How to Make 15 to 18 Inch Cloth Doll Dresses
Here are sewing instructions to make a dress for 15 to 18 inch cloth dolls such as Raggedy Ann and Madeline. To see the pattern for this dress, as well as a photo of the finished dress on my 15 inch Annie doll look here.
This pattern is my own design and is for your personal use. It may not be reproduced commercially.All pattern pieces include a 1/4 inch seam allowance and are shown on a 1/2 inch grid. To copy the pattern by hand you can create a 1/2 inch grid by measuring every half inch and making a pencil dot all the way down and across, on both sides of a piece of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Then use your ruler or straight edge to connect the dots with your pencil. Then draw the pattern lines into each square of your grid, exactly as they are shown in my design.
To begin, pin and stitch the dress yoke front to the back pieces at the shoulder seams with right sides together. To make the collar and attach it to the dress follow the directions in this article: Putting Stand Up Collars on Doll Dresses.
After the collar is in place, hem both sleeves and attach the elastic 1/2 inch up from the hem. Using a long basting stitch, gather the curved, shoulder edge of both sleeves and ease to fit them to the shoulders of the dress, matching the center fold line of the sleeves with the shoulder seams. Stitch in place with right sides together and clip curves. Sew the side seams from the waist to the wrist.
Baste the waist of the skirt and gather it. Pin the skirt to the bodice at the waist, right sides facing, easing the skirt to fit the bodice around the waist. Stitch the skirt to the bodice.
Pin the center back seam with he waist seams matching. Start stitching the center back seam 1 inch above the waist and stitch down to the bottom.
At the top end of the center back seam turn under the seam allowance on both sides 1/4 inch, twice, and tack it down. Attach the snap at neck edge.
Baste the waist of the skirt and gather it. Pin the skirt to the bodice at the waist, right sides facing, easing the skirt to fit the bodice around the waist. Stitch the skirt to the bodice.
Pin the center back seam with he waist seams matching. Start stitching the center back seam 2 inches above the waist and stitch down to the bottom.
At the top end of the center back seam turn under the seam allowance on both sides 1/4 inch, twice, and tack it down. Attach the hook and eye at neck edge.
Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls
Ebook with patterns and instructions to make 5 cloth dolls as well as chapters on general doll making techniques.The book includes 21 inch Lalena Doll, 21 inch David Doll, Bear Dolls, 9 inch Destiny Doll and 15 inch Annie Doll, all together in one handy book. 53 pages.Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls.
This pattern is my own design and is for your personal use. It may not be reproduced commercially.All pattern pieces include a 1/4 inch seam allowance and are shown on a 1/2 inch grid. To copy the pattern by hand you can create a 1/2 inch grid by measuring every half inch and making a pencil dot all the way down and across, on both sides of a piece of 8 1/2 by 11 inch paper. Then use your ruler or straight edge to connect the dots with your pencil. Then draw the pattern lines into each square of your grid, exactly as they are shown in my design.
To begin, pin and stitch the dress yoke front to the back pieces at the shoulder seams with right sides together. To make the collar and attach it to the dress follow the directions in this article: Putting Stand Up Collars on Doll Dresses.
After the collar is in place, hem both sleeves and attach the elastic 1/2 inch up from the hem. Using a long basting stitch, gather the curved, shoulder edge of both sleeves and ease to fit them to the shoulders of the dress, matching the center fold line of the sleeves with the shoulder seams. Stitch in place with right sides together and clip curves. Sew the side seams from the waist to the wrist.
Baste the waist of the skirt and gather it. Pin the skirt to the bodice at the waist, right sides facing, easing the skirt to fit the bodice around the waist. Stitch the skirt to the bodice.
Pin the center back seam with he waist seams matching. Start stitching the center back seam 1 inch above the waist and stitch down to the bottom.
At the top end of the center back seam turn under the seam allowance on both sides 1/4 inch, twice, and tack it down. Attach the snap at neck edge.
Baste the waist of the skirt and gather it. Pin the skirt to the bodice at the waist, right sides facing, easing the skirt to fit the bodice around the waist. Stitch the skirt to the bodice.
Pin the center back seam with he waist seams matching. Start stitching the center back seam 2 inches above the waist and stitch down to the bottom.
At the top end of the center back seam turn under the seam allowance on both sides 1/4 inch, twice, and tack it down. Attach the hook and eye at neck edge.
Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls
Ebook with patterns and instructions to make 5 cloth dolls as well as chapters on general doll making techniques.The book includes 21 inch Lalena Doll, 21 inch David Doll, Bear Dolls, 9 inch Destiny Doll and 15 inch Annie Doll, all together in one handy book. 53 pages.Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls.
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This content was written by Helen B. Wharton. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Helen B. Wharton for details.
