How to Make Dresses for 15 Inch Dolls

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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A big part of the fun of having dolls is dresses them, Or undressing them, dressing them again , undressing them and so on. The fun becomes stale when you run out of clothing for your doll to change into. Make some new dresses for your 15 inch doll. This article can help, so you'll never be board again (well, almost).

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Overview

Step 1

Choose the fabric that you would like to use when you make dresses for 15 inch dolls. The fabric can be all the same, or you can use contrasting portions for the bodice, sleeves and details.
Step 2

Draw the pattern for the dress a for 15 inch doll on a piece of graph paper. You can create your own patterns, or find free patterns for dresses for 15 inch dolls online.
Step 3

Place the pattern pieces on the wrong side of the fabric, pin the pattern pieces in place, and trace around them, then add a ½ inch seam allowance.

Bodice

Step 1

Pin the bib collar facing together to that they are right side to right side, and sew two of the outer edged together. Turn the collar right side out and press it, then pin it to the front, sewing it to the shoulder and the edge of the neckline as you make dresses for 15 inch dolls.
Step 2

Attach the back and front of the bodice together with pins so that the right sides are together, and sew along the shoulder seam. Use an iron to press the seam so that it's open.
Step 3

Hand-sew a "bias strip" to the inside of the collar to finish the edges. Clip a little as necessary to make the curves smooth and even.
Step 4

Finish the bodice's back seam by folding over the fabric, hiding the raw edges, and sew it in place as you make dresses for 15 inch dolls.

Sleeves

Step 1

Sew the bottom edge and the hem of the sleeve by hand.
Step 2

Gather the fabric around the sleeve as you make dresses for 15 inch dolls so that you are able to slip the doll's hand inside. Gather the sleeve top to make it puffy, and attach the sleeves to the bodice by pinning the right side of the fabric together and sewing along the dotted line.
Step 3

Clip the fabric as needed to preserve the curve of the sleeve as you make dresses for 15 inch dolls.

Skirt

Step 1

Pin the right side to right side of the short edges of the skirt together and sew it. Press the seam open.
Step 2

Gather along the waist edge so that it will fit the waist of the bodice, and pin the right side of the skirt to the right side of the bodice. Sew it together. Turn the dress right side out and add a top stitch to the bodice bottom all the way around the dress.
Step 3

Make sure the dress fits the doll when you make dresses for a 15 inch doll. Make any alterations as needed, pin the skirt hem at the desired length (fold the edge over twice to hid the raw edges), and blind or slip stitch it.

Finishing Touches

Step 1

Add any finishes to the dress you made for a 15 inch doll you would like.
Step 2

Embroider the collar to add more interest to the dress.
Step 3

Pick out cute buttons to accentuate the design.
Step 4

Sew in Velcro closures to keep the back of the dress closed.