Vintage Dress for 18-inch Dolls

This dress will fit the American Girl Doll and similar dolls of 18-inch height. The dress is made using the patterns from the Lace-Trimmed Outfit for 18-inch Dolls and the Forget-me-not-Blouse. Filet crochet lace on the skirt is the Crochet Bow Border,
you can either use this pattern, or the skirt ruffle from the set, or attach a ready-made piece of lace.

You will need fabric and polyester or rayon embroidery threads for the dress; Vilene water-soluble stabilizer and cotton embroidery threads for the lacey ruffles; Velcro tape, three small buttons or beads, and some small embellishments (optional).

Skirt

To make the skirt, embroider the files "skirt_back1" twice and the "skirt-back2" twice from the Lace-Trimmed Outfit for 18-inch Dolls. Do not embroider the front parts with pockets. We did not use applique fabric either.

With the help of a ruler and washable fabric marker/chalk, continue the side. Measure
9 1/2" from the upper corners and place marks on both sides. With a curved line connect the marks to draw the hem line.

Cut out the piece leaving 1/4" seam allowance on the side edges and 1/2 seam allowance on the upper edge.

Finish the raw edges with zig-zag. Sew all 4 skirt parts together, leaving the last seam open.

Embroider the Crochet Bow Border using cotton thread. Cotton thread should be both in the needle and in the bobbin. Embroider the file B eight times. Dissolve the stabilizer. Let the lace dry. Connect the parts with a zig-zag stitch.

Attach the lace to the skirt below the embroidery.

Bodice:

Embroider the blouse parts from the Forget-me-not-Blouse with the polyester or rayon embroidery threads. Do not embroider the flower on the front. Cut out the blouse parts leaving 1/4" seam allowance on the neckline and on the waist line.

Embroider the ruffles for the blouse from Lace-Trimmed Outfit for 18-inch Dolls with cotton embroidery thread. Cotton thread should be both in the needle and in the bobbin.

Sew the shoulder seams. Pin the ruffles as shown - from the shoulder to the front center. Zig-zag the ruffle in place.

Pin the ruffle to the lower edge of the sleeves, then zig-zag in place.

Sew the sleeves to the bodice.

Now turn the bodice face inwards and sew the side seams.

The Dress.

Make a running stitch along the upper edge (waist line) of the skirt. Pull the thread to make slight ruffles/pleats.

Position the skirt and the bodice face to face, align the waist line of the skirt with the waist line of the bodice. Pin.

Stitch the skirt and the bodice together.

Cut a piece of Velcro about 1/4" wide and 7" long. Sew one half of the tape to the right edge of the bodice.

Fold the left edge 1/4" back and press. Sew the second half of the tape the the left edge of the bodice.

Stitch the back of the skirt close.

Finish the hem.

Add more embellishments. We decorated the neckline and the front with small pearls.

The dress is ready. Enjoy!

One of the Best Project Contest 2011 participants sent in pictures of an outfit she made based on the Lace-Trimmed Outfit for 18-inch Dolls. You can read about how she made it on the page for Entry #4.

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