Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Adding horizontal ribbon trims enhances the attractiveness of doll clothes. It can turn an everyday school dress into a party frock!

Helene, my Corolle 18 inch doll, like an American Girl doll, is modeling this pink calico short sleeve dress.

Looking closely at the photo you'll see I've used 3 different patterns and textures of ribbon, that when used together compliment each other to create the rich effect.

In olden times fancy dresses had row upon row of ribbon sewn on the dresses made for the wealthiest women.

Of special note is the arrangement of ribbons to form the lower bodice decoration. It is a combination of 2 ribbons. The lower ribbon is one quarter inch wide and is hand sewn on first with tiny stitches.

Just above and overlapping it I've sewn on a narrow three eighths inch wide shiny satin ribbon.

The combination of the 2 ribbons next to each other gives the illusion of a very intricate swath.

These ribbons work with different widths and textures and match the dress, but you could also use contrasting ribbon for a dramatic effect.

I hand sew doll clothes - it turns them into couture fashions for dolls. I learned recently that couture clothing is hand-sewn. Knowing this helps explain "some" of the fabulous prices charged. But, why not make your doll wardrobe a couture collection, also, by choosing special fabrics and individual trims like on our model, Helene.

Bring your doll making questions to the Doll Making Forum at the foot of this page so we can learn from each other.

Happy doll making!

Index of Doll Costumes
Index of Special Doll Making Techniques
Create Vertical Trims

Article and photo by Susan Kramer