On Friday (March 10th 2017 ) we are offering a free doll clothes pattern featuring the work of Genine Allan of Genniewren Designs. Be sure to vote and then come back on Friday to get your free copy.
More About Genine Allan and Genniewren Designs, (in her own words): Hi, I’m Genine, from Genniewren Designs. I’ve been working with Pixie Faire for two and a half years now, and it has been a fantastic way for me to share my love of sewing for dolls with so many people all around the world. I've always had a passion for needlecrafts and actually started sewing before I started school. I even learned to smock as a child, serving my apprenticeship by picking up the dots (by hand) for my mother’s smocking projects. In my 20s and early 30s, I made many one-of-a-kind wearable quilted jackets, bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, first communion and confirmation dresses. The special occasion dresses gave me insight into several couture techniques and from there I graduated to corset-making too. Over the years I’ve designed and published knitting patterns, embroidery designs, and soft toy patterns including traditional-style teddy bears, but my favorite kind of sewing is still designing clothes for dolls. Nowadays I have dolls of all sizes from different countries to design for. Thanks to the kindness of friends across the globe, my most recent acquisitions are a WellieWishers™ doll and a Little Darling® doll and I’m looking forward to creating some unique designs for them both. Never forget that dolls are for grown-ups too!
Vote Now:
More About The Patterns:
The Vintage School Dress Designed To Fit 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: The Vintage School dress is reminiscent of an Edwardian school dress, with a sailor type collar, dropped waist bodice, fancy sleeves and cuffs. Both dresses are unlined and open all the way down the back for easy dressing of your doll. View A has short puffed sleeves with plain cuffs, a gathered skirt, contrast square sailor-style collar and a lace trimmed ribbon sash. View B has long sleeves with trimmed contrast cuffs, a knife pleated skirt, and a triangular shaped contrast collar. The collars, sleeves and skirt style options are interchangeable, and the dress can be made without a collar at all, giving you even more choice. This pattern is a great way to gain confidence in using trims to enhance your doll’s clothing, e.g. piping or attaching lace. There is plenty of room on the bodice or collar to add machine or hand embroidery should you wish. The only limit is your own creativity! The pieces in this PDF sewing pattern are compatible with the Sorrell dress pattern which will give you even more design choices as you can mix and match the flared layered skirts and the sleeve choices with all the options in this pattern.
The A-Line Color Block Dress For 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: This lined, sleeveless A-line dress pattern includes three color blocked front options, all of them giving a retro feel. The A-line sleeveless shift shape instantly evokes the idea of the late 1960s when color and design were bold fashion choices for young women. All of the designs are inspired by modern art. There's also a fourth option… you can also use the front lining piece to make a plain front to embroider or trim as desired. This pattern is a great way to gain confidence in sewing curved seams and lining garments. Instructions are given for buttons/buttonholes, snaps or Velcro (R) back closure. To add even more value, the pattern includes a tutorial for drafting your own color blocked design using the lining pattern pieces provided. This PDF pattern contains full instructions on how to make each of the pictured dresses, full sized computer drawn pattern pieces, plus a comprehensive tutorial explaining how to create your own original color block design. The tutorial shows you how to break up a pattern piece into smaller parts with curved and straight edges and how to add seam allowances and notches. You can use this tutorial to draft cheerleader outfits, Euro-style designs, appliques or picture style dresses. The only limit is your own creativity! My hope is that you will take this pattern, choose the options you like best, and come up with an original creation that's unique in every way.
The Lucy Dress For 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: The Lucy Dress is a traditional style dress with a modern touch. It features a fitted, lined bodice with puffed sleeves; a four gored flared full skirt with optional back waist ties and an optional collar. This pattern is ideal for party dresses, Christmas dresses and other special occasion wear. The dress can be made in three styles – View A with a smocked insert (the example smocking plate is provided but you could use your own instead), View B with an unsmocked contrast insert, or View C with a plain front. If you choose to make the plain front style then there is space for machine or hand embroidery embellishments on the bodice if desired. The four gored flared skirt means there is less bulk around the waistline than there would be with a gathered skirt, especially if you make the smocked option, or if you insert trims such as rick rack into the contrast insert. The skirt can be finished with a narrow hem or with a bias bound edge. There are two styles of collar – a straight edged collar and a Peter Pan collar, or you can leave out the collar and use lace on the neckline instead. The choice is yours. The dress closes in the back with a choice of Velcro®, three buttons or three snaps. The smocking plate shown on the cover dress is included in the pattern, but you could use any smocking design you choose. My hope is that you will take this pattern, choose the options you like best, and come up with an original creation that's unique in every way. This PDF sewing pattern has been designed to fit 18" soft bodied dolls such as American Girl®.
