in place with no special edge finishing. Both the single knit and the double knit are good to sew with no overlocking or serging.

By signing up for my monthly newsletter you will get access to the tank top pattern for free. You will also get updates about my blog so you won't miss any sewing tips or new patterns.

Yes, I want in!

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

New T-shirt Doll Clothes pattern for the 18" Boy Doll

Since discontinuing 1801 knit pattern to do a revamp of how it was presented, I have been doing bit on and off. I sat down finally and finished the t-shirt pattern for the boy.

It has a slightly wider neck than the girl t-shirt so it looks a bit more manly.
It has a slightly wider neck band so it looks bigger in general.
I made the armscye straighter as well as a bit lower in the underarm. This gives a more relaxed masculine look.
I made the side seams straight and the sleeves longer.

All these small changes go together to make the boy look like a boy rather than just a boy with a girl's shirt on.

Strangely the boy shirt looks great on the girl. It gives her a more little girl look because it doesn't have all the female fashion features.

I had to make lots of samples to get the look just right.

Get the pattern in my Etsy shop or my Australian shop (GST free for Australian and NZ Customers for 2019).

I intend to offer at least 2 more designs using the same front and back pieces. They will have long sleeves, a faux turtleneck, a v-neck, shorter bodice and longer bottom band to create a sweater vest, also bands and a lower neck line for a tank top.

I wanted to make this 1874 classic knits collection for the boys as affordable and comprehensive as possible and I will do the same with the revamped 1801 for the girls.
Once the basics are published I will have great fun making up lots of ways to create new designs from the classic shapes.
Some of these will be free and some will become retail fashion files.

If you have the old 1801 you will need to print out the back and front and cut out on the slim fit lines. Use the ribbing band pattern pieces and the short sleeve and you will have what you need to make the 1801 Module 1 Girl T-shirt

Here is a comparison between the girl and boy T-shirts.

You can find the 1801 Girl T-shirt with these links too.

Get 1874 Boy T-shirt on Etsy now

Get 1874 Boy T-shirt on Dolldressmaking.com now

If you love my patterns please pin the image at the top of the blog post.

If you love my patterns why not sign up for my newsletter. See the link at the top on the side bar.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val