For clothes to fit 18 inch American Girl and other historical dolls click here.
Pattern Pieces Link
Sewing Instructions Link
The photo at right is my 18 inch Magic Attic doll, Rose, and below, wearing the same dress and pattern is my slim Kathe Kruse play doll.
1. Magic Attic Dolls - For 18 inch dolls such as Magic Attic cut out the patterns and sew just as in the sewing instructions, except when adding lace at the end of the sleeves cut 3 inches off the length of the sleeves.
The overlap at the center back seam is one quarter inch.
Make the finished skirt length 7.5 inches.
2. Sasha and Kathe Kruse play dolls - For 15 to 17 inch dolls such as Sasha, and my 15 inch Kathe Kruse play doll Sabine in the photo, the skirt length will be 5.5 inches.
Also, and this is very important, the overlap in the center back seam is 1 inch.
Again, if you are going to sew lace to the lower edge of sleeves then cut 3 inches off the lower end of the sleeve pattern.
Hints and tips for making doll clothes and costumes
- You'll need 10 inches of ribbon and 10 inches of lace for the neckline and 10 inches of ribbon and 10 inches of lace for the sleeves. Follow directions for attaching lace and ribbons to neckline and sleeve hem.
- Press, pin and sew doll clothes in that order.
- Sew hems on clothing by hand for a fine dressmaker's touch.
- Choose smaller rather than larger prints for dress fabric, keeping in mind the scale of the doll. I like to use quilting material.
- Make the dresses from cotton and natural fabrics if you'd like to keep to historical time periods.
- Use washable materials and trims. I use the softest and closest weave cotton I can find.
- If the clothing is for a child's doll, use velcro closures rather than buttons or hooks and eyes for safety's sake.
Have fun with your doll making projects! Bring your doll making questions and comments to the discussion forum at the foot of this article so we can learn from each other.
Homepage for Sasha, Kathe Kruse, Magic Attic
Pattern Pieces
Sewing Instructions
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For American Girl, Corolle, Gotz
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For Raggedy Ann, Andy and Madeline
Article, Patterns and Photographs Susan Kramer
15 Inch Kathe Kruse Toni Doll
