Monday, October 12, 2009

Dollar Doll Clothes--from underwear!!

Recognize the source of these cute small-scale prints for doll clothes? Yes, during a recent foray through the neighborhood dollar store we came across some quality women's underwear seconds and naturally asked ourselves what we might make from them. They are the foundation for a fabulous project--Dollar Doll Clothes! Read on for details!

*Fits 18-inch dolls, such as American Girls*


FABRIC CHOICE

l. Choose solids and small prints in nice quality fabric--some lycra content is essential. Either decorative elastic or fabric covered elastic are great for edges and details.
2. Watch for waist and leg elastic that are in scale, for details such as waistbands, straps, and trim.
3. Get the biggest pair possible--more fabric to work with!


INSTRUCTIONS IN BRIEF

l. You'll be cutting pattern pieces complete with elastic. Stretch elastic until the attached fabric is smooth, and pin out to a padded surface, such as your ironing board. Measure piece to be cut, or place pattern, and cut out the needed piece, being sure to snip the elastic LAST for best accuracy.

2. For straps, edges, and trims, carefully snip the elastic from the body of the fabric along its stitching line. Straight stitch or zigzag elastic on the front side of the fabric as desired.


3. As on many small items, it is easiest to finish hems first, then the vertical seams.


Let's get started!
You will need:
> Dollar store women's undies
> Matching thread
> Scraps of lace or trim
>Velcro
>Printed Patterns (see end of post!)


PANTS or SHORTS
or

BIKE SHORTS OR LEGGINGS

l. Cut through seam at crotch of undies so they will lay flat and form a lengthwise fold on your padded surface, aligning elastic edge. Stretch elastic until attached fabric is smooth and pin out into padded surface. Pin on the appropriate pattern piece (patterns at end of post) with the top pattern edge at the top of elastic. Be sure to place the pattern piece on the fold for bike shorts or leggings. Cut out, snipping elastic last. Use shorter cutting line for bike shorts.


2. Stitch back seam right sides together using 1/4" seam allowance and finish edges with zigzag stitch. For pants or shorts, stitch front seam. Fold seam allowances to the side at waistband and stitch down with small stitches to neaten.

3. Fold up 3/8" hem at each lower edge and straight stitch for hems, or zigzag lace scraps to lower edge to finish. (picture)

4. At inseam, match center front to center back seam and stitch from one hem to the other with 1/4" seam. Zigzag to finish seam. You're finished!
SOCKS

l. Make lengthwise fold in fabric, aligning elastic at top. Stretch elastic until the fabric lies flat and pin into padded surface. Place 'socks' pattern (see attachment) with straight edge at top of elastic an pin. Cut out two, snipping elastic last.

2. Fold right sides together on fold line, matching edges of elastic. Stitch curved seam using 1/4" seam allowance. Zigzag to finish.
3. Turn right side out and you're done!


UNDIES

l. Make lengthwise fold in fabric, aligning elastic at top. Stretch elastic until the fabric lies flat nd pin into padded surface. Place 'Undies' pattern piece (see attachment) on fold with waistline at top of elastic and pin. Cut, snipping elastic last.

2. Fold up 1/4" hem at lower edges and straight stitch.

3. Stitch back seam using 1/4" seam allowance, zigzag to finish.

4. Match dot at lower center front edge to lower edge of back seam. Tack front to back at dot. That's it!


HALTER TOP

l. Yes, the halter top is made from the front of a pair of bikinis, leg and waist trim intact. Cut across the narrow part and sides to form a halter top shape.


2. Trim away edging from another area to finish the cut edge.

3. Topstitch edging piece to raw edges, stretching as you sew, to finish raw edge and form fulness. Trim away two lengths of edging from another area for straps. Stitch to upper corners, then turn up and restitch to cover raw edges of elastic.

4. Fit on doll, marking back strap placement. Add a back closure of Velcro and stitch straps to back binding.


CAMISOLE
I'm including a camisole pattern I created.

l. Pin pattern piece on fold and cut out.
2. Edge stitch scraps of lace trim on center front, bottom edge, front and back neck edges, and around armholes.
3. Make straps of two pieces of lace trim zigzagged straight edges together, and cut to the required length. Place ends of straps under top corners of camisole and topstitch. Add a Velcro closure.

