On Monday, I showed you a preview of the turtleneck sweater and capri pants that I’m making this week. As you can see on the pattern itself, the capri pants pattern also includes an underwear or bikini pattern for fashion dolls. If you’d like to see how to make the swimsuit, I actually have video tutorials showing you how to make it. Here’s a link.
But this week I’m focusing on the capri pants. Tomorrow I’ll post a video, showing you how to make them. The pattern is for one elastic-waist pair of capri pants that will fit most fashion dolls, like Mattel’s Barbie®, the Queens of Africa Dolls, Spin Master Liv dolls, and many others. (Please note that ChellyWood.com is not affiliated with Mattel or any of the other doll companies mentioned here.)
You’ll find it easier to print the above pattern if you link to it directly (<= use that link), but if you need help printing my free sewing patterns, this tutorial should guide you through it.
The tutorial for making the capri pants is actually available on my YouTube channel already if you’re in a rush, but my plan is to post it tomorrow, here on ChellyWood.com, as well.
You’ll find I’m using a new “difficulty scale” with this pattern. Please note that the bikini top or bra received four flowers (it takes a somewhat advanced seamstress to make it), while the shorts and capri pants received only two flowers (indicating that they’re kind-of easy to make). Scroll down to the area below this graphic, to read through the details about what each difficulty level entails:
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 Super EASY! 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 attach a ribbon or ribbons as a closure option
- 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!
Thank you for your kindness with these patterns.
Am wanting to make dolls clothes for my Grand Daughters.
Regards,
Margaret
You’re very welcome, Margaret. You do know that there are video tutorials too, right? Each pattern has a video tutorial showing how to make it, on my YouTube channel, ChellyWood1.
Video yes I would like, making doll clothes for the grans Thank You so much
Thank you so much clothes for the grans