In an earlier blog I explained how easy it is to adjust the size of your doll clothes sewing patterns using a photocopier and it is great to hear that many of you are using this technique to adjust my doll clothes patterns to fit other dolls.

First, Lauri explains how she has adjusted my 18 inch doll clothes patterns to fit her Sasha and Sasha Baby dolls.

‘Hi Rosie,

I thought you might like to see how the dresses turned out for our Sasha dolls. I started with a straight resize of the pattern to about 83% and sewed the first dress. It turned out adorable (and could be perfect just that way – my elder daughter has it on one of her dolls at the moment), but I realized then how easy it could be to lay the pattern down and trace around it just slightly bringing in the armholes, shortening the length, etc. I never “saw” that way before.

I used a longish piece of the extra-soft type of Velcro for the fastening in the back, making it adjustable for different sizes of Sasha dolls. (Sashas are notoriously differing in sizes, depending upon when the doll was manufactured.)

I also had good luck with tweaking the same dress for the Sasha Baby Doll. I don’t recall what % I used, I imagine it was around 75% or so. As with the other, I did a bit of tweaking of the armholes and length. Also, I resized the Summer Shorts from your “How To Make Doll Clothes Video Course” to fit Baby Sasha as kind of a wide-leg trouser. (I shrunk the overall size and lengthened the leg.)  I think it looks adorable under the shortened sundress. (If you notice a pin in the back, it’s because I ran out of Velcro and haven’t gone to the store for more yet.) 

Your way of sewing for dolls makes it so easy to understand – it is definitely the step-by-step videos that make the difference. I am so so so happy I bought your online course and patterns, and will continue to buy more. 

All the Best, Lauri ‘

Next, Debbi shows how by using this technique she was able to take my frill hat pattern for 18 inch dolls and make hats of three different sizes.

‘These are just basic hats but I took your tip and reduced them on the photocopier. I included some of the dolls wearing them so you can see they are a good fit.

Regards

Debbi’

Thanks to both Lauri and Debbi for sharing their experiences and photos with us.  I’m sure you have now inspired others to experiment with their own doll clothes patterns.

If you missed my earlier blog, ‘A great tip for resizing doll clothes sewing patterns’ then you will find it listed on my Resources Page .  It certainly is a super tip worth remembering and don’t forget to let me know how you go with your own pattern adjusting.

Happy Sewing

By Rosie Saw

Recently I received this email from Lauri and thought it may be a question that many people would like answered so I decided to share my response with you all.

‘Hi Rosie, I bought some fabric and “fat quarters” and I wonder if you can tell me how I should prepare the fabric for sewing? Should I machine wash and dry it first?  Handwash and line dry? I thought I’d get started on readying the fabric while I wait for the DVDs to arrive.’

Thankyou

Lauri

I never wash my fabric before sewing with it unless it’s marked and I cannot cut around the mark or I am making clothes for a fabric doll and I’m worried about the fabric color running (in this case I use salted water).  If you must wash it just do it by hand as the fabric should not be a large amount and then line dry.  If you have a large amount, then zigzag the raw edges to prevent fraying and pop it in the washing machine but on a gentle cycle.  If you have a serger you can always run a three thread serge around the raw edges before washing in the machine.

The only other reason for washing it first is if the grain does not look straight i.e. the threads that make up the fabric look like they are going on an angle rather than vertical and horizontal but this is usually only with very cheap fabric.  In this case wash it by hand and pull to shape while still wet.

The most important thing to do in preparation is to make sure that there are no major creases in it because when you are cutting your pattern you need the fabric to be flat otherwise the pattern piece may be a little distorted.  If the fabric is very crushed, I spray it with water and then iron as I find this works better than just using the steam function on my iron.

Remember, you are sewing doll clothes and the pieces are only small so if the grain is off a little, it won’t have a great effect on the finished product.  We also don’t tend to wash doll clothes very often so you really don’t have to worry about shrinkage and they always look much crisper when the fabric has not been washed.

The traditionalist will always say to wash the fabric first but my Mom has sewn all her life and I don’t think I have ever seen her wash her fabric before sewing and her clothes have always looked great and lasted years (and this is for normal human clothes).   So I have never really seen the need to wash the fabric first, just make sure it has no creases.

Happy Sewing

By Rosie Saw