For clothes to fit 18 inch American Girl and other historical dolls click here.
Bodice construction click here.
Skirt construction
Sew back seam of skirt leaving 2 inches at top open as an extension of the center back bodice opening for ease in dressing doll. Roll in the raw edges above top of back skirt seam and blind stitch. When dress is completed sew a velcro dot just above waistline and at neckline to overlap bodice back one fourth inch.
Either gather one fourth inch from top edge of skirt or make small pleats as I have - see photo detail below - to fit bodice lower edge.
To make hem, turn up lower edge twice and blind stitch.
How to sew bodice to skirt
I make this a half inch seam for both skirt and bodice, because of gathered top edge of skirt at waist, and so bodice and skirt do not pull apart with use.
Fold under one half inch along lower edge of bodice and lay over top of skirt. Join together with topstitching. This technique forms a nice flat seam.
Finishing
For back closure sew on a velcro dot at neck edge and just above waist to keep one side of back overlapped.
Now decorate the dress if you wish
Looking at the close up view of this dress, note that I used both white and pale pink 6-strand embroidery thread to top stitch a line just above lower bodice edge and also just below waistline over pleats to help keep them flat.
Have fun making your doll dresses!
Homepage for Sasha, Kathe Kruse, Magic Attic
Pattern Pieces
Sewing Instructions
Long Sleeve Dresses
Short Sleeve Dresses
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For American Girl, Corolle, Gotz
Article and photographs Susan Kramer
15 Inch Kathe Kruse Toni Doll
