Guest Author - Susan Kramer

This dress will fit slim specialty dolls such as 18 inch Magic Attic, 15-16 inch Kathe Kruse, 16-17 inch Sasha, 17.25 inch Natterer Sunihil, 16.5 inch Theodor Recknagel Dolls, and other similar slim collectible and antique dolls.

For clothes to fit 18 inch American Girl and other historical dolls click here.

You’ll need one half yard (one half meter) of material for the dress.

The dress is being modeled by my 18 inch Magic Attic doll, Rose - with Floppy being a good companion!

For pattern pieces click here.

Construction directions

Bodice

If you are adding an appliqued front bodice decoration as shown in the lower photo, sew it on first. I used the corner of an special handkerchief for this applique.

With right sides of back and front bodice facing, sew together at shoulders. Press seam open.

Roll in neck edge and blind stitch on wrong side of neck line.

To finish back seam of bodice, turn in twice on each center edge and hand or machine stitch to make a one-fourth inch hem.

Instructions for attaching ribbon and lace to the neckline and sleeves are here. This is a closeup photo of a bodice with ribbons and lace.

Sleeves

Roll in lower edge and hem by hand or machine. (I sew sleeve and skirt hems by hand.)

Gather along dotted line of sleeve, (I use quilting thread for strength) just loose enough to slide over doll’s hand and lower arm; about 3.25 inches (8.5cm).

Along armpit edge gather sleeve with basting stitch just inside the one-quarter inch line to fit armhole and with right side of sleeve facing right side of front and back bodice (which are just joined at shoulders and now lay out flat) stitch together with one-fourth inch seam. Clip curve. Repeat for other sleeve.

With right sides of sleeves and bodice facing, sew together sides of bodice and underside of sleeves at the same time. Repeat on other side.

For skirt construction click here.

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