Miss Celie

About These American Girl Dolls….

So, last night my sister-in-law asked me to make matching outfits for my neice and her American Girl Doll. There is a store opening she’s attending?

This is so out of my element.

I’ve done a quick internet search and all I see are the doll clothes patterns. Do you guys know where or if matching kids clothes patterns exist?

My neice wears a size 8 to 10. Is that an age range or a size?

I’m currently struck with the stark reality of how little I know about children.

Does the outfit have to be exactly the same? Or just the same prints?

Will I want to stab myself with a darning needle sewing doll clothes? How did I not know this was a thing? I didn’t even know what section to look under in the Simplicity catalouge. Turns out ‘Crafts’. I don’t think I need to tell you I’ve never looked in that section before.

Did you know these dolls cost $125! Have I ever told you how badly I wanted a Cabbage Patch kid and at $30 my parents told me it cost too much.

Please. Anyone. Help.

69 comments

  2. I believe they have patterns for the dolls in some of the big four books. I think the whole doll/child like alike thing is kind of creepy =O. I think the dolls are a good size so the clothes wouldn’t be ridiculously small?

  3. Yes, the dolls are not cheap. I don’t know of any patterns that are specifically designed to be for both the American girl dolls and the girls who have them. However, for most of the dolls clothes you could find a girls pattern that would be close. Do you know which doll she has? Is it one of the specific time in history dolls or is it one of the modern dolls? If it is one of the historical dolls, is the costume supposed to be from that time period?

    • Oh, Heather! I asked which doll and they said, ‘the black one’. So, that is Addie according to my officemate who had them when she was a kid (before the matching craze?). I did ask my SIL if she needed a historical garment and she shrugged. I hate to sound like a whiner, but I am seriously overwhelmed by this for some reason. There are modern dolls?? I didn’t even look at the American Girl website. I am going to get a #FAIL as an aunt.

  4. Long time lurked here. Ive got two girls with the dolls. Took them to the store in la. The dolls are only the beginning! I spent $88 on matching pjs. Good thing I can sew! Check out liberty Jane patterns. They really are the cutest! We usually go same color/style here for the matching. You could probably do a simple skirt without a pattern and then a rtw tshirt for your niece and make a simple t for the doll. Liberty Jane has some free patterns, too. Good luck!

  5. American Girl, I thought those days were over for me. My 13 year old still wants to go to the opening with her now beat up doll I paid $80 for, lol! As far as matching outfit, they don’t have to be the same garments piece for piece, but rather in the same colors/fabric. I think the easiest/safest thing would be coordinating sundresses or short sets.

    You will need to get measurements for your niece because kids patterns have a lot of ease and again a sundress or shorts (elastic waist) would be your safest bet for fit.

    The doll patterns would would be in the “crafts” section of the catalog for 18 inch dolls. Most of the patterns have multiple wardrobe items. Butterick has a sale coming this weekend. So maybe you can get away with 3491 or 3875 which look simple enough. then you could easily find a cure simple coordinating dress or shorts pattern. Joann’s has the tutti fruitti cotton prints that would be really cute and girly too.

  6. Scientific Seamstress has childs and matching doll patterns. Also there is a site called ” Youcanmakethis.com” and there you will find alot of patterns for children and doll clothing.

  7. I have a book, All Dolled Up, by Joan Hinds that would be perfect for this project. Has patterns for the girl and the doll with a CD. I can get a copy to you if you so desire!

    My way of saying thank you for a fabulous blog that keeps me sane and smiling every day.

  8. LOL. I can’t help you, but I can brag that when I was a kid I was the lucky girl whose mom knew how to sew (professionally, actually) and I had dresses to match my Kirsten doll. Back then, there were only 3 dolls from different points in history and they each had a few outfits. To save money, my mom made doll dresses that closely resembled the ones you could buy.

  9. I’ve made matching doll and “mommy” dresses for my nieces and their american dolls. I used simplicity 3588 for my nieces and simplicity 4364 for the dolls. The patterns were similar enough and I used the same fabric so it looked more alike. I have a pic of them on my facebook (my name on there is Asma Khathija) on my album “I made that” which is set to public so you can view it as an idea!!

  10. Disclaimer: I’m in the UK so I’ve not heard of this brand of dolls before (plus I’ve never sewn for kids or dolls before – unless you count sewing by hand when I was a kid myself haha).

