How to Dress a Miniature Doll

Join the popular hobby that uses tiny beads and bows along with silks and satins to dress a miniature doll with historic accuracy or in a contemporary outfit. Make clothes yourself or buy the outfits—there are many creative outlets either way. Read on to learn more.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dress form to fit miniature doll
• Fabric, beads, feathers and lace, depending on the style of dress

1. Decide whether to sew clothes yourself or buy them ready-made.

2. Measure the miniature doll to determine the dress size. There are standard sizes.

3. Research the history of fashion for the miniature doll you plan to dress. Pay attention to details such as fabric types, accessories, hairstyles and the actual design of the dress.

4. View pictures of similar dolls or real life models. For instance, in creating the wedding dress of a famous princess, look at numerous photographic views to get the details right from all angles.

5. Use a variety of methods to make items for the miniature doll. Crochet lace, knit a tiny cap or sew with the machine or by hand.

6. Purchase a dress form to fit the miniature doll when sewing. There are dress forms available online for most standard miniature sizes.

7. Search antique dealers for miniature doll dresses. Prices are often quite reasonable for these read-made items.

Tips & Warnings

• Patterns to dress miniature dolls are available on a variety of websites.
• Find tiny beads, feathers, lace and accessory items from those who design and make miniature dolls. You can order many of these items online.
• Watch films based in the time period you are referring to when dressing your miniature doll. Good movie fashion designers research the historical accuracy of their designs and accessories.

Resources

• All Dress Forms has forms for miniature dolls.
• Gina Bellous Dolls has both ideas and items to dress miniature dolls.