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The majority of the text on this blog is written by Hikaru, a ball jointed doll. Try not to question it. The text written in pink font is commentary from Hikaru's human friend, Anna. Basically Hikaru does most of the writing and Anna keeps her from getting too out of hand.

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Sunday, September 16, 2018

Of Bjd Fashion: Pink Sweater Set with Navy Skirt and a Tutorial

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Our dear little Momoko had a birthday several months ago that quite dreadfully went on forgotten, until now.

Anna has designed and sewn an adorable little outfit for this joyous occasion.

A yosd ball jointed doll wearing a cute pink sweater set with a navy blue a-line skirt and a bow pin on the sweater.  We will learn how to make this cute outfit.

It consists of a sweet pink sweater and knit top with a navy blue skirt and white bow.  The outfit it most becoming on Momoko.

Underneath the cute pink sock sweater, the doll is wearing a sleeveless knit top to match.  It makes for a classic sweater set.

Since we are in Arizona with temperature still soaring even this late in summer, Anna was thoughtful enough to make the knit top sleeveless.

And in her generosity, Anna also developed patterns and a tutorial, so others can sew this adorable outfit for their ball jointed dolls.


Sweater Set with Half Circle Skirt for Yosd Bjds Tutorial

Materials needed:


Yosd Bjd Sleeveless Knit Top and Half Circle Skirt Pattern with Tutorial

Here is the pattern for the knit top and half circle skirt.  You will also need my yosd sock sweater pattern, but that will come later.

Cut out your pieces according to the sleeveless top pattern.  Use a cute sock or a light weight knit fabric.

First cut out the piece for the top from a knee sock or knit material.  You have two option for the collar piece.  You can cut using the pattern as is and fold it in half before sewing, or cut a piece along the edge of the sock.  The ribbed sock edge looks nice and you save on fabric because it only needs to be half as wide.

Pin the front piece to the back pieces at the shoulder and then sew.

Anyway, start by pinned the front and back pieces at the shoulder and sew.  If sewing by hand, you will need to sew using a back stitch.  Check out this video tutorial for doll tank tops if you don’t know how to do a back stitch.

Pin and sew around the arm holes to hem them.

Now hem the arm openings (fold and pin along the edge before sewing them).

Sew using a backstitch whiling facing the good side, it makes it look nicer.

When hemming with a backstitch, you want to sew while facing the outside of the piece because the stitches on the underside are kind of ugly.

Getting ready to sew the neckline, you can use the edge of the sock for a cute touch.

Now let’s get to that neckline.  Remember, if you cut the whole pattern piece for the collar instead of using the ribbing, you need to fold it in half before attaching to the shirt.

Start by pinning the collar at the center and ends of the neck opening.

Start pinning the “collar” to the top.  I first pin at the center and both ends.

Continue pinning the collar to the shirt and then sew in place..

Then I finish pinning the rest of the collar.  Carefully sew while removing the pins.


Turn up the collar and pin in place before topstitching along the the edge.

Turn the collar up so it lays flat and pretty and pin in place.  Stitch along the edge (top stitching!), so it stays nice and pretty.

Pin the sides of the top and sew.

Now it’s time to sew up the sides of the top.  This is also a great time to try it on your doll (if you haven’t already) to make sure it fits.  Adjust as needed.

Pin and sew the bottom to hem.

Almost done now.  Pin and hem the bottom.

Repeat to hem the back opening of the shirt, then sew on velcro or snaps to finish.

Repeat on the back opening.  Then you can sew on snaps or Velcro, or whatever ever closure you like.

After sewing on the velcro and snaps, the top is ready to wear.

And now the top is ready to wear!

Follow the tutorial link to make a cute matching sock sweater to complete the doll sweater set.

To make the sweater, just download the pattern from this post.  There’s a pattern for both Msd and Yosd sized sweaters along with a link to the original SD sized sock sweater tutorial.

Follow the tutorial link for instructions to make the half circle doll skirt to go with the sweater set.

As for the skirt, just follow the instructions in my msd sized half-circle skirt tutorial.

The tiny ribbon bow is detachable.

And now the finishing touch, the bow pin.  Just tie a simple bow from a bit of ribbon and add it to the sweater.

On the back of the bow is a tiny gold safety pin sewn on to make a doll sized bow pin.

You can just sew it to the sweater, but if you sew on a tiny gold safety pin it suddenly become a nice removeable bow to use in other outfits.

The completed ball jointed doll outfit of sleeveless pink top, matching pink sweater, navy blue skirt and ribbon pin.

And with that, the outfit is complete and ready to be worn by your doll.  Take tons of photos and enjoy!

End of tutorial.


(Anna, next time please arrange for the birthday doll to receive her gift at least during her birthday month!)

(Okay, but just remember that it’s difficult enough to keep track of all these dolly birthdays let alone plan gifts.  It would be easier to just give cards instead.  Is that what you want for your next birthday?)

(…On second thought, just do your best.)


Give it a try:


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