    Perhaps if you track down the doll patterns first (I’m assuming here that the range aviable verses actual real-life kids patterns would be more limited?) then you could find kids clothes patterns that are similar and adapt each of them to look as if they belong as a set?

    I searched for patterns for “American Girl Dolls” and found these links:
    http://www.libertyjanepatterns.com/search/label/FREE%20SAMPLE%20GUIDEBOOK
    http://www.dollclothespatterns.net/

    This page has a little bit about doll sizes: http://www.carpatina.com/sizedolls.html as does this one http://www.dollclothespatterns.net/doll-clothes-patterns/doll-clothes-patterns-that-fit-perfectly

    And this site has some free patterns for girls: http://m-sewing.com/patterns-catalog/girls.html

  11. Kwiksew has patterns for both girls and dolls this size. Their patterns for girls also run closer to RTW sizes than the big 4, IMO. Make something easy–with coordinated fabrics the niece will be thrilled!

    Lynda inLV

  12. BTDT =:o I have actual American Girl doll patterns. They are a bit too “real” for me – lots of unnecessary details for a doll outfit. Unless your niece just has to have “authentic” I wouldn’t go there. Any 18″ doll pattern will work for the American Dolls. Since these outfits will rarely be washed, I don’t bother with finishing seams, and usually just do one turn for hems and waists.
    I just finished up doing a little outfit for my granddaughter using an older pattern – Me and My Doll from McCall’s # 2195. I also often do a little elastic waist skirt for the doll that matches an outfit for the child. I guess I should do a few more tops too!

    For the child’s outfit – you really need measurments. My GD that is 5 yo (almost 6) wears mostly size 4 patterns. My other GD that is 9 yo wears a size 10 pattern for shoulders – and needs adjustment to enlarge the middle area. If your niece wears a size 8-10 in rtw, then she will probably use a bit smaller size in a pattern.

  13. The size depends on the type of children’s clothing; things like t-shirts sometimes come in and 8-10 range, but pattern sizing is usually 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, etc. The Big 4 patterns tend to be big especially the smaller the size gets. As with an adult, measure the child, then compare the numbers to the envelope and final garment measurements before choosing a size.

    I haven’t made matching AG outfits in quite a while as my daughter is almost 13, but the Big 4 has doll patterns and with a quick eye, you should be able to pick patterns for both girl and doll that are similar. I did a whole SWAP for my daughter *and* the AG doll using Big4 patterns and a little creativity. Between the coordinating fabric and trim, that will further unify the outfits.

  14. The All Dolled Up book is a good resource for kid and doll clothes, although the kid clothes just go up to an 8 (which is a size that roughly correlates with age I would say?) I have made the nightgown set a few times, and except for gathering tiny flannel ruffles they were pretty easy, and very loose fitting. Kwik Sew sells some doll patterns that correspond to their kids patterns. I haven’t used those. McCall’s and Simplicity both have nice 18″ doll patterns. For a 10 year old neighbor though (who wears a European size 146) I made a sleep shirt and pants from Ottobre and then used any old doll pants pattern and modified the t-shirt that the Scientific Seamstress shows on her blog. The materials were the same and the look was close enough that the girl was happy.

    AG can be a bit overwhelming (I took my 7 and 3 year olds to the NYC store for tea on a vacation trip) but there are some positive aspects to them–my 7 year old really likes the historical stories. The accessories are hugely expensive. However, my local sewing store has kids sewing classes of sewing for your 18″ doll and the 7 year old has been taking and enjoying those. If it gets her sewing…

  15. love your blog; i learn so much from your *experiences in sewing* … 😉 …. as for children’s matching doll patterns, try http://www.youcanmakethis.com … indie patters from at-home-sewists … also … this woman sells those matching patterns dress for girls included identical doll dress … hope this helps you …

  16. Simplicity Daisy Kingdom patterns a while back had matching doll and girl patterns together. If you have time I would actually send you some of mine that I am done with. I will say doll clothes are a pain to make. Easing a sleeve into a one inch arm hole isn’t exactly fun. However your niece will be so excited. I remember when we got our daughter an American Girl doll she literally started shaking as she was opening it when she realized what it was. Little girls are obsessed with these dolls. Also get your nieces measurements and go off that rather than an age. My email is eldredgered@gmail.com if you are interested in those patterns.

