It’s easy to make a headband for your doll. Our headband features a giant silk flower. But you can use lots of different odds and ends like feathers, beads or buttons to make yours unique.

Recently, my mother brought this silk Hawaiian lei home from a party. (shown in the photo below) I decided to recycle it. I used 5 layers of the silk flower petals to make the big flower on each doll’s headband. There are 2 medium-colored layers on top, 2 dark-colored layers in the middle and one light-color on the bottom. I gathered them up in the center with a hand-basting stitch and sewed them on to an elastic band.

It takes about 12 inches of elastic to go around an American Girl dolls head. I used white elastic for the blonde and black elastic for the brunette, but you could also match the band to your doll’s outfit.

The secret to planning great looking accessories is to look at the doll clothes patterns you’re about to make, and find items that compliment the fabrics and colors you’re using.

The headband has lots of popular variations. This year, with the anniversary of Woodstock in the news, the forehead band is back in style too. Maybe you should celebrate Woodstock with retro-styled doll clothes patterns in updated tie-dye looks.

Shown above: The forehead band, a retro-look inspired by Woodstock.

Whatever you do, have fun and use your imagination. If you have an idea for a cute headband, leave a comment below, and share it with the other Doll Clothes Patterns readers.

Technorati Tags: American Girl Dolls, Doll Clothes Patterns

The Springfield Collection is sold at Michael’s craft stores. Although they’re not as well-made as American Girl, they’re considerably less expensive than American Girl, …and they make good ’starter dolls’ if you’re on a tight budget. If you watch for a half-price coupon, you can get a real bargain. Just remember, because of the size difference, you’ll have to adjust your doll clothes patterns to get a great fit.

Compare these measurements to the measurements listed in the earlier post (on Nov. 10, 2008) if you’re attempting to alter commercial doll clothes patterns made for 18 inch dolls. Also, because all these dolls have cloth bodies, the measurements may vary slightly from doll to doll. Allow for ‘ease.’

Overall Height: 17-1/2 inches tall

Bust: 10-1/2 inches, Waist: 10 inches, Hips: 11-3/4 inches

Inseam: 6-1/2 inches, Thigh: 5-1/4, Calf: 4-1/2 inches

Arm (shoulder to wrist): 5-1/8 inches

Arm (armpit to wrist): 3-1/4 inches

Around the Shoulders: 13-3/4 inches

Around the Neck: 5-3/4 inches, Neck Height: 3/8 inches

Around Head: 11 inches, Foot: 2-5/8 long X 1-3/8 inches wide

Technorati Tags: American Girl, Doll Clothes Patterns, Springfield Collection Dolls