Here are pattern pieces for making dresses to fit 14-inch to 16-inch Bitty Baby
in the American Girl Dolls series, Baby Born or similar baby dolls.
This pattern is my original design and may not be used
commercially.
Pattern pieces - quarter inch seam allowance
included
Dress front
Cut one on front
fold.
Dress back
Cut two pieces.
Sleeves
Cut two with sleeve top on
fold.
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.
Sewing Instructions
You’ll need one half yard (one half meter) of material for the
dress.
To finish the neckline, you'll need 10 inches (25cm) of half inch
(1.25cm) gathered lace, and the same amount of a bias strip for finishing neck
edge as in photo. You'll also need 1 yard of one-fourth inch (6mm) satin or
cross-grain ribbon for the dress front trim.
Dress
With right sides of
back and front dress facing, sew together at shoulders. Press seam
open.
Baste right side of lace to right side of neck opening, with top of
lace pointing down as in photo detail.
Using the bias strip sew one long edge over the sewing line of
lace, turn to inside of dress leaving one fourth inch of bias strip showing as
in photo detail. On inside turn in bias strip and sew to dress.
To finish
back seam of dress, sew together along seam line of center back leaving about 4
inches open at top as marked on pattern piece. For these two open edges turn in
one fourth inch twice and blind stitch seam. Overlap edges and sew on a velcro
dot for closure. I do not use button closures on doll clothes that are used by
children, to avoid swallowing and
choking.
Sleeves
Roll in lower edge and hem by
hand or machine. (I sew sleeve and skirt hems by hand.)
To make ruffle
near lower edge of sleeve, gather with a strong thread, (I use quilting thread
for strength), just loose enough to slide over doll’s hand and lower arm; about
5 inches (12.5cm).
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 dress (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 dress
facing, sew together sides of dress and underside of sleeves at the same time.
Repeat on other side.
Hem at lower edge of dress
When
cutting out your material add or subtract hem length according to length of your
doll. For the dress in this photo which fits Bitty Baby, I added 2 inches to
the pattern length.
Turn in lower edge one fourth inch twice and
blind stitch.
Now decorate the dress as you wish
Top stitch cross grain or satin ribbon in pattern as in photos
or anyway you wish. (A hint to sew ribbon in a straight line is to iron a crease
in the dress material to act as a guideline!)
Pinafore or Apron Pattern and Sewing Directions
for Bitty Baby, Maxi Muffin, Baby Born - Medium Baby Dolls
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This pattern is for pinafores to fit 14 inch to 16 inch Bitty Baby in the
American Girl Dolls series, Baby Born, Gotz Maxi Muffin, and similar baby dolls.
This pattern is my original design and may not be used
commercially.
Sewing Instructions
Here are sewing instructions for making pinafores to fit 14-inch to 16-inch
Bitty Baby in the American Girl Dolls series, Baby Born and similar baby dolls.
Bodice
Cut two pieces for bodice and place right
sides together. Beginning at lower front edge of bodice front sew up the long
side, and follow around all edges until you reach the other lower front bodice
edge at waistline. Leave seam across waistline open to turn bodice right side
out. Turn in lower edge one fourth inch and blind stitch closed. Press. See
photo below:
Skirt
Turn up material for hem one quarter
inch twice on sides and lower edge and blind stitch.
Gather top edge of
skirt to doll's waist measurement. I made this apron 14 inches (35cm) around the
waist.
Center the gathered edge of skirt along the center of 1 yard of
1-inch satin or cross grain ribbon, or ribbon you make from skirt fabric.
Enclose the gathered edge in the ribbon and sew in place.
Tie the skirt
with a bow or in a square knot.
How to attach bodice to skirt
Center and sew in place the lower edge of bodice front one-half inch
below underside of top of waistband. Adjust placement to match the waistline of
the doll dress apron will go over.
To attach strap at back waist, fold
straps up and back and sew to waistband one half inch from center bow.
Have fun making baby
doll clothes!
Article
and photo credits Susan Kramer
Email: susan@susankramer.com
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