  17. Renee, I have a book by Joan Hinds, called “All Dolled Up – Sewing clothes and accessories for Girls and their 18-inch dolls”
    You are welcome to borrow it. It comes with patterns and you can trace them off to your heart’s content.
    text me, or email me.

  18. Kwik Sew has sets of matching patterns. You will need to buy two patterns: one for the girl and one for the doll.

  19. Just use the same fabrics for the doll’s outfit and the kid’s. A child will never notice that the design of the dress is different. Most adults won’t even notice.

    Any 18″ doll pattern will do.

    Kids clothes in the US sized by age, but European ones (like in burdastyle) are sized by height. So, a size 110 will fit a child who is 110 cm tall.

    You will find it’s a lot of fun to make doll clothes. They make up really fast. You can make a whole outfit in a couple of hours.

    hTH

    • I agree w/ Claudine’s advice – if the doll’s & girl’s dress/outfit are similar in style and done in the same fabric(s), no one will notice. (Tip: small prints & solid colors work better than larger-scale prints or patterns.) What they WILL notice, I promise you, is that your niece has a one-of-a-kind outfit for her and her doll.

      I was at an AG store with my 6-year-old daughter several days ago. (I try to avoid it, but we had several hours to kill, so I caved.) We were going to an informal wedding later that day, and she was wearing a blue and yellow sundress I had made for her. She had one of her AG dolls (I say “one of” because she has three, only one of which was purchased new – we were stupid back then ) also wearing a sundress that I made from the scraps of her dress. I swear we were stopped every 15 feet by customers and staff who wanted to know where we had bought the dresses. 🙂

      As far as sizing goes, make sure you get your niece’s measurements first – don’t go by height or age! My daughter measures close-but-not-quite to a Child’s size 3 in the chest, waist and (not that she has any) hips, but her height is in between a Girl’s 5 & 6. If you’re using a pattern from the Big 4, most are multi-sized so you can lengthen/shorten pretty easily.

      Also, just my opinion – unless you really like sewing historical costumes, I’d go for a more current style. I’m sure your niece will appreciate having something she & her doll can wear anywhere, not just to an AG store opening. 🙂

      And thank your lucky stars you don’t actually have to *go* to the AG store with her.

      • Oh, I think I goofed. I thought I just needed my niece’s waist measurement. It sounds like I need all of her measurements and the doll’s waist measurement?

        • At the very least, you don’t need the doll’s waist measurement. 18″ doll patterns work for all AG dolls.

  20. I have a pattern (it was my mom’s and she made a dress for my little sister from it) for a dress- with matching doll dress. It was probably a Simplicity pattern. You can find them on ebay and such by searching “girls matching doll pattern”. They will probably all be pretty dressy. I would imagine that most of the American Girl events are more dressy and less casual, but I guess that would depend upon the girl?
    My daughter has an AG doll, but it was a hand me down from my little sister- who saved up to get it herself. She reads all of the books and then plays with the catalogs that come in the mail. She and my other two girls pretend they are the AG dolls and have a blast playing- and it’s free!

  21. Looks like you already have enough advice but I bought a Best Buds pattern # OAD70 by Olive Ann Designs, this past weekend. It’s for an 18″ cloth doll and clothes that will fit both the cloth and American Girl dolls. The clothes are gorgeous and really, really simple.

    I’m hoping to avoid buying the real thing and also, to make a boy version for my little boy. The clothes should be really easy in comparison to making barbie clothes and you just need to serge everything and clip on your 1/4″ foot.

    I love your blog – you are so interesting and I love your style!!

  22. I agree with all those who say that patterns for an 18-inch doll will work. There may even be some free on-line patterns for them. Historical authenticity depends on your niece — I’d just do something modern out of the same fabrics, my ownself. Pick a simple silhouette and slather both girl’s and doll’s dress with ribbons/lace/buttons. Pink the seams of doll’s dress; do a one-layer turn-up for hems, close with velcro. My child’s dolls were gifts to her. She played hard with them, and lost most of the v. expensive clothes and accessories that came with the dolls. Be thankful your niece did not also ask for American Girls doll furniture! The AG books are quite good stories for girls in the 8-12 year-old range.

