Today I'm going to show you how to make a couple really cute things without sewing a thing. Sewing is of course fun, but sometimes you want something quick, easy, and cute. This tutorial is perfect for that.
Of course, there's a caveat to everything. These close can be secured by pins like I've done here, but I wouldn't recommend that for children! It's easy to tack on a few snaps, or some velcro and you'll be good to go.
For this evening gown choose a nice fabric that doesn't unravel easily. Use pinking shears to cut out the pattern so you don't have to hem the fabric. Cut out a long circle skirt and a strip that is long enough to go from the doll's hip around the neck, to the other hip. This will become the top of the backless dress. Attach it in front and put the skirt over it. Ta da!
This simple wrap around can be made in the same fashion as the skirt above, just shorter. Make the pattern long enough so that the skirt wraps over itself and secure it at the back or the side.
This super easy cute poncho can be made out of fleece by copying the super easy pattern you see above. Just size it to the doll and use your eye to cut the slits for arms. Cut out and additional strip of fleece for the tie-belt. Remember to use pinking sheers so the fabric doesn't roll or ravel!
This post is going to cover the simplest way to create a full ball gown. This basic dress can easily be turned into a wedding dress, prom dress, historic costume, or princess gown worthy of Roger's and Hammerstein.
The construction is very basic and simple.
First choose your fabric. As usual, a simple cotton is the easiest to cut and sew. You can choose one fabric for a unified look, or mix n' match to create a two piece look. Solids and prints are both lovely.
Begin by creating a very simple top. A basic fitted top can be made following a basic bodice pattern. You can purchase a pattern for this, or cut a strip of fabric to loosely fit the doll's torso and sew darts into the front to make it fitted.
Cut a full circle skirt for the bottom of the gown.
*Tip: I buy lace with a double ruffle and then take my stitch ripper to the back of it. Remove the thread. Now you've got double the lace for half the price.
Trim the top of the body with lace and add lace to the bottom of the skirt. Lace can be fixed with a snap to use a shawl as well, as in the photos below.
The skirt can be attached to the top if you choose, or left separate to make it easier for small hands to dress the doll. As always, feel free to add all the embellishments you desire!
Clothes on dolls are adorable, and of course fun to make but even the simplest outfit can be made even cuter by adding shoes! Barbie shoes are inexpensive, and not too hard to find but American Girl Doll shoes (and similar 18" dolls) are a different story. They can be more expensive and elusive. So today, I'm going to teach you how to make some simple shoes to fancy up your dolls tootsies.
For the soles of your shoes there are a few different materials you can use which are quite cheap. Doll shoes aren't that different from people shoes and so the soles are made of similar things. Here are some suggestions:
Foam (soft or foam board)
Cardboard
Felt
and cork
These can be doubled up or mixed and matched to create various heights. For example, try a foam sole with a felt bottom for a cute look.
Here's the basic shape for the sole of your shoe:
This is the general shape. Use the doll's foot as a guide and simply trace (loosely) around it. Be careful not to make the instep (the part along the inside) to close to the doll's foot. You want space around the foot to attach the top of the shoe to. The sole will be the same for most style shoes, but the top can be drastically different. To attach the top to the sole you'll need to either sew (canvas, felt, cardboard) or glue. I recommend Mod Podge.
A basic horseshoe can be used for the simplest shoe shape. Sew or Glue the toe down and then the sides. For sandals try some strips of stiff trim criss crossed over the foot. When you're done with the top, you can embellish the sole's edge with fancy trip or braided rope. Add buttons, bows or other baubles for extra oompf.
The tops of your shoes can be made with a variety of materials such as:
Felt
Cotton
Canvas
Knit
Patent Leather (real or faux)
Ribbon
Burlap
Lace
Suede
The best way to come up with designs is to look at real shoes and experiment! Check out these helpful tutorials by other online crafters!
Your doll clothes can easily be dressed up by adding decorative stitching. The simplest designs can be given new life by using the following neat stitches. Try choosing colors that "pop" for extra pizazz.
The Blanket Stitch
This stitch can be used to hem fleece or thicker fabric in a decorative way, or used on the edges of vests or skirts. It creates an interesting look and helps separate similar colored pieces of clothing on the dolls. I also like the blanket stitch on, you guessed it, blankets! They make the doll look so much more cozy in her bed! To make the blanket stitch your needle comes up from the bottom of the fabric, and stays loose as it dips in and out of the fabric from the top, like how you fasten a safety pin. The needle coming out of the fabric pins down the loose thread, and as the motion is continued, that loose thread becomes the bottom securing loop that hems the bottom of the fabric.
The Running Stitch
The running stitch is perfect if you have any special designs or shapes or even names you would like to hand stitch onto any of the doll clothing you make. These stitches create great lines and using contrasting thread colors to the fabric you choose will really neat designs. I like to use this stitch to make interesting hem lines in differing colors, or swirls and curls on a pretty skirt or shirt. To make this stitch, pull the needle up from the underside of the fabric, and feed it back through. Just a small space, and back up in the same line I've created. I bend and twist the lines as I please.
The Chain Stitch
The chain stitch takes a little to get used to if you haven't done it too often. I love it's looks as purely decorative on my doll clothes. The chain stitch is great for flower details, leaves, petals, there's a variation of the chain stitch called the daisy chain stitch, which when doing it, creates daisy like flower designs. I use this stitch as decorative on all types of doll clothes. The Chain Stitch is made by feeding the needle up, and pulling the needle back down. Before pulling the thread tight, bring the needle up again, and pin the loose thread down. By stitching this way, the thread creates a chain like affect that looks like interlocking chains.
*Tip of the Week -- try using a large yarn needle and stitching with yarn on thicker fabrics for a really neat look. Use fun colored soft yarn on pastel fleece for a nice baby blanket!
