Dressmaking Instructions
Try this dressmaking pattern, it works for a variety of dolls.
An Alta Moda homage to Barbie. plus it works for Ellowyne, Sasha, and other 16-17 inch dolls.
Choose a lightweight fabric that will press easily. Franklin used the graphic print of a Barbie at 50 souvenir T-shirt. Scan or copy the pattern pieces. Follow the black lines for the back (cut two), and the red lines for the front (cut one). No seam allowance has been added, so draw accurately around the pattern pieces: cut ¼ inch (seam allowance) outside, allowing ¾ inch for hem. Sew exactly on the lines, notch-hem the arm-holes or face with tulle in a matching color. Allow a ½ inch underlap at the back center seams to allow for snaps or a zipper. The ‘X’ shows how far to join the back seam for Alta Moda dolls. On dolls such as Sasha, you may prefer to leave the whole back open for ease of dressing. The headscarf is a fabric triangle 16 inches wide by 6 inches tall, hemmed on all three sides.
Dressmaking pattern © Franklin Lim-Liao, 2011 Download available here: furga-alta-moda-doll-dress-pattern
This is an edited version of a feature that first ran in Doll News magazine, Winter 2011