December 25, 2025

🎄 The 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas at Pixie Faire!

[Edited 1/6/26] Congratulations to Sharon H. She won the Pixie Faire gift card and has been notified by email!

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year — a season of creativity, generosity, and reflection. This year I wanted to continue to celebrate in a way that’s meaningful, fun, and deeply connected to what we love most: design, sewing, and growing together as makers.

So today, I’m excited to announce the 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas Celebration, inspired by the 15th anniversary of the Design Academy-12 Principles of Design.

Here’s how it works:

For the next 12 days, we’ll be sharing:

✂️ One Design Academy Principle per day
💡 A practical Design Tip you can use immediately
💬 A daily blog comment prompt for you to earn entries in our giveaway
🎁 A $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card giveaway — announced on January 6th

Each day we'll jump back to this blog post to highlight one of the twelve design principles and invite you to join the conversation by leaving a comment. Every comment is an entry to win the $100 gift card. The more you participate, the more entries you earn!

And there’s more....

These 12 principles are also the foundation of something very special coming in 2026…

✨ Sewing With Cinnamon & Friends 2026 Theme

Design Academy Reimagined: A Year-Long Sewing Masterclass

Twelve principles. Twelve months. One unforgettable year of growth.

In 2026, Cinnamon Miles is opening the vault and teaching the Design Academy like never before—fifteen years after she first published the landmark series that inspired thousands of sewists worldwide. This is a complete, modernized re-imagining, blending Liberty Jane’s iconic design principles with Sewing With Cinnamon’s techniques, challenges, and creative opportunities.

We're bringing the Design Academy into Sewing With Cinnamon in 2026 using the core principles to guide our 2026 topics and this year, there’s even more:
Historical fashion deep dives with guest instructor Shari Fuller. Designer spotlight showcases. Sew Powerful Purse crossover projects. And a brand-new challenge every month.

If you loved the original Design Academy, you haven’t seen anything yet!

Read all the detail of the 2026 overview HERE. Existing SWC members are already in! If you're not a member yet, we invite you to join us, it all starts on January 6, 2026.

The 12 Days of Christmas is your preview of what’s coming — and a great way to jump back into thinking like a designer and getting the most out of your Pixie Faire pattern collection.

Let’s celebrate creativity, learning, and sewing together this Christmas season.

Merry Christmas,
Cinnamon & Team Pixie Faire

🎁 12 Day's of Christmas Giveaway

👉 Winner announced 1/6/26!

🎁 Day 1

Today (12/25) we kick things off with Principle #1: Proportion, and your first entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip - Proportion: Scale is invisible when it's right and noticeable when it's wrong!

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt:
What’s your best tip for determining scale in relation to the doll you're sewing for?

🎁 Day 2

Today (12/26) we kick things off with Principle #2: Focal Point, and your second entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip - Focal Point: Choose ONE star of the show. Whether it’s a bold fabric, a special embellishment, a unique neckline, or a pop of contrast — one clear focal point will always outperform several competing ones.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: What’s your favorite way to create a focal point — color, embellishment, trim, or fabric choice?

🎁 Day 3

Today (12/27) we kick things off with Principle #3: Rhythm & Repetition, and your third entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip - Rhythm & Repetition: Repeat a shape or color at least three times.
Two feels accidental. Three feels deliberate. Four or more creates strong visual rhythm.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “What do you enjoy repeating most in your sewing — shapes, colors, stitching, or patterns?”

🎁 Day 4

Today (12/28) we kick things off with Principle #4: Harmony & Unity, and your fourth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Choose one unifying idea and let it guide every decision.
That unifying idea might be:

A color story
A mood (playful, classic, modern)
A fabric type
Or a design theme

If every choice supports the same idea, harmony follows naturally.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “When you start a project, what helps you keep everything feeling cohesive?” (color, mood, fabric types, themes, etc)

🎁 Day 5

Today (12/29) we kick things off with Principle #5: Color, and your fifth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Successful Color Blocking: Highlight the pattern design lines with fabric by color blocking! Keep in mind the design principles mentioned earlier - rule of thirds, repetition, and harmony - Let one color dominate about 70%, repeat colors with added elements like buttons and trims, and pick a color palette that pleases the eye!

Bonus BOGO Promotion happening today too! https://www.pixiefaire.com/collections/trend-watch-color-block

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “What color combination do you find yourself reaching for again and again—and why?"

