You’ve got the cousins and/or grandkids coming over for the holidays. What are you going to do to keep them entertained? Why not give them a box of scraps, a handful of little dolls, and have them learn to sew?
If you introduce them to beginning sewing lessons on their parents’ phones, they’ll be hooked! I have a series of tutorials for the beginning sewists on my YouTube channel. It includes video tutorials showing you how to do a basic straight stitch when sewing by hand, how to gather fabric, how to use the whipstitch to hem a garment, how to sew on snaps, and even how to design your own doll clothes patterns, just like I do!
Start with the easy little dress shown in the image above. Here are links to the tutorial and pattern needed to make that simple little project:
- Tutorial showing how to make a “sundress” for little dolls in the 4″ to 5″ size range
- Free printable pattern for sundresses
The larger skirt pattern makes the gown shown in the image above. The smaller skirt pattern makes more of a “play dress,” like the blue and yellow one worn by Polly Pocket® in the tutorial video. But truthfully, most of these little dolls will fit into either dress pattern. The trick is in measuring the straps to fit the doll of your choice.
Please note: I’ll be on vacation from December 22nd through the first week of January. If you submit a question, you may not hear from me until I get back from my vacation. These blog posts are scheduled in advance, so comments may not be approved until later as well. But I do welcome questions and comments!
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If you’re searching for a different pattern, have a look at the Gallery Page. That’s the easiest way to search through all of my patterns to find what you want. Each image on the Gallery Page takes you to links for patterns and tutorials.
Need help printing my patterns? This link will take you to a tutorial showing you how to download my free, printable patterns.
Please note: you must enlarge my patterns to fit a full-sized piece of American computer paper (8.5 x 11 inches or 216 x 279 mm) without margins, before printing. My designs use a 1/4 inch seam (standard for fashion doll sewing projects).
If you’re wondering why I make patterns and videos without charging a fee, please visit the “Chelly’s Books” page, and that should explain my general motivations. It’s always friendly and kind to show your appreciation for my free patterns and tutorials by liking them on Facebook, pinning them on Pinterest, and/or tweeting about them (yes, you have my permission). You’re also welcome to add any of my YouTube channel’s videos to your playlists. Please visit those links for easy access to my patterns, tutorials, and blog posts.
In case you haven’t heard, I have designed commercial patterns for Lammily LLC. They have some new dolls in their line, including a new male doll, so you might want to visit the Lammily website to see what they’ve got going on.