Did you know the observance of National Sewing Month in American began in 1982 with a proclamation from President Ronald Reagan declaring September as National Sewing Month “In recognition of the importance of home sewing to our Nation.”?

Well, I say it needs to be celebrated here in Australia too! ‘Sew’ I’m offering 20% Off the retail price of everything in store for the whole month of ‘Sewtember’!

That means it’s time to decide what Halloween costume you’ll make for your doll. Along with my Pumpkin, Witch, Angel and Fairy costumes, you can also use the Ballerina costume, Wedding Dress or the Pinafore Dress and Blouse together to create a Dorothy costume. These are all available in both the 18 inch American Girl size and the 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch size.

It’s also time to think about what you’ll be making to fill those Christmas stockings and we all know how much little girls love new doll clothes for their best friends. With so many patterns to choose from, you may even need a second stocking!

Perhaps you’d like to give my How to Make Doll Clothes Video course to someone special in your life as a gift this Christmas. Or if you’ve been wanting to do the course, why not gift it to yourself! September is a time to celebrate our passion for sewing doll clothes and here at Rosie’s Doll Clothes Patterns, we’re celebrating ‘Sewtember’ with 20% off storewide.

Use Coupon Code: SEP20 during checkout.

Offer Expires September 30, 2017.

Happy sewing

Wow, lots of amazing doll clothes creations to share with you today. I’m starting off today by sharing some of the outfits that Ann has created using the tips from my recent blogs on resizing my 18 inch and American Girl doll clothes to fit the smaller 13-14 inch Disney Toddler and Wellie Wishers dolls. Ann was my original inspiration for doing this and you can see why when looking at the jacket she has created by reducing my Winter Pyjama top pattern.

‘My second nightie with your reduced pattern. I love this cute pattern even more on the tiny girls. Rosie this cute pattern is adorable made into shorty pajamas too. Here are mine. I’ve adapted it to both the Wellie girls and the Heart for Heart girls.

Here is just another way I’ve used your wonderful pajama top pattern. I’ve reduced it for the Wellie girls, but the same results can be accomplished with the original one for the 18″ girls. It just needs to be increased a bit. This jacket was made by reducing the original top to 70%. I used a soft fleece.’’

Sticking with the smaller doll clothes, we have Maria who has reduced my patterns 50% to fit the Kidz ‘n’ Cats mini dolls. They are just adorable.

‘Hi Rosie! This is your dress pattern reduced to 50% for the Kidz ‘n’ Cats mini dolls, 8.25″/21 cm. I’ve reduced several of your patterns; the summer dress, the crop top and shorts, and the shorts have also become capri pants, bloomers and long pants!’

Next we have Lynne, who has used my Wedding Dress pattern to make this gorgeous ensemble for her granddaughter, who had very specific requests (she obviously has an eye for fashion).

‘She wanted the veil to be made of the same lace as I used on the skirt of the dress, and she also decided to add the little floral appliqués on the bodice. She also wanted the dress without the petticoat. Let me just say that your instructional videos are fabulous!! They are clear and articulate and I really don’t think I could have made the dress as easily without them. Thank you! I’ll look forward to making more of your patterns. Best, Lynne’

Thanks so much for sending me the photo Lynne. I look forward to receiving lots more photos of doll clothes that you and your granddaughter create.

Susan has done my How to Make Doll Clothes online course and has gained the confidence to combine my Crop Top pattern with a skirt to make a cool summer dress. She also has winter covered with this groovy Funky Fur outfit.

‘I love that I can watch the video step by step. I am a visual learner and this makes it very helpful. Thanks.’

Clare has been having fun trying out some of the variations to my Summer Dress pattern with amazing results – I have to say, the colour blocking is my favorite too! She has also made my Blouse pattern which look so sweet.

‘Sorry for the delay in replying to say thank you but I’ve only just got around to trying out your suggestions. I’ve found putting a wedge of fabric under the back of the presser foot is a brilliant idea and is working very well thank you 🙂

I have also been trying out some different looks with the summer dress pattern. I have had a go with the block colour as you have explained on the video and I’m loving the result. I have enclosed a couple of photo’s to show you what I have been doing.