🎁 Day 6

Today (12/30) we kick things off with Principle #6: Fabric Matters, and your sixth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Fabric Choice: Match the fabric personality to the design's intent. Choosing the right fabric often matters more than choosing the perfect color or embellishment. Maybe it's time to venture out of your comfort zone and try out a new type of fabric?

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “What’s one fabric you love sewing with—and one you tend to avoid?”

🎁 Day 7

Today (12/31) we kick things off with Principle #7: Fabric Matters, and your seventh entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Surprise is what turns a nice design into a memorable one. It’s the small, unexpected detail that makes someone stop and look twice. Add one unexpected detail that only appears once. It could be: A contrasting lining, A hidden pocket, An unexpected trim or button, A pop of color on the inside rather than the outside. One surprise is charming. Too many dilute the effect.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “ What’s the most fun or surprising detail you’ve ever added to a sewing project?”

🎁 Day 8

Today (1/01) we kick things off with Principle #8: Waistlines, and your eighth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Where the waistline sits can completely change a silhouette. A small shift up or down can make a design feel youthful, classic, elegant, or modern.

The higher (Empire) waistline was prominent in the early 1800s Regency era, the natural waistline popular in the 1930s-1950s, and the lower dropped waistline emerged in the 1920s and reappeared in the 1960s/70s.

Waistlines aren’t just structural—they’re visual cues.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “ Do you tend to prefer high, natural, or dropped waistlines in your designs?”

🎁 Day 9

Today (1/02) we kick things off with Principle #9: Homage, and your eighth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Homage is about honoring inspiration without copying it. Great designers study what they love, identify why it works, and then reinterpret it in their own voice.

Homage connects design to history, culture, and personal story—and it’s one of the most meaningful ways to create!

Isolate one defining element of your inspiration and build from there.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “Is there a designer, era, or style that inspires your sewing the most?”

🎁 Day 10

Today (1/03) we kick things off with Principle #10: Minimalism, and your tenth entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Minimalism isn’t about making designs boring—it’s about making intentional choices.
When fewer elements compete for attention, the most important ones shine.

Minimalist designs often look confident, modern, and timeless.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “Do you lean more toward simple designs or detailed ones—and why?”

🎁 Day 11

Today (1/04) we kick things off with Principle #11: Distressing & Embellishment, and your eleventh entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Today’s design principle is all about adding depth, texture, and personality. Distressing and embellishment bring a design to life—but only when they’re intentional.
The goal isn’t to add more, but to add meaning.

Well-placed texture can elevate even the simplest design.

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt: “Do you enjoy embellishing your projects with fabric manipulation or added details like buttons, beads, or trims?”

🎁 Day 12

Today (1/05) we kick things off with Principle #12: Sewing Technique, and your final entry for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card.

💡Design Tip:

Most projects look “handmade” not because of design choices, but because of rushed finishing. Taking extra time on the last 10% of a project makes the biggest visual difference.

Focus on:

Accurate seam allowances
Pressing after every seam
Clean edges and consistent topstitching
Secure closures and neatly finished hems

👉 To enter: Leave a comment under this blog post. Comment Prompt:

“What sewing technique do you most want to improve or master in the coming year—and why?”

Thank you for being part of this community and for sharing your creativity with me.

Warmly,
Cinnamon

P.S. Don’t forget — today is the final day to comment for the $100 Pixie Faire Gift Card drawing!

100 Comments

LAURIE

December 26, 2025

It depends on the fabric but once in a while the focal point will be the trim.

Jennifer

December 26, 2025

If my fabic is a plain or very simple then my focal point is buttons.

CONSTANCE

December 26, 2025

It’s fun looking at details scaled to an 18" doll. Sometimes larger scale can work, but often times would be way too big to fit the costume being made. I notice this especially in florals. Geometrics are fun to work with in different scale printed fabrics. Having a clear pattern piece when out shopping for fabrics is an excellent idea. Different fabric drapes differently for specialized costuming. I like vintage and historical and try to stay historically accurate. Fabric is fun, but I look forward to incorporating beads and special accent embellishments to create wonderful clothing for dolls.

Marie

December 26, 2025

My tip is if you keep the fabric a solid colour, then your embellishments will stand out more AND you don’t need to worry about the scale of the print, because there is no print to deal with in the first place.

Also, can combine different shades of the same colour to get interest, but less competition for focus.

Pat Reape

December 26, 2025

I let the. fabric do the talking.

Sandra Cox

December 26, 2025

My favorite focal points in sewing would be trims or embroidery.

