Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Here are instructions for making dresses to fit approximately 25 inch (62.5cm) dolls, including the Raggedy Ann doll in the photo below.

Collar
Finished sides facing, sew collar front to collar back on both short edges and on long outside round edge. Leave inside short rounded edge free to turn right side out. Clip curve and turn finished sides out and press. Sew on ribbon trim as in photo.

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

Working on finished side of bodice, sew collars to neckline and clip curve. Over the finished top of collar seam sew bias strip and turn to inside of bodice and sew in place.

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



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 6 inches (15cm) if for the Raggedy Ann doll.

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.

Skirt
Cut a rectangle 12 inches long and 31 inches wide for skirt. This gives 2.5 inches for hem. Sew center back seam and leave a 2 inch slit at center back seam at waist edge for ease in dressing. Roll the open edge to inside and hem. Gather skirt to fit waist and sew on. Turn up hem one half inch and press. Then turn up 2 inches for finished length.

Finishing Touches
Sew a band of satin or cross-grain ribbon on bodice at waistline as in photo.

Sew a velcro-type square or round closure at neck edge and waistline. I do not risk using buttons or any other fastener on doll clothes that kids will handle.

Have fun making the doll dress and bring any questions to our doll making forum so we can all help and learn together!

Click here for the bodice pattern.
Click here for sleeve and collar pattern.
Click here for photo of dress, material and supplies needed.

Article and photo by Susan Kramer