Forget-Me-Not Skirt for 18-inch Dolls

These are instructions on how to embroider and sew the Forget-Me-Not Skirt for 18-inch Dolls. The skirt will fit the American Girl Doll and similar dolls of 18-inch height.

You will need four pieces of fabric of about 7" x 6" and two scraps of fabric of about 1" x 1 1/2" for the pockets. We used 100% cotton fabric. For the lace ruffle you will need Vilene water-soluble stabilizer and cotton embroidery thread.

There is one embroidery file for the skirt. You will need to embroider the file 4 times. For the back of the skirt you need to embroider colors 1 through 5.
The colors 6 though 8 embroider the pockets. So for the front of the skirt you need to embroider all 8 colors.

Making the back of the skirt:

Step One: Hoop Vilene water-soluble stabilizer. Thread the machine with polyester embroidery threads and start embroidering. The machine will make the outline of the skirt and stop.

Cover the outline with a piece of fabric and start the machine.

The machine will again make the outline and stop.

Step Two: Take the hoop out, and cut away the excess fabric along the hem and the sides as close to the outline as possible. Leave about 1" seam allowance at the waist line.

Step Three: Change the threads in the machine for cotton threads. Use the same thread both in the needle and bobbin. Return the hoop to the machine. Start embroidering the lace.

Step Four: Change the threads in the machine for polyester ones. Start the machine. It will finish all the raw edges.

Step Five: Take the hoop out. Cut away the excess stabilizer. Wash away the remaining stabilizer. Place flat to air dry.

Repeat Steps One through Five so that you have two identical pieces.

Making the front of the skirt:

To make the front of the skirt, you'll have to embroider the same file twice. Follow Steps One through Four above. After Step Four DO NOT take the workpiece from the hoop, but return it to the machine and go on embroidering.

Step Six: The machine will make the outline of the pocket and stop.

Step Seven: Take a scrap of fabric, fold and press the upper edge. Cover the pocket outline with this scrap.

Step Eight: Return the hoop to the machine and start it. Yhe machine will make the outline of the pocket again. Take the hoop out and cut the excess fabric away as close to the outline as possible.

Step Nine: Return the hoop to the machine and finish the pocket.
Cut away the excess stabilizer. Wash away the remaining stabilizer. Place flat to air dry.

Assembly of the Skirt

Stitch both back parts together. The seam allowance is about 1/4". Press the seams open.

Stitch both front parts together. The seam allowance is about 1/4". Press the seams open.

Stitch the side seams. The seam allowance is the same. Press the seams open.

Fold the seam allowance on the waist line back and stitch in place. Leave an opening of about 1/2" to insert a piece of elastic or a ribbon.

Put the skirt on the doll and enjoy!

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