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How to Make a Lined Bodice for Sleeveless Doll Dresses

Dressmaking for dolls is a craft that's centuries-old. The lined bodice for a sleeveless doll dress uses both machine and hand stitching. Use a 12-inch stitch on the machine. Use small needlepoint scissors when clipping curves and tiny hand stitches when finishing the seams.

Instructions

- 1
  Use the same fabric for the bodice and lining, or use a lighter fabric to line a heavier material. Cut two sets of the pattern pieces for the bodice. Baste around the edges of fabric that tends to fray.
- 2
  Pin the shoulder seams of the bodice with the right sides together. Stitch the shoulders. Repeat for the pieces of the bodice lining. Press the seams open on both pieces and trim them.
- 3
  Position the bodice and bodice lining right sides together. Align the edges and pin. Stitch along the back center, around the neckline and down the opposite side of the back center using the pattern's seam allowance.
- 4
  Clip the curves and carefully trim the seams. Turn the bodice right side out, align the bottom edges and armholes and press.
- 5
  Turn under the edges along the armholes, taking care to match the seams evenly. Blind stitch by hand along the armholes.
- 6
  Pin the side seams together and blind stitch. Topstitch around the armholes as desired.
- 7
  Attach the skirt to the bodice. Take care to distribute the gathers evenly around the front and to either side of the back of the bodice. Press the seam down towards the skirt.

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