Doll clothes patterns can be adjusted before cutting, to ensure a perfect fit for a variety of dolls. You can easily see size differences by comparing the measurements of three popular 18-inch dolls:
- Madame Alexander ‘Girlz’
- American Girl Dolls
- Gotz ‘Precious Day Collection’
The lines drawn on the dolls in the photo above show exactly where to measure your dolls. American Girl dolls have become the standard for the proper fit of doll clothes patterns. But, if you measure first and adjust carefully, your doll clothes and doll accessories can fit most 18-inch dolls. Let’s compare.
Bust and Shoulders: One obvious difference among the three dolls is the bust measurement, which is quite a bit larger on the Gotz doll. But, her larger bust line is really caused by the width of her shoulders. The distance around her shoulders is a full inch larger than the American Girl doll… and 1-5/8 inches larger than the Madame Alexander doll.
Sleeve Length: The Madame Alexander doll has slightly longer arms, but because her shoulders are narrower, her sleeve length is almost identical to the American Girl doll. And, don’t forget the Gotz doll’s wide shoulders. Even though the Gotz arms are the same length as the American Girl, you have to increase her sleeve length if you don’t increase the width of the shoulders on the doll clothes patterns.
The American Girl doll has bigger hips and a more rounded bottom. She also has a shorter, thicker neck than the other dolls. When you’re making tight pants or boots, remember the Gotz doll has larger, 5-1/2 inch calves. (Although it’s not shown here, the older American Girl dolls also have 5-1/2 inch calves.) All the dolls’ heads and feet are almost identical in size. Their inseams are similar enough to make their pant lengths the same.
So, even if you’re sewing for just one doll, always measure your doll. Then, measure the doll clothes patterns and compare each area. If you’re making doll clothes to sell, or if you own several different 18-inch dolls, you’ll need to make a few alterations so the clothes will fit all the various dolls. Begin by using this chart.
For all of the dolls to wear the same clothes, cut the doll clothes patterns large enough to fit the biggest measurement in each body area. For example, make sure the bust fits a doll that measures 12-1/8 inches; the waist 10-1/2 inches; and the hips 12-1/4 inches. Remember to add a small amount to each measurement for ‘ease,’ unless you want the dolls’ clothes to be skin-tight.
Until we talk again, this information should get you started using doll clothes patterns to create a wardrobe that fits almost all of your 18-inch dolls perfectly.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I’m a new knitter looking for gift ideas for the granddaughters.
Thank you for your posts!
January 5th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
This is a great website. Gives a lot of information for making doll clothes.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
Thanks for the information on the measurements of the different dolls. This is so helpful when making doll clothes.
May 23rd, 2009 at 7:35 am
Thanks for this — I have an 18″ Gotz doll and it’s nice to have the precise measurements. I have made some Kirsten dresses/aprons for my dolly without alteration and they have fit fine — I found this at the AG Playthings website (I’m not affiliated, I just visited the site). They have reproductions of the original patterns issued by Pleasant Company for six of the dolls — I think they are Molly, Addy, Kirsten, Samantha, Felicity and Josefina. Anyway it’s a great resource if you sew and want to make some outfits. But they don’t have modern clothes and I like these for Julie, which my niece has. Maybe she’ll be gettting a hobo bag or rag scarf in the mail!
August 7th, 2009 at 10:21 pm
Is anyone aware of a program/application/designer that will show how to take a child’s regular pattern (Simplicty 2876) and design a pattern just like it for an 18″ American Girl so that a type and her doll can dress alike this winter???
August 9th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
looking for patterns for 24″ Madame Alexander vintage dolls. Help.
August 9th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Hi Patty,
I only make patterns for 18 inch dolls. Sorry. Maybe one of the blog readers will know of something.
Peggy
August 14th, 2009 at 10:30 am
“Is anyone aware of a program/application/designer that will show how to take a child’s regular pattern (Simplicty 2876) and design a pattern just like it for an 18″ American Girl so that a type and her doll can dress alike this winter???”
Well, I know a way, but it is neither cheap nor easy. Livingsoft.com sells a program called Dress Shop. The whole program is pretty expensive, but they do sell Doll Shop, which comes with measurements for the most popular dolls and costs $99. You select the doll size you want, then choose the design that is most like the child’s pattern you have. Trouble is, I don’t know what designs are included if you just buy Doll Shop.
Cheaper would be to look in the pattern books for a doll pattern similar to the design you have, then alter it to match the child’s pattern. Or you can look on ebay, as there have been a number of “Dolly and Me” type patterns published over the years. Good Luck!
November 15th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
I bought a Madame Alexander “Girlz” doll at Costco for myself to make doll clothes for my Grandneice’s American Girl doll. I am very happy with the Madame Alexander doll. She is well made and and better qualilty than the Amnerican Girl doll. She has nicer hair and a prettier face. She was only $25 compared to the $100 plus that the American doll cost. Thank you for your website. I made a good decision.
January 10th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
I read where you give us the locations on where to measure the dolls for the patterns but what do I do with this information on the pattern. When looking at my pattern piece how do I adjust it to fit my doll?
April 10th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Pam,
It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. If your doll is an American Girl doll, the patterns on this site should already fit. If she’s some other kind of doll, measure your doll and compare her measurements to the measurements of the American Girl dolls listed in this blog post. For example, if your doll is one inch smaller in the waistline, make the pattern one inch smaller in the waistline.
Since I really don’t know what you’re trying to do, the safest way for you to proceed is probably to cut a garment out of scrap fabric using your pattern, then sew it up and try it on your doll to determine where to make the alterations.
Peggy