The Jessica Round Yoke Dress Designed To Fit 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®:The Jessica dress is a round yoke dress with elbow length puffed sleeves and a hem band. The dress fastens at the center back yoke and the PDF pattern includes instructions for buttons, snaps or Velcro® fastenings. View A has a plain or piped yoke. Instructions are included for using piping. View B has a ruffled yoke. Instructions are given for making the ruffle from fabric, but you could use eyelet or lace trim if preferred. While traditional in style, the Jessica dress is very versatile and a modern look can be achieved by using contrast fabric for the yoke, cuffs and hem band.. An optional tie belt changes the look of the dress completely. The tie belt could also be used as a hair band for a more modern look. When made in lightweight fabrics like lawn or batiste, this dress can become a perfect heirloom style summer dress, particularly if you add a lace edged ruffle instead of the hem band. Use lace for the yoke ruffle and add some pretty embroidery to the yoke and cuffs to complete the Edwardian summer look.
Take A Look:
We'd love to hear from you! Leave a comment below and thank Genine!
If you make a cute outfit using this pattern be sure to share a picture using the #pixiefaire and #hoppity hashtags on Instagram!
100 Comments
jacki
March 14, 2017
Love the drop waist on the Vintage School Dress. Thanks.
Ruth
March 10, 2017
I just found out about this site today. It’s too late to vote, but I hope I can still get the pattern. I thought the vintage dress was adorable.
Patricia Horton
March 10, 2017
Love the dress you are giving us this Friday. It is very pretty. Thank you for your generosity. and you do a beautiful job of designing your clothers.
Thank You again!!!!!
Marcie
March 10, 2017
Thank you so much for the free pattern this week. It will be wonderful for my Rebecca doll. I love seeing what patterns and designers will be featured every Friday and also appreciate the continued generosity. Thank you.
Sue
March 10, 2017
They’re all beautiful, but my favourite is the A line color block. Love the retro style.
Barb
March 10, 2017
Darn—missed voting. Checked Wed. afternoon and then forgot to check yesterday. I would have voted for the Lucy dress but all are wonderful! Thanks very much to Genine!
Virginia
March 10, 2017
Thank you for the pretty Vintage School Dress.
gerda
March 10, 2017
They are all great…but my vote goes to the Vintage School Dress.
Barbara
March 10, 2017
They are all great…but my vote goes to the Vintage School Dress.
Rene L.
March 10, 2017
Thank you so much for the lovely pattern. The knife pleat instructions will be really useful for other projects as well.
Cheryle
March 10, 2017
Thank you sew much. Love all the patterns. Thanks for sharing.
Sandra
March 10, 2017
Thank you so much for your generosity.
Sandra
March 10, 2017
The A line colour block for me please thanks a great addition to a wardrobe ❤️
Janice
March 10, 2017
I vote for the Vintage School Dress. They are all nice, but this one is special. Thank you for the patterns.
sue
March 09, 2017
Lucy’s Dress then second choice Vintage School Dress! Nice looking dresses!
PF Strong
March 09, 2017
Thank you for participating this Friday! The Vintage School Girl dress gets my vote this week, but any one will be a great addition to a doll’s wardrobe!
GB
March 09, 2017
Love spending time with my granddaughter making wonderful dresses. Thanks for your generosity
Mary C
March 09, 2017
The Vintage School Dress Designed To Fit 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl® seems more versatile.
cat rich
March 09, 2017
Love the vintage school dress
Jane
March 09, 2017
Thank you for your generosity, Genie. I have several of your patterns and live them. I voted for the Vintage School Dress but will be happy with any of them. Thanks! !
