If you're a Facebook fan you may have caught my post about these adorable doll clothes patterns that have driven me closer to becoming a "crazy doll lady". I think it has to do with the fact that my 9-year-old daughter doesn't let me dress her up and do her hair. Anyway I fell in love with the Liberty Jane Patterns for 18" American Girl (R) sized dolls (available at Pixie Faire). I wanted to show how I used their free pattern for a "trendy tee" to make a tank dress.
Sure, I can get doll clothes patterns from McCalls or Simplicity on sale at JoAnn for $1... but these are SOOO much easier than using old school tissue paper patterns for doll clothes -- I honestly prefer downloading/printing/cutting. I have also found that the Liberty Jane clothes fit better.
I made a couple shirts and tanks with the pattern as-is, and I just lengthened it by a few inches to make a dress. I made the bottom about 1/2 - 1" wider too.
Sorry about my foot photo-bomb there.
The best part is that I upcycled a shirt so I didn't have to do the hem!
I forgot to cut the back in two pieces but it was better that way for a dress, so I just cut a slit in the top.
To make it a tank top, just leave off the sleeves and double fold the arm opening. Click here to see how I do tiny rolled hems.
Liberty Jane has a free dress pattern, and a couple more freebies if you sign up for their newsletter. The other pattern I highly recommend is the UK Holiday Top & Leggings (my version shown in the blurry photo below) and the Harajuku Skirt (not pictured):
Are you a total nut about making doll clothes? Go check out these patterns and you will be!