I would like to thank you once again….I love all your patterns !

kind regards Clare’

Oh, ‘sew’ much inspiration coming from all your wonderful photos! It’s truly awesome to see the results of your creative choice of fabric, prints and trims and to see that many of you are enjoying reducing my doll clothes patterns to fit all sizes of dolls. Keep your photos coming in as we all love to see your gorgeous doll clothes!

Happy sewing

Get 25% off the retail price of my How to Make Doll Clothes Video Course and because it’s the biggest discount I’ve ever given, it can be for one week only!

Since releasing my last couple of blogs on resizing my 18 inch doll clothes patterns to fit the smaller 13-14 inch Disney Toddler and Wellie Wishers dolls, I’ve had a number of enquiries from people concerned about how difficult it must be to sew these tiny doll clothes especially since they have struggled with sewing doll clothes for their 18 inch dolls.

Yes, it certainly can be tricky if you try to sew doll clothes the same way that you sew full sized clothing but if you alter the order and way in which you do things, sewing these small doll clothes can become your new favorite hobby. So I’ve been encouraging those who are a little nervous about sewing doll clothes to try my How to Make Doll Clothes video course as I show lots of alternative techniques, cool ways to use tools that perhaps you have never thought of, and I share lots of tips and tricks that make sewing doll clothes quick, super easy and lots of fun.

Because I’ve had so much interest lately, I felt now would be a great time to offer an awesome 25% off the retail price of my How to Make Doll Clothes video course, but it can only be for a short time. ‘Sew’ if you’ve been thinking about doing my course or gifting it to your daughter or granddaughter so she can have fun learning how to sew and create her very own doll clothes, then now’s the time as my course has never been this price before!

Simply enter coupon code Course25 during checkout to receive a massive 25% off the price of my online course, my DVD set or The Best of Both Worlds AND you still get the 8 free doll clothes patterns too!  Over 130 course videos and 8 doll clothes patterns with video instructions starting at only US$27.75.

Once you have the course, you can do it whenever you like, at your own pace and watch it as many times as you like.

If you’re ready to try my course, click here.

Offer valid 10-17 August, 2017 inclusive so hurry and sign up for the course today.

Happy sewing

I’ve received such an awesome response to my first blog where I showed how easy it was to create 13 Inch Disney Toddler patterns and 14 ½ Inch Wellie Wishers patterns by resizing the bonus doll clothes patterns that come with my How to Sew Doll Clothes course that I’ve been encouraged to continue with Part 2.  I have also been advised that reducing my patterns to 65% and doing the same adjustments mentioned, the clothes fit the 13 1/2 inch Dianna Effner Little Darling dolls too which is great news.

In this blog I will show how to alter some more of my 18 Inch and American Girl doll clothes patterns.

All patterns in this blog were printed to 65% of my 18 Inch and American Girl doll clothes patterns.  The following table shows you what additional adjustments were made.

DISNEY TODDLER DOLL

WELLIE WISHERS DOLL

Winter Nightie

Print at 65%

Use 2 3/8” of 1/8” Elastic for each wrist. (6cm of 3mm Elastic)

Winter Nightie

Print at 65%

Use 2 3/8” of 1/8” Elastic for each wrist. (6cm of 3mm Elastic)

If you want it full length, add ½” (12mm) to width of frill and add 1” (2.5cm) to length of dress.

Winter Pyjamas

Print at 65%

TOP 

Add 1/8” (3mm) to width of collar. Cut the sleeve at the American Girl length.

PANTS 

Add ½” (6mm) along the top of the pattern and ¼” (3mm) to the hem.

Use 6” (15cm) of ¼” (6mm) Elastic for waist.

Winter Pyjamas

Print at 65%

This photo shows the Disney Toddler Pyjamas on the Wellie Wishers doll so additional length is added in the comments below.

TOP 

Add 1/8” (3mm) to width of collar. Add to ½” (12mm) to hem of shirt. Cut the sleeve at the Australian Girl length.

