Ruby's dress

I'm dreadfully sorry for the crappy pictures, but my scanner isn't working. I'm not sure it ever did, in fact it probably just needs plugging in, or switching on, or something - who knows ? Certainly not me.

Anyway, one crappy quality photo....

I'll zoom in a bit, if that makes it easier to read ?

This is a 'stitch- around' pattern, so cut out your paper pattern pieces, but NOT your fabric yet.

To avoid any nasty teeny tiny hems I've made the dress reversible, so you will need two squares of fabric cut large enough to accommodate your pattern pieces plus hem allowances .

Put your fabrics right side together and pin on the pattern pieces.

Now machine stitch close to the edge of your pattern where indicated. Don't forget to leave the side opening for turning, and don't stitch around the neckline on both pieces.

Without removing the paper pattern, and leaving a small hem all around your stitching, cut out your two pattern pieces. Not the neck bits though, the neck bits come next -

For both the collar and the dress, cut out the necklines ( which shouldn't be stitched yet) without leaving any seam allowance.

Turn the collar the right way round, press, and topstitch all around if desired,

and now sandwich it in between the two layers of your dress.

Pin, baste, and machine stitch together.

Now, turn your dress the right way round, and slip stitch the turning gap closed.

Fold in half, to match A to A, B to B, etc ...

So it looks like this.

Starting at the bottom hem, slip stitch the side seams, picking up only the top layer of fabric - in this case the orange fabric..

Once you've reached the sleeve hem, turn inside out and repeat, this time just stitching through your other fabric. This will give a nice neat seam on both sides.

At this point, the dress could easily be made into a coat instead, just leave the gap for turning on the bottom hem so it's not visible. ( I wouldn't mind a coat like this meself actually ).

But if you still want a dress, just stitch the back seams in the same way, leaving a large enough opening to fit your dollie thru'

Attach buttons and sew little loops to fit, and then add whatever buttons and bows that take your fancy.

Dah, dah !

Ruby won't model for us today

She says she's too shy.

Back on friday. Bye-bye.

xxx

Comments

[nadège]

Ruby is really a beautiful doll !
thanks you for the pattern...

[suzie vallis]

Ruby is just a joy, thank you for making me smile.
SUzie Sews

[carolyn]

Absolutely brilliant - and I wouldn't mind a coat like that either. Many thanks.
Carolyn

[Sue]

Thank you for the tutorial.
It is very easy to read..... and understandable......
and darling!

[sooz]

ohhh lovely lovely lovely! Thank you for the tutorial - you'd not be thinking of doing one for a Ruby-esque doll too would you? She's just perfect!!

[Kitty]

oh Ruby I LOVE YOU and wish to take you home.

Plus, that is a smashing frock and an excellent tutorial.

[fleur]

Thank You!!! I have little girls at home, oh ruby is so nice!

[mj]

Wow- that's amazing. What a clever idea!

[Cherry Menlove]

Oh yes, I too would like a coat like that! I'm sorry Ruby is shy. She looks so pretty in that darling little coat. I really can't handle this much cuteness in the afternoon (please don't stop with the cuteness EVER by the way)!
Cherry xx

[Robin]

What an adorable dress/coat! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

[tyn]

YOU are amazing.

[Rebecca]

Oh my goodness, you are a genius. I hate the teeny hem thing and all my dolls clothes end up looking shabby and fraying due to poor tiny hems. I love you, I am going to adopt this format for all the dolls clothes now, we will have the best dressed dolls ever and of course children love reversible clothes. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[heidi]

i am in love with your tutorials babe! love ruby. love the dress. must try both now. thanks!

[nova]

Thank you for the tutorial! Ruby and her dress are the cutest things I have seen in a while!

[Mama Urchin]

You make it look so easy!

[christy]

oh my... she's so adorable!

[*jenny]

Brilliant! Did you think up this technique? Its so clever. And shy Miss Ruby is so cute! Your dolls always have so much personality. Well done!

[tris]

I read the entire post, loving every bit of it, before I realised that Ruby was not your daughter. What a surprise to see that dress on a sweet little doll! I wonder if that pattern could be used to make a dress/blouse for my daughters? I love it!

[Melissa]

Thanks so much your the best. Ruby you look adorable and we can't wait to see the next installment. Maybe a red headed sister:)

[kjungs]

wonderful dress, and ruby is soooo cute!

[austen]

holy cuteness, batman! i feel christmas presents coming on.... thanks for the great tutorial!

[katie]

absolutely wonderful - if it wasn't midnight I would go and make one NOW! Thank you

[susan sobon]

ok,is it me or what? i just want to eat her??!! she is so dang adorable!!! and i love the way you pose her!!!! tooooo cute

[manda]

Fantastic tutorial Lyn. I thank you, Bella thanks you and most importantlyof all, Bella's near naked doll thanks you!

[Georgia]

Just wanted to let you know what a fantastic tutorial that was. I made a coat version of it today (and I am NOT a sewer) all with hand stitching and it turned out really, really well. Only problem is that I was hoping it would fit my daughter's American Girl doll and the arms are too tight. So now I guess I'll just have to have a go at making a doll with skinny arms! Do you know of any free patterns where I could get a start? I also loved Ruby, but thought that at 144 messages, you'd heard it enough!