Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns.
A long requested item, today’s video tutorial shows how to make a simple pair of elastic-waist trousers for muscular action figures in the 12 inch range. If you’re new to sewing, this is a relatively easy project to complete.
Today’s trousers pattern will have a shorter inseam than the ones I’ve designed for modern Ken dolls because they’re made for dolls and action figures that have a muscular build, but not necessarily a long pair of legs. For a full list of all the dolls and action figures that will fit in this pants/trousers pattern, please see the second set of bullets.
Before I go on, 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 “muscular Ken” from the 1970’s that’s mentioned in today’s video is often sold on eBay as Superstar Ken. He’s a very muscular doll with a shorter leg inseam than other male fashion dolls.
Most notably, he has a bent arm. So I thought it would be helpful to show a picture of him in his undies. That way everyone knows which Ken doll I mean…
It’s this little fellow that will easily fit into today’s trousers pattern:
That infographic is from my Tape Measure Tuesday feature. It will let you know the general measurements of my bent arm Ken doll, so you can do a comparison to a doll or action figure you own, to see if they can swap clothes.
Click here to see all the dolls and action figures in my Tape Measure Tuesday feature. (GI Joe is among them!)
It’s also possible to access Tape Measure Tuesday from the home page. Just scroll down to the button that says “Doll Measurements” and click it.
I’m sure you’re wondering whether or not I plan to do a tutorial that shows you how to make the tie. The answer is yes! I also have a new, broader bodied dinner jacket in the works. So watch for those tutorials which are coming up later.
To make today’s doll or action figure’s trousers, you will likely need one or more of the following items:
- cotton fabric
- Gondola Snaps (for the shirt)
- 1/8 inch wide elastic
- chopsticks (for inverting doll clothes)
- Dritz fabric pencil
- Wrights 1/4 in. Bias Tape (for the dinner jacket)
- Fiskars Stitchers mini snips (for clipping seams efficiently)
- Tulip Mini Iron
- Gutermann sewing machine thread
This list comes from my “Buyer’s Guide” page, which is easily accessed from the home page.
If you’re looking for an earth-friendly alternative for your cotton fabric, I have a lot to offer in my Spoonflower store, including solid fabrics. Here’s the link.
And for those of you who grew up in the US, you might be wondering who Action Man is. He’s the United Kingdom’s version of GI Joe. He looks like this:
*Today’s free printable PDF sewing patterns will fit the following dolls or action figures:
- 12 inch (30.5 cm) GI Joe action figures
- 12 inch muscular vintage Ken from the 1970’s
- 12 inch Action Man action figures
*Note: Broad Ken requires a different pair of trousers than the ones that appear on today’s free pattern. Click here for a trousers/pants pattern that fits Broad Ken. However, as we saw in a recent tutorial, Broad Ken can wear the shirt and tie.
Here are your free, printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making the outfit shown at the top of this page:
- Free American printable PDF sewing pattern for a 12 inch fashion doll or action figure shirt, tie, and trousers
- Free A4 (international) PDF sewing pattern for a 12 inch fashion doll or action figure shirt, tie, and trousers
- Tutorial video showing how to make the shirt
- Tutorial videos showing how to make the tie and a jacket are planned to be released at a later time (check back later)
You may also find these tutorial videos helpful:
- How to do a whipstitch
- How to sew snaps on fabric
- How to do a backstitch
- How to gather fabric
- How to do a baste stitch
- How to pull elastic through a casing
- 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 measure a doll
- How to press seams open, using a hot iron
- How to sew rickrack
- How to use selvage
- 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.
Here are 3 ways you can help support my website and YouTube channel:
- Leave a comment on any blog post on my site (it helps other people find my website)
- Leave comments on my YouTube channel (it also helps with search engine optimization)
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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, 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.
GI Joe and Action Man action figures are owned and distributed by Hasbro Pulse, which holds the registered trademark for these toys (™). Please visit the Hasbro Toy website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys. This link will also help you find Action Man figures specifically, and those figures are still distributed throughout the United Kingdom.
Vintage Ken, Broad Ken, the WWE wrestler action figures 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.