PANTS 

Add ½” (6mm) along the top of the pattern and 1¼” (3cm) to the hem.

Use 6” (15cm) of ¼” (6mm) Elastic for waist.

Dressing Gown

Print at 65%

Add 1/8” (3mm) to width of all trim and belt/tie pieces.

Dressing Gown

Print at 65%

Add 1/8” (3mm) to width of all trim and belt/tie pieces.

Add 1” (2.5cm) to hem length if prefer.

T-Shirt

Print at 65%

For Long sleeve cut at Australian Girl length.

T-Shirt

Print at 65%

This photo shows the Disney Toddler Long sleeve shirt on the Wellie Wishers doll so additional length is added in the comments below.

For Long sleeve add ½” (12mm) to Australian Girl length.

Add ¾” (2cm) to hem of shirt.

Enjoy adjusting your patterns and let me know how you go or better still, send me your photos.

I continue adjusting more of my patterns in Part 3.  Or you can go back to Part 1 and see the additional instructions I added.

If you need help resizing your patterns with your printer, you may be interested in my blog, How to Resize PDF Doll Clothes Pattern Using Your Printer.

If you have other sized dolls and would like to know how to determine how much to reduce or increase your pattern, you may be interested in my blog, A Great Tip for Resizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns.

Happy reducing & sewing

Well it’s winter here in Australia now and I’m really missing the beautiful summer days. So I thought it would be a great idea to celebrate summer in the northern hemisphere with some Summer Lovin’ and take 20% off all my Beach Doll Clothes Patterns for 18 Inch American Girl and Cabbage Patch Dolls!

‘Sew’ whether your doll likes to wear a Bikini or a One Piece Swim Suit to the beach, we’ve got you covered. The cute Bikini comes with two top options and clever pants that can be worn two different ways. While the One Piece Swim Suit also doubles as a leotard.

There’s 20% off the Sarong and Beach Bag patterns too! The Sarong pattern can be made short for a casual look or long for a more elegant affair, while the Beach Bag pattern is super cute. All Beach Patterns are available in both 18 Inch American Girl Doll or 18 ½ Inch Cabbage Patch Kids size.

To celebrate Summer with me and get 20% off all Beach Doll Clothes Patterns simply enter Coupon Code: Beach20 during checkout. Offer expires 31 July, 2017.

Happy sewing

Blimmy, it’s been a while since I’ve uploaded a Share and Tell blog but I really wanted to get my blogs on resizing patterns out so you can all start experimenting, especially as these smaller dolls are so popular at the moment.

 So let’s get started, or should I say ‘sharing’.

‘Good Day Rosie, I have done the online course. I want to thank you for this program it’s been a life saver for me. I’m 66 years old and have little knowledge of sewing….. I am sending you 3 pictures of outfits I have done so far. I am getting better, but have a long way to go. Still the girls love them and don’t even mention the flaws. Thanks for your site and instruction.

Michael’

 I think you’ve done a wonderful job Michael and you should be sooo proud of your creations, I’m not surprised that your girls love them!

It’s awesome to receive emails from people who are enjoying my course and getting immersed into their new found love of sewing doll clothes.  Sandy is enjoying making my summer dress at the moment and I have to say that my summer dress pattern is my most popular because it has so much potential for alterations!

‘Hello Rosie, I am truly enjoying your course how to sew doll clothes. I have learned so much, I love all the tricks and tips, I love all the patterns and hope to own them all. I love the videos that come with the patterns as it takes away so much stress from not understanding directions that have come with other patterns. Thank you for such great lessons.

I am enjoying making the summer dress, and have more to make.  I will also try all the how to alter doll clothes I found on your You Tube channel. I am enjoying this pattern so much. And I even have a few ideas of my own I will try. So look for more pictures. Thank you, you made sewing doll clothes so much fun.

Happy Sewing

SandyB’

You can find links to my video series on Altering my Summer Dress pattern that Sandy mentions above, and many other helpful blog on my Free Resources Page.

Nancy has made some gorgeous wedding dresses using my Wedding Dress pattern and has altered one to have a train.  What more can I say, they are ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL!

