Yesterday I showed you a preview of the turtleneck sweater that I’ll be showing you how to make this week. As you can see on the pattern itself, if you use stretchy fabric, this pattern will fit both male and female fashion dolls, like Liv Dolls, Mattel’s dolls, and many others in the 1:6 range.
It’s easier to print my free sewing patterns if you link to them directly, but if you need help printing my free sewing patterns, this tutorial should guide you through it.
I’ll post the tutorial for making the turtleneck tomorrow, but it’s actually available on my YouTube channel already if you’re in a rush.
You’ll find I’m using a new “difficulty scale” with this pattern. Here’s the low-down on how the difficulty scale works:
Below you’ll find an overview of each of the difficulty levels. If you’re struggling with any of the terms I’m using, The Sewing Dictionary is a fantastic tool to use in conjunction with this overview, to help you broaden your sewing vocabulary.
Super EASY! = This sewing tutorial and/or pattern uses little or no actual sewing. It may require the use of felt fabric, which doesn’t need to be hemmed. It may use traditional glue, safety pins, or hot glue. If any sewing is involved, it will be a straight stitch only. You will need to know how to print my patterns for super easy projects, but these projects are for absolute beginners, little kids who are learning to sew, and those folks who don’t like to sew at all.
Kind-of Easy = This sewing tutorial and/or pattern will require knowledge of all of the above, plus some of the concepts bulleted below too…
- How to hem a garment using the whipstitch
- How to do a straight stitch
- How to pass elastic through a casing (that tutorial is coming soon)
- How to finger-press
- How to thread a needle
- How to tie a knot using a needle and thread
About Average = This sewing tutorial and/or pattern will require knowledge of all of the above bulleted items, in addition to any of the following
- How to sew snaps on fabric
- How to press seams open, using a hot iron
- How to gather fabric
- How to hem a garment using a double-fold hem
- How to do a backstitch
- How to send elastic through a casing
- How to baste
- How to attach notions like lace, rick rack, or ribbon as a basic trim or decoration
- How to make darts
- How to clip a curved seam
- How to sew a facing or yoke into a garment
- How to invert the narrow part of a garment using chopsticks or a bamboo knitting needle
- How to cut fabric with a directional pattern or nap
- How to make pockets
Somewhat Advanced: This sewing tutorial and/or pattern will require knowledge of all of the above bulleted items, plus a few more concepts like…
- How to line a garment
- How to use bias tape, piping, or ribbon as a decorative edge or binding
- How to sew pleats
- How to sew a zipper into a garment
- How to make a buttonhole stitch
- How to cover a button with fabric
- How to sew a hook and eye closure to a garment
- How to use an interfacing
Very Advanced: This sewing tutorial and/or pattern will require knowledge of all of the above bulleted items, plus some additional concepts like…
- How to alter a pattern
- How to do embroidery or applique
- How to apply rings (like D-rings) or gromettes to a garment
- How to apply epaulettes to a garment
I’d like to begin re-posting all of the sewing patterns that I’ve created, using this difficulty level chart, but I know that most of you visit this website because I offer so many NEW patterns. So I’ll re-visit my older patterns gradually over time, posting new patterns intermittently to keep everyone excited about the new patterns that will be available every other week or so.
Please continue to show your appreciation for my free patterns and tutorials by liking them on Facebook, pinning them on Pinterest, and/or tweeting about them. This will help spread the word that my FREE printable sewing patterns and tutorials for doll clothes exist. I also encourage you to add my YouTube channel’s videos to your playlists.
Feel free to leave comments below. Which of the sewing concepts listed above would you like me to create new tutorials for? I’m anxious to receive your requests!