We still have the frozen fever going on in this house, not so much the watching of the movie (thankfully) and we have moved on to pretend play frozen. So naturally their dolls needed some dress up clothes to play with. So I made an Elsa dress (for Anna Click here)
It’s sweet and simple, with Elsa like details. I made it in about 30 min, and my girls flipped out when they saw it, they were so excited.
I used:
1/4 yard stretch silk (it’s a nice heavy weight so it was easy to sew with)
Scraps of white knit. You can use any white or sheer fabric, I just found the knit on hand and easy to sew with.
Lace for train (or tulle would work)
A few inches of trim for bodice I used pearl trim, lace would work well too.
Sew on Velcro. I used 4 circles for this dress.
A few notes about sewing doll clothes.
I use a 1/4″ seam allowance (included in the pattern)
I don’t finish any seams since the clothes are being worn by dolls, and not being washed the garments hold up ok, but you can use fray check on the seams if needed.
The overall construction is about the same as sewing garments for people, except that back closure I try to make easy enough for a kid to get on and off themselves.
Start by cutting all of your pieces.
Then sew the trim to the RIGHT side of the bodice accent piece. We will use this to turn the edge under. (like sewing piping.
Then sew the bodice accent to the front dress piece along the top edge. Sew right side of bodice to wrong side of dress.
Then turn the bodice accent around so that it’s all right side out and the seam is on the inside. Turn the bottom edge of the bodice accent under so just the trim edge is showing.
Then pin the top bodice in place so it’s under the dress front.
Then sew along top dress edge to secure it to the bodice, and sew along the bottom accent piece to secure it to the dress.
For the back, place the train on top of the back dress piece. Then with right sides together sew the back bodice to the skirt piece.
Repeat with other back piece.
Now sadly I missed taking a picture of the next step, you want to sew the front and back pieces right sides together at the shoulders. Then press the seam open flat.
With right sides together sew the sleeve in place in the arm curve.
Repeat with other sleeve.
Then fold up the bottom edge of the sleeve by 1/2″ and hem in place. Then fold the bodice right sides together.
Sew from the sleeve edge to the arm pit and then turn and sew down the side. Repeat with other side.
Turn the neckline under by 1/8″ and sew in place.
Turn the bottom edge up by 1/2″ and sew in place to hem.
Fold the back edges in by 1″ and sew in place.
Then add sew on velcro pieces to the back.
Then you are done, With a quick and easy Elsa inspired Dress for dolly.
I think the train is my favorite part 🙂
The girls have been thrilled with their doll dress up. Oddly enough my girls don’t dress up themselves, besides accessories, (sunglasses, hats, bracelets) but they do love dressing up their dolls.