  23. I think you are going to choose something doable in whatever timespan you have for this project, and are going to have a blast doing this. Plus you are going to be a Amazing Aunt for providing what is going to become a great memory of childhood. You should decide whether to go for historical flavor or not, and don’t get bogged down in unnecessary details–even if you decide to go old-school, think something simple like A-line dresses with separate aprons and mobcaps, all super-easy to do. Or go modern and consider a stretch fabric, which is easier to fit over a hard doll body. Look for fabrics with solid or small patterns that will work for child and doll scales, and small trims like rickrack and lace and buttons to add details. If you have time, get your niece’s opinion on fabrics or color so she has some involvement in the project. Based on experience…I wouldn’t be surprised if you have so much fun with this that you end up with a doll of your own!

  24. I had a Samantha doll growing up (c. 1992!). At the time (and probably still now) American Girl sold matching doll and human dresses. (This was before they started making the modern-day dolls that you design to look like yourself!). My mom bought a set of patterns from American Girl to make the clothes for my doll. For Christmas one year, she made the Christmas dress for Samantha, then found a similar pattern for people and made a dress for me with the same fabric. On a side note, she later told me that making the doll clothes was one of her favorite sewing projects!

  25. I see you are getting comments that the garment styles do not have to match. For most girls into the American Girl dolls, just having fabric match will not be good enough. The garments need to match as best as you can, however, they CAN be simple. I believe someone said sundresses or a short set… which would be fine. You don’t need to get elaborate. You can dress up a simple garment by adding matching hats, or flower pins or a fascinator/headband, etc.

    But please don’t take the shortcut of making different garments in the same fabrics. Your niece will be disappointed and I don’t think that’s what you want.

  26. When my daughter was younger, I used pattern drafting software to create original matching dresses for her and her AG doll, Samantha. I used PatternMaster Boutique and measured the doll as if it were a person, but multiplied the measurements by 4 (so if the waist measured 6″, I entered 24″). Then I designed the garment as usual, but with 1″ seam allowances. When the time came to print the pattern, I selected “quarter scale”, which sized the pieces correctly.

    The one thing to remember when using the software to design doll clothes is that you have to add more ease than usual, as the doll doesn’t bend like a person, so dressing them can be difficult if the clothes are too tight.

    This same method works for any doll, including Barbie dolls.

  27. I make matching outfits for my granddaughter and her American Girl doll all the time as she really loves dressing up like her doll. As mentioned by previous posters there are several patterns for 18 inch dolls that work. You can either pick up a pattern for your niece and then find a pattern that “looks” like the niece’s pattern or work it the other way. The main thing is to use the same fabric for both. You can get as elaborate or simple as you choose. Also, as previously mentioned, get your niece’s measurements. I always have to add length in bodice and skirt for my granddaughter as I did for her mother. Sewing for 18 inch dolls is easy so have fun and start with something easy.

    Karen in Houston

  28. You’ve had plenty of good advice regarding patterns from previous posters. I wanted to chime in 1) depending on the girl it may be very important that the outfits actually match in style and detail, and 2) the doll may be a “My American Girl” doll. These dolls are a relatively recent addition to the product line and are modern dolls that usually look like the girl who owns them.

    I’ve made several girl/doll outfits recently and have had good luck finding nearly identical outfits in the Big 4 – try Mccall’s for the doll and Butterick for the child.

  29. I love AG dolls. Every now and then I manage to make a doll dress to match a girl’s special occasion dress, but not often enough! I usually just find a basic doll pattern and adapt it to look like the girl’s dress. The Joan Hinds books are good for those basic patterns.

    But if I were you, I’d do a fun tiered skirt with a ready-to-wear t-shirt, and use the Liberty Jane t-shirt pattern with a tiered skirt for the doll.

    These dolls can vary in their waist and chest size – some are chubbier than others! Have your sister-in-law send a waist measurement.

    • Chelle!! LOL. Ok, I misread this the first time. I thought I needed my niece’s waist measurement. That’s what I emailed my SIL for. Ok, I’ll ask her for the dolls measurements and for for more on my niece. Thanks!

