Sew in Style - Make Your Own Doll Clothes: 22 Projects for 18” Dolls • Build Your Sewing Skills

A Little about Fabrics

Woven Fabrics:

Woven fabrics don’t have much stretch when you tug on them. When project instructions call for woven fabrics, look for fabrics such as quilting cotton, calico cotton, chambray, lightweight denim, flannel, poplin, or corduroy.

Knit Fabrics:

Knit fabrics are stretchy. T-shirts are made from knit fabrics. When project instructions call for knit fabrics, look for fabrics such as cotton Lycra, jersey knit, and cot ton interlock. Be cause knit fabrics don’t unravel, there is no need to finis h the seam allowances of knits.

Selvage:

Fabric has a width and a length. The selvage edge is the length. It sometimes has writing on it. The width of fabric is the other direction, perpendicular to the selvage edge. Be sure to cut off the selvage edge before pinning and cutting pattern pieces.

Tip:

Most projects use small pieces of fabric. Use scraps you have on hand. And check the remnant bin at your local fabric store.

From left to right: small-scale print, medium-scale print, large-scale print

Tip:

When making doll clothes, you may want to choose smaller-scale prints. These smaller-scale prints look great on doll clothes, and the design of a large-scale print might be lost when you cut out your pattern pieces. Narrow lace and ribbons also work well for embellishing your doll’s outfits and accessories. You should choose what you like … large-, medium-, or small-scale prints … you are the designer. Whatever you choose, your doll will like too.

The fabric in the upper left corner is the only one that would need all the pieces cut in the same direction.

Tip:

When your fabric has a specific direction to its design, make sure all the pattern pieces are facing the same way.

Tip:

To make your patterns last longer, trace the paper patterns onto tracing paper or pattern-tracing fabric. Use the tracings to cut out the fabric pieces. Fold the paper patterns neatly and store them in a plastic bag or manila envelope when you are finished with the project.

- Make, mix, and match super-cute clothes, bags, and jewelry for all your dolls!

- Gain a bunch of new sewing skills with the help of easy directions and tons of pictures.

- Comes with plenty of great tips that’ll teach you to sew like a pro!