Home >> Toys >> Dolls

How to Find Free and Cheap Resources for American Girl and 18 Doll Patterns

Part of the fun of a new doll is being able to dress it up. Having a selection of outfits to dress the doll is part of the fun. Parents are trying to balance a child's desires with real financial budgetary concerns and seeking alternate strategies for providing that fun. Some parents do buy a limited number of the outfits from the manufacturer. Others seek resale markets or other manufactured items that fit the same size dolls. However, there is a market for family and friends of doll owners who wish to enhance the doll's wardrobe without breaking the budget. Those who can sew, knit, or crochet do find themselves in a position to help. Still finding affordable patterns can be a challenge.

Instructions

- 1
  Do check out library and local craft resources prior to purchasing books when possible. Often you can find used resources at yard sales, library books sales, and used book stores.
- 2
  Check with family, friends, and local crafts groups in your area about sharing resources. Often people are willing to work together to create craft libraries of patterns and craft resources that people can borrow. Start folders for sewing patterns and consider a recipe or other file system for knitting and crochet patterns that you collect.
- 3
  Do check your local craft store for sales. Joanne Fabrics has been offering a 40% off coupon for months now in our weekly flyer. This is a great time to get patterns and materials that you may want but have put off buying. Time your purchases with available discounts to reduce your overall costs.
- 4
  Check out the resale market. Crafting is a big business and patterns and craft books do sell on the Internet frequently. Many Internet companies offer new and used patterns for American Girl dolls and 18" dolls.
- 5
  Look for free resources. I have listed a resource link below that offers free American Girl and 18" doll pattern links. If you Google you can find many more that offer patterns for free and at various levels of cost to the consumer. Free patterns tend to offer the fewest pattern selections but are a good place to start learning. The ones you pay for, as expected, offer more options for style and selection of outfits.
- 6
  This is a great time for you and your child to learn some new skills. Talk with people who would be willing to work with you and your child to teach you. I know my Mom has been teaching the local children knitting. I'm sure there are others out there that would be willing to help. Just make sure you provide the materials and the patterns so the cost does not become a challenge for those who are helping you.
- 7
  Storage is important as you start these crafts. You will want to find places to put scraps and materials that may be good for a project later. Doll's clothes do make remarkable recycling projects. In order to keep the clothes in good shape once you have made them you will want to consider some kind of storage box. It need not be fancy, just something to keep the clothes safe when not in use.

Dolls