Scroll down to the second set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns.
Today I’m going to show you how to make a Renaissance style doublet or vest for Ken, with little shoulder extensions called “picadils.” Today’s video tutorial is an older one that I’ve remastered to include voiceover. So I apologize for the lack of video shorts in this one.
Back when I made the original tutorial video, I didn’t have the nice camera and video software that I have today. I was working on a shoestring budget with pretty simple equipment. But hopefully I’ve made the original video just a tad bit easier to understand and follow.
Before we dive into this project, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on my website, please go to the Privacy Policy page. Thank you!
The image above shows the character of Count Paris from my stop-motion video, Romeo and Juliet with Dolls. Please click that link to watch the stop-motion video.
To make today’s Renaissance vest or doublet, you’ll need some cotton fabric and size 3/0 snaps. It’s optional, but you can also use embroidery floss to embellish the picadils.
And like the embroidery floss, you don’t have to add the little extras, but I used gold 1/4 inch wide rickrack trim to make my vest look especially pretty!
And finally, at the end of today’s video, I mention my “Life Balance To-Do List,” which it might surprise you, is a tool I use every single weekend! I love it! — Just take a look at the example below, and you’ll see how it helps me keep my life organized and well-balanced.
And I even use my own idea generator because (embarrassing though it is), I have a tough time thinking of ways to show how I love myself. Showing I love my family and my community is easy; showing how I love myself can be challenging… (I blame my “ugly childhood fairy” for that.)
Click here if you’d like to learn more about my Life Balance To-Do List, which is for sale on Etsy at a very inexpensive price.
*Today’s free printable PDF sewing patterns will fit the following dolls or action figures:
- 11 3/4 inch (29.8 cm) Ever After High male dolls
- 12 inch (30 cm) Ken dolls (modern)
- 12 inch (30 cm) Articulated Ken dolls
- 12 inch (30 cm) Jake dolls (Spin Master)
- 12 inch (30 cm) Regular Fashionista Ken dolls
- 12 inch (30 cm) vintage Ken dolls (crew cut Ken and Allen)
And here are the patterns and tutorial videos you’re looking for:
- Free printable PDF sewing pattern for making a Renaissance style doublet or vest for Ken and similar-sized dolls
- Tutorial video showing how to make the Renaissance vest/doublet is found at the top of the page
- Tutorial video for making the muffin cap is found here (it still needs to be updated/remastered)
- How to do a whipstitch
- How to sew snaps on fabric
- How to do a backstitch
- How to use a needle threader
- How to do a basic straight stitch
- 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 use selvage
- How to attach ribbon to doll clothes
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:
*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.
To honor the trademark rights of the doll and action figure 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.
Tammy’s Dad dolls were part of Ideal’s “Tammy” family of dolls. The Ideal Toy Corporation no longer exists, but you can learn more about the dolls they became famous for at the Doll Reference website.
Ever After High, all Ken dolls, and the Endless Hair Princess Barbie 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.
Tonner fashion dolls are products that were once offered by the Tonner doll company, which held the registered trademark for them (™), but it is no longer in business. However you can still learn about this company’s history on Wikipedia and purchased used dolls from eBay.