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Halloween Skirt for a 18" Doll with Black Cat Embroidery

For this simple but charming doll skirt, we used the designs from the Whimsical Cat Silhouette Set I. It is, of course, easy to decorate the skirt with any other small pattern.

You will need

embroidery thread (either polyester or rayon); choose the color to your taste,
light- to medium-weight tear-away stabilizer,
light-colored fabric for the skirt (we used linen/cotton blend),
a sew-on snap, or a piece of velcro tape,
scissors,
a sewing needle,
chalk pencil or removable fabric marker.

Sewing the Skirt

Step One: Download the file with the template for the skirt. To open and print the template, which is a PDF file, you will need Adobe Reader or a similar program. The program is free to download and install.

Template Download (PDF file)

Step Two: Print out the templates. Cut them out.

Step Three: The seam allowances of 1/4" are already included. Position the templates on the fabric and trace them. Copy all the markings. You can cut out the back. Do not cut out the front yet, only trace it.

Embroidery:

Step Three: Upload one of the files of the Whimsical Cat Set into the machine. Decide the position of the embroidery on the skirt's front. Stabilize the fabric with light-weight cut-away stabilizer, and embroider the design.

Cut out the front.

Sewing the Skirt:

Step Four: Using a serge or zig-zag stitch, finish the sides and the hem of all 3 parts (front and 2 backs).

Step Five: Sew the side seams. Press the seams open.

Step Six: Fold and press the hem line

Step Seven: Align and sew the back seam 2/3 of its length. Press it open.
Top-stitch the back seam 1/4" on each side of the seam.
Top-stitch the hem 3/8" from the hemline.

Step Eight: Baste the upper edge of the skirt with 7mm stitch 1/4" from the edge.

Step Nine: Measure the waist of the doll. For most of the American Girl Dolls it's 10 1/2" (but please check with your doll, because it may be up to 1/4" larger!)

Out of the fabric for the skirt, cut a strip measuring 1 1/2" x the length of the waist plus 1 1/2" (12" for the AGD).

Fold in half lengthwise and press.

Fold the short edges back 1/4" and press.

Measure 10 1/2" from one of the short edges and mark with a pin.

Step Ten. Pull the ends of the baste threads until the upper edge of the skirt is 11". Distribute the ruffles/pleats evenly.

Baste one of the long edges of the belt to the skirt. Topstitch. Seam allowance is 1/4".

Fold the raw edge of the belt's other long side 1/4" inside. Baste, then topstitch in place. Topstitch the short edges. Remove the baste thread.