Other Thoughts:-Try narrow elastic stretched and straight stitched to the wrong side of the fabric waistline for fulness--cute!
-Try trimmed-off elastic, stretched and topstitched for yoke, or maybe waistband.
-Try trimmed-off elastic used as yoke and straps--the top will still pull over the feet.

Click on the 'Dollar Doll Clothes' label on the right to see some more photos and ideas!

Please have fun with the patterns and share your projects!  How about

#dollardollclothes

on Instagram?

Here's the pattern link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B8tu1-up1AJxTGJoUnVVdmtlQ3c/view?usp=drivesdk&resourcekey=0-4UhFZ9O8YwUBA_680KtFRQ



Underneath it all, I have to admit that this is the most fun I've had for $l.00 in a long time!

67 comments:

  1. So clever! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. Great project, and they look so cute on the dollies. I hope I have a girl someday so I have an excuse to get her one of those cool dolls & make some clothes for it! :)

    -heather

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  3. LOVE this! I've got to get to the dollar store and buy some underware!!

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  4. OMG This is fabulous!!! You are officially my new hero. I will be buying a truckload of underwear tomorrow so I can make doll clothes as Christmas gifts for my daughter and my niece.

    I posted a link to your tutorial on Craft Gossip Sewing:
    http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sew-doll-clothes-out-of-underwear/2009/10/20/

    --Anne

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  5. What a great idea! What a great tutorial! I love how you kept the elastic intact in several of the items - what a time-saver.

    This is my first visit - what a cool blog you have.

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  6. How clever! I've only made a few items for my niece's doll and ended up completely frustrated. I think your ideas will make it much easier!

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  7. Uh stinkin' dorable! I think this may make its way into our Christmas plans!

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  8. What an amazing idea! I'm adding links to this at both http://www.InfertilityMom.blogspot.com and http://www.Mineralz.blogspot.com Thanks for the wonderful way to be thrifty and adorable!

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  9. Yay! Another great project from fundies! You can also get great fundies for a dollar at Rue 21. It's called something else in some places Always 21 or Forever 21... :)

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  10. Very clever, Wendy! The 18 in doll clothes you've made from undies are really cute and unique. My daughter would like these clothing for 18 inch dolls.

    Lucky you, you know how to sew. Wish I could, too.

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  11. Thanks for sharing these great patterns!!!

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  12. This is hilarious! And so ingenious! I'll be looking at underwear in a whole new way now. :)

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  13. Thank you so much for sharing! I shall try some of these soon!

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  14. Great ideas and such cute doll clothes. Thx for sharing.

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  15. Thanks for the great ideas! After reading your post, I even found some cute baby tops/sundresses and modified them into GREAT dresses for my daughter's doll. Gotta love a cute dress for $1!

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  16. Can't wait to try this for my Grand daughter's doll.

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  17. Oh boy, this works great! Thanks for sharing! My girls are thrilled to have some undies for their dolls in 5 minutes.

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    Replies
    1. Hee hee! Glad you (and all the girls) enjoyed it!

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  18. I just found you through Pinterest and I love this post of yours! Thank you for sharing your love of being thrifty and making doll clothes with the rest of us! I will be scouting the underwear aisle of the Dollar Tree a little more closely now.

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    Replies
    1. Glad you enjoyed the post! Hope to hear when you make some doll clothes!

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  19. I wonder, could you get a whole pair of pants from just one panty? I got the largest I could find at the dollar store (they were size large high-waisted panties)and I just can't seem to fit the pattern so I'll cut 2 long pants out of one panty...

    I love your ideas though, and if I just can't do long pants, I'll do short ones! :)

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  20. I've been debating on buying some of these items for my daughter, and am SO happy to have found this! Thank you so much for taking the time to share have have such detailed instructions!

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  21. I discovered this too:
    I got 3 pairs of colorful ankle socks for $1.
    Cut along both socks center top foldline, thru elastic, all around thru heel JUST to toe seam. Flatten out both socks and iron. Pin the 2 top elastics RST--look, you've formed a little neckline! Sew shoulders together, leave an opening for the arms (which won't ravel)and sew the side seams. Finish hem or not. Turn RSO and you have a doll T! Mine had colored heels, which ended up as cute contrast at the shoulders. Longer socks can be doll leggings. kso

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    Replies
    1. I can't wait to try this! What size socks did you use? Thanks!