Anne

December 26, 2025

I like to use trim as an accent when making doll clothes – trim that will draw the eye to itself!

Ruth

December 26, 2025

From the choices, I’d say fabric, but for me it all starts with the actual design of the pattern and I add from there.

Amy H

December 26, 2025

I let the fabric be the center stage.

Paula

December 26, 2025

I am learning and at the moment, just follow the suggestions on the patterns. Loving it.

Helen

December 26, 2025

If there is a design on the fabric such as a flower, I place it on the garment so it can be the focal point.

Mary-Sarah

December 26, 2025

My go-to embellishment to add a focal point is buttons. The ones with fun shapes can work as brooches and finish off a hat or dress. Doll scale buttons can add the perfect touch to an outfit. I love finding a button (or bead) to accent the pattern of the fabric.

Melissa

December 26, 2025

I typically use fabric /color for my focal point .

Melissa

December 26, 2025

For scale, I just eyeball it. I’ve been sewing a long time.

Kathi M

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point, I find the materials that I feel would look good then I search out trim or lace that takes it to the next level. It always ends up that the trim, lace, embellishment takes center stage. Fun!

Cheri

December 26, 2025

I usually use the fabric as a start to the focal point…if the fabric isn’t right then its definitely off.Then match trims that will enhance the outfit.

Marian

December 26, 2025

Focal point is a design point I have seen overlooked in so many doll fashions. If a fabric is very subtle you can use trims and/or buttons to emphasize the design, Less is more!. When designing I try to sketch in scale the garment (s) I will construct. I then make sure there is ONE focal point. My guiding question is "What would Dr. Douty do?’ She was my major professor in design.

Barb E

December 26, 2025

I usually do a belt or trim with gathered skirt dresses to be a focal point.

Judy

December 26, 2025

I let the fabric do the talking!

Diane Goff

December 26, 2025

I like to use embellishments to accentuate features of a design, like ribbon at an empire bodice or lace to call attention to the ruffles of a full skirt.

Lucinda

December 26, 2025

I am a mechanical drafter so to me I look at scale must be 1:4 and fun

Rebecca

December 26, 2025

I usually like to let either the fabric or the design details be the star of the show.

s

December 26, 2025

I like to use embellishments as my focal point.

Amy

December 26, 2025

I’ve really enjoyed reading everyone’s tips regarding proportion. I can usually eyeball it, and will hold up to the doll to check. I liked the idea of making clear pattern pieces and checking print scale against that if out shopping for fabric.I tend to think of the pattern/outfit style itself as the focal point, and the fabric and appropriately sized trims fleshing that out and making it look complete. I mostly do historical sewing for dolls, so I like to research period photos and patterns for accuracy in achieving the appropriate look for each era. My favorite era is Edwardian.

Romy

December 26, 2025

Fabric! The fabric is my inspiration to design!

Pat

December 26, 2025

I like to add machine or hand embroidery or beautiful buttons as a focal point.

CdnCrafter

December 26, 2025

I made a t-shirt for my 18" doll out of an old t-shirt. There was a small logo on the front of the t-shirt that I centered on the front of the doll t-shirt pattern. It worked out nicely.

Melissa

December 26, 2025

I love to use beadwork it seems to add that extra sparkle

Dorothy

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point is with fancy trims.

Jackie

December 26, 2025

I like to always keep scale in mind. Tiny trim is sometimes hard to find so anytime I find worn out item of clothing, before throwing it away, I look for tiny buttons and small trim, and cut it off and keep it if appropriate. I
Sort all these miscellaneous trims by color in quart size ball jars. Then when I need a particular color of button or embellishment I
check the jar before purchasing something new. Good for both the environment and the budget.

Madeleine

December 26, 2025

I use small to medium print, lace, ric rac, and buttons no bigger than 1/2 inch for the 18 inch doll. I tend to use an elastic sleeve opening to easily go over the doll’s hand.

Lynda Taylor

December 26, 2025

I usually make the fabric the focal point but it is interesting to read other points of view.

Lori

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point and fabric choice and color but it depends also on whether the design is historical or contemporary.

Rebecca Flint

December 26, 2025

I tend to use fabric as the focal point but I love when I find some trim or embellishment that i can use as a focal point.

Mae Lynn Beck

December 26, 2025

I compare the design to a body part. For example, if a flower is the size of the dolls hand, then I ask myself how would that look on me if it were the size of my hand.

