About to make some dolls clothes - any tips?

Not really my field, my dolls are all porcelain and most are fashion dolls, for display only.

Having said that, I think you've more or less answered your own question! Keep them simple and remember if they're for a toddler to play with, they'll probably get pulled on and off lots of times, and possibly chewed, so I'd try to avoid buttons or fancy trims that could be a choking hazard. Sorry if I'm teaching granny to suck eggs, but it's still worth saying.

FWIW, I usually finish up making at least two or three attempts at bodices to get a dress right before I'm satisfied. The good things is that dolls' clothes usually don't use much material so you can afford to have the occasional mishap.

Good luck and enjoy!

:-)

you can afford to have the occasional mishap.

Another advantage is that dolls tend to stand still while you are fitting them, unlike people who fidget, super suck in their tummies, stand with unnatural postures and then complain that the finished garment "doesn't fit right"!!! (don't ask me how I know this!)

:-)

Erin

Dear Sarah,

When I'm making play dolls for kids, I leave the backs completely open and use snaps or Velcro dots for closures. This makes it easy for the child to get clothes on and off by themselves.

You can use elastic in the waist of the knickers and shorts.

Teri

What about using that rib knit that you buy for cuffs on sweatshirts? I have some of that I bought by the yard at the Mill End store. It stretches out immensely, then goes back to shape. Seems like it would make it easy for even a toddler to get shirts and pants and dresses made of that on a doll.

Dear Joanne,

That probably might work. I deal mainly with historic costumes for my dolls, and the only concession I make is to leave them open all down the back. I don't use knit fabrics for them; knits were used only for stockings.

Teri

Dear All,

In reply to all the wonderful responses from you, many thanks. Your humour much appreciated, and your sensible suggestions very useful.

I shall have to have a look in the stash to see if I have any soft velcro in white, I know I have some rather stiff stuff in black..... certainly don't have any velcro dots.

I do like the idea of the jersey cuffing, but it's not something I have ever seen available in UK shops. I might have a play with a bit of lycra enhanced T-shirting I have - that might work - trouble is it's royal purple!

I'm determined to dress this doll out of stash scraps were possible - I certainly have more than enough stored!

At least I know the doll pattern and clothes patterns with it work, as my MIL has already made everything once for another child, so no fit issues to worry about thankfully.

This brings back memories - the first things I ever sewed at about age 8 or 9 were a couple of very simple doll's dresses (by hand) that my Grandma (a professional dressmaker) coached me through. Sadly she got Altzheimers and died just as I turned 12.

Many thanks again!

Sarah