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

Vintage doll clothes petticoat. A 40s design.

The latest in  the Underwear Collection is a cute 40s design. It has curved panels in the front and back and a nice neat flare at the hem.

The instructions are for lace at the neck and armholes but 1/2" bias makes a good facing too.

The hem can be cut at this length or cut up to 1/2" longer. It can be made longer with lace at the hem too if you like. It is perfect for the 20" Australian Girl Doll.

It is also really sweet on the 17" Baby Born doll

It opens all the way down the back and I use velcro patches for ease of dressing.

Batiste is a perfect fabric that is easy to sew and has a nice crisp look about it.

Best of all this petticoat is part of my newsletter offer for October 2018 and will be free to download with the newsletter for a few weeks in October only. Iy then goes into my shop.

Make sure you are signed up for the newsletter. You can click on the link below. There are always great offers.

Join my mailing list today

If you like doll dressmaking you should also join in the discussions on design in my Facebook group.
Click the link to join.

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Free Petticoat Patterns through my Newsletter Valspierssews News

Petticoats are just so sweet. They have a distinctly dolly feel these days because hardly anyone wears petticoats anymore.

The first one in my free collection is a simple vintage looking design.
It is very quick to make.

You can add lots of trims or just a bit. I bought a packet of ready tied bows that are perfect to add to underwear.

I have placed the skirt pieces at the top a the page so you can easily adjust the hem edge before you cut out the pattern pieces. Make pattern pieces for several different dress lengths or customise the length for each dress you make.

Valspierssews dress patterns have just enough ease to fit over the petticoat and still do up.

I have included instructions for two views. One with the finished border edge and one with a lined bodice.

Make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter before 14th August Australian time so you don't miss out. There will be 5 different petticoat patterns. One each month for the rest of this year.

When the second newsletter comes out for that month I will take down the free file and put it in my shop.

You can sign up for my newsletter HERE

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

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

How to Sew Doll Clothes: Fully lined bolero jacket in fur

I have been practicing with lining a lot lately. If you want to get better at lining then you just have to  give it a go. This little jacket is part of a design I am working on that has a jacket with a collar and long sleeves. It will also have a curved front bolero.
If you follow what I make you will probably recognise this pink jacket from a while back.

I just wanted to experiment with fur before publishing it.

I have added photos to show what I did. If you haven't done lining before you will need to get used to turning things odd ways and making funny shapes.

I put 2 back pieces together to make one piece so I could
cut the fur in one layer rather than trying to fold it.

Make sure you cut it so the fur lays in the right direction.
This one smooths downwards.

Stitch the shoulder seams and trim the fuzz a bit.

Fold one centre back seam allowance of the lining to the
inside and press.

Place the folded seam on top of the other seam and stitch
at the top and bottom to hold it in place.

Line up the main and lining at the neck and the sleeve hem edges.
Stitch it. rim the corners a bit and clip the curve of the neck.

Turn it right sides out.

Bring the side seams together at the lining...

... and the main. Stitch both side seams. It is a bit tricky
to get past the underarm with all that fur. Just make sure you go
far enough in then with the needle down, lift the foot and turn
to angle down the rest of the seam.

Both side seams done. Now I am going to finish the hem edge.

Bring the hem edges together by pulling them away from each
other and rolling them around the rest of the jacket. Push the sleeve
parts out of the way as best you can so you have room to stitch
without catching the inside bits.

Pin it along the hem edges. Stitch it all the way across.
If you are not using fur you can cut the back lining on the fold and leave a gap in the hem edge
for turning that you can finish as you top stitch around the jacket. This method doesn't work for fur because you can't just turn in the seam allowance with all the fur pile in the way. 

Use the gap in the centre back of the lining to pull it rights sides out.
First one side then the other.

Hand stitch the centre back seam of the lining.

It looks great just edge to edge.

I had a beautiful coat clasp that I thinks looks great.

You can get the Bolero Collection in my Etsy shop. It has 4 styles that include different shaped boleros and a jacket with sleeves.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,
Val

Valspierssews News - subscribe to get the latest news on my doll clothes designs

Calling all people interested in making doll clothes!

I have decided to start a Newsletter Subscription for all my keen followers.

No wondering how to follow my blog or how to get my latest designs or free patterns. Just subscribe in the form at the top of the side bar.

I have been working on some cute undies made in woven fabric. The file will be sent out with my first mail out in September.

Happy Sewing,
Val