If you have some old t-shirts, a windbreaker or some left-over silk flowers, you can make one of these great projects. Just click on the pink links below to get the instructions for each project.

• Make a rag scarf from recycled t-shirts.
• Make a hair styling cape from a used windbreaker.
• Make a headband from left-over silk flowers.
• Make a shower cap and doll-sized towel.
  

Your American Girl Dolls will be really cute, and you can help save the Earth.

Technorati Tags: American Girl Dolls, Doll Accessories, Earth Day, Free Doll Clothes Patterns, Recycled

Before you print your doll clothes patterns, it’s necessary to adjust the settings on your printer. If you don’t do this, your printer may automatically reduce the size of the pattern pieces to fit within standard 1-inch wide margins. This results in the pattern, and therefore the finished outfit, being too tight for your American Girl Dolls.

Proper fit depends on preventing your printer from scaling the patterns.

1. In your printer’s settings, make sure the box next to ‘Scale to Fit” is NOT checked.
2. Then set your margins to 1/2-inch all around.
3. If you have the option, print the document at 100%.

Also remember to save your doll clothes patterns on your computer, so you can use them over and over. Your American Girl Dolls will thank you for it.

Technorati Tags: American Girl Dolls, Doll Clothes Patterns

Remember my blog post about the long hoodie? (If not, read it here.) That hoodie is almost ready. I’m just finishing the instructions. So, you can expect to see it soon.

The new doll clothes pattern includes the long hoodie, a long-sleeved tunic, slim pants and these adorable fringed, lace-up knee boots. The hoodie is sewn from fabric. It is NOT knit from yarn. So, it’s very quick and easy to make.

I’ll send an email to the list to let you know when this new pattern is available on the site.

Your American Girl dolls will love it. Here’s a sneak peek…

Please leave a comment and let me know how you like it.

Technorati Tags: 18 Inch Doll, American Girl Dolls, Doll Accessories, Doll Clothes Patterns

First, click the ‘Add To Cart‘ button and fill in your name, address, etc. on the order form. Then click the ‘Continue’ button to go to the next page. On that page you will have a choice of using PayPal or your own credit card. To use your credit card, just click the link next to the pictures of the credit cards.

Thanks to all you American Girl Doll lovers, for supporting the blog!

Technorati Tags: 18 Inch Doll, American Girl Dolls, Doll Clothes Patterns

Quite a few of the readers who are sewing doll clothes patterns for American Girl dolls are looking for a less expensive 18 inch doll who can wear the same clothes. The three dolls shown in the photo below are Madame Alexander Girlz dolls.

I bought these three dolls…last October at Costco. When I was shopping at Costco yesterday, I noticed the Christmas merchandise is already in the store. My local Costco store is selling three new Madame Alexander Girlz dolls, priced at $24.99 each. If you’re on a budget this Christmas, or just looking for an affordable ‘fit model’ for your doll clothes patterns, now is the time to shop. So run, don’t walk. Last year these dolls sold out very fast.

How do these dolls compare to American Girl dolls?

1.) Probably the biggest difference is that American Girl dolls cost around $100 and come with a very high quality, durable wig so girls can spend lots of time styling the dolls’ hair. The Madame Alexander wigs don’t seem to be intended for ‘hair play’ or styling. Their heads aren’t fully covered with hair. So when their hairstyles are changed, sometimes the Madame Alexander dolls may appear to have bald spots.

2.) Madame Alexander Girlz have very pretty faces and soft pink skin tones. The Girlz have heads that tilt side-to-side. They’re much easier to ‘pose’ than American Girls, so they have the ability to show many different expressions.

3.) There are only slight differences when sewing doll clothes patterns for the two dolls. The MA Girlz are a little taller than American Girl dolls, but it really doesn’t affect the fit. The main difference is the Girlz breast plate, which makes their shoulders seem a little thinner. But on the positive side, when the Girlz wear low cut necklines or sundresses, their cloth bodies are not exposed. American Girl dolls’ cloth bodies often show under their summer clothes. To see the dolls’ bodies and for more fitting information read the earlier post, Doll Clothes Patterns That Fit Perfectly.

Bottom line… the price is right! So, if you’re willing to handle the Madame Alexander wigs with care and make some slight fit alterations to your doll clothes patterns, these may be the Girlz for you!

Technorati Tags: American Girl Dolls, American Girls, Doll Clothes Patterns, Madame Alexander Girlz

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

Here’s how you’ll get your unlimited supply of cash!

About four days after you sign up to get the free the hobo bag pattern, you’ll receive an email from DollClothesPatterns with your download link for the play money. You don’t have to do anything extra. It’s automatic. You can print as much money as you want. Your doll can even be a millionaire if you have enough ink in your printer.

Have fun making money!
Please leave a comment and tell us what you think of this idea.

Technorati Tags: 18 Inch Doll, American Girl Dolls, Doll Accessories, Free Doll Clothes Patterns