T-shirts: Need a snap on the neckline, or no?

I just made a long-sleeved T-shirt for Joshu (CH Ai, so about SD-sized), and it definitely needed a slit in the back, at least, for the pattern I was using. (the whole back of mine opens, actually, but I may try doing a simple slit + closure next time).. A neckhole big enough to fit over the head might look odd for a T-shirt, I think..

 

Use one of those small, thin metal snaps; they look less bulky in the finished product than the plastic ones. Also, there is less chance of a metal snap breaking.

 

If you can find the very fine looped velcro, you can sew it up the back and it doesn't show at all. it even helps you fit the shirt to different dolls - loose or tight, girl or boy.

tiny zippers carries it. www.tinyzippers.com

 

I second that; the velcro that tinyzippers sells is wonderful and *doesn't* catch wig-hair in it

 

I've sewn/knit tops recently. I've tried the opening all the way down the back and didn't really like it. I think best would be to sew seam up part way with either a zip or snaps the rest of the way. Velcro is easier but I find the hook side snags on everything - it's a bit bulky too.

Regular pullover styles just don't cut it for Saskia. I have the added problem of getting necklines over the Elf ears.

 

n/a

 

I make my dollfie shirts like human shirts, I think the slit makes them look weird. It's not too hard to just pop a head off to put a shirt on or take it off ^^;

 

Or use stretchy material! ^^

 

Ditto,

And ditto. =D

 

Any reason doll T-shirts can't be made like baby T's, with the shoulder seams opening up? Baby T's are usually made like that, to avoid pulling something tight over a baby's head.

 

You know I was thinking the same thing about baby t's. THere is a little more bulk at the shoulders/ collar bone though.

 

As much as I'd love a "real" tshirt without a snap or velcro or something, I REALLY really don't like pulling things over my dolls' heads that are so tight that it smashes eyelashes, possibly rubs off blush, etc., and also getting their elbows so out of whack to get certain tops on freaks me out as well... I am just so afraid I will break something.

And no amount of "oh that's okay you can do that you won't hurt her" will change my mind, so lately, if things pull over their head but don't have a snap or velcro or something, I won't buy them. And there's no way I'd take off a head to change a shirt ... again I know that's just me, but after wrestling with a lishe body - TWICE - to get a head on it, I am not going to do that for clothing changes. Eep. I'd rather see velcro than do THAT again.

 

Having made doll clothed for years now, I have absolutely no problem with t-shirts that have a slit/ snap in the back. I like using the tiniest metal snaps available, like 4/0 or 5/0, and they don't add that much bulk too the clothes, as far as I'm concerned. I'd rather have the piece of mind of _not_ struggling to pull a t-shirt over their big heads and risk damaging the doll or shirt. But head-removing is also a livable alternative, if you are comfortable doing that.

It's a matter of personal preference, I think.

 

>> I'd rather have the piece of mind of _not_ struggling to pull a t-shirt over their big heads and risk damaging the doll or shirt. But head-removing is also a livable alternative, if you are comfortable doing that.

The trick is to make the neck line strechy enough it works like a regular t-shirt. I'd be pretrified to keep taking a head off and on, I'm such a clutz. However, with a few of the fancy overlock strech stiches on my sewing machine... and a bit of practice with a strechy fabric it's possible to make a neckline that's got a LOT of strech.

The neck band has to be a little bigger than normal but I like being able to give the top half of the t-shirt a a sexy fit by keeping it a bit tight over the chest. I wasn't able to get a clean line with the closures... so I kept experimenting.

-Cat-

 

My Cutie Delf Mary is wearing an NBA promotion shirt from McD's happy meal.

No provision for putting over a head.

She's got this neat new head & headcap system, though, so she is the One Doll I will remove the head to put clothing on. Including dressing her, it takes about 30 seconds (she does not wriggle as much as a real toddler).

The rest of my dolls will be wearing styles that open, one way or another.

Ann in CT