Lori
March 09, 2017
Thank you Genine Allan.
margaret
March 09, 2017
love the color of the block dress
Judy
March 09, 2017
They are all darling. love the school dress
Fran Renton
March 09, 2017
Thank you for your generous offer of a free pattern Genine. Your patterns are adorable. I would take anyone of the four. I voted for the vintage school dress as one of my favorite dresses growing up was like this design and my Mom had made it out of fall colors plaid in a cotton/poly blend. That would be fun to do for my Granddaughter’s doll.
Elizabeth
March 09, 2017
I love them all, but I will vote for the Lucy Dress.
Thank You
jan s.
March 09, 2017
Love them all but my favorite is the vintage dress.
Nancy P
March 09, 2017
Vintage School dress and thank you for the great choices of the patterns
Toni
March 09, 2017
I chose Lucy because it can be smocked or not, and the peter pan collar detail is unusual. The Vintage school dress is very similar to other drop-waist dress patterns, tho cute. Thank you so much for sharing your talent!
Elaine
March 09, 2017
Vintage school dress. Thank you
Elaine
March 09, 2017
Thank you so much for your generous free pattern for all of us to enjoy. My favorite would have to be the Lucy Dress because English Smocking is another wonderful needlecraft that all women should try to learn. It is so much fun and so adorable on doll clothes and Baby clothes. I English Smocked a set of Humpty Dumpties on my son’s button on suit that was Baby Blue with shorts and short sleeves and it was just adorble. He looked like Prince William and Christopher Robin from Winnie The Pooh books.
Donna
March 09, 2017
I voted for the Vintage School Dress. Thank you so much Gennie for the freebie this Friday. Your designs are really cute.
Suzan
March 09, 2017
I love all the dresses — so detailed and easy to follow instructions
I have them all except the Vintage — so that will get my vote this week.
Thank you for all the patterns and designs — love them all. sk
Irma
March 09, 2017
Love the vintage school dress
Carol A
March 09, 2017
Thank you Genine Allan for your adorable patterns. I have bought a few of your patterns and love the details you put into them. I would love to receive any of them on Freebie Friday. Thanks so much.
Carol Trejo
March 09, 2017
My vote would be for the Lucy dress. I really like this pattern style. Years, years ago I had a dress just like this that my mother made. It brings back a lot of memories. Thank you so much for offering a pattern on Friday.
Sandy
March 09, 2017
They are all such lovely designs! The vintage school dress has got my vote.
Thank you Genine for the free pattern.
Marie W.
March 09, 2017
I love all the patterns, but my vote goes to the Lucy pattern. Thank you.
Kristine Kerrigan
March 09, 2017
I love the Jessica dress since it has a collar that can be a watermelon just like the dress I am making for granddaughter Audrey! Thanks!!!
Wanda
March 09, 2017
The Vintage School Dress is my choice. The Lucy dress was a close second. Thanks for sharing these patterns.
Joanne
March 09, 2017
I vote the vintage school dress but love them all! Thank you so much for sharing!
Lockie
March 09, 2017
Vintage School Dress! Thanks
Noel
March 09, 2017
These are all so lovely — thank you for sharing these with us, and especially for a Freebie Friday!
It’s hard to choose, but I voted for the Vintage School Dress for all the “Samantha” girls in my family.
Judy
March 09, 2017
I have smocked many dresses for my granddaughters, so I am sure they would love smocked dresses for their dolls!
bev
March 09, 2017
After I voted I went to your site and looked at all your pattern and saw the Carla coat. i bought that a while back and forgot it. So now I am headed to the sewing room and make it again. Thanks I do love all your patterns.!
Robyn
March 09, 2017
I picked the Lucy dress because it looks like the perfect dress for Easter with the smocking! But all of the dresses are just beautiful, thank you!
Wendy Anderson
March 09, 2017
After careful consultation with my granddaughters we all agreed my vote should go towards your Lucy dress which just coincidentally happened to be my favourite. Thank you again for sharing your creative genius with us.
Sandy
March 09, 2017
Your designs are all precious. However, I am voting for the Vintage Dress which all three of my grandaughters will love. Thank you for your generosity.
