Just Like Me Doll

Dress and Pinafore Outfit

You Need:
View and print the pattern (PDF format requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader) and enlarge (see below for instructions).
.4 m fabric for dress, 115 cm wide (from this, cut 1 piece 20 x 71 cm/8 x 28 in for dress skirt)
.2 m coordinating fabric for pinafore, 115 cm wide (from this, cut 1 piece 10 x 71 cm/4 x 28 in for pinafore skirt)
1 piece broadcloth 15 x 43 cm (6 x 17 in) for panties
1 piece knit fabric 13 x 15 cm (5 x 6 in) or cuff of sock for socks
.9 m pre-ruffled lace, 20 mm wide
Matching thread for each fabric
Small felt piece for shoes
4 small hooks and eyes
2 small buttons
1 package of elastic, 3 mm wide
Bodkin or large safety pin

To make:

1. Enlarge pattern by the squaring method: On brown paper, draw a grid of horizontal and vertical lines 2.5 cm (1 in) apart. Each square on the diagram equals a 2.5 cm square on your paper. Enlarge by drawing each part of the design onto the corresponding square on your paper. Cut out.

2. Cut out all pattern pieces. Pin pattern pieces on corresponding fabric.

Note: Use 6 mm (1/4 in) seam allowance throughout. Trim seam allowance and clip curves before turning right side out. Overcast raw edges with a machine zigzag stitch or use pinking shears.

To make dress:
Note: One bodice front and 2 backs will be used for facing.

1. Bodice: With right sides together, stitch bodice front to bodice back at shoulders. Press open. Repeat for facing. With right sides together and raw edges matching, pin lace around neckline on bodice front and back. Baste. With right sides together, stitch bodice and facing together along neck and centre back, catching lace in seam. Turn right out. Press. Baste bodice and facing together around armholes.

2. Sleeves: Stitch 1 row of basting along gathering line indicated on pattern. Fold bottom edge of sleeve to inside along fold line. Press under raw edge 6 mm (1/4 in to form casing. Press. With right side of lace and wrong side of sleeve together, pin lace over casing so 13 mm (1/2 in) of lace shows below sleeve; topstitch 6 mm (1/4 in) from bottom edge leaving a small opening to insert elastic. Topstitch a second line along fold. Cut two 8 cm (3 in) lengths of elastic. With bodkin, thread each through 1 casing. Stitch ends together. Along gathered edge, pin right side of sleeve to right side of bodice armhole. Pull gathering thread and adjust gathers to fit. Stitch. Trim seam. With right sides together, pin bodice front to bodice back at side and sleeve edges. Stitch together, pivoting at underarm. Slipstitch ends of lace trim together. Repeat for other sleeve. Baste bodice front to facing along bottom edge.

3. Dress Skirt: With right sides together, fold skirt in half so short edges match. Beginning and ending 4 cm (1-1/2 in) from each corner, stitch short edges together. Press seam open. With wrong sides together, fold in half so long edges match. Topstitch pressed edges together around opening. Stitch 1 row of basting along raw edges.

4. With right sides together, pin dress skirt to bodice, aligning edges of skirt opening with centre back edges of bodice. Adjust gathers to fit. Stitch. Stitch 1 hook and eye in place at top of bodice back and 1 at waist. Remove basting. To put dress on doll, slip over feet.

To make pinafore:
Note: One bodice front and back will be used for facing.

1. Bodice: With right sides together, stitch bodice front to bodice back at shoulders. Repeat for facing. With right sides together, stitch bodice and facing together, leaving side and bottom edges open. Press.

2. With right sides together, stitch bodice front to back, then facing front to back, at side edges. Press. Turn right side out.

3. Pinafore Skirt: Press under 6 mm (1/4 in) twice along 1 long edge and 2 short edges of pinafore skirt; topstitch. Stitch 1 row of basting along raw top edge; pull thread to gather.

4. With right sides together, pin skirt to bodice waist only (not facing). Adjust gathers to fit. Stitch. Press under 6 mm (1/4 in) on raw edge of facing. Slipstitch in place along seam line. Sew 2 hooks and eyes in place. Remove basting.

To make panties:
1. With right sides together, stitch side seams. Stitch crotch seam. Press waist edge under along fold line for casing. Press under raw edge 6 mm (1/4 in). Machine stitch, leaving small opening to insert elastic.Topstitch a second line along fold. Thread elastic through casing and pull to fit doll's waist; stitch ends together.

2. On each leg, press bottom edge under along fold line for casing. Press under raw edge 6 mm (1/4 in). Pin right side of lace to wrong side of bottom edge so 13 mm (1/2 in) of lace shows below panties. Topstitch 6 mm (1/4 in) from edge, leaving small opening to insert elastic. Topstitch a second line along fold. Thread elastic through each casing and pull to fit leg; stitch ends together.

To make socks:
Fold each sock piece so right sides are together and long edges match. Stitch centre-back seam, tapering to toe. Trim away excess fabric at toes and press seams open. Press under each raw edge along fold line; slipstitch in place. Turn right side out.

To make each shoe:
With wrong sides together, using a regular sharp needle, overcast bottom edge of shoe. With edges matching, glue strap pieces together in pairs. Stitch straight end of strap to inside of each shoe at dot. Stitch other end on outside of opposite side of each shoe. Stitch button on outside strap.