Of Bjd Fashion: Faux Button Down Tank Top and Skirt for Misako with a Tutorial

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Our newest doll, Misako has gone far too long without a decent set of clothing.  Therefore, I am pleased to find that Anna has finally sewn a new outfit.

And doesn’t it look marvelous on Misako.

It consists of a casual sleeve-less top (she means a tank top), a floral half circle skirt, and a few accessories.  We will get to those momentarily.

I am concerned about the skirt.  It was made from the same fabric as one of my fine skirts.  Yet, I distinctly recall Anna promising to use the rest of said fabric to make a dress for me, preferable similar to this fine dress she made for herself.

No worries Hikaru, I still have more than enough to make a dress.  (Plus, I technically never promised to make it, you just decided on your own that I would make it and I went along.)

That is such a relief, maybe there’s enough left for accessories?

Anyway,  Anna decided to create tutorials and printable patterns for the “tank top” and skirt.  So others could sew this delightful warm weather Outfit.

Faux Button Down Tank Top and Half Circle Skirt for MSD Bjds

The Tank Top

Let’s start with the tank top.  It was designed to be a “faux” button down because I love the look but hate making button holes.

Plus, the overlapping fabric in front is kind of bulky on a doll.  Something I don’t want on things like light and airy tank tops.

You will need:

• T-shirt fabric, and old t-shirt works great.
• The pattern below.
• Basic sewing supplies
• Small buttons or beads for the buttons
• (Optional) Glue like Aleene’s Jewel-It

Here is the pattern for the tank top.  It was made based on Misako’s measurements which are post on the doll’s profile page.  It is intended to fit a little loosely though for a comfortable fit.

First cut your pieces according to the pattern from the t-shirt fabric.  One front piece and two back pieces.

Pin the front pieces to the back at the shoulder a sew.

Then pin and hem the arm area of the top.  You only have fold edge once to hem since t-shirt fabric doesn’t actually unravel.

I hem by hand front the front side of the fabric using a back stitch (check out this doll tank top video tutorial for a demonstration of the back stitch.)

I use the back stitch so it will stretch with my fabric, and I sew from the front because the stitches look weird on the other side.  I want the weirdness on the inside of the top.

Anyway, here’s the interesting part.  You fold the fabric on itself in the center of the front and pin in place. 

This is what the fabric should look like when folded.  The fold is only about 1/4 inch (about 1/2 cm.) wide, but you may need to make it wider to better fit your doll.

Sew the fold in place by making two rows of stitches down the front of you top.

Moving on, pin and sew the sides of your top.  Don’t forget to try the shirt on your doll before sewing to ensure a good fit.

Pin and hem the bottom of the tank top, just like we did with the arm area.

Hem the back opening too, and lastly hem the neckline (I didn’t get a picture of that step).

After hemming everything, sew on your closure of choice.  I prefer to cut two small pieces of soft Velcro and sew them on by hand.  Small snaps are a great choice as well.

Finish off the top by adding buttons.  I glued on flat back pearls using Aleene’s Jewel-it.  I also recommend tiny faux pearls and other tiny beads.

Add any other embellishments you want like lace, ribbon bows, flowers, etc.

The Half Circle Skirt

This half circle skirt was actually based on this tutorial for a knit skirt (intended for humans).  It’s a useful tutorial, especially if you want to make a skirt for someone larger or smaller in size.  I recommend using the hip measurement instead of the waist, and adding a little extra for a seam allowance if you aren’t sewing with a knit fabric.

Anyway, let’s get going on this skirt tutorial.

You will need:

• Pretty fabric
• (Optional) fabric for a lining if your fabric is thinner.
• Thin elastic
• The pattern below
• Basic sewing supplies
• Small safety pin
• (Optional) Sewing machine if you don’t want to sew by hand.

Here is the pattern for the skirt.  Like the tank top, it was made based on Misako’s measurements which are listed on the dolls’ profile page.

Cut one piece of fabric out of the pattern.  My fabric is a bit sheer, so I also cut a piece of lining fabric. 

However, I’m cheating at making a lining.  The two pieces are layered on top of each other and I am pretending they are just one piece of fabric instead of two.

Start by hemming the bottom edge of the skirt.  This fabric does fray, so you will need to double fold to hem.

You will also double fold and sew the top edge of the skirt to create a casing for your elastic.  Make sure it is large enough for the elastic.

Use a safety pin to thread the elastic through the casing.  You can used other tools instead, check out this doll tank top video tutorial for some examples.

Pin the elastic on each end of the skirt to secure it.

Now pin the ends of the skirt together and sew.  In one step you can sew both the elastic and the back seam.

And now the skirt is ready to wear.  You can also add other details like bows and lace.

Now you have a new doll outfit that’s perfect for Spring/Summer.  Enjoy!

End of tutorial.

Now let us discuss the accessories. 

First we have this fine pearl jewelry set.  A necklace and matching bracelet made simply by threading 4 mm. faux pearls on elastic thread.

To accentuate the hair, there is also this lovely hair clip, made from gathered lace and a few more pearls.

The base of this hair piece consists of a small barrette Anna purchased from a local craft store.

See how lovely it looks in Misako’s hair.

The accessories do so much to complete this lovely new outfit.

Misako does seem pleased with her new clothing.  Though it is quite difficult to know for certain since she still doesn’t speak to anyone, especially not to myself. 

Oh well, she is finally appropriately dressed and that is what really matters.  And perhaps someday she will open up.

Until then, be at peace my dear readers.

What Misako is really thinking.

“It was nice of her to make me this pretty stuff, but why?  I thought that white dress was nice.

And why does the noisy white haired doll fuss so much about it?  Maybe she wants more clothes too? If I asked her would she get mad?  Or would she make even more noise?  I don’t want that to happen. :(”