Back in march, I did a blog post about these cute Cabbage Patch doll overalls, and how I was itching to design some overalls for one of my dolls.
At the time, I wasn’t sure which doll to make my overall pattern for. I’d been sewing doll clothes for Elsa and Anna, because at Christmas, my niece had asked me to make some extra doll clothes for her mini Elsa and mini Anna dolls.
But holy cow! Those mini Disney dolls are teeny-tiny!
Fast forward to last June. My class called “How to Alter Doll Clothes Patterns” was underway and people had started to sign up, so the Creative Spark company asked me to start making another course.
I had asked you, my followers, to vote on what types of clothing patterns you’d like me to feature in my next Creative Spark class, and most of you wanted me to teach “How to Design Your Own Pants Patterns from Scratch.”
Both online and in stores, overalls were making a come-back, so as I built my new Creative Spark course, I decided it would be a good idea to start with the fundamentals of pants pattern design but eventually lead up to teaching how to design your own overall pants patterns.
Before teaching a course, I like to refresh my memory about something that may present challenges, so I used this this old Butterick 6508 Cabbage Patch Doll clothes pattern, to gather ideas. I could see that they had used elastic with a casing at the back with crisscrossed straps that flipped around to the front.
I liked that design better than some of the fashion doll patterns I had for overalls. My Simplicity 7737 pattern, for example, had a coveralls pattern, but it used a raglan sleeve, which wasn’t very adaptable (views 3 and 7).
I also thought about using a baby doll — perhaps Baby Alive? — because I had lots of examples of overalls patterns that I could use for inspiration. Take for example this Simplicity 5730 pattern, which just uses a front flap with crisscrossed straps (view 3):
In the end, I sort of brushed over my Simplicity 5730 baby doll clothes pattern and combined those concepts with what I saw in the Butterick 6508 Cabbage Patch Doll clothes pattern, to come up with my own prototype for a little 8″ Ginny doll:
Unlike the Simplicity 5730 baby doll clothes pattern and the Butterick 6508 Cabbage Patch Doll clothes pattern, my overalls pattern gathers in the front. But like these two patterns, I gave them an elastic waist in back.
This made the Ginny doll’s tummy fit into the front without a bulge, which I liked a lot.
My vintage Vogue Ginny doll overalls will be part of a wardrobe ensemble that I’m giving to my husband’s cousin’s children for Christmas this year.
But this overalls pattern for my Ginny doll was a fantastic prototype, preparing me for what I wanted to create with my course on the Creative Spark Online Learning Platform.
I ended up creating the final pattern for overalls, using my Velvet doll, who is often in the spotlight, in the “How to Design Your Own Doll Pants Patterns” class on Creative Spark. The final draft pattern will incorporate a flap that closes the pants at the hip.
My “How to Design Your Own Doll Pants” class is not yet ready to upload to the Creative Spark online learning website, but I’m wrapping up the last of the course right now — at the start of October. So if you check the website in November, you’ll probably be able to sign up by then.
In my class on Creative Spark, you’ll learn how to design your own pants in all of the following ways:
- Pants or jeans with an elastic waist
- Fitted pants or jeans with a fly
- Pants or jeans with a high waistline
- Leggings
- Overalls
And it won’t matter what size doll you are sewing for — the techniques I teach in my class will apply to any doll — fashion dolls, baby dolls, soft-bodied dolls, 18 inch dolls — literally ANY doll will work.
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.
To read more about my free sewing patterns and tutorials, please visit the “Helpful Tips” page.
Disclaimer/Credit/Affiliate Marketing Link:
*ChellyWood.com earns money by linking to JoAnn Fabrics, Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and other online affiliate programs. Links provided above may be affiliate links. For a full list of my affiliate programs, and to understand how cookies are used to help this website earn money, please see my “Privacy Policy” page.
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.