5f. How to Make Rolled Hems

This lesson is on how to roll and sew a narrow hem on doll clothes, so it looks proportional to the outfit.

The photo shows a rolled hem on the lower sleeve of a doll dress.

To begin

Two folds make the narrow hem, and they are too narrow to press. Practicing the technique I describe gets easier over time.

1. First, at the starting place of the hem make one tiny fold up and take two tacking stitches to hold in place.

2. Second, fold up again and this will form your finished hem line.

Make running stitches in your roll as you go along the hem. Look at the photo for reference.

I think that taking the time to make these rolled hems on doll clothes is really worth the effort. And after time they become easy to make. Have fun with your doll making projects!

Article and photo credit Susan Kramer

5f. How to Sew Skirt to Bodice

To begin, sew back seam of skirt leaving 2 inches at top open as an extension of the center back bodice opening for ease in dressing doll.

Roll in the raw edges above top of back skirt seam and blind stitch. When dress is completed sew a velcro dot just above waistline and at neckline to overlap bodice back one fourth inch.

Gather one eighth inch from top edge of skirt so it matches measurement of lower edge of bodice.

Gather a 2nd line of temporary basting stitching one quarter inch below waist line. This holds gathers in place nicely till bodice is sewn onto skirt.

Sew bodice to skirt

Fold under one fourth inch along lower edge of bodice and lay over top of skirt. Join together with topstitching as in close up photo. This technique forms a nice flat seam.

After sewing bodice to skirt with topstitching pull out the temporary line of gathers below the waist seam.

To make hem at lower edge of skirt turn up hem one half inch twice and blind stitch.

Have fun learning the technique to join a skirt to a bodice!

Article and photo credit Susan Kramer