Marilu

December 26, 2025

Although fabric is extremely important, and need to have the prints in proportion, the embellishments added are the main point of view to distinguish our final product and can ruin it if it is way too much, so need to be careful

Carol

December 26, 2025

I like the focal point to be where you least expect it- shoulder, hem line, back of item and not always in scale !

Lise

December 26, 2025

I thought I was in the SWC group when you sent out the notification this year in Oct but with the passing of my dad, looks like the course sat in my cart and I didn’t check out. Signing up now so I dont miss the course.

Lise

December 26, 2025

I thought I was in the SWC group when you sent out the notification this year but with the passing of my dad, looks like the course sat in my cart and I didn’t check out. Signing up now so I dont miss the course.

Lori Conn

December 26, 2025

I have not been sewing too many doll clothes lately, but now have a granddaughter who is getting into American Girl dolls, so getting back into it. I plan to explore using machine embroidery to create a focal point for some outfits.

Shelly Hammond

December 26, 2025

My favorite way to leave a focal point is with trim. I love to use contrasting fabric to make bias and make piping to use.

Sarah H

December 26, 2025

Silhouette seems to be the focal point for a lot of my pieces, probably because I do a lot of historical dresses, and silhouette was so important throughout the centuries – gigot sleeves, panniers, etc. :D

michelle

December 26, 2025

just like full grown people clothes finding a unique button is always exciting.

Stephanie Adkins

December 26, 2025

Day 2
Fabric is what calls to me design, the look,
Feel and color help design itself.

Stephanie A

December 26, 2025

Day 1
For proportion I like having the size of the doll traced out for a pattern

Norma

December 26, 2025

For some designs, the seams can be focal points. Princess cut seams, or swirl cut seams on skirts bring the eye in to the doll. Embellishments help also. One dress I made for an American Girl doll was a very simple gathered skirt and plain bodice but it was the addition of a pinafore with the ruffle straps and the touch of lace on the bib of the pinafore which made the dress beautiful.

Linda

December 26, 2025

Love your designs. Your instructions are so clear. Thank you

Susan Contreras

December 26, 2025

Great tip, I can struggle with this, thank you

Katherine

December 26, 2025

I like to use embellishments like small rick rack, small appliques. Sometimes mixing different prints, to emphasize design.

zuest

December 26, 2025

Yes, I agree with the earlier posters. Doll proportion for prints, eyes, hand, face. Weight matters especially when hemming. Closures, seams, trims are defining for scale.

Barb

December 26, 2025

I hadn’t thought about a focal point. Good information!

Anna

December 26, 2025

I like to use contrast or topstitching to create a focal point. Even a single line of straight stitch in can add a lot to an outfit – in my opinion. But I’m not one for frills and flounces.

Susan Smart

December 26, 2025

I’m more of a knitter than a sewist. I always look for interesting detail around the neck or front opening, cables, lace, etc.

Charlotte McIver

December 26, 2025

I love to incorporate piping somewhere. It makes everything pop. Or sometimes I will take a fabric and fussy cut to ensure a design of the fabric is the feature.

Virginia Goodwin-Gray

December 26, 2025

I like to use details like piping, lace and/or hand embroidery to embellish doll garments

Virginia Goodwin-Gray

December 26, 2025

I like to use details like piping, lace and/or hand embroidery to embellish doll garments

Allegra

December 26, 2025

I struggle with scale. I know it’s roughly 1:3 for AG dolls but…some 1:3 stuff can look either too big or too small depending on what the item is/who made it. And knock off brand stuff or things that aren’t made for AG/18 inch dolls have like no scale what so ever! That’s a real problem for my smaller miniature items for Barbie dolls or smaller dolls.

The “funny” thing is I struggle with scale in real life as well. I can’t judge size/weight/age/distance…stuff like that. It’s like that part of my brain is missing…it makes a lot of stuff difficult…like navigation.

PqttyJ

December 26, 2025

Embellishment. And choosing just the right one(s) can take me forever and ever! Ha

Caitlin

December 26, 2025

My favorite focal point is usually the fabric choice. I love finding bold or unique fabrics and letting them shine!

Marti

December 26, 2025

my favorite focal point is probably trim, lace, smocking or something I add to the fabric itself.

Beatrice Martin

December 26, 2025

I use my own beading design as well as character patches

Anja

December 26, 2025

Color

Sharon H

December 26, 2025

When it comes to scale in doll design I am quite particular about getting the right fabrics and design for the different doll sizes.
I think the one exception to the rule though are Blythe dolls. For some reason, with their big heads, big eyes and small slim bodies, somehow they can get away with ‘out of proportion’ fabric designs! Often bigger prints or a big focal point adds to their overall ‘quirkiness’.

