"Let's Plant a Victory Garden!" A 1940s Play Suit
This pattern for 18 inch dolls was inspired by vintage illustrations from the Sears Roebuck & Co. mail order catalog, where this play suit was featured for sale in every spring/summer issue from 1939 to 1950.
The original design was a one-piece garment, with short puffed sleeves with cuffs, a Peter Pan collar, and full straight-cut pants that were lightly gathered on a raised waistband. A sash tied at the back. The bodice was decorated - usually with an embroidery of flowers - and the sleeves and collar were embellished with rick rack. Sometimes in the catalog illustrations, the collar was shown in a contrasting fabric or trimmed with narrow lace.
For this doll-sized version of the 1940s Sears Roebuck & Co. original, the general outline and design details are preserved. The result is a darling play suit suitable for 1940s-era dolls, or any contemporary doll who enjoys vintage style. The pattern includes options for full length and above-the-knee versions, as well as cutting lines for older, longer torso dolls.
As the original often featured a floral embroidery on the front bodice, instructions to hand embroider an easy Lazy Daisy design on the front bodice are included. Also included: detailed instructions for applying perfect rickrack trim to the collar, pocket and sleeve cuffs. The design invites further embellishment such as machine embroidery, lace or piping. Lots of room for creativity! See the testers' gallery for ideas!
Techniques included in the pattern: applying rick rack, making a dart, gathering, setting a sleeve, and finishing the interior of a lined bodice by hand.
In the pattern introduction, inspiration photos for the design are included, as well as a brief discussion of the importance of Victory Gardens during WWII. A fun BONUS is a printable set of vintage Victory Garden seed packets for your doll to carry in her play suit pocket!
This PDF sewing pattern, by Eighteen Cotton Lane, is designed to fit 18" dolls. This pattern will fit a variety of eighteen-inch dolls, including American Girl® and Our Generation®.
Suggested Fabrics: Main fabric: ½ yard of 44” wide light to medium-weight cotton, cotton blends, gingham, calico, seersucker. Not suitable for knits.
Optional: a scrap of fabric if you wish to make the collar, sleeve cuffs or pockets in a contrasting fabric.
Supplies Needed:
• fabric - ½ yard of 44” wide light to medium-weight cotton, cotton blends, gingham, calico, seersucker.
• 3 snap sets, or buttons, or 3” of soft ¼” hook and loop tape for closing the play suit back bodice.
• 1 yard of ¼” wide rick rack (optional).
• a small piece of embroidery tear-away stabilizer, or a substitute such as a coffee filter if you are applying rick rack.
• embroidery thread in your choice of colours (optional).
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
What You Get: One 47 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides full color step-by-step instructions and full size pattern pieces. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available.
Download, Print, Sew!
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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with American Girl® or Our Generation®.