  30. Oliver & S patterns had offered a FREE pattern download for a “Pop-Over Dress” in both girls and doll sizes. Here are the links:

    Girls: http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2009/08/popover-sundress-free-downloadable-pattern.html
    Dolls: http://www.oliverands.com/blog/2010/08/popover-doll-dress-free-downloadable-pattern.html

    It’s a super easy and cute dress that can work in all weather if she wears a tee underneath for cold weather. It can also be embellished easily if she wants something not so plain.

  31. Here’s a link for a pdf file “Addy’s pretty clothes” .
    http://libertyjanepatterns.com/2009/10/american-girl-patterns-addys-pretty-clothes-from-the-pleasant-company.html
    The same website has pdfs for a number of patterns for the historical dolls.
    She’s the “civil war” era doll, but there is no reason that the doll and your niece couldn’t be outfitted to attend a modern reenactment, right?
    Such as a reenactment of your niece’s last birthday or perhaps a 2010 4th of July celebration?

    You are really going to need your niece’s measurements, since 8-10 is a size range. It’s just like buying or sewing clothes for you; you’ll have good success if you go by her measurements. I’ve used the Burda Magazine children’s patterns; you probably have some. The european stuff is sized by height. If you use the same fabric no one will notice if the styles aren’t identical. If you can, do some sort of fun detail (pockets) or an accessory — kids love those. Good luck!

    • I put ‘black one’ in parentheis because that’s how it was described to me last night when I asked which doll she had. I assumed that only there were only the historical dolls. Until I read all the comments here. I can’t believe how little I know about this, LOL.

      • LOL. I know nothing about this either but it’s quite interesting. I remember the historical dolls and I wanted one (although, ahem, I was a teen when they came out) and I knew not to ask for anything that expensive.

  32. The “Diary of a Sewing Fanatic” blogger did just this matchy matchy thing in the not too distant past. And lived to tell about it. Pop her an email – she’s on your blog roll. Best of luck.

  33. My DGD is totally into the AG doll. Her other “Nana” bought it for her and told her I would make it all the clothes! I have been making a lot and love it. I ditto any Joan Hinds patterns. They are beautifully drafted. I think what you need to find out is if she is in to the historical authenticity of the doll or does she want a modern doll. DGD prefers a modern look to her doll clothes and I make “semi” matching outfits. I will add that if she is an avid reader of the AG books, she is probably into the historical authenticity of the clothing. If not, I say go for a contemporary look for both her and the dolly. You can see a dress I made a little dress I just made here: http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2011/05/non-bumblebee-bag.html . It matches the dress I made for DGD here: http://lasewist.blogspot.com/2011/05/flight-of-bumblebee.html. The AG doll got one bumblebee and matching fabric. DGD got 42 bees. Everytime I make DGD an outfit I now make the matching AG doll. It is not a perfect match, more one of fabric and style, not exact at all. She has never mentioned the difference and in her mind it is a match.

    Simplicity has some great 18 inch doll patterns. This is not fussy sewing. I do like my efforts to be well constructed so they can take the abuse of being put on and taken off as well as an occasional wash. I serge seams and topstitch. Most closures are either ties or small snaps. This is not the place for couture efforts, unless yo want it to be. I do find that it is, for me, a great place for heirloom sewing techniques as there are no more babies in the family that need this type of sewing. Right now I’m working on a Joan Hinds smocked lined dress for the AG. They go together so fast. I think you will love this challenge/ opportunity once you dive into it. Let us know if you have any more questions. I think once you make a darling outfit for the doll in a hour, you will be hooked….bunny

  34. Next time you’re in Chicago, you should take a whirl in the American Girl Doll store (headquarters?) downtown. I walked in there one day to get out of the cold (I’m from Mississippi) and was overwhelmed. A whole world I knew nothing about since I don’t have kids. If you bring your own doll with you, you can have a teaparty in the restaurant and they’ll bring a high chair for your doll. Saw lots of little ones in look-alike outfits. Amazing! I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now – maybe more. Love your writing style and your sewing adventures. I’ll be in Baltimore June 15th-17th – don’t know you – but if I see you on the street – I’ll say hi.

  35. Just did this recently for 3 nieces. Kwik Sew 3771 is the doll pattern and there are corresponding girls patterns (don’t have #’s handy). Super easy and after the one pattern purchase you’ve got other gifts for years covered. They play with these dolls forever it seems and love matching stuff.
    Good luck-Corinne

  36. I can’t tell you which issue, but I’m 99% sure BWOF did a doll and girl set in the last six months. That could save you some searching if you still subscribe, which I think you do.

