Hobbies And Interests
Things You'll Need
Instructions
Apron
Use four rectangles to construct an apron. These four pieces will serve as the apron bottom, apron top (with ties) and two straps.
Cut the rectangle for the apron bottom so that the width is 2-2½ times the circumference measurement of the doll and the length is the distance between the doll's underarms and knees.
Cut the apron top so that it is as long as the circumference of the doll plus 10 inches. Cut the straps so that they are as long as the distance from the doll's back underarm to front underarm (over the shoulder) plus 1 inch. Make the width of the strips in proportion to the size of the doll.
Turn under the following edges: one long edge of the apron bottom and both short ends; one long edge of the apron top and both short ends; and the long edges of the straps.
Gather the raw edge of the apron bottom along the raw edge of the apron top until the length of the apron bottom's edge is the same as the doll's circumference. Make sure that the gathered edge is centered along the apron top and pin it into place.
Sew the apron top to the apron bottom as close to the raw edges as is possible.
Tie the apron into place on the doll. Use pins to mark the front and back placement of each strap.
Remove the apron and sew the straps into place.
Dresses and Shirts
Lay the doll down flat and measure the width of the doll's body at its widest point; the distance from wrist to wrist (measured with doll's arms outstretched so that the arms form a straight line); and the desired sleeve width.
Add 2¼ inches to the body width measurement; add ¼ inch to the wrist-to-wrist measurement and add 1/8 inch to the sleeve width measurement. Write down the measurement totals.
Use a ruler and pencil to draw a T-shape onto a piece of heavy paper or light- to medium-weight cardboard. Make the top of the T as wide as the wrist-to-wrist measurement; make the 'arms' of the T as thick as the desired sleeve width; and make the lower body of the T as wide as the doll's body width measurement.
Make the body of the T as long as necessary to achieve the desired shirt or dress length and cut out the paper pattern along the drawn lines.
Fold a large piece of scrap fabric, right sides together. Place the top of the T-shape along the fold, pin the paper to the fabric and cut through both fabric layers, around the paper shape. Make sure that both fabric layers are large enough to accommodate the T-shape.
Remove the paper pattern.
Find and mark the center point along the fold. Use a fabric marking pen or fabric chalk to make a half circle at this point for a neck opening. Cut through both layers of fabric along the traced line. Make sure that the doll's head will fit through the opening.
Turn under the raw edges at the neck, sleeve ends and bottom.
Position the fabric layers so that the right sides are together and all raw fabric edges line up evenly. Pin, if necessary.
Stitch along the sides of the shirt or dress and along the raw edges of the sleeves. Stitch approximately 1/8 inch from the edges.
Turn the shirt or dress right side out and add trim, lace or any other embellishments you choose.
Overalls and Bloomers
Determine the desired length of the overalls or bloomers. Bloomers usually begin at the waist and fall just below the knee while overalls start at chest level and stop either just below the knee or at the ankle. Add ¼ inch to this measurement.
Measure the doll's body at its widest point and add 2-3 inches to this measurement.
Cut two rectangles from scrap fabric that each equal the dimensions in Steps 20 and 21.
Turn under the short edges of each rectangle.
Position the rectangles so that the right sides are together and all raw edges line up evenly. Pin the fabric layers together, if necessary.
Sew up each long side of the rectangle. Stitch no more than 1/8 inch from the fabric edges.
Lay the sewn rectangle onto a flat work surface.
Measure the distance from where the doll's legs meet to where the overalls or bloomers will end. Make a cut lengthwise up the center of the rectangle that is ¼ inch less in length than this measurement.
Stitch along the raw edges created in Step 27. Make sure that all raw edges line up evenly and that your stitching stays as close as possible to the fabric edges.
Turn the pants right side out. Add straps at the top of overalls (see the Apron section for instructions) and add elastic to the bloomer waist and pants bottoms.