Kim

December 25, 2025

I tend to stick with solid colors and miniature prints. I try to imagine if the item i am making is human scale if the print looks right or clownish.

Deborah P

December 25, 2025

Scale is interesting, and I would either eyeball the proportions to see if they look right or purchase some Pixie Packs to see what scale you sell and then apply that knowledge at the fabric store. If I wanted to get technical, I would find or make a scale ruler and look for prints that would be appropriate according to ‘the ruler.’ For example, architecture rulers are available in certain scales, or when I collected miniature doll house furniture I knew the 1" equals 12" rule and there were special rulers for that. Miniature collectors are particular, so I would use a ruler to craft from clay or other materials to make accessories. I also collected some doll houses for doll houses that were 1" = 144". Some other scales are 1:6 for Barbie Dolls & 15" dolls; 1:3 for 18" dolls; 1:4 for 14" dolls; You can see these doll scales are ballpark figures for some sizes, so I would tend to toss away the ruler & rely on my own senses to make the final call. If I was going to print the design & sublimate onto fabric I would probably be more specific about sizing, but for play clothes for my grands I’d just eyeball it, fabric with the absolute best scale isn’t necessarily that easy to find. Imagine how that fabric would look on a doll size pocket… would it only fit 1 or 2 stripes, skip it. Would a huge fabric flower look more like a beautiful abstract design on the doll- it may be a keeper.

Danielle

December 25, 2025

I take a doll shirt to the store with me when looking for notions and trim. It helps me to directly compare the scale that way.

Judith Martinez

December 25, 2025

Honestly, I just eyeball it before I choose my fabrics.

Carola

December 25, 2025

I think because I sewed people clothes for so many years, my eye is naturally trained to create and look for the exact same image in miniature.

Pam

December 25, 2025

I’d say an important consideration is the size of the print on the fabric you’re using.

Nancy

December 25, 2025

The size of a fabric design should match the size of the garment. A fabric that looks appropriate for an adult may not “fit” the garment for a doll.

Janet

December 25, 2025

I struggle with scale. My general rule is no print that is bigger than an inch and the smaller, the better. It has always been so hard to find fabric that is scale appropriate . . . But now that our local craft store closed, it’s impossible. Pictures online often don’t give a true sizing

Maxi

December 25, 2025

The scale of the fabric print or the details really matter in doll clothes. I think of how big a button or snap would be in relation to how big my hand is. For a doll you wouldn’t think those items would be bigger than his or her hand.

Donna B

December 25, 2025

What’s your best tip for determining scale in relation to the doll you’re sewing for?
If the fabric online has a ruler next to the picture, I look for prints with the most repeat within 6 inches.

Marcy Mahle

December 25, 2025

Scale is very important when sewing for dolls. Look for fabric that is the proper print for a dolls size. Same goes for the chosen buttons, lace and other trims. Let your eye decide.

Marian

December 25, 2025

Scale is so much more in design than the print, stripe or plaid of the fabric. As someone pointed out, it also includes notions and accessories. I have frequently seen outfits for golls with poorly chosen buttons that totally destroy the sense of scale. The worst faux pas I ever observed was with a commercially produced (Name brand) doll soccer outfit with a soccer ball the relative size of a baseball.

Caroline

December 25, 2025

I check the distance from the neckline to the waist, and the waist to the bottom hem. If they seem appropriate, I’m happy with the design. If there is no waist, I draw one on the pattern (or mentally) to check the relationships from neck to waist to hem.

Mary

December 25, 2025

My favorite way to create a focal point us with color.

Rebecca Mayr

December 25, 2025

I look at flowers on the print. If they’re bigger than the doll’s hand, the print is too big.

Rachel

December 25, 2025

I look at the doll’s hands next to the fabric to determine if a print is the right scale. Then I look at my hands and the prints I wear, designs like florals should be 1-2 fingers wide.

Madison

December 25, 2025

Day 1. I think fabric print being in proportion is one of the biggest things I look for in doll clothes. I dont like it when the doll clothes look like DOLL clothes instead of magically shrunk clothes. If in person shopping for fabric I always visualize the doll in front of me and compare it to the fabric to see if the print is small enough to be in proportion. Now with online fabric shopping being the way of the future, its harder to see how big a print is. Sometimes they have a coin for scale or a ruler for scale and you can use that and hold it up to your doll to visualize how the print would look on your doll.

