Hope you’ve been enjoying using my 18 inch American Girl and 18 ½ inch Cabbage Patch Kids patterns to make doll clothes for the Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin dolls.
In this blog I will be showing you how to adjust my Halloween patterns and my popular Wedding Dress pattern to fit these 15 inch dolls
Shorten the skirt 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5cm). To do this easily, take the extra length off the top of the skirt piece i.e. measure down 1 – 2 inches (2.5 – 5cm) from the straight edge and fold the pattern piece over. Make a note that this fold line is the cutting line for your Bitty Baby pattern and this way next time you want to use it you will have that note there to remind you.
This one just requires the hem to be shortened ½ inch (1cm) so is a very easy alteration to make.
Cut the body of the pumpkin 24 ½ inches x 20 ½ inches (62cm x 52cm). This will shorten the finished length of the pumpkin body piece by 2 inches (5cm). Move the arm slits 1 ½ inches (4cm) further around to the sides i.e. Change Step 8 2) & 3) to read the following:
8. Attaching Face to Body of Pumpkin
- Measure and mark a point 3 4 ½ inches (7.5cm) (11cm) to the left of this centre mark. Rule a line up from here 2 inches (5cm) and down from this mark 1 inch (2.5cm) to give you a line 3 inches (7.5cm) long. This indicates the first armhole.
- Repeat for the second armhole – measure 3 4 ½ inches (7.5cm) (11cm) to the right of the centre mark and place a new mark. Rule a line up 2 inches (5cm) and down from this mark 1 inch (2.5cm) to give you a line 3 inches (7.5cm) long.
This allows the dolls arms to sit more naturally through the slits.
Again, another easy alteration for this one. You simply need to shorten the hem 1 ½ inches (4cm) or you may prefer to cut taller triangles out from the hem so that the hem is more ragged and some parts drape on the floor.
The wedding dress fits the Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin dolls nicely and only requires the hem to be shortened about 1 ¼ inches (3cm). The petticoat and veil can be made as per the instructions.
You may like to use the Wedding Dress as a Christening gown without the petticoat and make it as per the pattern without any alterations so that the skirt falls below the feet, you may even like to add extra length to give the Christening gown a more regal look.
I have really enjoyed discovering and sharing with you how many of my existing patterns fit the Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin dolls just as they are, and how the other patterns only require minor alterations e.g. shortening the hem. I’d love to see photos if you have made any of these patterns for your 15 inch Bitty dolls and then I can share them in my Show and Tell blog which is always a great way of inspiring others. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 of the blogs if you missed them.
Happy sewing
