EASY and CLEAR patterns for not-sewing-expert

I know for a fact that McCall's patterns a generally not the easiest to sew from. I think Simplicity has some "Sewing for Dummies" (the name-brand, folks, honestly) in the 18" doll size. In fact, most pattern companies do make "easy sewing" type patterns, so my best recommendation would be to go to a store that sells patterns and just browse through the pattern catalogues, and then if you see any that strike your fancy, getting them.

I wasn't much help at all, was I...? ops: Good luck, though! I'd like to see what you come up with!

 

The short answer: no.

The (much) longer answer: To the best of my knowledge, Affordable Designs patterns are the closest we can get to an "out of the box ready to sew" pattern, with full size patterns and step by step instructions like the major commercial pattern companies. Caveat: I haven't sewn from any of theirs yet because I'm so far behind on my current list of projects that I will never catch up.

My understanding is that the McCall's patterns for the 14" Betsy McCall will fit the MSD body, just need lengthening in the body, sleeves, and legs. This is about the easiest pattern modification to do, especially for dolls, who really don't care if things rub a little funny when they walk because they don't walk. Again, the caveat: I have the patterns, I've looked at them, but I haven't sewn from them...see above :-).

Patterns for 18" American Girl types dolls from these companies need a LOT more modification. Not only do they need lengthening, but need to be made smaller in the body. If my memory is working today, I think the basic initial alteration is reduce 80% and lengthen 4". I have made a bathrobe from one of these patterns, and since bathrobes are not particularly tight fitting, after reducing the pattern it was mostly a matter of lengthening it to where I wanted it to fall.

I still like James' patterns, there's a link to them from the DOA FAQ. While they don't have step by step instructions, there are (or were) some general instructions around, and if you've ever made doll clothes before (or human clothes where you set sleeves in flat rather than in the round), they all go together just like that.

In fact, if you have a Joann's around, check for their dollar pattern sales. You might want to get an 18" doll pattern just to read the instructions to get an idea of how they go together. That may very well be worth a dollar to you - I've bought human patterns for just that purpose, to see what the pieces look like, so I can go to work on a doll version.

I do not recommend the Volks pattern books for beginners or those who don't like to use their seam rippers :-). The clothes are beautiful, but the patterns are complex, and for those of us who don't read Japanese, there are only a few pictures, no instructions. Not to mention seam allowances in millimeters :-).

And if you want something really, REALLY simple to sew, I have instructions for a simple elastic waist skirt on my website: http://www.simpledreamsdolls.com/skirtutorial/index.html

Marcia.

 

Sher

James no longer has that website. You could find his patterns:
http://denofangels.com/sdfaq.html >> http://denofangels.com/sdfaq-sew.html#q01 Click on *We've archived here* >> http://denofangels.com/patterns/ << James Patterns

 

I have the first two Volks books and have made just one shirt from them.. some of the patterns are a bit "wha?" but some of them seem to be pretty straightforward ^_^ I made this shirt from three pattern pieces (sleeve, front, and back) and no instructions.

http://www.denofangels.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12843

(I think one of the most "huh?" things about the Volks books is that they print MANY patterns all overlapped on the same sheet of paper... You have to tell the pieces apart by the shade of the ink they're printed in.. erg...)

 

i have just started a patterns site theres only 3 up now im wateing for feed back b4 i do mare.

hope this helps www.undeadthreads.com

 

So far, I'm finding the third book the easiest - not because the patterns are the simplest, because they're not, but because with each successive book they've been adding more and more detailed instructional drawings. They've also numbered the pattern sheets and with each pattern they list what sheets the pieces are on. This makes it lots easier for those of us who don't really read Japanese, just do pattern matching to figure out "front" and "back" :-).

The biggest complaint I have with this book is that it's chock full of good "doll pictures" of dolls wearing the outfits, but the photography is not very good at showing the details of the outfits. For example, the picture showing the back of the boy's coat is all black - it shows none of the details of the back "belt" at all. I understand the desire to show off the dolls in their best light, but when you're illustrating the final result of a pattern, a more documentary approach is really needed.

Marcia.

 

I think there was a page in the FAQs that helped you 'decifer' the overlapping pattern pieces for the first 2 books. I know I found it a GREAT help in figuring them out. If you sew much you can probably get it from there.

 

Laila has made a pattern book for MSD/DOD sized dolls, which are $16, I think. (Or, if you're a member of the DOD Union, $11.) She has some basic patterns, and instructions. I plan to order mine ASAP.