Clothes Patterns for 18 Inch Dolls and Bitty Baby

Dolls & Costumes Website
Susan Helene Kramer
susan@susankramer.com

Here are instructions for making a flared jumper to fit 18inch (45cm) American Girl, Gotz Precious Day, and other 18 inch full body dolls with similar body types.

The bodysuit can be used as a blouse. I like using a bodysuit with jumpers, especially with active play. It is always a neat appearance. The bodysuit pattern is on another page: click here.

The jumper and blouse /bodysuit look nice in contrasting fabrics. I trimmed this bodysuit with lace around the neck and front placket edge. Both blouse / bodysuit and jumper are washable cotton fabrics.

The fabric for this jumper is almost as stiff as canvas cloth and holds its shape. If you used a softer fabric the hem and lower edge would hang is folds.

Supplies needed:

Jumper:
- One quarter yard (one quarter meter) of material.
- One sticky dot for back skirt closure
- Thread to match. I use a single strand of quilting thread and sew doll clothes by hand.
- 30 inches (75cm) bias tape for neck and armhole edges.
- Trims for center front.
Blouse / bodysuit:
- One quarter yard (one quarter meter) of material for the blouse/bodysuit.
- Two sticky dots for front shirt and back shirt closing, (no buttons for kids doll clothes, please).
- Thread to match. I use a single strand of quilting thread and sew doll clothes by hand.
- Lace for neckline or other trim as desired.

Pattern:

Add one inch to length of pattern if you wish the length of jumper to come just below your doll's knees.



To make your 1-inch square (2.5cm) grid graph paper

First, take an 8.5x11 inch piece of plain paper and draw 1 inch squares - I do this by drawing horizontal lines 1 inch apart down the page, and then vertical lines 1 inch apart across the page.

Next, looking at the .jpg image you want to enlarge, copy what is in each of my squares into your larger squares.

Seam allowances of 1/4 inch are included.

You can try printing out the pattern to see if squares are one inch square.

Jumper Construction:

Front of jumper showing 3 ribbons sewn on for interest. The easiest time to sew on decorations is before assembling the jumper.



- First cut out 2 patterns pieces of the jumper to make the front and back. Then make a slit down 3 inches (7.5cm) from the back neck edge for the opening. Iron pattern pieces.

- Sew front to back at shoulders. Using bias tape or stretch lace binding sew on good side of neckline and armhole edges and turn in and sew with a blind stitch in place.

- For opening in center back roll raw edges in and blind stitch. When dress is completed sew on sticky dot near neck edge for closure.

- Sew front to back at side seams.

- Roll hem and blind stitch.

Blouse / Bodysuit Pattern and Sewing Directions are here.

Article, pattern, and photo credits copyright 2010 Susan Kramer