‘Enclosed are pictures of the two wedding dresses I made using your pattern. Instructions and videos were great!  As you can see on the second dress I lengthened the back to a train and I love it!  The one with the train is everyone’s favorite!  Thanks for a great pattern!

Nancy in Alabama USA’

Ahhhh, I get goosebumps when I hear how much pleasure grandmothers are getting out of making doll clothes for their granddaughters, and how much fun the granddaughters are having playing with these clothes.  The memories that are being created are priceless and I am so blessed to be helping make this happen.  The following two emails definitely made my heart sing.

‘Hi Rosie, First of all, I would like to thank you for your wonderful videos and patterns. The course has been of immense help to me and I am enjoying it very much. I have also bought most of your patterns but I haven’t had much time to use them as yet but I have made a pair of PJ’s, the summer dress, the Capri’s and a top for which I used the summer dress pattern and shortened it, and I know I could not have made them without following the videos every step of the way. I have a very happy Granddaughter who is enjoying the clothes for her dolly and I am getting great pleasure out of making them. Thanks once again Clare’

‘Hi Rosie,

I would like to say I am very happy with your how to sew doll clothes video course. I haven’t watched all the video’s although I’ve gone through some others a few times. I have learned some new things in your little tricks of which I had a giggle to myself because I’ve been using some of those tools for many years but would not have thought of your idea’s (they are great).

I can’t show you a model of the clothes because I was making for my youngest granddaughter and the pics I took I had deleted in case she got to see them before I gave them to her (sometimes the kids want to play a few games on my phone where the pics were) but I’ll take with my other camera next time.

I’ve since ordered the dvd pack because my other granddaughter wants to make her own doll clothes, I am very excited about that because I’ve been sewing for some years and none of my daughters took on sewing.

I’ve not made doll clothes before (never had the time) but I’m enjoying this, probably because one doesn’t have to be so precise.  Now with children going back to school, and no little ones to mind this year while mum goes to work, I will have more time on my hands so am looking forward to making more doll clothes.  But my first project will be making the pin holder to put under the sewing machine, I think that’s a fantastic idea.

I am so happy I found your website.

Cheers

Annelie’

Annelie, that’s awesome news that your granddaughter is keen to learn how to sew her very own doll clothes, I’m sure you are going to create lots of wonderful memories with her.  I can imagine how excited you are feeling about this because although my daughter has sewn a few items, she really hasn’t taken to sewing (she’s more into mountain bike riding) and I hope that maybe one day when I have grandchildren, one of them would like to learn.  I look forward to receiving photos of your projects and hearing about your granddaughter’s sewing adventures.

Thank you to everyone who has sent me in photos of your doll clothes creations and I do hope you will forgive me for taking so long to share them.

Happy sewing

Have you been wanting to make a pretty dress for your 18 Inch or American Girl doll or 18 ½ Inch Cabbage Patch doll? Then now’s the perfect time to get that pattern with 20% off the retail price on all Dress Patterns for dolls. My Summer Dress pattern is one of my most popular dresses and perhaps that is because it’s super easy to make and when you purchase this pattern I also show you how to make minor adjustments to the pattern that allow you to make over a dozen more different outfits.

The 50’s Vintage Dress is also a really pretty pattern with a lovely circle skirt and the choice to make it with sweet puff sleeves and a cute Peter Pan collar or with a plain neckline and no sleeves for a cool, stylish look. Make it long or short, have lace overlay on the skirt or bodice, trim the sleeves and hem with lace or add buttons, ribbon or a belt.

The Pinafore Dress and Skirt pattern is also a great dress pattern providing a number of different patterns in one.  You can make the sweet Pinafore Dress with sleeves, and whether you make it with lace on the sleeves and hem or without, it’s just as adorable.  Then you can make the pattern without sleeves and it becomes a pinafore or apron just like Dorothy wore in ‘The Wizard of Oz’.  Then if you just want a skirt, you can do that too!

Whether it’s the popular Summer Dress, the 50’s Vintage Dress or the Pinafore, Dress and Skirt pattern, they are all less 20% when you enter the coupon code Dresses20 during checkout.  Offer expires July 4, 2017.