Christie
March 09, 2017
They’re all sweet, but I’ve been wanting the vintage school dress for some time. It would be just perfect for Samantha! Thanks for being so generous :)
Rachel
March 09, 2017
Thank you for such wonderful patterns this week. They are all beautiful but I choose the Vintage School dress, so cute and looks like you can vary the fabric etc. and make so many different versions of it. I love variety in a pattern. Thank you so much
Pat A
March 09, 2017
I chose the Vintage school dress because I’ve never tried that style before and it looks like fun to make. And I do plan to make it this month too!
Cheryl
March 09, 2017
They are all wonderful, but I pick the Vintage School dress.
Susan
March 09, 2017
I voted for the Vintage School Dress. Thank you Genine/Pixi Fair for your kindness.
Donna k
March 09, 2017
The vintage school dress is adorable. Looking at the results I am pretty confident it will win. Thanks to the designer for such cute choices.
Ursula
March 09, 2017
Hallo,
mir gefällt der Vintage School Dress sehr gut – vielen Dank dafür!
Kathy H
March 09, 2017
My vote is the Lucy Dress.
Liz
March 09, 2017
Love them all! But the Lucy dress is my favorite. Thank you!
Yatuha Etheldreda
March 09, 2017
I make African dolls and I have benefited from the free patterns. You are the best and I love them all
Laurie
March 09, 2017
What a difficult decision! All are nice, I just picked the vintage school dress , don’t have anything quite like it. Thank You
paulette
March 09, 2017
je vote pour Vintage SCHOOL DRESS
Shaya W.
March 08, 2017
I voted for the vintage school girl dress! Thank you for the pattern!
Kate
March 08, 2017
I voted for the vintage schooldress. All of the designs are nice. Thanks for your generosity, Genine!
Sonya Huffman
March 08, 2017
I love that you put smocking in a doll pattern, beautiful.
Mary
March 08, 2017
I love them all.
Robin
March 08, 2017
I’ve always had a soft spot for the Edwardian fashion, so that’s what I vote for. Thanks for sharing your great talents with us, Genine!
Karen Aris
March 08, 2017
Thank you for this opportunity. Whichever wins I’ll be delighted.
Michelle
March 08, 2017
Ooooh smocking on a doll dress yes please!
DIANNE
March 08, 2017
Love all four options but I believe I fancy the vintage style dress!
Lisa
March 08, 2017
Genine, Thanks so much for the great pattern choices. I love the Vintage School Dress and the Lucy. All four are so cute. I have just learned that dolls are for grown up too! Will look forward to new Wellie outfits. Getting ready to purchase my first one. Keep up the great design work.
Hazel
March 08, 2017
I voted for the Vintage Dress. Thank you for sharing the designs and your talents.
Sylvia
March 08, 2017
I voted the Lucy Dress, but these are all adorable.
Sherry
March 08, 2017
I have had the Lucy dress in my wish list forever! so hope it wins. Thanks
Sue
March 08, 2017
My choice is Lucy’s Dress! Next would be the Vintage School Dress! Wore both when a little girl!
Lynda
March 08, 2017
Love the color block . Hope to get it.
Diana
March 08, 2017
Genuine thank you for the great choices. Very hard to choose. You have created so many patterns in the last few years. Keep up the great work.
Pam
March 08, 2017
I voted for the Lucy dress! Thank you!
Marilynne
March 08, 2017
The colorblock pattern was so difficult to understand… so confusing so I voted for the school girl dress.
Donna
March 08, 2017
Thank you for all the choices! They are all winners! But since we can choose only one, I picked
the Vintage School Dress!
Ginger
March 08, 2017
Boy it was a hard decision on this one, they were all great choices. But first place in my opinion is Vintage school dress, second runner up is Luci dress. Thank you so much for the free patterns, they are so easy to follow.
margaret
March 08, 2017
Thank you Genine for this wonderful offer – they are all stunning patterns and I know that I will enjoy making whichever one wins
Ellen B
March 08, 2017
Thank you so much for offering the patterns. Now to make upmy mind! The Lucy dress is one I have used many times and I love the fit and variety of looks I have gotten. I like Jessica but the vintage school dress calls to me too! Hard decision this week!