Angie Wyatt

December 25, 2025

With doll clothes or build a bear clothes smaller prints work best.

Kathy m

December 25, 2025

Proportion equal design of pattern pan collar cap sleeves or sleeves with cuff button color contrast or matching color or design of fabric small print. Choose fabric i look at pattern picture and era of the pattern each era have different styles of fashion design 40 ‘s are different from 70’s and size of doll 11 1/2 , doll tiny print fabric

KathyS

December 25, 2025

Well I pretty much have to use a pattern which is why I like Pixiefaire with their wide array of patterns. Maybe this is the year I can finally get my sewing room set up and back into sewing.

Debbie

December 25, 2025

I look for the label of ’small scale" and hopefully, a diagram that shows the design with both a horizontal and vertical inch grid.

LilyClaire Gammill

December 25, 2025

I’m new to sewing but I like to find a doll assesory associated with the thing I’m making and use that for scale

Dorothy

December 25, 2025

I am a visual person and look more for color than scale. I can usually tell if the print is to large. But loved the comment that said to turn the fabric on the bias for an alternate choice.
thank everyone for the great hints and ideals. Can’t wait to try some of them soon.

Dorothy

December 25, 2025

Sue

December 25, 2025

I have a traced outline of each doll I am shopping on a piece of paper which I carry around in an old envelope. There aren’t any fabric stores near me so i have to upcycle all my fabrics. I lay the paper outline on the shirt, dress, whatever, and see if the fabric pattern overwhelms my outline, also have to check if the clothes have a large enough flat area to cut out pattern pieces. Lately I’ve discovered men’s shirts have a lot of extremely tiny vintage prints which work very well for even the tiniest dolls.

Diana

December 25, 2025

smaller prints on fabric

Beverley

December 25, 2025

I select small prints and prints for babies. .

Lois

December 25, 2025

If we’re talking proportions as when designing an outfit, I usually sketch it out on the full pattern blanks, then step back or compare it to a photo or a person wearing a similar item. I choose fabric prints as the smaller the better, and buttons are a “place and ponder” before sewing on. Then I can step back and see how many and if they fit the scale I was going for.

Lynda Taylor

December 25, 2025

I love looking for small prints for doll sewing. And you never need to buy much.

shelly

December 25, 2025

I like to use baby clothes for fabric for dolls.

sheila

December 25, 2025

I select small prints and prints for babies. they usually work fine.

Cass

December 25, 2025

I’m not great at math and percentages so I look for the smallest prints I can find. I miss all the ditsy florals that used to be available in the 70’s and 80’s!

Conni

December 25, 2025

I have been sewing for over 60 years, starting when I was a young teenager. With that many years of experience plus a God-given gift of sewing, I can usually see what fabric will work with a pattern and doll for which I will be sewing. I just inherited a large amount of fabric. As I was going through it, I would say to myself, “This fabric would be good for this doll and this pattern.” or something for another project that I’m sewing. I think the best thing for anyone to do is to lay some fabric on the pattern picture to see if it will work for that pattern or not.

Rita

December 25, 2025

I use a pattern piece of clear plastic to check the scale. This works for me!

Hannah

December 25, 2025

I find that sticking to prints designed for infants can work well for dolls, but does also limit print choices. I prefer online stores that let you order swatches because that way not only can I see the print in person I can judge how it looks when draped or pleated as well.

Christine

December 25, 2025

When I look at fabric, if I can “see” the outfit I could make in my mind for a doll, it’s a winner!

Renay Parker

December 25, 2025

I look for small designs in fabric. I also use a little square about one inch wide when I have doubts. Prompt.

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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with Mattel® or American Girl®. No endorsement is implied.

December 25, 2025

Recent Articles

The 2026 12 Days Of Christmas Start Now!

🎄 The 15th annual 12 Days of Christmas at Pixie Faire!

Here’s how it works:

✨ Sewing With Cinnamon & Friends 2026 Theme

Design Academy Reimagined: A Year-Long Sewing Masterclass

🎁 12 Day's of Christmas Giveaway

🎁 Day 1

🎁 Day 2

🎁 Day 3

🎁 Day 4

🎁 Day 5

🎁 Day 6

🎁 Day 7

🎁 Day 8

🎁 Day 9

🎁 Day 10

🎁 Day 11

🎁 Day 12

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