Happy sewing

Since American Girl came out with the new 14 ½” Wellie Wishers doll, I’ve had many people asking if I will be doing Wellie Wishers clothes patterns to fit them.  So I thought I had better get myself one so that I could do a little experimenting.  Ashlyn finally arrived and around about the same time, I started a Facebook group, Rosie’s Doll Clothes Sew and Share.  One of the first people to join this group was Ann Mellor who has done my How to Sew Doll Clothes video course and been a wonderful customer since my very first year.  Ann posted some gorgeous photos of Hearts 4 Hearts and Wellie Wishers dolls wearing clothes that she had made after resizing some of my patterns.  So immediately I asked Ann what percentage she resized the patterns to?

 Ann Replied, ‘Winter Pj’s – For the H4H girls 60% is just about perfect and 65% for the Wellie girls, but I made the collar a bit wider and added about 1 ½” to the length of the pants and ½” to the top at the waist. The bigger pattern will fit the H4H girls too, but a bit looser.

Summer Dress – For the H4H girls, I printed at 60%. For the Wellie girls there is a bit of a difference. They have a longer waist and are a bit broader in the chest. Some of my patterns I’ve printed at 65% for them and added 1/4 of an inch to the length at the waist. The rest fits pretty well.’

 ‘Sew’ this got me very excited!  Yes, the group has only been going for a few days and I’ve been inspired by one of my past pupils – how awesome is that!

I decided to go through my patterns and reduce them as Ann advised.  I don’t have a H4H doll, but I have my new Wellie Wishers doll and a Disney Toddler doll which is super popular here in Australia at the moment.  So I’m trying these new resized patterns on both of these dolls and I think the Disney Toddler doll may be similar to the H4H dolls.

In this blog I have concentrated on the bonus patterns that come with my How to Make Doll Clothes Video course and I will do more blogs in the future reducing more of my doll clothes patterns.  My hope in doing these blogs is that you will save money by not having to purchase new patterns for your new dolls and that you realize just how easy it is to adjust patterns and ultimately giving you the confidence to have some fun and experiment with your patterns.

All pattern reductions were based on my 18″ and American Girl patterns and the following table shows you what adjustments were made.

DISNEY TODDLER DOLL

WELLIE WISHERS DOLL

Crop Top

Print at 65%

Sports Shorts 

Print at 65%

Add ½” (12mm) to top of pattern.

Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) Elastic for waist.

Crop Top

Print at 65%

Add ½” (12mm) to hem of pattern or add lace/trim if preferred.

Sports Shorts 

Same as for Disney Toddler.

Halter Top

Print at 65%

Use string or ribbon instead of strap.

Overlap more at back.

Sarong 

Print at 65%

Halter Top

Same as for Disney Toddler.

Sarong

Print at 65%

Add 1” (2.5cm) to top of pattern for short sarong.

Add 1 ½” (4cm) to top of pattern for long sarong.

Summer Nightie

Print at 65%

Add 1 ½” (4cm) to hem of pattern or less if you prefer it to be shorter.

Use 7” of ¼” (17cm of 6mm) Elastic for around the top of the Nightie.

Use 3 ½” of 1/8” (9cm of 3mm) Elastic for each shoulder strap and use the casing method.

Place the centre of each strap 1 1/2″ (4cm) either side of the centre point at the front and 2″ (5cm) from the raw edge on both sides of the back.

Summer Nightie

Same as for Disney Toddler

Underpants

Print at 65%

Use 6” of 1/8” (15cm of 3mm) Elastic for the waist.

Use 1 ½” of 1/8” (3.5cm of 3mm) Elastic for each leg.

Underpants

Same as for Disney Toddler.

Tights from Pumpkin Costume

Print at 65%

Add ½” (12mm) to the length of the hem on the pattern.

Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) elastic for the waist.

Tights from Pumpkin Costume

Print at 65%

Add 1½” (4cm) to the length of the hem on the pattern. (in this photo I have the Disney Toddler pants on so you can see they need an additional inch.

Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) elastic for the waist.

Frill Hat

Print at 87% for Anna, however the Disney Toddler dolls have different size and shaped heads so this percentage may be different depending on your doll.

Reduce gathering stitch to 4.

Frill Hat

Print at 77% for Ashlyn, however you may need to adjust this percentage if your doll has a larger head.  Oh, and do be careful if you are using one directional print – you may notice that I cut the crown of my hat out upside down.

Reduce gathering stitch to 4.

If you need help resizing your patterns with your printer, you may be interested in my blog, How to Resize You PDF Doll Clothes Pattern Using Your Printer.

If you have other sized dolls and would like to know how to determine how much to reduce or increase your pattern, you may be interested in my blog, A Great Tip for Resizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns.

Please have fun with these adjustments and let me know how you go. You know I love to receive photos of your creations so please don’t be shy and send them in.

Part 2 available now.

Happy reducing & sewing

WAKE UP EVERYONE!  It’s time to grab a bargain!

I’ve had so many people tell me how much they love my bedtime patterns, especially my Winter Pyjama and my Winter Nightie Patterns that I thought I’d give everyone the chance to own them.  ‘Sew’, until the end of May, 2017 I’m selling all my bedtime patterns at 20% Off the Retail Price.

‘Now all these dolls have their first winter night clothes. I’m having too much fun here! I love how easy Rosie makes altering her patterns to fit other sized dolls.

Thank you, Rosie!’ – Teri VerHoeven

‘Rosie’s doll pajamas have always been my favorite.  Here is the pyjama top made into a blouse for summer.’ – Ann Mellor      

Crystal has found that the 18 inch and American Girl Winter Pyjama pattern also fits Bitty Baby.  All she had to do was shorten the length of the long pants by about 1 ½” (3cm).

To take advantage of this awesome offer and start sewing gorgeous bedtime clothes for your doll, simply enter Bedtime20 in the coupon box during checkout.  Offer expires 31 May, 2017.

Happy sewing

Instead of my usual Share and Tell blog, I thought I would do a special blog letting you all know about a new Facebook Group that I started at the request of one of my customers who was looking for a place to share photos of her creations and get inspiration.  This group is called Rosie’s Doll Clothes Sew and Share.   The intention of this group is to provide a place where we can share our creations, encourage each other, ask questions and help each other with tips and tricks that we’ve discovered, and most importantly, be inspired.

The following are some of the posts that have been shared with the first one being from Alesia who was the encouragement for the creation of this group.  Alesia made a new dress for her daughter’s birthday and a matching dress for her dolly using my Summer Dress Pattern.

‘My daughter finally got her Dolly today for her birthday. She was so excited they had matching dresses. Can’t wait to make many more clothes.’

How gorgeous is this!  I bet Alesia’s daughter will remember this birthday forever.

Next we have a photo from Carol who is so happy to have sewn her first rolled hem.

‘My first roll hem.  Thank you Rosie for the video.’

It looks to me like she is making my Wedding Dress pattern so I’m super keen to see the finished outfit.

Ann has been a big contributor to the group and she posted these four outfits that she made by accident!

‘I made a mistake on the double ruffled dress I love so much and didn’t have any extra fabric to start a new one and didn’t want to waste the fabric. By accident, I came up with two pieces put together that look exactly like the dress. I decided to go with it and add a couple more pieces and it gave me the cutest mix and match set. This is the outfit I made today. The dress is actually two pieces. The little girl’s favorite colors are purple and pink. I managed to find prints with both colors for her outfits. It had been awhile since I had sewn for the big dolls. It was fun.’

I think this is an awesome save Ann and an absolutely wonderful way to get a mix and match wardrobe.

This is just a sample of the wonderful posts that are being shared in the group.  It really is full of lovely people, some have years of sewing experience and are keen to help with any questions you may have.  I have been so encouraged by everyone’s willingness to join in and share photos, encouragement and knowledge so I’d love you all to join our little community and have some fun.

Rosie’s Doll Clothes Sew and Share Facebook Group.

Happy sewing