Amruta
March 08, 2017
Thank you
Debbie
March 08, 2017
These are all great, and I’d love to have either of them, but settled on the Vintage School Dress for voting. Thank you Genine and Pixie Faire!
Grace
March 08, 2017
I’m seeing so many possibilities with all of these patterns. Vintage School Dress would go with the Sorrell dress pattern I got last year. The Jessica dress would be really useful for a number of things – a flannel nightdress, for example. The Lucy dress is a classic. The A-line dress could be adapted so many ways.
Judi W
March 08, 2017
I love all your patterns and already have the Vintage School Dress and the Jessica Dress so my vote is for the Lucy Dress. But, they are all lovely and I would enjoy any of the winners. You have a wonderful talent for designing Genine
Eveline
March 08, 2017
Love, love, love the vintage school dress. It is so beautiful. This is the choice I would pick. The Genniwren Designs are awesome! Thanks for the free patterns, can’t wait till friday to see the winner.
Andrea W.
March 08, 2017
I voted for the Vintage School Dress. I love vintage clothing and have made a few dresses for my dolls from the 30’s and 40’s already. I’d love to make this one too!
Thank you so much for such wonderful patterns.
Christine
March 08, 2017
As always, all the dress designs from Genniewren Designs are absolutely adorable, but my favorite is the Vintage School dress .I love the different collar designs and the drop waist, so versatile! Thanks Genine and Pixie Faire.
Grace
March 08, 2017
These are all great!
Cheryl R
March 08, 2017
I thought my vote would be for the Vintage School Dress until I saw that the Color Block Dress has a tutorial for designing my own, so I have to vote for that one. It looks easy, fun to make, and would be good for mix & matching cheerful fabric pieces. It can also be useful for cheerleader outfits? It’s surprisingly versatile!
Donna C.
March 08, 2017
I’m voting for Jessica dress
Mary Margaret Petty
March 08, 2017
Thanks, Gennie, for sharing your talents & designs with us! I chose the Vintage School Dress. My preference is sleeves on the dresses. I also appreciate the other variation ideas offered. Thanks to Cinnamon & team too for the Freebie Fridays!! :o)
Lorraine M
March 08, 2017
Lucy dress for me! Thank you for whatever wins! They are all lovely!
Diana H
March 08, 2017
I voted for the Vintage School Dress. Thank you for your generosity.
Dorisanne
March 08, 2017
All lovely dress patterns, My vote is for the Vintage School dress (or maybe the Lucy dress).
Nina
March 08, 2017
My favorite is the Lucy dress. Might just be up to trying a little smocking! I love her patterns.
Hilary
March 08, 2017
I love the dropped waist style, but I voted for the fabulous colorblock style. So dynamic for summer!
Patty
March 08, 2017
Wow! They are all so pretty. The vintage school dress gets my vote.Love the drop waist styling!!!!!
Liza
March 08, 2017
All are wonderful. I voted for the vintage school dress. Thank you!
Gloria
March 08, 2017
Loving the Vintage School Dress…so it got my vote! Thank you for whichever pattern wins. They are all wonderful.
More About Genine Allan and Genniewren Designs, (in her own words): Hi, I’m Genine, from Genniewren Designs. I’ve been working with Pixie Faire for two and a half years now, and it has been a fantastic way for me to share my love of sewing for dolls with so many people all around the world. I've always had a passion for needlecrafts and actually started sewing before I started school. I even learned to smock as a child, serving my apprenticeship by picking up the dots (by hand) for my mother’s smocking projects. In my 20s and early 30s, I made many one-of-a-kind wearable quilted jackets, bridal gowns, bridesmaid dresses, first communion and confirmation dresses. The special occasion dresses gave me insight into several couture techniques and from there I graduated to corset-making too. Over the years I’ve designed and published knitting patterns, embroidery designs, and soft toy patterns including traditional-style teddy bears, but my favorite kind of sewing is still designing clothes for dolls. Nowadays I have dolls of all sizes from different countries to design for. Thanks to the kindness of friends across the globe, my most recent acquisitions are a WellieWishers™ doll and a Little Darling® doll and I’m looking forward to creating some unique designs for them both. Never forget that dolls are for grown-ups too!
jacki
March 14, 2017
Love the drop waist on the Vintage School Dress. Thanks.