Questions about the plastic wrap and tape method

Are you adding too much seam allowance? Or could the pattern be stretching somehow as you remove it? I can't really think of any other way the pattern could get messed up with this method...much luck!

 

Probably you used too much wrap? Or didn't wrap the doll tight enough.
A thing I can recommend you is to use less film wrap you can around the doll, and tape it with not too much tape and very thightly, being careful of keeping the body shape as close as possible while taping it. Then, trace the pattern on paper and do some test fits with scrap fabric to be sure it fits, and make the eventual adjustments. I used this method more than once for corsets and it works pretty nicely!

 

When I use this method, I usually do at least one or two rounds of mock-ups to test and adjust the pattern, especially if I am trying to achieve a very fitted and perfected final result.

Once you obtain your initial rough pattern from the tape method, create a mock-up garment using a fabric that behaves similarly to the fabric you intend to use for the final garment. Test the mock-up on your doll and make any necessary adjustments, I usually do this by pinning and marking any excess. Use your judgment to decide which seams to take in, and/or if any new seams/darts/etc need to be added to the garment in order to perfect the fit.

Transfer any adjustments onto your rough pattern to obtain a second draft. If you are feeling confident about your adjustments, you can go ahead and create your final garment, or if you want to play things a little safer you can do another round of mock-ups to test (and if necessary, adjust) your second draft. If your final fabric is expensive, or you have a limited quantity of it, I definitely recommend playing it safe and taking the time to do as many rounds of mock-ups as necessary.

As a final tip, I do not add seam allowance on my pattern pieces, I add it when cutting. My pieces are marked/traced into fabric with water-soluble gel pen, but there are many other options to use, such as tailor's chalk. Make sure that whatever you use to mark is compatible with your fabric of choice. Marking the pieces this way and not including seam allowance allows for maximum precision when sewing as the pieces are marked on the sewing lines themselves.

Of course, if you are already doing all of this, my advice will not help very much!! Best of luck with your sewing endeavors, I'm sure you'll figure things out!

 

Hi! Okay, this might sound really random, but I use transferpaper (the kind to draw patterns on) instead of plastic wrap. That way it's a bit of a hassle to tape everything down, but I feel like it makes for a much tighter fit around the doll. And try using your new pattern with a cotton fabric first! It might not look the nicest, but it tends to hold it's shape perfectly while you sew, so it's almost a failproof way to check if you got the pattern just right. I hope this helps a bit. Good luck!