In November, I started a series that listed my top 10 items I’d put in a sewing kit for a beginner. Of course I was working up to Christmas, and trying to make a list of items for a sewing kit you might give someone for Christmas.
But then I got caught up in my Elf on the Shelf outfit series, and now I find myself behind on the whole “Beginners Sewing Kit” business! Oh well… stuff happens!
Anyhow, today I’m giving you my #10 must-have item (in a list of my top 10 things you’ll need) for a beginner’s sewing kit: elastic!
A lot of my free printable doll clothes patterns use an elastic waistband, which requires that you understand how to create a casing and how to pull elastic through that waistband’s casing.
To no one’s surprise, I have a tutorial video showing you, one step at a time, how to do that. Here it is:
When I sew for 18 inch dolls, I sometimes use 1/2 inch wide elastic, but not always. Sometimes I use 1/4 inch elastic. It often has more to do with the size and weight of the garment itself rather than which elastic I happen to have on hand.
If it’s going to be a pair of jeans made of heavy denim, 1/2 inch elastic will be a good choice, or if it’s a very long, very full skirt that gets an elastic waist, again, I’d opt for 1/2 inch elastic.
The skirt below is made of a thick jersey fabric with little glittery bits that made the fabric heavy, and that’s why I used 1/2 inch elastic for it.
However, if you’re buying elastic for a beginner’s sewing kit and they like to sew for a 13 to 14 inch doll or larger, I recommend buying 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide elastic.
For dolls 5 to 13 inches tall, it’s not a bad idea to use 1/8 inch wide elastic.
With that said, thirteen-inch dolls are kind of an odd bunch. They include the wide-bellied Disney toddler dolls, like Elsa (shown below), but they also include skinny-Minnie dolls like Lil’ Miss Matched (from Tonner).
Another 13 inch doll with a small waist is the Remco Judy Littlechap doll, and frankly I’d treat her more like a 12 inch doll and use 1/8 inch elastic for her garments.
You can see, in the image of Judy Littlechap below, that she looks a lot more like a Barbie, but she’s as tall as my Elsa, shown above:
The new 13 inch Barbie is more suited to thinner elastic as well.
In the image below, you can see Judy Littlechap (13 inches tall), My First Barbie (13 inches tall), Lammily (11 inches tall but wearing heels), and Curvy Barbie (11 inches tall). For all of these “fashion doll” types, I would use the thinner 1/8 inch elastic, whereas, for the Disney toddler dolls and any 13 inch baby dolls, I would definitely go with 1/4 inch elastic.
For itty bitty dolls, like Chelsea and smaller (so anything 5 inches or smaller), I’ve been known to use cord elastic, but it’s tricky to use.
I’ve actually got another blog post all about the ins and outs of using cord elastic. Click here to read more about that. Here’s an image from that blog post, so you can see how different cord elastic is from other types of elastic:
If you’re putting together a kit for an absolute beginner who is just learning to sew, a swatch of elastic will help them make elastic-waist pants and shorts, elastic-waist skirts, and any other garments that will use a casing.
There are a variety of sizes and styles, where elastic is concerned, but if the beginning sewist is learning to make doll clothes for a doll that stands 11 inches tall or smaller, Elastic by the Yard’s Skinny Elastic card spool is a fantastic choice for your beginner’s kit.
And if they’re sewing for a bigger doll, you can find Dritz 1/4 inch elastic in most fabric stores, and it’s not a bad choice for most doll clothes that are designed to fit dolls that stand 13 inches tall or taller.
The image above comes from my online store, where you can purchase all of the different sizes of elastic on a whim. The elastic links I offer there are all affiliate marketing links. Here’s what you’ll find in my store:
- cord elastic on Amazon
- 1/8 inch elastic on Amazon
- 1/8 inch elastic on Etsy
- 1/4 inch elastic on Amazon
- 1/4 inch elastic on Etsy
- 1/2 inch elastic on Amazon
- 1/2 inch elastic on Etsy
I try to keep the search simple by using bullet points like that in most of my online store listings. If you’ve never visited my store before, go check it out!
I also have a YouTube channel, ChellyWood1 with a number of fun doll collecting and sewing-for-dolls playlists.
If you would like to make a donation to this free doll clothes pattern website, please click here. There’s also a “Donate” button in the main menu.
For anyone who would like to expand their dolls’ wardrobes, you should really check out my “How to Alter Doll Clothes Patterns” course and my “Design Your Own Doll Pants Patterns from Scratch” classes on the Creative Spark online learning platform. Here’s my bio page on their website, where you can learn more.
For any class on Creative Spark, you don’t have to follow a schedule. Just sign up when you’re ready.
It’s a one-time fee for the course, and there’s no specific time limit to finish your course. You can just take your time and learn at the pace that suits you. So go check out my paid courses on Creative Spark, using this link.
As always, feel free to pin, like, or tweet about my free patterns and tutorials.
To read more about my free sewing patterns and tutorials, please visit the “Helpful Tips” page.
Disclaimer/Credit/Affiliate Marketing Link:
*Please note: when you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, JoAnn Fabric, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please visit the website’s Privacy Policy page.
Chelly Wood and the ChellyWood.com website are not affiliated with any of the doll or toy companies mentioned in this blog post, but Chelly enjoys designing her doll clothes to fit a variety of dolls. To learn more about the doll companies mentioned in today’s post, please visit the doll or toy company’s website.