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Doll Sewing Tutorials

Bow Sleeve Tee

This is a super fast, easy technique to add to your favorite basic tee!

Today, I'm using the free Liberty Jane Trendy Tee. It's super easy to sew up, and we have it available for many different doll sizes... :)

Giveaway update: Thanks everybody for entering, we have a winner! It's Leonore, who said, "My mother taught me to tie my shoes. It wasn’t easy for either of us, because she was right-handed and I am left-handed." I am glad you figured it out -- the righty/lefty distinction can be tricky sometimes! We'll be in touch via email soon, Leonore :)

Cut out all your pieces -- and cut a couple pieces of matching ribbon. Mine are about 10" long, but you don't have to be very precise (you'll be trimming these down later). 

Follow the directions in the guidebook to sew the shoulder seams, and hem the neck edge.

Then, find the middle of your pieces of ribbon. Pin one to the outside edge of each shoulder. 

Hem the sleeves by zig-zagging over the hem edge, and turning it up once. Topstitch this single folded edge down.

Pin and sew the sleeves into the tee -- being sure you're sandwiching the ribbon between the sleeve and the body of the tee.

Trim and finish this seam, but be sure not to clip off any of the ribbon on the inside!

Finish your tee shirt, following the guidebook instructions (sew the side seams, hem the bottom, and add a closure at Center Back). 

Then, tie the ribbons up into bows, and trim the ends off neatly. If your ribbon doesn't like staying tied, you can stitch through the bows once or twice to keep them in place.

And that's it! Congratulations!

Thanks everybody, and have fun with this :)

For Pixie Faire,
Melinda

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179 Comments

Good one! I am 65+ years old and I’m lucky if I remember to pick up a grandchild from school. However, I do remember that my father taught me to sew. His parents immigrated from Russia in the early 1900’s and his dad was a tailor. They lived in N.Y. at the time. He was so good that women would come with pictures and he could make the outfits.

Vera

My brother taught me how to tie! How nice of him!

Maryann Deke

My sister taught me to tie a bow on shoes. First time I actually did it by myself I tied the shoes in my walking doll. I was about 4 and she was almost as tall as me. You held her hand and kinda pulled her a little and she’d walk beside you.

Diane

I assume my mom taught me how since my dad worked away from home. I know for sure my mom was the one that taught me how to make a beautiful bow, the ones that hang just right from a pretty dress or apron.

Holly

My mother taught me how to tie and sew. Also crocheting.

Donna O

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