For this feature we are going
to explain how to dress a doll. For most people the characters
who inhabit their dolls house will be bought as completed dolls
but for those of you who would prefer to "do it yourself"
and create not only a unique doll, but also one which can be
modelled on a particular theme or person, we hope this information
will be of some help.
For this feature
we have enlisted the help of another of Dolls House Parades faithful
friends Jan Clarke. Jan began making dolls in 1977 and
her years of experience now make her one of the finest doll makers
in the world. She regularly shows at fairs such as London, Kensington
and Birmingham, Miniatura as well as occasional shows in the
USA. Through this exposure her dolls are now keenly sought throughout
the world. We are therefore very grateful that she has now kindly
agreed to share some of her secrets and experience with you.
In order to follow these instructions
you will either need to purchase
the pattern set (on which this article is based) from Dolls
House Parade - or you can use another pattern of your choice.
Either way, we hope that these tips and instructions will help
you to produce a better result.
There are three stages to dressing
a doll.
- Underclothes
- Footwear
- Outer Garments
Underclothes
You will first need to buy
the following material for the petticoat and pantaloons. This
must be thin material, which can be found in most haberdashery
shops.
Jan's Tip: I can recommend
The Dolls House Draper for materials.
1. 10ins x 8ins
in fine cotton lawn or fine cotton (approximately 22cms x 17cms)
2. 16" of
thin 1/4" wide lace for trimming (approximately 40cms x 0.5cm)
Using the material you have
bought you can now begin.
Lay out the pattern for the
underwear onto the material and cut out around the shapes for
the petticoat and the pantaloons.
Fold right sides together on
each leg and seam from bottom to crutch of each leg. Next, seam
down the back and front of the pantaloons. Turn up the bottom
of each leg to create a single hem. Turn over and add lace flat
onto the sides of each leg.
Each leg will now have a single
piece of lace as trimming.
Turn inside out so that they
are now round the right way - with the seam on the inside and
lace on the outside.
Take the petticoat pattern
and remove from the cotton lawn. Place the side seams together
and stitch together at the back to make a seam.
Turn up the
hem, then turn inside out so that the seam is on the inside and
then add white lace around the bottom of the petticoat.
At the top edge of the petticoat
run a small draw stitch through the material.
Underwear can now be put on
the doll - pantaloons first. Always stitch to fit on the body
of the doll and draw in the pull string.
Footwear
If your doll does not have
painted shoes prior to putting on the petticoat and pantaloons
you must cover legs and feet in PVA glue. Then take a small piece
of stocking (use ordinary stocking material).
Jan's Tip: Marks &
Spencer sell very fine cotton drawers and a pair of these will
go a long way as a material supply.
From the top of leg to the
toe pull round your stocking until the edges meet at the back.
Keep pulling until the stocking follows the shape of the leg
with no wrinkles, then trim off the excess from under the foot
and up the back to leave a thin seam.
To make boots
you will need some fine leather
Jan's tip: Use an old
pair of thin gloves you can often find these in your local
charity shop
Cut out a piece - approx 1"
deep and 3" long, but check that it fits around the leg
Cut the length (on the cross
of the leather) in half, then spread lots of PVA glue over the
stocking covered leg - to the height where you want the top of
the boot. Fix the piece of leather from the top down, to cover
the ankles and foot and pull tight at the back of the heel and
under the foot. Trim off the excess.
For the soles cut out the shape
from the leather and stick on the bottom of the foot covering
the rough edges.
Repeat for the other foot.
Outer Garments
The easiest way to make the
dress is to create a skirt with added bodice and sleeves and
fix it permanently to the doll.
The best materials to use for
the dress are fine cottons, silks, taffeta and velvets. The trims
must be fine and lightweight - preferably cotton or silk. This
will allow the skirt to hang properly.
Instructions will initially
be the same as those for making the petticoat but with more trim
and elaboration / decoration as required.
Jan's Tip: Always use
lightweight fine trimmings
Take the dress pattern and
lay on the material. Cut out around the pattern and remove.
It is easier to put trim on
the flat material and do the back seam as the final job.
Place the side seams together
and stitch together at the back (remember to stitch on the inside)
to make a seam. Again use a tiny tacking drawstring through the
top of the skirt. Put on the doll and draw tight around the waist.
For the bodice of the dress
iron your chosen material onto light-weight Vilene.
Jan's Tip: Vilene can
be bought from Dolls House Draper or a dress shop
This increases the stiffness.
If it is a light material use white - if dark use black.
Pin the pattern for the bodice
onto the material and cut out the three shapes of material.
Then put the right sides together
and stitch shoulders and side seams together. Leave this as it
is and put on the doll and pin the material in to the right size
to fit your doll's body.
You can also pin the darts
of the bodice to fit the body of doll and then turn in the back
seam of bodice. Take off the doll and stitch the darts and seams.
Turn into the right way round and put onto the doll - turning
a tiny hem around waist.
Slip stitch
the back opening which is folded over so the bodice now fits
tightly onto the doll.
Cut out the sleeve patterns
fold over and stitch down the length. Use small gather
stitches at the top and cuff off at the sleeve. Do the same for
the other sleeve.
When completed put the sleeves
on the doll's arms and pull the gathering together at top to
fit into the arm hole. Slip stitch the sleeve top onto the bodice.
Pull tight the stitching around
the bottom at the wrist. Stitch to make secure with a small narrow
piece of lace or ribbon over raw edge of sleeve to make a cuff.
To finish - add lace trim around
the neck covering the raw edge. Trim the bodice as required using
any form of trimming you desire. A few suggestions would be -
lace pannier - frills of lace - flat ribbon from back waist to
front waist over the shoulders finished with tiny bows - picot
braid - etc, etc.
If needed ribbon can be added
round the waist with ether a bow at the back or the front, or
turned over the side with tiny bead to make belt.
Jan's Tip: Remember at
each stage from the pattern you must iron your material.
Your doll should now be ready
to grace your house.
If you would like to purchase
the patterns used for this feature they are available for only
£2.25 (including postage). Just click on the button below
to go to our on-line shop.
