Give Your Doll Clothes a Professional Look

(Update January 19, 2013: I still love the designs in this book. However, I made--or attempted to make--the Cropped Jack, and the sleeve was too big to set in without gathers or puckers in the sleeve seam line. Although I admit to finding set-in sleeves a challenging part of doll clothes making, I've been able to put other sleeves in. I certainly have no trouble with sleeves of my own garments. I visited the author's website and left her a note. No response yet.)

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I love this book!

I will tell you why:

I have sewn everything from coats and suits to prom dresses. But sewing for an 18-inch doll is simply another matter. Although I have many cute ideas for doll clothes, I have found myself disappointed in my results.

Most written instructions do not take in to account the significance of the 1/4-inch seam, as opposed to the usual 5/8-inch seam that is used in patterns for people. There is less room for error with the smaller seam; the finished garment will be too snug if the seam is too big or the fabric can easily ravel to the seam line if the seam is too narrow.

Making doll clothes look neat on the inside is important, especially if you're selling them. I've had to change the way I think about seams after years of pressing them opened to get the garment smooth and flat. Most of my seams now face one direction, and I finish seams whenever possible.

I don't think that Simplicity, the best-known pattern company, accounts for the differences between people and dolls. It is difficult for me to turn a hem under just once--per Simplicity's instructions--because the raw edge looks unfinished underneath, especially with fabric that ravels.

Dressing up 18" Dolly has practical instructions for sewing doll clothes. One suggestion, for instance, is to finish the edges of some seams before joining the two sides together. This is a small book with some super cute patterns, and I will give more concrete examples after making one of the patterns myself.

A couple criticisms of the book: The photos taken of the doll clothes could be much better. Also, I prefer American Girl or Madame Alexander as doll clothes models. Springfield dolls are cheaply made, and they look like cheap dolls. Would I buy my child a Springfield doll? Yes. But the doll doesn't photograph as well.

Madame Alexander vs. American Girl

I have an unabashed love for Madame Alexander because her face is so beautiful. Her lips are large, and so are her wide-set eyes. This doll is called "Favorite Friends First Day of School," and she's listed at the Madame Alexander site for $44.95. There are 13 "Favorite Friends" available at the above M.A. page. I particularly like this one:

I will frequently compare Madame Alexander to American Girl because there are differences. One notable one is that Madame Alexander's cloth body is seamed at the chest; whereas American Girl is seamed at the neck, making this seam visible with any open-necked outfit. However, Madame Alexander's chest seam creates a funny dent--noticeable to a seamstress--that gives her slightly funny posture. I actually tried to return my first 18-inch M.A. doll until I realized they're all designed in this manner.

Therefore, I consider the physique of American Girl to be superior. Yet, that funny seam at A.G.'s neck annoys me--but then so does the indented chest of M.A. Suffice it to say, a girl child won't care about either of these seams. And American Girl is twice as costly as Madame Alexander.

Both brands of dolls celebrate racial differences--as you can observe the different skin colors among the 13 dolls at the M.A. link that I provided above. American Girl gives the buyer a lovely opportunity to choose hair, eye and skin color. You can purchase a doll that resembles your child (somewhat). You can even choose to get the doll's ears pierced for an additional $15. However, the base price of the doll is $100 ($115 with pierced ears). The A.G. doll is a pricey toy, well worth the cost if your child plays with it for several years.

Some parents do not have $100 or even $45 to spend on a doll. There are cheaper brands, like Springfield dolls that can be found at Michael's. Springfield dolls are a cheap "knock-off" of the popular American Doll. You may also find it at Amazon--for about $17--but if get a 50 percent discount coupon for Michael's, you can get the Springfield doll for around $8. I won't spend significant time on Springfield dolls or any other brand that emerges as a trend or fad, unless it becomes more popular. If you or your child has a Springfield

 

doll, I'd be curious to hear about your experience and your opinion of the doll. My aim is to provide ample information to properly dress the 18-inch doll. American Girl will be the default doll when sizing patterns.