From a Doll's Eyes

Thursday, November 30, 2017

Of Bjd Fashion: T-shirts for Our Boy with a Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info. Thanks!

We have had Yuki (the only boy bjd) in our household for quite sometime, but his wardrobe has sadly been neglected. It was about time for Anna to sew a few new articles of clothing for him.

I was thinking she should start with a nice dress shirt and appropriate accessories, but she decided to make him some t-shirts instead.

She has made three different t-shirts in basic black and white. They have elbow length sleeves and close in the back with Velcro for easy wear. They seem a little too basic for my taste, but I suppose they suit Yuki fine.

Anyway, Anna has again generously created a pattern and instructions so that others may be able to clothe their male ball jointed dolls in these simple t-shirts.

Let the tutorial begin.

MSD Boy Sized T-shirt Tutorial

Materials needed:

T-shirt fabric, great way to reuse and old t-shirt.
Basic sewing supplies (needle, scissors, thread, etc.)
Velcro or snaps
A sewing machine is optional
Some sewing knowledge is helpful.

If you are a beginner at sewing please check out our video tutorial for doll drawstring tank tops. It demonstrates some of the techniques you will need to make these tops.

Here is your pattern. It was made based on Yuki’s measurements which are posted on the doll profile page.

Cut out all your pieces according to the patterns.

With right sides together, pin the back pieces to the front at the shoulders and sew across.

Now get the sleeves and hem them. You only need to fold once to hem since t-shirt fabric doesn’t unravel.

And if you are sewing by hand, be sure to sew using a back stitch (as demonstrated in the video), so the hem will be able to stretch without snapping threads.

Once hemmed, you can carefully pin on the sleeves and sew (using the back stitch again). I say carefully because if you don’t pin carefully around the curves of the sleeve and shoulders, then the ends won’t match up.

It is a good idea to try the shirt on your doll to make sure it fits well at he shoulders. Re-sew if neccessary.

Once sewn, it is helpful to cut little notchs in the seam allowance as shown, this keeps the fabric from puckering when you turn it right side out.

Anyway, with the shirt right side up, take the collar and fold it in half long ways. Then, carefully pin it along the edge of the neckline. Once pinned, sew on using a back stitch.

After sewing, turn the collar and top stitch (back stitch again) to keep it nice and flat. You may feel the need to cut off some of the excess fabric.

Now ‘s the time to do the side seams. With right sides together, pin along the sleeves and down the sides. Be sure to try the shirt on your doll before sewing it down.

Now fold and hem the bottom of your shirt. Feel free to leave it unhemmed if you want a more de-constructed look.

To finish up the shirt, fold and hem the edges of the opening. Try the shirt on your doll to decide where to add the Velcro or snaps, and attach accordingly.

And now you have your doll t-shirt! This one was the first version made by me for Yuki. The fit wasn’t great at the shoulders and sides, so I adjusted the pattern accordingly. Have fun making these for your dolls.

End of tutorial.

Now that I’ve had a second look, I feel these t-shirts do fit Yuki quite nicely.

The black one is most becoming on him, despite lacking in any sort of embellishment. Why did she forego on the decorations?

It’s because Yuki was afraid that it would turn out too “girly looking”. He is a cute boy, which makes some people mistake him for a girl, surprisingly. He seems to think plain looking t-shirts and jeans will prevent this somehow.

“Oh that top is so cute! Can I borrow it sometime? :)”

“…It’s a guy’s shirt…”

T-shirt pattern and tutorial for a MSD boy ball jointed doll

“It is? :)”

“….Is it?…”

Don’t worry Yuki, we know you are a boy no matter what you wear.

That is exactly right Anna. So, maybe the next time you sew men’s clothing, you could make something a little more fashionable? Maybe with some ruffles?

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

Give it a try:

Of Bjd Fashion: Vintage Style Pink Dress Ensemble for Momoko

Friday, November 3, 2017

Of Bjd Fashion: Birthday Surprise Outfits Part 2, Suspender Skirt/Puffy Shorts Tutorial

This post may contain affiliate links, please check out my disclosures page for more info. Thanks!

We are continuing on from yesterday’s celebration, here is a brief recap in case you were unfortunate enough to miss it.

Yuna and Sakura have both joined our doll family over a year ago, so Anna made these adorable outfits for them.

Yesterday, Anna created a thorough tutorial for their lovely raglan sleeve tops.

So today, we will learn to make the rest of the ensemble. Yuna’s lace trimmed skirt and Sakura’s “puffy” shorts, both with removable suspender straps. A wonderful asset to any yosd sized doll wardrobe. Let the tutorial begin.

Yosd Suspender Skirt/Puffy Shorts Tutorial

Materials needed:

Pattern
Fabric or a handkerchief
Matching thread
Thin lace (optional)
Basic sewing supplies
Snaps or Velcro
Thin elastic
Sewing machine is optional
Some sewing knowledge is helpful

If you are a bit of a beginner with sewing I recommend checking out this video tutorial for fitted doll dresses, it demonstrates several techniques used for these pieces.

Here is your pattern. It is based on Sakura’s measurements, which can be found in the doll’s profile page.

Let’s start with the skirt.

First cut one waist band and one skirt according to the skirt measurements. You are welcome to shorten the skirt if your doll is a little on the shorter side.

Next, we pin and hem the bottom of the skirt.

If you wish, you can also pin on some lace along the hem too, sewing both the hem and the lace at the same time.

Now it’s time to gather the top of the skirt to fit the waistband (beginners, don’t forget to checkout that video).

Carefully pin the skirt to the waistband with right sides together. Spread the gathers evenly as you pin.

Sew the pieces together and trim a little of the excess fabric to reduce some bulk.

Now we will start to tackle the back opening. Start to pin and hem the end of the skirt, but only about an inch down from the gathered top. I use my thumb as a guide.

Repeat at the other end. Now is also a good time to check the fit on your doll.

Now we continue with the waistband. Fold top edge of the waistband down and pin.

Then fold it over the gathered edge of the skirt and re-pin it in place.

You will now turn the skirt around and sew the waistband along the edge near the skirt. It helps to move the pins one by one to this side of the skirt, especially if you’re using a sewing machine.

Just about done, now to do the back seam.

Pin the ends of the skirt together and sew the back seam.

All that’s left to do is add snaps or Velcro.

Now the skirt is finished, that is if you want it to be just a skirt.

But we want to add straps.

Easily done. Just cut 2 pieces for the straps.

Fold the edges…

…pin and sew.

Then attach with snaps on both end of the straps.

This is what makes them detachable. You could also make them permanent by only using snaps on one end and sewing the other ends to the skirt.

Now let’s get on with the shorts.

The shorts are made very much the same way as the skirt. You do cut two pieces instead of one, but you still start by hemming them.

You will then sew elastic along the hem.

If you are doing this by hand instead of machine, you might find it easier to thread the elastic through the hem instead. Kind of like what we did yesterday with tops.