sewing for dolls

I know I've already given thoughts about character dolls, but I felt this would be a good way to reinforce that argument. As many authors know, there's usually a character that's based on themselves - whether it's intentional or not. This happens to be my character.

As shown in the images, I sew for a variety of scales: Barbie, 5" felt dolls and myself. The majority of these patterns I drafted myself. Shall I share that wisdom? Yes? Okay I will.

For those that hate math, I'm right there with you - I despise algebra with a passion, but love geometry... small wonder, considering my love of sewing and you'll soon see why.

Sewing is based on geometric shapes - yes, math haters, it has a great deal to do with math, but bear with me, it's not as horrible as it might seem.

Take for example a circle skirt and a good method of drafting its pattern for a doll, say, Barbie, for example. Believe it or not, she's easy, despite the fashion figure proportions. That iconic fashion figure sports a 4 1/2" waistline which means the inner circle of a circle skirt should probably start at 5". Why? Her hips! Added to the need of a waistband - usually ribbon. Let's take my blond beauty on the pink stage in the second image as a key example. She's in a nice simple stretch knit skirt (yes, I'm dissecting one of my own doll costumes as an example). Depending on how long you want the skirt, is how big you make the outer circle. Hers is 3" long and just above the knees. Not that I'm a master of the formulas, just that I know the outer circle is about 25" in diameter. Starting to see the relationship to the math? I think you can take my word for it when I say drafting patterns is far easier than trying to make a flash-based game using much more advanced math! Oddly enough, thanks to my pattern drafting and geometry involved, I seem to be picking up that advanced math reasonably well. Anyway, the doll under the Barbie took a little more creative thinking and as you might imagine, the costume for me took even more.

Still, the fundamental basics remained the same - mostly. The skirt for me wasn't quite as easy as for the dolls... probably why I prefer dressing dolls over making stuff for me most of the time. Well, that and having a closet full of dresses I've made and no boyfriend to wear them for lately. Still, it's fun to see something go from just a piece of fabric to a finished project. More often than not, the rewards are impressive. It's more fun to see something go from just a 2D drawing to a 3D object. Even if you can't draw very well, getting the point across in a sketch is a nice start.

Okay, I went on about character dolls again when the hub's titled sewing for dolls. So, I'll add on to the character doll thing and go one scale smaller than the 5" felt doll.

The next scale down, I'm told, is supposed to be difficult to sew for... I've never noticed, to tell you the truth. The fourth image in my little collection here, is Disney's Ariel in a red stretch velvet evening gown trimmed in gold sequins. As the caption says, I don't own the character, only the dress. If you look close enough at the sequins, you'll see it's got a slit up one side and cap sleeves. Not terribly difficult to sew, and it sure beats the plastic clothes she came with. (For those with kids, that have the large scale Polly Pocket type dolls, shall I post tutorials on drafting and sewing for these? I know those plastic clothes do a great job of breaking as they're cheaply made.) You want to know the best part about sewing for these character dolls? My niece Ashley was 6 when she made a dress for this same doll, since Dad had given her one just like it for Christmas.

Now 1/4" scale - the next size down from Polly Pocket and company - really is difficult to sew for and I've actually never had the chance to challenge it, to be honest. It wasn't until a couple years ago that I mastered sewing for my 1/2" scale child and gentleman, so I rather doubt I'll be attempting 1/4" scale anytime soon.

Oh, and by the way, the Barbie costume (no, I don't own the rights to Barbie or anything Barbie related), the felt doll and the red velvet gown are all hand sewn. I only recently managed to figure out a way to sew 1/2" scale clothes using a machine, and that was a gentleman's shirt I made on the machine. It's a neat trick, but there are ways of doing miniature seams with the machine, I just prefer hand sewing in miniature - less clumsy.

Perhaps I'll post some basic patterns that fit Polly Pocket and friends in another hub.