Wanted Tips for Making a Doll Clothes?

Well it's always important to have a list of the dolls exact measurements on hand. Usually you can find doll specific measurements online, if not, it's usually not too hard to measure them yourself with a measuring tape. If you have any store-bought doll clothes that fit your doll, it's usually helpful to use those to make patterns.

 

Do you mean you have issues making the pattern at a smaller scale? Or sewing the pattern at a smaller scale?

I've found for sewing in smaller scale it's easier to not cut out the pattern piece before sewing. (I just realized this is going to be hard for me to explain without pictures.)
Anything small will also have a smaller seam, you can't really hid 1/2"-1" of seam allowance. If the item as identical parts, example a t-shirt.
I will draw the pattern out, the cut it out in a square square shaping leaving anywhere from 1-2" around the entire pattern. Cut an identical square pin the edges together as well as the middle of the fabric sheets.
At this point it's ready to sew, making sure not to close up where the sleeves and collar will be. Once the edges of the shirt has been sewn I will cut the pattern out from my square leaving a portotinate seam to the piece of clothing.
I like to machine sew so this leave a bunch of room to manoeuvre the machine in precise manner, instead of the small fabric fraying or bunching.

As for sizing it you can work in ratios to scale down your patterns. I personally am not that great at math so here is a introduction..
Understanding Doll Scale: 1:6, 1:4, 1:3 ; 1:12 & 1:2
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I scale down in photoshop then bring it up at its full size on my tv and then make eyeball comparisons. It's a lot of playing around but I really don't have a math mind.

 

@MirthMaven I don't know if that was OP's problem or not, but you just blew my mind. That tip is going to save me a ton of trouble in the future! Thank you!

 

I do the group sewing projects on here (in the workshop section) as it helps me to have a deadline to work to, so I stop faffing about not really sure of what to do, I've only 4 weeks so I just have to get on with it! I've found to my surprise (I'm a bit of a control freak normally) that just muddling along and seeing what happens is the best approach for making doll clothes. I take the doll, take the fabric, lay them both on the bed or table and just see what kind of shape I think might work - hold the fabric against her and cut it, never make a pattern, sew it together then try it on her. If it's a good fit, I carry on, if it's too wide or tight or baggy or whatever, I adjust it then try it on her again. Hand sewing is definitely easier than using a machine though! I sew in backstitch although running stitch is easier to undo if it's just a rough mockup to see what the fit is like. The best way to make doll clothes is to just make them - just do it! Preferably start off with easier shapes rather than a tight fitted Victorian jacket though - that might be tricky with no pattern ^_^

 

I was very experienced at sewing adult or child patterns. Making dolls scale clothes is completely different, you even sew the pieces together in a different order. The first tips I found useful were looking at tutorials, for making Blythe clothes. Then it was just researching lots, looking at YouTube, asking questions on DoA....aaaand trial and error which is the stage I am still at. The sewing challenge which Elve refers to is the best way I have found to improve, and complete items. It has a whole range of skill levels taking part, from complete novice to experienced plus you can ask for help and advice in real time...best thing to do is just jump on board and enjoy.

 

don't flat pattern. drape. it'll save you. i also use an eighth of an inch for seam allowance.

 

I have tried making a pattern from clothes I already have that already fit my doll well. I always make things bigger than needed- so much better than having something too small you can't use. The seam allowance is something I just improvised. If I'm sewing for myself I actually have used fray stop solution on the raw edges.

Sewing for dolls is so different from sewing for yourself. Good luck and thanks for starting this thread!

 

I'd love to be able to make clothes for my 70cm boys but I lack the thought on scaling them down... lol
I can make human patterns but not so much for my boys!

 

American Girl doll patterns might be useful, lengthening the sleeves and the torso and adjustments in the shoulders and chest. I also have seen American Girl doll patterns in the sewing section. Even accessories like bags would work scaled down.

 

I'm with the drape crowd. I feel trying to scale down human patterns is just too labor-intensive and prone to failure.

Bjd bodies are so stylized, they often don't correlate to human bodies. Bjds tend to have massive heads, hands that won't slip through tight cuffs, breasts seldom found in nature and very long legs. My bjds all have different shaped bodies: child, boy, adult and stylized/fantasy bodies. For me, each body from each bjd company needs its own set of patterns for close fitting garments. (Loose clothing can be shared among similar height bjds.) (And there are some things I'll just buy: e.g. button-front shirts. :P)

My best advice for a paper pattern is to search for one that's intended for your particular bjd body. That would save you the most time. If nothing is found, try looking by doll height or company.

Keep sewing and I wish you great success!

OH! P.S. If you find a pattern you like online, PRINT IT OUT and keep it! There's no telling when the pattern will disappear!