Hi everyone,
On Friday (December 16, 2016) we'll have a free doll clothes pattern available from Melinda Schlimmer-Reed the designer behind the Melody Valerie Couture brand.
More About Melinda and Melody Valerie Couture: Melinda is an accomplished craftswoman and pattern designer. She spent her childhood making anything and everything, but began to specialize in sewing and pattern-making in high school.
During her university studies, she cultivated her gifts for design, presentation, and garment construction. In 2008, she founded Melody Valerie Couture, which provides limited edition, couture-quality dresses to 18″ dolls.
Help us decide which one of these fun patterns should be free by voting below. Then come back to Pixie Faire on Friday to see which pattern won and get the free download.
Vote Now:
Here is more information about each pattern:
The Check Dress For 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl: She was all set to leave for the day - but I made her run through the list one last time anyway. Wallet - check. Phone - check. Library books - check. Good attitude - check. Fabulously smashing frock -check? - check! Yes, that was the works. Beaming a smile, she turned and skipped out the door, into the noise of the city. Treat your 18” doll to this girly, yet elegant, frock - perfect for running errands around town or studying at the library. The unique design lines and extreme dropped waist combine beautifully with the short skirt, and tiny pleats in the sleeve cap add a vintage touch. The “Check” PDF Pattern works best when made from lightweight cotton shirting, chambray, or lawn; the Fall 2012 collection original was made from silk dupioni. For lining, any lightweight cotton or poly lining will work nicely - or turn up the glamour and use silk!
The New Girl Dress For 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: The Melody Valerie Couture new girl dress PDF pattern is our take on the quandary of the new girl. It’s demure, a little old-fashioned – but it offers fabulous design possibilities, like the flame appliques on the skirt, the three small mismatched buttons marching down the front, and the little bits of topstitching that waltz across the dress. This lined dress has darted raglan sleeves, dramatic appliques on the skirt, just the right amount of contrast on the fully lined bodice. It closes up the back with invisible zipper nad features bias facings on the sleeves. It is designed to be made from rayon, wool flannel, lightweight suiting material, or lightweight sateen fabrics. Standard poly or rayon blend lining; sheer or lightweight accents.
The Betsy Dress Designed To Fit 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: Her name on paper was simple enough: Betsy. Not very pretentious. Not very unusual. Downright ordinary, in fact. But when she arrived, her striking gown’s elegant silhouette and shimmering jewels glistening in the late evening sunlight, it was clear we had been wrong about Betsy. She was a force to be reckoned with. “Betsy” is a luxurious soft gown in both maxi and day lengths. It features a pull-on design, a ruched bodice, optional bodice lining and petticoat, and shoulder straps that cross in the back before becoming part of the pleated skirt. We suggest using a soft knit with some body and rebound, like a jersey knit.
The SeaShells Dress Designed To fit 18 Inch Dolls Such As American Girl®: She stood at the end of the jetty, wind whipping through her curls and fondling her velvet hair ribbon in its ephemeral grasp. Her dress - made from softest knit - stood out brilliantly against the azure sky. She stooped, straightened; seashells in her grasp. This dress is a study in comfort. Designed for soft knits, it features raglan sleeves, a wide neckline, dropped waist, and a clever appliquéd hem detail -- its curvy lines are reminiscent of the seashells at the shore. And, to top it all off, there is a girlishly lovely bow down the front. “Seashells” is a Melody Valerie Couture original design. Any of a variety of soft, very light knits would work well for this dress. Try a very drapeable bamboo, modal, or rayon knit, or go on a field trip to find human-sized clothes made from appropriately light and soft fabric.
Take a Look At Each Pattern:
We'd love to hear your opinion - which one of these fun patterns should be free? Leave a comment below with your opinion! And be sure to thank Melinda - and if you use the pattern to make an outfit be sure to use the hashtag #pixiefaire






137 Comments
The Betsy Dress! It is gorgeous
Betsy Dress
Seashells! I love them all but my own 18 in doll is not an AG but an east German doll that was refurbished for me that I had fallen in love with. So while many patterns I get are for my daughter’s 18" AG dolls finding such a lovely pattern that covers the cloth upper arms for my doll is extra special. I love the entire design. It brings thoughts of blue skies and row boats on the lake. Can’t wait to try making this dress.
They’re all beautiful! My vote goes to the Check dress. I love it in the checkered fabric version!! Such a lovely variation just by changing the fabric. Thank you for so generously sharing your work with us!! Merry Christmas!
Betsy! Love, love, love it!