Seam allowance question

Hmm, I'm confused, how do you know how they fit before you've added the seam allowance?

 

Do you have any photos you can share? Maybe make the seam allowance smaller? I personally use 5mm so I can use my sewing foot as a guide on my machine. Are you making sure to clip corners so curved edges turn more smoothly? Without seeing the pieces it’s hard to fully know why you may be having issues though.

 

Are you sure the seam allowance isn't meant to be added to the pattern? In other words the line on the pattern is where you stitch, not where you cut. If not, the pattern should say what the seam allowance is, so that's weird. Doll patterns can have very narrow ones like 1/4 inch (6.35mm).

 

Don't use paper towels; they can stretch and deform, which leads to bigger pieces. I typically wrap my doll in saran wrap and use small pieces of masking tape to cover the area and then cut it off the doll body. The smaller pieces help prevent stretching, but if you pull too tightly on it when removing it from the body, it can stretch a bit. This tutorial by Tatiana B was sooo helpful when I started drafting my own blocks and patterns pieces: https://tatianabstudio.wixsite.com/main/tutorials

 

Adding seam allowances shouldn't make any difference - but you can't fit propery without them so that and the stretchy nature of paper towels is probably causing the issues.

Make the test pieces for fitting purposes out of cheap fabric/fabic offcuts (I use unbleached calico - Americas call it "muslin") with seam allowances included and pin or tack along the actual seam lines. (I always use the "standard" - for toys/dolls- quarter-inch seam allowance and sew with a quilter's quarter-inch foot so they're consistent).

Transfer any alterations and changes to your paper pattern before finalising it, then use that cut out in your actual garment fabric.

Teddy

 

I second this! Making a mock-up out of calico/muslin/scrap fabric is such an important step. It takes a little longer, but it allows you to make adjustments on the fabric you don't care about and you don't mess up your pretty fabric!