Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Here are the supplies needed to make the short sleeve May Day, communion or other special occasion dresses for 6.5 inch (16.25cm) to 8 inch (20cm) mini dolls such as those by American Girl, Tonner Betsy McCall, and similar body types with a chest measurement about 3.75 inches (9.5cm).

This is a very easy to make dress pattern with just 3 pieces - bodice front, bodice back and skirt. The sleeves are part of the bodice.

Here is my 6.5 inch American mini doll, Addy, modeling this dress:

For a photo of my 8 inch Tonner Betsy McCall wearing the same dress click here.

You’ll need one eighth yard (one eighth meter) of material for the skirt.

For the front and back bodice, you'll need just a small scrap of contrasting material.

If you use ribbon trim as in the photo choose a narrow size - either one quarter or one eighth inch wide. With small dolls such as mini dolls I like to keep the proportions of the trimmings in keeping with the rest of the outfit.

For the most shine and sparkle and really dressy occasions choose a satin rather than a cross grain ribbon. But either would look nice. If you add any lace, also keep it narrow and not too full so as to overwhelm the dress.

Click here for the page of pattern pieces. The grid is 1 inch (2.5cm) squares. Pattern pieces include 1/4 inch seam allowances.

Click here for the page of sewing directions.

For each layer of skirt, (I used 2 layers for this dress) cut fabric 15 inches (30cm) wide and 4 inches (10cm) long for skirt to fall just below knee to ankle length. Adjust length of hem after trying on doll. The finished skirt length in the photos is 2.5 inches (7cm).

Enjoy your doll clothes making project! Bring any questions to our doll making forum - the link is at the foot of the page.

21 detailed tutorials for making cloth doll bodies and costumes, plus patterns and instructions to make and dress the 12 inch (30cm) Anneke cloth doll. Fully illustrated 53 page ebook. Doll Making Techniques

Collection of patterns for clothes I designed to fit 18 inch American Girl, Corolle, Gotz Precious Day Dolls; 14-16 inch baby dolls like Bitty Baby and Baby Born; and 15-18 inch dolls like Sasha, Kathe Kruse play dolls and Magic Attic. Fully illustrated 35 page ebook. Doll Clothes Patterns

Article and Photograph by Susan Kramer