Transport your 18" doll back into ancient Greek times with this week's clever tutorial that comes to us from the very talented designer behind Thimbles and Acorns - Shari Fuller.
Giveaway update! Our winner is Diane O. who said she loves the Town Mouse and the Country Mouse fable. Congratulations Diane!
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The Dorian Chiton, pronounced KEY-tun, was the style of clothing worn by western Greek men and women. It was made from a single rectangle of cloth that was draped around the body and fastened at the shoulders with a pin, broach, or thorn. It was left open at one side and held together at the waist or just under the breast with a belt or tie.
Measurements are given for both 18-inch dolls such as American Girl® and the 16-inch A Girl for All Time® dolls.
Materials needed:Fabric ~ To make a full length Chiton, cut a piece of lightweight wool, linen, or cotton fabric 27-inches wide by 15-inches long for an 18-inch doll or 25-inches wide by 13.5-inches wide for a 16-inch. Wool was the most common fabric worn by Greeks, however, the more well-to-do liked to dress in imported cotton and linen fabrics. Working class men, soldiers, and young women often preferred shorter Chitons, so feel free to shorten your Chiton. Although most Greek statues give the impression that Chitons were usually white, bright natural colors and simple geometric prints were also worn.
Notions ~ One yard of ribbon or narrow cord for tie; two small pins, buttons, or snaps; optional, one to three yards of 1/4-inch to 5/8-inch wide trim.
Step 1: Finish the raw edges of the Chiton with a double-fold hem. Starting with the shorter sides, turn the edges under 1/4-inch and press to crease. Turn the edges under another 1/2-inch to encase the raw edges and press again. Pin in place and stitch close to the inside edges to secure. Repeat for the longer sides
Don't want to sew a hem? Trim the Chiton down to 25.5 x 13.5-inches for 18-inch dolls (23.5 x 12-inches for 16-inch dolls), finishing the edges with a pinking shears, serging, or by simply fraying them.
Step 2: The Chiton can be left plain or one or more edges can be decorated with a band of trim or embroidery. If your machine has embroidery stitches, this is a great opportunity to use them.
Step 3: Lay the Chiton lengthwise, right side up. Mark the top edge with pins 4.5-inches and 9-inches from each side. Apply buttons at the two markings on the left side. Following the instructions below, make button loops at the two markings on the right side.
Well-to-do Greeks fastened their Chitons with pins called fibulae or decorative broaches. Those that couldn't afford them used thorns that they boiled in oil to harden. Don't want to sew buttons or button loops? Fasten your Chiton with small safety pins or no-sew snaps instead.
Step 4: With the right sides out, fold the Chiton in half aligning the buttons with the button loops. Fasten the button nearest the folded edge to create an armhole.
Step 5: Slide your dolls left arm through the armhole and fasten the other button on the right shoulder. Arrange the free edges on your dolls right side so that they cascade neatly down the side.
Step 6: Overlap the ends of the Chiton on the open side and secure it at the waist with a ribbon or cord. Wrap the cord around the waist twice and tie it in the front to form a simple belt. For a more elegant look, wrap the cord around the torso, just under the arms, criss-cross down the front, wrap it around the waist, and tie it in front. Adjust the fullness of the Chiton around the torso as desired. Pull the front of the Chiton down slightly to help it drape under the neck.
Chitons were often bound at the waist with a double belt between which a section of cloth could be pulled out to create a kind of pocket to store and carry whatever items they needed.
The extra fullness of the Chiton could be handled any number of ways. The Greeks liked to wear their Chitons loose and billowy so feel free to pull and tuck your Chiton until you get the length and draped effect that you like.
Giveaway Time!
How would you like to win one of these elegant Chitons? Or better yet two?? Shari is giving away one Chiton and Himation set complete with hangers in both a 16" and 18" size to one lucky winner!
To enter, leave a comment below finishing this sentence:
"My favorite one of Aesop's fables is ..."
We'll pick a winner on Monday, May 30th, and get in touch via email. Thanks for entering and good luck!
For Pixie Faire,
Shari & The PF Team
106 Comments
I always liked the fable about the wind and the sun. I think I will attempt this pattern with my granddaughters. It is perfect for beginning sewers!
Thanks so much for all the beautiful patterns and tutorials you share. This is a great project for me to do with my daughter. My favorite fable is The Fox and the Scorpion. Because no matter how hard we try sometimes our own nature sabotages us
My favorite: The Tortoise and the Hare. I’ve always liked the idea of the tortoise taking his time…and winning! :)
Love the Greek robe, so many options for rich and vibrant fabric colours! The tale I was reminded the most about as a child was “The boy who cried wolf”. A good lesson to be learned about lying and keeping your credibility! Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing this lovely pattern.
My favorite fable is the Fox and the Grapes.