For your free patterns and tutorial videos, please scroll down to the second set of bullets.
Look at this pretty freckle-faced beauty! She’s modeling a lovely pleather jacket that my sister-in-law made from black pleather and (I believe cotton) cheetah print fabric.
My sister-in-law used my Ken jacket pattern and made some alterations to the jacket, so it would basically fit a Barbie doll. I think it really turned out nice!
As you’ve already guessed, my sister-in-law an advanced sewist, but anybody can bring their sewing game to the next level by learning how to make pattern alterations.
She said she had a little trouble making the sleeves fit correctly, but I just adore the way the cheetah print fabric graces the neckline, the ends of each sleeve, and the bottom of the jacket itself. And then, to go with the jacket, she also made a little black tank and a cheetah print pencil skirt, using more of my free doll clothes patterns.
Check out the garments under the jacket!
I’ve included the patterns she used to make this part of the outfit, in the second set of bullets below. That way you can make this adorable little tank-and-skirt set!
But if you’re not good at altering my jacket pattern, I do have good news for you… That’s exactly the kind of thing you’ll learn if you sign up for my Creative Spark course in doll clothes pattern designs.
Obviously my sister-in-law doesn’t need the class, but some of you who follow this blog might. In the meantime, you can always make the tank and skirt set with the patterns I’ve included below.
Photographing my sister-in-law’s handiwork was just part of the fun we had recently, when she dropped in for a chat.
We talked about altering patterns, adding zippers to garments, making our own clothes, and fashions from the days when we were younger. All together, we had a great time just chatting about sewing and how much fun it is for each of us.
Do you have a family member or a friend who shares your love of sewing? If so, leave a comment in the area at the bottom of today’s blog post. I’d love to hear more!
What do you do when you get together? What projects do you make? What do you chat about? And where do you meet up?
A sister-in-law who shares my passion for sewing is such a blessing in life!
Today’s patterns will fit these dolls:
- Queens of Africa Dolls*
- Momoko dolls*
- modern and Made-to-Move Barbie dolls*
- vintage Barbie dolls*
- vintage Francie dolls*
- Liv dolls*
- Disney Princess 11 inch dolls*
Here are your free, printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making the outfit shown at the top of this page:
- Free printable PDF sewing pattern for an 11 inch fashion doll’s casual pencil skirt
- Free printable PDF sewing pattern for a tank top with ribbon straps
- Tutorial video showing how to make the tank top with ribbon straps
- Here’s another way to make the tank top
- Tutorial video showing how to make the pencil skirt
- And for those of you who have already taken my pattern alterations course, here’s the link to the Ken jacket, so you can get busy making your own version of today’s cool pleather Barbie coat!
Special thanks to my sister-in-law, Chanda, for sharing her genius with all of us!
Feel free to pin, like, or tweet about my free patterns and tutorials. Here’s an image of the tank top bodice (second one down on the sheet), and you’re welcome to share this on social media:
For anyone who hasn’t heard, my website now has a donation button. You can donate whatever sum you would like to give. I appreciate your generosity!
Disclaimer/Credit/Affiliate Marketing Link:
*ChellyWood.com earns money by linking to Amazon, eBay, Michaels, 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.
To honor the trademark rights of the doll companies mentioned in this blog post, I am including links to their websites here. Please feel free to visit their website and consider purchasing one or more of the dolls mentioned.
Queens of Africa dolls are products offered by the Slice by Cake company, which holds the trademark for them (™). They were designed by Taofick Okoya. Please visit the Queens of Africa website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys, books, and fashions.
Momoko dolls are products offered by Petworks, which holds the trademark for them (™). Please visit the Momoko Dolls website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Barbie, MTM Barbie, Francie, and Vintage Barbie dolls are products offered by Mattel, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Mattel Toys website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Liv dolls were products designed and distributed by the Spin Master company, which still makes dolls and toys today (although the Liv dolls are no longer in production at the time of this blog post). The Spin Master company held the trademark for the Liv Dolls (™). Please visit the Spin Master Toys and Games website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys and games. Please be aware that the Chelly Wood animated doll is a Spin Master Liv doll that has been re-painted and had its wig colored to appear to look like the real doll clothing designer, Chelly Wood. This was done as a creative project by Chelly’s daughters, and the Spin Master Toys and Games company was not involved in the doll’s makeover in any way.
Disney Princess dolls are products offered by the Disney corporation, which holds the trademark for them (™). Please visit the Disney Toys website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.