13 best pattern dress making books

Product description

Step your dolls night wear up a level using this Simplicity sewing pattern by Andrea Schewe. Looks include a halter top, dress, top, pants, skirt, and jacket. It's a great way to keep your kids occupied— there's enough to switch outfits out daily. This is a perfect gift for any young girls who enjoys playing with dolls. Includes different looks and is for 11.5'' dolls. Instructions are written in English and Spanish.

• Includes instructions for sewing patterns with templates
• Doll clothes sewing patterns are for 11.5'' dolls.
• Patterns for 11.5'' doll include a halter top, dress, top, pants, skirt, and jacket.
• This makes a fun way for your kids to swap outfits with their dolls daily.
• Suggested fabrics are novelty sequin knits, denim print broadcloth, corduroy, crepe back satin, tissue lame, satin, rayon, suede cloth, peau de Soie, fleece, and pointelle.

User questions & answers

Question:	can a seven year make these
Answer:	I don't think a typical 7 year old could make this. The patterns pieces are very small and the construction of some of the items requires pretty good eye-hand control. The pattern instructions are for someone who has had experience sewing. I have been sewing since I was 13 and I am now 63. Some of these pieces are hard to make look good.
Question:	Does this pattern fit vintage barbies or the new "belly button" barbie doll
Answer:	they have so far I made this pattern for my granddaughters dolls. They fit all of them
Question:	Are these best done with a machine or sewn by hand
Answer:	They can both be done with the sewing machine or by hand
Question:	does it fit on fashionistas barbie
Answer:	If a fashionistas is the size of a traditional barbie then these clothes with fit.

Product features

THE PATTERN MAKING PRIMER

This book is your ultimate resource for pattern making. Use it as your tool for coming to grips with every aspect of pattern design and customization. Clear, jargon-free text and fully illustrated techniques will guide you through every step and past every pitfall, giving you the confidence you need to take patterns into your own hands.

You'll learn about:

Tools, Supplies, and Equipment

It is important to understand the tools of the pattern-cutting trade before you start. Some are essential (such as measuring tape) or multifunctional (such as Patternmaster) and you will use them constantly. Others have a specific use (e.g., a pattern notcher) and you will need them less often. These tools can be accumulated over time, and you may form your own equipment preferences as you work.

Taking Measurements

Measure Twice; Sew Once

Always check measurements before committing a pattern to fabric, noting measurements on each pattern piece. Check that notches are correctly positioned, especially after a pattern alteration. Curved pattern pieces should be measured using the tape's edge.

Sleeves

A range of sleeve techniques is provided to add variety to your designs. A well-set sleeve will frame a garment, and care and attention should be shown at the construction phase to ensure consistency.

Pictured above: A button-front shirt with bishop-style sleeve gathered at the wrist.

Muslins

A muslin, or toile, is essentially a garment prototype. Up to this point, the initial pattern draft is just a hypothesis in pattern cutting, and is only proven when the muslin is created and then tested on the fitting model or dress form. In the transformation from a flat to a 3-D shape, many unforeseen problems can arise. The muslin is a means of testing the design so that these may be corrected and the pattern resolved.

Product features

Reynard the Fox

Sew the smartest fox in his tweed jacket, breeches and cravat.

Freddie the Badger

Get Freddie ready for work in his dungarees and quilted gilet.

Wilhelmina Wood Mouse

Spend a day at the seaside with Ms Mouse in her wrap dress.

Clementine the Cat

Dress the most stylish cat in town in a dreamy frock and bag.

And don’t forget Luna Lapin!

As well as Luna’s four new friends you’ll also find the pattern for Luna and three outfits for the impeccably dressed rabbit, including a tie-shoulder dress, corduroy car coat, bloomers, wellington boots, nightdress and her miniature patchwork bed quilt.

Product features

A Little about Fabrics

Woven Fabrics:

Woven fabrics don’t have much stretch when you tug on them. When project instructions call for woven fabrics, look for fabrics such as quilting cotton, calico cotton, chambray, lightweight denim, flannel, poplin, or corduroy.

Knit Fabrics:

Knit fabrics are stretchy. T-shirts are made from knit fabrics. When project instructions call for knit fabrics, look for fabrics such as cotton Lycra, jersey knit, and cot ton interlock. Be cause knit fabrics don’t unravel, there is no need to finis h the seam allowances of knits.

Selvage:

Fabric has a width and a length. The selvage edge is the length. It sometimes has writing on it. The width of fabric is the other direction, perpendicular to the selvage edge. Be sure to cut off the selvage edge before pinning and cutting pattern pieces.

Tip:

Most projects use small pieces of fabric. Use scraps you have on hand. And check the remnant bin at your local fabric store.

From left to right: small-scale print, medium-scale print, large-scale print

Tip:

When making doll clothes, you may want to choose smaller-scale prints. These smaller-scale prints look great on doll clothes, and the design of a large-scale print might be lost when you cut out your pattern pieces. Narrow lace and ribbons also work well for embellishing your doll’s outfits and accessories. You should choose what you like … large-, medium-, or small-scale prints … you are the designer. Whatever you choose, your doll will like too.

Tip:

To make your patterns last longer, trace the paper patterns onto tracing paper or pattern-tracing fabric. Use the tracings to cut out the fabric pieces. Fold the paper patterns neatly and store them in a plastic bag or manila envelope when you are finished with the project.