The image above shows the Simplicity 8281 vintage sewing pattern from 1977, and I have to admit that I’ve been sort of obsessed with the skirt in View 5 of this pattern for quite some time.
So last night I decided to make a St. Patrick’s Day green plaid kilt, using this wrap-around skirt pattern. Here’s how it turned out, and I must say I’m very pleased:
The tee shirt is not the same pattern as the one in Simplicity 8281, but instead, I used a tee shirt I already had on hand for this photo. It’s my own tee shirt from this blog post, so that tee is available here, on ChellyWood.com as a free printable PDF sewing pattern.
Here’s a close-up of View 5 of this Simplicity pattern 8281, a pattern that I loved dearly when I was growing up:
Maybe you can’t tell by the picture, but this is a wrap-around skirt. I did a blog post a few weeks ago, with instructions for making a basic wrap-around skirt for most dolls. Click here to see that older blog post.
If you made that pants and tank top set out of flannel, it would look like a pair of pajamas!
But if you made it out of cotton or polyester, it would look like regular daytime clothes.
This creative way of thinking about patterns is something I talk about in my Creative Spark class, called “How to Alter Doll Clothes Patterns.” Click on that link to learn more about my class.
Now let’s wrap things up regarding Simplicity pattern 8281 and how you can get your hands on one of these vintage patterns, if you’re interested.
Most of the commercial patterns I display and talk about here on ChellyWood.com are also available for sale on eBay. However, if you’ve never purchased a pattern on eBay before, it’s a good idea to read the article I wrote called, “Tips for Buying Used Doll Clothes Patterns on eBay.” It will save you time, money, and will likely prevent buyer’s remorse.
And by the way, if you use the links I’ve provided to make your eBay purchase, this website will receive a small commission, which helps fund the ChellyWood.com website, so I can continue to provide you with all the free patterns and tutorial videos offered here.
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Chelly Wood and the ChellyWood.com website are not affiliated with the pattern company or companies mentioned in this blog post, but Chelly finds inspiration in the doll clothes designed by these pattern companies. To purchase patterns from Simplicity, McCall’s, Butterick, Vogue, or other pattern companies shown and discussed in this blog post, please click on the links provided here. These links below the “Disclaimer” section do not help raise money for this free pattern website; they are only offered to give credit to the company that made these patterns.