How To Make A Baby Doll Dress

My favorite outing dress is a very simple baby doll dress that goes with basically anything. As I was researching it, one day I realized, “This is really a simple dress. I would love to try my hand at creating my own version. ” Me too.The method I used is a great way to create your own garment pattern from an existing item you probably have that you know will fit you. You can tweak this basic tutorial to create more custom looks that you’re happy with. Follow along as I share how to make your own baby doll dress (and pattern). Read: how to make a baby doll dress 1 3 Munition: -paper tape-measurement -2 1/2 yards of light to medium cotton fabric and 1/2 yard for liners-pins-scissors -iron and board-dipstick or pencil-self-healing mat and rotary cutter -saw machineStep one: Drafting a pattern is often the first step in making your own clothing if you don’t already have a commercial template to use. I like to do both for different reasons. Find a shirt or skirt with a loose fit that you like. Remember it needs to be wide enough to fit your head and your chest as we didn’t insert a zipper on this one. Fold your top/dress and trace. We’re just sketching a pattern for the bodice right now, so you can define your desired length. Once you’ve defined your bodice, add 1/2″ around to allow for a seam. Now, let’s make some cuts! If you want the back of the dress to be closer to the neck than the front, sketch two patterns—one for the front piece and one for the back. 2 and 3 Step two: This particular baby doll dress has a lined bodice, so we’re going to cut a front and a back section on the pleat from our main fabric. We will then cut additional front and back pieces on the fold to make our lining. 4 2 Third step: Once you’ve cut all four pieces, put the right sides of your front and front pads together. Pin all the way around the sides, neckline and underarms. You don’t need to sew the bottom. Let’s put this on the machine.Step four: After you’ve sewn the edges, neckline, and armpits, turn the right side of the fabric front out and use chopsticks to push the corners out. The photo above shows the difference in pushing the corners outward (left shoulder) versus not pushing them (right shoulder).Step five: Press your front piece flat and repeat steps 3-5 for the back piece.Step 6: Once you’ve flipped and pressed both the front and back pieces, put them together with right sides facing each other and pin the shoulders and sides together. Take it to the sewing machine and sew it up.Step 7: Turn the right side of the lapel out and iron it with an iron. Top stitch around neckline and arms.Step 8: Now that we’ve finished the bodice, let’s start with the dress. I wanted a pretty full skirt on my dress, so I cut a 72-inch (2 yards) x 19″ piece of fabric for it. You can easily change this to longer, fuller, less full or shorter, depending on your preference and height.Step 9: Once you’ve cut the skirt piece, sew two rows of stitches along the top edge of the fabric. Bite the skirt slowly and carefully, spreading the pleats out as much as possible. I like to make two stitches on large pieces like this just in case one of the stitches breaks. That way, you don’t have to start from scratch.Step 10: Measure the width of the bottom of the bodice and make sure your skirt size fits. Add or remove folds according to your size adjustment. Once you have the correct width, tie the stitches together and sew the side seam on your skirt. Press open your seams. *The skirt of this dress has no lining, but you are free to add lining if you want, just like we did for the top of the dress.Step 11: Now that we have the top and skirt pieces, it’s time to attach them. Start by pinning the side seam of the skirt to the side seam of the bodice (the two sides should face each other). Repeat on the other side. Now complete the pinning around the front and back. Pinning can go a little smoother if you tuck the bodice down inside the skirt and pin from there. Just make sure your right sides are together.Step 12: Take it to your sewing machine and slowly sew all the way around, making sure your bodice doesn’t bunch up. Taking your time will really pay off for this step. Try to keep your stitch just below your bottom stitch. Once the skirt has been attached, use a zigzag stitch or excess stitch along the edge to finish and trim the excess.Step 13: Okay! Now just the bottom border, and you’re done! Remember to archive your sample drafts so you can reuse or edit them for other garments later. You can use a trouser/skirt hanger to hang all of the paper clippings up in your closet or sewing room to store them for the future (without folding).I like this silhouette as a spring/summer dress, but it also wears well during the cooler months with a cardigan or bra. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll sew this dress in all my favorite fabrics! – Katie Read more: how to hang a full length mirror on the wall Credits // Author: Katie Shelton. Photography: Janae Hardy and Katie Shelton.