  38. I just had to comment as I adore sewing girls dresses and often sew a matching dolls dress.
    The Oliver+S links above are excellent, and Burda June 2010 is the issue with the matching girl (up to size 128 approx 8 yrs, generally slim fitting) and doll dress. Good luck!

  39. You already have plenty of advice, so let me just say this. Heh. Heh. Heh. If you haven’t looked on the AG site yet, you should…it’ll probably give you a sense of what an indulgence these dolls and their accoutrements are. That said, I did buy myself one…HAD to have it ! (the Kit doll). I’m 65! (Really, that’s not as old as you think…young at heart and all that!) Expensive, yet appealing. There are lots of good things about AGD’s and the books, but only if the parents can afford them, so it’s the exclusivity of them that bothers me. Also, I think the fun you’ll have is that there are lots and lots of cute patterns so you’ll get a quick hit of creativity without much time investment since the dolls are big enough that the sewing isn’t that fussy. Uh, as for the look-alike garment for the child, that’ll be harder since you’ll be kind of working in the dark there. I’ll look forward to knowing how this shakes out. (Kinda makes me think of the “Selfish Seamstress’s philosophy”, who, sadly, has dropped from sight. Of course, knocking out a couple of doll clothing items will make good birthday/Christmas presents in the future. And you could become hooked.

  40. Renée, it’s the June Burda of last year. It’s a short sleeved shirtwaist with a Peter Pan collar, circle skirt and tie belt.

  41. Obviously, we don’t have these here in Australia, but I think you are a VERY brave woman for taking this on. You know enough about kids to know that if what you make is not exactly correct, they WILL tell you. Bluntly. Good luck!

  42. Cidell,
    Nancy’s Notions just sent me a catalogue and it had matching girl/doll patterns for a couple of outfits. There is a website; just google Nancy’s notions.
    Have fun. My daughter won 2 AG dolls in a contest. My SIL made tons of clothes for her dolls. All the way from a swimsuit to a wedding dress. The wedding dress is reversible!

    Lisa

  43. i have to add from experience … most doll patterns, especially for the *larger* american girl dolls can be made *flat* …. you sew the sleeve onto the shoulder and around the bodice, then attach the bodice to the dress at the waist, then sew from skirt hem to sleeve hem in one long continuous line … it’s not that hard that a wonderful seamstress such as you, can’t do it …. the patterns from the big 4 are notorious for fiddly-faddly stuff … so just do something more simple … and a simple, peasant dress or top and skirt to match for your niece …. whatever you do, the fabric, the dresses, the whole package will dazzle her, i[m sure … you can even ask her to go shopping for fabric with her … it you can’t visit in person, you can always skype her the fabric and let her have a choice, too (unless this is a surprise, of course) … i’m betting this is not as big a deal as it seems and you will be wonderful ….

    your work is awesome and this will not be less …..

  44. My daughter has 2 AG dolls…well actually they live in my closet now until she has a daughter. I don’t think my grandson will be too keen on them. I made matching outfits for a book fair they had at school (you had to come as your favorite book character) and it was pretty easy to find a similar pattern and match it to the doll dress pattern.

  45. Hi,
    They used to send me a catalog. I have a son, cared not at all for a doll. As I recall, the girls dress and the dolls dress were the same in style and fabric, so if you find something that has identical outfits, you’re going in the right direction. The company SELLS the clothes for doll and girl. Unless you’re wealthy, you probably don’t want to BUY that stuff readymade. Good luck.

  46. Don’t ever set in a sleeve on a doll dress. Doll sleeves should go in like shirt sleeves with side seams sewn last. Cut Velcro in half lengthwise and use it to close the dress at the back. 1/4″ seams are really quite easy to sew with. And if possible get the AG doll’s waist measurement unless you are using elastic waists. The dolls’ measurements vary, believe it or not, because the torsos are soft and filled with some sort of stuffing. Not like a molded plastic Barbie where all are identical. If your niece doesn’t have Addie, she must have a Girl of Today. So you have all sorts of options for matching outfits. A skirt or shorts and tee shirt might be easiest. If you choose a print, make it a small one, or it will look odd on the doll. Solids like a denim skirt would work well. HTH.

