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After much delay, Anna has finally sewn an adorable little dress for our newest ball jointed doll, Yuna.
A simple and pretty yosd sized dress, it suits Yuna quite well.
As a service to my lovely readers, I have insisted that Anna provide a printable pattern for this dress as well as detailed instructions for its construction.
Let the tutorial begin.
Yosd Bjd Sleeveless Dress Tutorial
Materials needed:
- Fabric
- Snaps or Velcro
- Pins
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
- Lace and other trims of your choice.
- Pattern (download below)
- Iron (optional)
- Patience (optional, but helpful)
Here’s the pattern for the dress. It was designed to fit Yuna loosely, so please check out her measurements to ensure a good fit for your dolls.
If you are a bit of a beginner at sewing, please check out our Fitted Doll Dresses tutorial. It is a video tutorial that demonstrates most of the techniques needed to make this dress.
Now let’s get started.
First you need to cut out all your fabric pieces.
As mentioned on the pattern, you will need to cut out the bodice pieces from your fabric and a lining fabric. I chose to use the same fabric for the lining.
Now you need to pin the front bodice to the back pieces at the shoulders with the right sides together. Then just sew them. Repeat this with your lining.
After sewing, press out the seams with an iron.
You can also press it out by rubbing it with the back of a spoon or your finger. This trick only works well on small pieces like doll clothes, especially when made with cottony fabrics.
Now for the lace ruffles, which are totally optional. You first need to cut a strip of lace about twice as long as you want it.
Sew a running stitch along the edge of the lace as shown, then pull to gather it to the desired length.
(That’s my favorite lace! Why did you use it for this dress instead of one for me!)
(You say that about all the lace I use for your clothes.)
Carefully pin it along the arm area and sew it in place.
Continuing on, place the bodice and lining right sides together and pin around the neckline. Make sure the lace ruffles aren’t in the way.
After sewing the neckline, pin and sew at the arm area too. Make sure that the lace ruffles are smooth while you pin.
This part may be a little tricky. Starting at the back pieces, you want to turn the whole thing right side out. The hard part will be the shoulders. Once done, press it out.
If you want, you can sew along edges (a.k.a. top stitch) to make it look nicer and help it stay flat.
(Why are the photo backgrounds changing?)
(Because I took some of these photos at work in the break room. The great thing about sewing doll clothes is that I can pack my stuff and work on them anywhere.)
(If you can work anywhere and anytime, would you mind explaining why it takes so long for you to complete any of my clothing?)
Now to pin the sides of the bodice. Check the fit on your doll and then sew. Press out the seams.
Before the next steps, it helps to trim a little from the lining along the edge. This will reduce some of the bulk.
The bodice is finish! Now to start on the skirt.
First to pin and sew the hem of the skirt. You can add some lace to the hem if you wish. I chose to add the lace to the front of the skirt instead.
Now gather the top of the skirt to fit the bodice.
With right sides together, pin the skirt to the bodice. Make sure the gathers are nice and even before sewing.
Press it flat and topstitch again if you wish.
Now at the back of the dress, start pinning from the top to a little past the top of the skirt. I use my thumb as a guide. Sew and repeat.
Now to pin the back of the dress together to sew the final seam. After that there is one final thing to do.
Sew on snaps! Or Velcro if you wish. Try the dress on the your doll to see where to place the snaps.
Now the dress is done and ready to decorate. I added pearl “buttons” and a tiny lace rosette with a ribbon bow.
Now that the tutorial is complete, let us discuss this darling outfit further.
In addition to the dress, Anna made some accessories. First is the pretty hair piece Yuna is wearing.
It is a simple headband made from two pieces of lace and a bit of elastic.
It adds a beautiful touch to her hair.
Anna also made this felt bag. It was made using the same methods from a previous tutorial (see Of Bjd Fashion: Felt Doll-Sized Purses).
It is a versatile color and it is nice accented with a lace bow.
It adds the finishing touch to such an endearing outfit.
And now Yuna doesn’t need to borrow clothing from Sakura any longer. What does Sakura think of Yuna’s new outfit?
“Yay! You look so cute! That dress is so pretty. The headband is so pretty. Do you think it’s pretty? Do you like it? Yes?”
…..
“Me too!”
“Wow, what a neat bag. Do you think it will hold a lot of stuff? I want one too, do you think Anna will make me one? Maybe in pink?”
It would appear that Anna needs to start sewing again. Hopefully her next sewing project will be completed in a more timely manner.
For now, we are at peace.
