Fashioning Doll Clothes – Sewing Imitates Real Life
By Emily Schroeder Orvik, Nancy’s Notions Guest Blogger
As the daughter and granddaughter of sewing enthusiasts, I have fond memories of wonderful outfits made for me as a child. Now as a mom, the sewing tradition continues as I’ve sewn countless outfits for my daughter JJ. My sentimentality is evident, as the seasonal closet cleaning takes place and the giveaway pile grows.
A friend of mine, who is a professional organizer, suggested I take photos to include in a special sewing journal. Photos are nice, but I seem to need the tactile connection to the fabric.
Enter two 18″ fashion dolls, renamed by JJ as Jennifer and Claudia, and fondly referred to as “the girls.” They are a wonderful quality and affordable, making them a great gift. You can find the very same dolls at Nancy’s Notions.
According to JJ, “the girls” needed outfits. I happily discovered that after completing JJ’s outfit, I could often use leftover fabric to create a matching outfit (or two) in a very similar style for the dolls. It’s been a terrific way to use those scraps. As JJ’s interest in sewing has grown, we’ve spent some great together time planning and working on new outfits, and hosting our own 18″ doll fashion show.
When I began working at Nancy’s Notions earlier this year as a writer in the Marketing Department, I discovered that my talented colleagues developed the Quick-Trace Doll Fashions Templates. As JJ begins to do more sewing (and wants to work more independently), the durable plastic templates are easy (and quick) for her to position and trace. It’s more fun and faster than pinning tissue patterns, which means we get to the cutting and sewing more quickly. Important considerations if you’re a busy mom or an eager 11-year old who loves running the sewing machine.
The flat construction methods simplify sewing the smaller doll-sized seams. I especially appreciate how my Baby Lock Serger (which I’ve owned for years) makes quick work of stitching and finishing the seams. It’s also reduced my anxiety of working with knit fabrics (but that’s another story for another time!).
The companion book features a number of helpful hints to make clothing “tot-friendly” for little children, while also highlighting designer details that appeal to the more sophisticated set. I’m hoping I have a few years left before JJ feels she’s too old to enjoy her dolls. Secretly, maybe all along this has been a clever excuse for me, as an adult, to enjoy playing with dolls!
Thanks, Emily and the Nancy’s Notions team!
Bye for now,
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Cheryl Binford
Thanks for making doll clothes templates for wonderful items I can come up with. Cheryl. P. S. My granddaughter and I will enjoy it.
Karen
These templates are a great idea, no more tattered tissue doll patterns! I love the fact that you can see through these. I have taken outgrown sports uniforms and cut them down to doll size to have as a keepsake. These will make it super easy to place any logo etc exactly where I want it on the mini uniform 🙂
BevM
I had not considered templates for myself, but see that they would be a great gift for my granddaughter!
Marti Morgan
I would love to make doll clothes – but no children around to sew for. Been thinking of investing and donating the little clothes.
VickiT
I really like the idea of the templates to trace for different outfits. I have 2 granddaughters, each with their own 18 inch doll and would love to get some outfits made for them for Christmas this year.
Ennis A
Love the template idea! I have 3 daughters, all grown, and Ido some sewing for them now, but miss all the girl clothes that I dewed for them many years ago. I have sewn several doll outfits for my granddaughter and for a friend’s daughter. I enjoyed it so much I bought a doll for myself. And use it to try on the outfits that I make for others. Love Nancy’s ideas and tips!!
Berenice
When are they going to make those templates in my size?
Meand
Because paper patterns are not durable, and 4 granddaughters total, I started gluing the pattern pieces to cardboard from cereal boxes so I could trace from them. Having the see through templates would make it easier for positioning especially for directionals!!! Thanks Nancy!!!
Jan
I’ve sewn doll clothes for the past 35 years but for 12″ dolls. Here in Southeastern Michigan there is a great charity named The Detroit Old Newsboys Goodfellow fund and most companies in the area have employees who each year buy, knit, crochet or sew clothes for at least 10,000 dolls. These dolls are packed in packages holding underwear, jeans,shirts, etc for girls and the boys get a truck plus clothing. Back in the 60’s you could buy patterns for 12-13 inch dolls but most of us just drew them freestyle. The templates can easily be reduced in size for smaller dolls and help out a great deal for sewing doll clothes and the methods and tips are really helpful.
J. Jansson
18″ doll clothes can be challenging to sew because of their size! These templates are wonderful. Thanks, Emily, for fun reading!
Lillian K
I like this idea for ALL clothing. I used to make Barbie clothes when our 2 girls were little – wish there had been something like this.
Oh, well, I keep telling myself “if you can sew Barbie clothes you can sew just about anything!”
Lillian K
I like this idea for ALL clothing. I used to make Barbie clothes when our 2 girls were little – wish there had been something like this.
Oh, well, I keep telling myself “if you can sew Barbie clothes you can sew just about anything!”
Carol DeWitt
I buy the 18″ dolls and make clothes for them and donate them to the Salvation Army. I have bought many patterns and the tissue tears so easily. I can’t wait to try these!