Earlier this week, I posted the pattern to make this crop top, and included with it, is the pattern for making the shorts shown in this video. Yesterday I shared my embellished crop top tutorial (for the more advanced sewists), but today’s tutorial is a simple, easy-to-sew DIY video for even the beginning sewists to follow.
Of course, you’ll need to download and print my crop top and shorts pattern, which can be found on my Doll Clothes Patterns page. Just scroll down to the subheading, “Curvy Fashion Doll Clothes Patterns.” Incidentally, this crop top pattern fits Mattel’s new Curvy Barbie™ in addition to the vintage Tammy Dolls made by Ideal. I wouldn’t be surprised if it also fit the vintage Dusty Dolls from Kenner (although I no longer own one of these, so I wouldn’t know).
Need help printing my patterns? This link will take you to a tutorial showing you how to download my free, printable patterns.
If you’re wondering why I make patterns and tutorials without charging a fee, please visit the “Chelly’s Books” page, and that should explain my general motivations. Overall, I love to sew, design doll clothes, and embroider, and I think it’s important to share my talents with the world, so others can learn to do what I do.
Want to show your appreciation for my free patterns and tutorials? Please do so by liking, pinning, tweeting, and/or somehow sharing this tutorial video with others.
Did you know Chelly Wood has designed patterns for the Lammily doll company? She has! And this website will tell you more about Lammily, if you’re curious. Also, this link will take you to Chelly’s patterns on the Lammily website.
Cute top and shorts. I’m going to give them a try, but I have a question first. Why is the pieces doubled layered? This just seems like it would work just find single layered.
Thanks
M.J.
That’s a good question, Michelle. I’m surprised no one has asked me that before!
I’ve been sewing for Barbies for more than 40 years. One of the hardest things to create in miniature, is a clean, smooth hemline. Because 1:6 scale (or smaller) dolls are so tiny, double-fold hems can look bulky on them. However single-fold hems run the risk of fraying.
There are things you can do to help you overcome this problem: a.) you can use bias tape around the edges of a garment; b.) you can use fabric stiffener or anti-fray chemical products; c.) you can create a lining. I have used all of these methods, but I think c.) creating a lining has both durability over time and an overall cleaner cut to the hem. So you’ll find a lot of my doll garments use a lining.
I may be partial to this method because my mother collected antique clothes, and I learned from her that long ago, all garments were lined. When people sewed by hand, the best seamstresses were judged by the quality of the garment when turned inside-out! Can you imagine? Our clothing today is so poorly made, by contrast. Turn your store-bought clothing inside-out and you’ll see what I mean.
Sorry for the long-winded explanation. I felt inspired to answer with gusto!
Thank you for the free patterns and tutorials. My teacher in 7th grade (56 years ago) taught us to line everything and emphasized the inside looking as good as the outside. I appreciate sewing for dolls the same way, they hold up to a 6 yr. olds use much better.
I totally agree!
On a side note, I taught 7th grade English/language arts prior to becoming a librarian. What coincidence!