The easiest method I have found to sew doll clothes together as neatly and swiftly as possible is to press the cut out pieces, then also iron all edges that will be turned in. Then pin together and sew together.
In the photo you can just see the turned up hem on the bright yellow calico lower sleeve. It is turned up one quarter inch to the finished side and a row of pre-gathered lace is sewn over it - also on the finished side.
To the right in the photo is a doll bodice. The shoulder seams are first sewn together then pressed to the back.
The lower edge of the bodice is turned up one quarter inch and pressed. This seam will be place over the top edge of a pleated or gathered skirt and topstitched in place.
I turn in the back center bodice seams one eighth inch twice and press - then pin and sew.
I also turn up the lower hem of the skirt twice, press and pin in place before hemming. It makes a nice crisp hem finish.
Overall with doll clothes, because you are working mostly with very small pieces, do press every seam that will need turning in before sewing the pieces together.
Then when the dress is complete you won't have to worry about trying to iron out unwanted creases!
Index of Doll Costumes
Index of Special Doll Making Techniques
Fancy Dresses for American Girl and Similar Dolls
Charity Note:
I'd like to suggest that if you spend time making doll clothes, anyway, that you collect a few dolls from friends and neighbors and sew a wardrobe or a complete outfit for each doll. Then donate the doll in the completed outfit to a charity that distributes used dolls and toys to kids that otherwise would not have any.
Article and photo by Susan Kramer
Save to Del.icio.us
