Scroll down to the second set of bullets to download the free printable PDF sewing pattern.*
Isn’t this a beautiful dress with pockets, sleeves, and that lovely full skirt? I was so proud of this project when I finished this design!
You could make the whole thing out of one fabric, of course; you don’t have to use varying prints and solids to make this dress look pretty.
In fact, I think it would be lovely in many different solid colors and patterns and prints!
Now I can’t go on without making my disclaimer statement, so here you go…
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.
A lot of people who collect Palitoy Pippa dolls live in the United Kingdom, so I’m offering today’s free PDF sewing patterns in both the A4 international printer paper size ((210 x 197 mm) and the American paper size of 8.5 x 11 inches.
So when you go to print your pattern, make sure you’re getting the one for your region.
Okay, with that said, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make today’s dress with pockets for 6 inch dolls.
I recommend using some cotton fabric and 1/4 inch (6 mm) wide bias tape. You’ll also need some sew-on Velcro, but if you’re worried about sewing over your tiny sleeves, I’d use snaps instead. I recommend size 4/0 Dritz snaps.
For the sew-on Velcro, I do suggest that you cut it length-wise, to make it narrow enough for today’s dress project, which has a very small closure area.
In my tutorial, I also mentioned Fiskars Stitchers’ scissors, which are a must-have tool for anyone who sews for Dawn or Pippa dolls because they’re just so tiny!
I used a Dritz fabric pencil in my tutorial video. It’s handy for marking darts, and a fabric pencil easily washes out of most fabrics without damaging them.
In my video, I also mentioned the lightbox I use for marking darts and a Sharpie marker.
Now if you’re thinking about taking my “How to Alter Doll Clothes” course, which I mention at the end of today’s video tutorial, you should really think about getting yourself a lightbox. I use mine a lot when I’m designing doll clothes patterns, and for anyone who makes alterations regularly, it’s a life-saver!
Which dolls will these patterns fit?
- Breyer Rider dolls (6 inches tall; 15.25 cm; 1:12 scale)
- Dawn dolls from Topper (6 and 1/8 inch or 15.5 cm)
- dollhouse-sized dolls (1:12 scale)
- Pippa dolls from Palitoy (6 and ½ inch or 16.5 cm)
- Strawberry Shortcake dolls (6 and ¾ inches or 17 cm)
Free patterns and tutorial videos for making these doll clothes:
- Here the US version of today’s free PDF sewing pattern for making a dress to fit 6 inch dolls
- Here’s the UK version of today’s free PDF sewing pattern for making a dress to fit 6.5 inch dolls
- Your tutorial for making the dress is at the top of today’s blog post, but these tutorials may also be helpful…
- How to do a whipstitch
- How to sew snaps on fabric
- How to do a backstitch
- How to gather fabric
- How to use a needle threader
- How to do a basic straight stitch
- How to use bias tape
- How to choose fabric
- How to tie a knot using a needle and thread
- How to press seams open, using a hot iron
- How to sew rickrack
- How to attach ribbon to doll clothes
- Tips on sewing with lace
- how to add a ruffle to a skirt
For more of my free tutorials, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, ChellyWood1.
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:
*When you click 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.
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.
Breyer dolls and horses are products offered by Breyer, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Breyer website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Chelsea and Enchantimals 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.
Bratz dolls are products offered by MGA Entertainment, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the MGA Entertainment website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Breyer dolls and horses are products offered by Breyer, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Breyer website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Disney fairy dolls are products offered by the Disney Corporation, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Official Shop Disney website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Lottie dolls are manufactured and designed by Arklu (Ireland) Ltd., in Donegal, Ireland, and Arklu holds the registered trademark (™) for them in the US. Lottie dolls are distributed in the USA by Schylling, Inc. These dolls are distributed in the UK, Ireland, France, and Italy by Bigjigs Toys Ltd. Visit Lottie.com to learn more about these wonderful toys that were inspired by kids.
Pippa dolls were produced in Great Britain by Palitoy from 1972 to 1980. Palitoy is now a defunct company, and to my knowledge the Pippa dolls have not had a revival. You can learn more about Palitoy on Wikipedia. You can learn more about these dolls at OverZone’s Pippa Dolls Archive or on the Pippa ID Parade.
Spin Master La Dee Da dolls are products offered by Spin Master, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Spin Master website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
Strawberry Shortcake dolls are products offered by Shortcake IP Holdings LLC, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Strawberry Shortcake website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
World of Love is a product that was once owned and distributed by Hasbro, which holds the registered trademark for these retired toys (™). Please visit the Hasbro Toy website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.