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    2. I had a 3-pak of girls stripe/print low ankle sox. Ladies' size probably would fit a bigger doll and could be cut for leggings. And knee-highs maybe a sweater-dress?
      Width of finished T is 5" across so would stretch for a 12" waist doll. You can add a gathered skirt of colored netting for a princess dress too. I love this inexpensive idea, as GK's are tough on doll clothing.

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  22. Also found a long fur scarf for $1, cut a back and 2 fronts for a funky doll vest!

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  23. This is hilarious and clever! I have some boyshort unders in my drawer that just did not work for me and now they will have a purpose! Excellent idea!

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  24. Thank you for sharing. There's not a sewing/craft store where I live to buy patterns, but there is a dollar store!!! I can't wait to try this.

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  25. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!! This worked for my "other daughter" a.k.a. Saige (My daughter's AM girl doll) and is going in the wardrobe she is getting for Christmas. This saved me SO much $ and I have never thought of using dollar store undies!! I've always thought the patterns were cute but I never thought ab using them prior to reading this! You are so Cleaver and sweet for sharing. Thank you!!

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  26. I just stumbled on your blog and this post while looking for a pattern on Pintercrack - AKA Pinterest- to sew AG sized undies for my daughter's doll. Bloody Brilliant!!!! Can't wait to give these a try!

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  27. OMG! I can't wait to get started......there goes the budget...Thank you.

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  28. I can't get the pattern up! please sent it to me izzysmommy90

    at yahoo

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  29. I am so excited to have the patterns. My grand-daughter will be thrilled at her birthday. Thank you for your generosity.

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  30. This is great for my 18" Maru doll ! Can't wait to try this out for her ! :)

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  31. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  32. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  33. I loved your doll clothes but I can't get the pattern from scribd.Can you please send it to me in katrmar276@gmail.com?Thank you.

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    Replies
    1. Found the pattern file and set a new link above. Sorry for the wait!

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  34. Doll clothes are very cute. Cannot get pattern from scrib. Please send it to me at flowers4321@yahoo.com Thank you.

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  35. Loved the post. Cannot open pattern from please send it to me at febjwb@gmail.com thanks a bunch.

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    Replies
    1. Sorry for the delay--see the new link above.

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  36. the pattern has been removed from the link can you please send it to jps116@gmail.com thank you

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the reply hope to hear from you when you are well

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    2. Julie--I set up the new link. Would you check it for me?

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    3. the link works great thank you so much

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  37. So sorry the link has been removed! I promise to figure out a plan and let you know. I'm recovering from surgery, so bear with me...thanks!

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  38. Any update on the pattern link? Thanks and hope you are feeling better.

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    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  39. Hi there, I am having trouble following along with your camisole pattern, do you have further detailed pictures or steps? I am a bit confused.
    thanks so much
    PS great ideas!! I've made a few things already!
    heatherlegassie@hotmail.com

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  40. Hello! Thanks for the great ideas! Do the patterns have a test square or line with a measurement, so that I can be sure I'm printing the correct size? Grateful for the help.

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  41. Hello! Thanks for the great ideas! Do the patterns have a test square or line with a measurement, so that I can be sure I'm printing at the correct size? Grateful for the help.

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    Replies
    1. So sorry--I replied earlier, but it seems my limited technological ability has let me down. Trying again!

      Wendy

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  42. Hello! Thanks for the great ideas! I cut out pants pieces and they are too small. I think it's a printing problem. I wonder if you would be so kind as to add a test square or line with a measurement, so that I can be sure I'm printing at the correct size? Grateful for the help.

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    Replies
    1. Well, my technology savvy experts (kids) are out of town, and addi g a test square is beyond my personal ability. BUT--will this help?

      The rectangular pattern labeled 'undies' measures 5-1/8 inches by 3-3/8 inches on my copy.

      The stretch of different fabrics and elastics could account for some fit variation, or possibly the slightly differing measurements of individual dolls. Please let me know if this helps!

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    2. I'm very grateful for those measurements which help very much. My print out is actually a tiny bit bigger. The test line can just be a one inch line on the original. When I print out, I measure the line to make sure it's 1" and make adjustments to the print job if need be. My doll is a Zapf, so maybe she's "younger" and chubbier, haha. Again, thank you. Now I will start my project.

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