A Minnie Mouse Inspired ~ Free American Girl Dress Pattern

Today I am sharing a American Girl Doll pattern that I created.  The bodice is lined and sleeveless.  The gathered skirt is made of two sections of fabrics connected with bias tape.

I added a wide sash ~ think Minnie would like that!

The hot pink variation of the pattern can be found at the bottom of the post.

Materials needed:

Dress bodice template

squares for main bodice and contrasting lining (red)

Two 3 1/2" x 22" contrasting fabric (red) for sash

One 6 1/2" x 28" rectangle for skirt top

One 4" x 28" rectangle for skirt bottom

28" length of bias tape maxi piping (red)

4" pieces of thin Velcro ~ I love this one

Optional applique:

Small free clip art of Minnie Mouse

Small square of Heat N Bond adhesive

Notes:

All seams are 1/4" unless indicated

Seams can be finished by serging, with a zig zag stitch, or pinking shears

Reinforce seams by backstitching 

Directions:  

Cut out the bodice pieces

Optional applique

Following the directions on the Heat n Bond package, trace your "Minnie."  Iron onto your fabrics.  Note: I show red for the bow, but I changed it to white with black dots to match the skirt.  Cut out your appliqué pieces, and iron onto the bodice,  sew (I use a zig zag stitch).

Bodice Construction:  With right sides together, pin and sew the shoulders.

Repeat for the lining.

Fold each sash piece in half right side together, and sew along the long edges and one of the short edges.

Turn the ashes right side out ~ I use a chop stick!

With right sides together, pin the lining to the bodice.  Stitch along the back and neckline, then around the arm holes.  Clip the seams.

Turn right side out by pulling the lining through the shoulder on one side.  Repeat on the other side.  Press flat.

Pull the lining out of the way.  Pinch the unseen edge of sash slightly to form a small fold.  Pin the sashes to the right side of the bodice, 1" from the bottom.  Baste in place.

Open up both the fronts and backs of the bodice.  With right sides together, pin the fronts together and the linings together.  Sew ~ catching your sash in the seam.

Turn right side out, and press

Skirt construction:

Pin your bias tape face down along the lower edge of the 6 1/2" x 28" piece.  Using your zipper foot, baste in place.

Place your skirt bottom piece face down covering the bias tape.  With your zipper foot, stitch as close as possible to the cording.

Your finished piece:

Press a 1/2" fold on either side of the skirt.

Hem the skirt bottom by pressing a 1/4" fold.  Then fold 1/4" again.  Press and top stitch.

Your dress pieces at this point:

Gather the top edge of the skirt by sewing long basting stitches ~ Remember to leave tails on your thread to pull.

Distribute the gather evenly.  With right sides together, sew the skirt to the bodice using a 1/2" seam.

Sew Velcro to the back of the dress.

Sew the back of the dress (below the Velcro) 7" from the bottom

Your Minnie inspired dress is complete!

Hot pink dress variation

Omit the appliqué
Reverse the skirt pieces by sewing the bias tape to the bottom of the 4" x 28" piece

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American Girl Doll Patterns

Now that each of my granddaughters has a special doll, it is important to keep them in fashion!  Between Etsy (pdf patterns) and Pinterest (free patterns), I have been able to create some cute outfits that are inexpensive and easy to make.

The first one is from Pixie Faire ~ I used cute whale fabric and lined it in coordinating pink.

From Cotton Candy came this sweet party dress pattern in mint with hot pink

And every well dressed doll needs the perfect dress for school ~ this one from Crab Apple....

...and a sleeveless dress for the warm weather ~ from My Angie

.....and one from Simplicity (1443)....

...and lastly, a free Molly design for a jumper and blouse

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Moda Bake Shop

I am thrilled and honored that my Placemat for Santa has been featured on Moda Bake Shop!

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Super Hero Pillowcase

I had made each of the girls an outfit for their dolls ~ now I needed to find something special for my grandson........

Cole likes super heroes, so I had purchased this cute Marvel Comic fabric awhile ago, but I didn't have a plan for it.

My solution ~ a pillowcase with an appliquéd super hero!

Although it is a little more expensive, I always use organic fabric for pillowcases, especially for kids.

I used the burrito style pattern with French seams and added my appliqué....

...and it was finished in no time!
I hope he likes it!

I used the same technique when I made a Lego pillowcase for a friend.

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New Ideas for American Girl Doll

Time to makes some new outfits for my granddaughters'  American Girl dolls!
I sometimes like to combine patterns to create a new design ~ a dress from here and a bib from here...

Once the "shortie" dress was complete, I decided that it needed fun capri pants.  I found a "free" pattern and shortened the length, and the new outfit was ready!

This time I stayed with the original pattern.  My little Amelia said that her Bitty Baby need a new dress with a bonnet.  Hope she likes the results!

And one more from marlindacreations ~ I love hot pink combined with almost any fabric.  This time it was with lime green!

Additional pictures can be found here.


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Anthropologie Apron Remake

Kendra had asked me if I could try to reproduce an apron that she had received for her wedding shower since it was no longer available for purchase.
Today I thought I would share my completed design.

This was the original apron from Anthropologie:

I made a pattern by tracing the original.    I added rows of ruffles (homemade and store bought), zig zag trim and two pockets for good measure, and my finished product:

Not quite the same, but I was pleased with the results.

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An Appliqued "Home" Pillow DIY

I have been looking for a lumbar pillow to accent my brown leather sofa ~ without success!  My only solution was to create my own.  The process was extremely simple, and the results were just what I wanted!

Supplies for an 16" x 26" envelope backed pillow:

17" x 27" ~ 1 piece for front~ cotton fabric (I used Michael Miller's Soft White Cotton)
17" x 17 1/2" ~ 2 pieces for back ~ cotton fabric
1/4 yard piece of colored cotton ( I used black)
"Home" template 1
              template 2
Heat n Bond Ultrahold
16" x 26" pillow insert

Process:
Pillow front:
Print both sections of the "home" template
Trace the "home" template following the directions on the back of the Heat n Bond package
    The template is in reverse letter order.  Don't change!
    Since the script is on 2 separate pages, be careful to line up the letters evenly overlapping the "o"
       and the "m"

Iron the letters to the back of your colored cotton fabric, allow to cool, and cut out.
Peel off the paper liner.
Center the "home" on the 17" x 27" fabric piece, press until it securely attaches.
Using a zig zag or blanket stitch, sew around each letter.

Pillow back:
Turn under 1/2" along the width of one of the back pieces (17" side) Press.

Turn under an additional 1 1/2" and press.

Repeat for the remaining back piece.
Topstitch along the folded edges.

With right sides together, line up your two back pieces on top of the front piece overlapping the folded edges.

Pin, and sew a 1/2" seam around the entire rectangle ~ sew slowly and carefully where the fabrics overlap.

Clip corners, and turn right-side out.  I use a chop stick to push out the corners.

Press, and add your insert ~ and you have a beautiful new accent pillow!

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