Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing pattern.
In today’s “How to Sew a Tie” video, I told you I’d be sure to give you a link to a helpful tutorial that shows you how to tie a Windsor knot for your doll or action figure’s tie.
This link will take you to a very helpful step-by-step video showing how to tie that Windsor knot.
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!
Today’s tie will likely fit most 12 inch dolls and action figures. A few are mentioned in the video, including Superstar Ken, GI Joe, Action Man, and even Broad Ken. But in all honesty, I can’t imagine a 12 inch doll or action figure that wouldn’t fit in this little formal tie.
For me, this tie project offered me a chance to really practice my ladder stitches. You could certainly get away with just doing a whipstitch along the back side of your tie, but all the tutorials I’ve ever seen on tie-making suggest a ladder stitch to keep your stitches truly hidden.
So if you’d like to learn the ladder stitch (also called a “slip stitch” sometimes), Professor Pincushion has a wonderful video showing you how to do one. Here’s the link to that video.
To make your doll or action figure a miniature tie (and some of the other items of clothing in today’s free sewing patterns), 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 “Superstar” Ken from the 1970’s
- 12 inch Action Man action figures
- 12 inch Broad Ken dolls
*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, 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 video showing how to make the trousers/pants
- Tutorial video showing how to make the tie is at the top of today’s blog post
You may also find these tutorial videos helpful:
- How to tie a Windsor knot (this is not my own video BTW)
- How to do a ladder stitch AKA a slip stitch (also someone else’s video)
- 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.
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- Leave a comment on any blog post on my site (it helps other people find my website)
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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.