Using tulle to line American Girl doll clothes

In a recent Facebook post to an American Girl Doll group, I mentioned that I was experimenting with using netting to fully line America Girl doll clothes. A few people asked for more info. So, I'm going to try to write the directions with pictures.

Barbie dress back

Barbie dress front

Where did I come up with this idea? Well, when I lived in Texas, a friend of my daughter's mother designed and made the most gorgeous Barbie doll clothes and they were all lined with what I thought was netting. After looking more closely at the Barbie clothes the other day (yes, I still have them and my granddaughter plays with them now), I've determined that she used tulle. It's much softer than netting.

                  Steps to Completely Line Clothes with Tulle

BODICE
1.  Sew bodice front to back at shoulders and press very well. If there are any bodice darts, DO NOT sew them yet.
2.  Lay pressed bodice atop the tulle and cut out. The bodice is the lining pattern piece. Doing this way eliminates the shoulder seams in the tulle.

#2.  Bodice dress pinned to tulle

3.  With right sides together, not that there is a right side to the tulle, sew along back and neckline seam using 1/4" seams.
4.  If SLEEVELESS bodice, also sew along each armhole seam.
5.  Clip all curves. Guess you could trim seams, maybe with pinking shears, but I don't.
6.  Turn right side out and press very well. I often use a pressing cloth. Darts can be sewn at this time.

#6.  Center back and neck seams pressed

7.  Open out underarm seam, match lining and bodice edges. (No picture)
8.  Sew side seams from bodice bottom up to the end of the tulle lining.
9.  Press underarm seam open. Then, press armhole very well. Continue with SKIRT directions.
10.  If SLEEVES in bodice, follow Step #5 and #6, then continue with #11.
11.  Set in sleeves. Sleeves are not lined. Overcast sleeve seams. Press seams towards sleeve.
12.  With right sides together, sew side seams from bodice bottom to end of sleeve or cuff. Overcast side seams and press toward back.

#12.  Sewing side seam

#11.  Zigzagging sleeve seam

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 


  

#2. Skirt lined with tulle

SKIRT
1. Cut tulle to match dress skirt.
2. Sew back and bottom seams. The top of the skirt will be open.
3. Clip corners, turn and press very well.
4. Attach skirt to bodice. Overcast seam and press towards bodice.
 
 


BACK   

#1.  Overlapped left back over right back

1.  Overlap the skirt bottom left back over bottom right. Depending on pattern, it can be anywhere from a 1/4" to 1/2" overlap.
2.  Sew through overlapped edges for about 3" depending of length of skirt. I sew up close to the edge of the left side and then down about 1/4" away.
3.  Sew back closures with whatever you use; Velcro, buttons, snaps, etc.




 I've now sewn the same dress pattern using both the netting and tulle. While the tulle is softer, the netting flares the skirt better. Next dress, I plan on using the tulle for the bodice and the netting for the skirt. Both tulle and netting is so inexpensive, around $1.25/yard, you can experiment and let me know which you like better.

Merida Brave's AG Girl Saga

L in Merida costume

Every Christmas, I sew a matching dress for L's American Girl doll that matches her Halloween costume. This year she was Merida, a Disney princess from Brave. She wanted Merida instead of Elsa from  Frozen because she was a strong princess who didn't wear makeup!

 Who knew this year's costume would cause me so much angst!

Problem #1: To begin with, I couldn't find similar material anywhere. I tried every fabric store within a 30 mile radius, but no luck. Finally, I ended up ordering a Merida costume. Of course, it was significantly past Halloween and the only size I could find was a small (I was hoping to order a large size thinking I could make another similar dress to sell). 

Problem #2: No one sold a Merida pattern; not even anything close. So, I adapted a bodice and skirt from another pattern. Just had to create the front bodice V-insert and the sleeve inserts.

Problem #3: I had to deconstruct the purchased costume and hope for enough material. Undoing the dress was tedious; not difficult but what a mess it made with small pieces of thread everywhere! There was plenty of material for the skirt and overskirt but barely enough for the bodice. Seems multi-sized costumes use stretch material for the back bodice rather than the velour used for the front.

Problem #4: Time, time, time and then some more time. I never did complete the AG costume for Christmas. It has now become a New Year's gift.

Problem #5: With only one last trim to sew, I misplaced the last bit of gold rick rack needed. I looked all over for it around my sewing area. Wasted hours looking for it and finally, decided it was a lost cause. Thankfully, the next morning my daughter found it and the costume was finished!!!!

I'm very happy with the results but...what I've learned from this:

For craft shows, I'm going to draft a Merida dress pattern that is similar to the movie dress rather than L's Halloween costume. It has to be easier!!

Closeup of Bodice

Gown Merida's