A great deal of people get a real thrill out of manufacturing dolls' dresses and other clothes whether they be for their own dolls, a relative's or for sale. However, as with every hobby or craft there are a few ground rules, a couple of dos and don'ts which will help you enjoy your new hobby straight from the beginning until you gain enough experience to create your own judgments. In this article we will explain the basics of how to make dolls' dresses.
The first thing to do to make making dolls' dresses easier is to think that you are manufacturing a new outfit for yourself. This is easier for you because you already know yourself and have improved from making gaffs in the past, but how well do you know the doll for whom you are going to be manufacturing clothes?
If you are manufacturing clothes for your own doll or for retail, this is not a difficulty but if you are manufacturing dresses for a friend's doll, it would be a wise idea to see her, hold her and get a feel for her before you purchase any textiles.
You might prefer to get a pattern for a doll's dress if this is your first one, but you can probably make it up as you go along, or be highly professional and make a few sketches with notes first.
This is really very useful, because you can modify the pattern in light of experience and make notes about problem areas. Who knows, once you have twenty of them you might be able to publish them.
The apparatus that you will require to facilitate manufacturing dolls' dresses is basically the same as any tailor or seamstress would require. That is: a sewing machine, pins, needles, shears or a rotary cutter, glue, pinking scissors, thread, tracing paper, pencils and a marking chalk or pen.
You will almost certainly require other things as well depending on what you intend , but they could include: ribbons, elastic, sequins and lace. Then you are ready to make your sewing machine for use. If you have not used it for a time, give it a quick service as instructed in the handbook that came with the sewing machine.
See your handbook if you do not know how to set up your machine to pin tuck otherwise look it up on the Net. It is a good idea with some textiles to spray the fabric with starch before you start this stage.
When you have finished your doll's dress or even before that point, you should take into account whether the style calls for any lace, ribbons, embroidery or sequins. You can create or purchase tassels if they are required.
You can get a lot of fun out of making dolls' dresses for yourself or a niece and the look on their face whilst they realize that you have taken the time to make something so special and unique only for them and their doll is reward enough.
The first thing to do to make making dolls' dresses easier is to think that you are manufacturing a new outfit for yourself. This is easier for you because you already know yourself and have improved from making gaffs in the past, but how well do you know the doll for whom you are going to be manufacturing clothes?
If you are manufacturing clothes for your own doll or for retail, this is not a difficulty but if you are manufacturing dresses for a friend's doll, it would be a wise idea to see her, hold her and get a feel for her before you purchase any textiles.
You might prefer to get a pattern for a doll's dress if this is your first one, but you can probably make it up as you go along, or be highly professional and make a few sketches with notes first.
This is really very useful, because you can modify the pattern in light of experience and make notes about problem areas. Who knows, once you have twenty of them you might be able to publish them.
The apparatus that you will require to facilitate manufacturing dolls' dresses is basically the same as any tailor or seamstress would require. That is: a sewing machine, pins, needles, shears or a rotary cutter, glue, pinking scissors, thread, tracing paper, pencils and a marking chalk or pen.
You will almost certainly require other things as well depending on what you intend , but they could include: ribbons, elastic, sequins and lace. Then you are ready to make your sewing machine for use. If you have not used it for a time, give it a quick service as instructed in the handbook that came with the sewing machine.
See your handbook if you do not know how to set up your machine to pin tuck otherwise look it up on the Net. It is a good idea with some textiles to spray the fabric with starch before you start this stage.
When you have finished your doll's dress or even before that point, you should take into account whether the style calls for any lace, ribbons, embroidery or sequins. You can create or purchase tassels if they are required.
You can get a lot of fun out of making dolls' dresses for yourself or a niece and the look on their face whilst they realize that you have taken the time to make something so special and unique only for them and their doll is reward enough.
About the Author:
Owen Jones, the writer of this article, writes on a number of subjects, but is now involved with Silver Cross Dolls Prams. If you want to know more, please visit our website at Doll Prams.