  47. Kwik Sew may have patterns for the child and doll, otherwise I would think matching fabric would probably do unless your SIL is a real stickler for details. Doll clothes can be fun – sort of – in the larger sizes. Avoid Barbie etc. like the plague. Love your sewing and your blog.

    Jenny in Oz

  50. I am really considering getting one of those dolls 🙂 I cannot wait to see your post.

  51. you can do this! think of all the other projects you’ve taken on…

    If she had Addie, that would make your life easier, as Addie had rather plain clothes. (As I remember–2 of my nieces were into AG dolls in the early days, and the choice of dolls has exploded, and I’m out of touch!)

    At any rate, really and truly, anything you come up with is going to be SO appreciated. The fact that you made something for her and her doll…holy cow! Straight to sainthood!

  52. It’s just a celebration of consumerism. Maybe I’m bitter because my mother would never buy me a Barbie because the doll was “too mature.” I had to make do with Skipper.

    But seriously, look-alike dressing to go a store opening? I’m reminded of the grown-up version: Women who get dressed up to go to the Sex and the City movies. Why don’t they go to a real party?

  53. If you find that you enjoy sewing doll’s clothes, the sine qua none of pattern books is The Doll’s Dressmaker: The Complete Pattern Book, by Venus A. Dodge. Beautiful photos, clear instructions, patterns printed in the book for tracing, in multiple sizes. Also has patterns for accessories, hats and shoes. I’ve bought two of these books, because a “friend” borrowed my first copy and never returned it. (I still have the book. I do not still have the friend.)

  54. I just got done looking through this book, which is the 3rd edition and is dated 2005. I bought this book for $2 used on Amazon and that is all it is worth to me. I bought it for business purposes and if I’d paid the full retail price, I’d have been inclined to return it.

    The photos are nice, full color and close up enough to get a good feeling of what each doll looks like, but there are many more dolls mentioned in text that are not pictured. It makes it hard to identify a doll if there’s no photo of it.

    For example, I mostly deal with Barbie and other fashion dolls and dolls of the later 60’s and 70’s. There is a section on Barbie but it offers only a few photos and most of the dolls listed are only mentioned in text. If you didn’t already know what you had in your hand, how would you be able to look it up?

    Crissy is one of the most popular dolls made by Ideal and there is only a mention of her in the 4 pages devoted to Ideal. There is not one photo of Crissy or any of her family. The only photo I saw listed under Mego was a NRFB Cher doll from the 70’s. All the other Mego dolls are only mentioned by name. This book also does not list dates for most dolls. I find that frustrating, too. And the prices suggested as the value are very theoretical. Maybe pre-Ebay somebody would have spent so much for Barbie, let’s say, but prices are not that good today, although the author does state she based prices on the doll being in mint condition and with original box, outfit and accessories. Still, I haven’t seen too many Barbies in the condition she describes go for quite that much online.

    Now, I don’t want to say this book is all bad. Its just very incomplete in terms of it being a real history of 200 years of dolls. Its a very brief overview of dolls throughout the last 200 years and most of the photos that are featured, are of antique dolls, not fashion dolls, even though many fashion dolls are listed in text. I don’t feel it would be worth $30, which is the suggested retail price. This book would be greatly improved by adding LOTS more photos and if it were spiral bound. Its very heavy and thick (415 pages) and pages don’t stay open well. There’s a whole chunk of pages seperating from the spine already and this book was like new! I also think the year for each doll should also be added next to the description. Again, a nice effort but falls short. It may be that it is too great of an undertaking to be covered in one volume. I feel the author should have covered less to give us more.

  55. jocole.com has toddler and girl sewing patterns and every pattern (except for the boy patterns) includes doll patterns … they are pdf and you can buy and download instantly and print straight from your computer. ❤ jodi jean

  56. http://www.LibertyJanePatterns.com

    She makes pattern for AG dolls that are actually fashionable — skinny jeans, leggings, cocoon cardigans. Normal looking tees. My nieces LOVE them. She also now does girl clothes.

    There’s also a 1 year old book out. I think written by Joan Hinds and someone else at Barnes & Noble or online. Each pattern has a matching one for doll & girl, but I thought some were a bit ill-fitting on the girl.

    Probably too late to help, but…

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