"Let's Put a Bow On It!" is inspired by a 1956 teen pattern by Simplicity Patterns for a princess seam dress with short sleeves and two neckline variations. View 1 has a high rounded neckline with a petite squared-off collar for day, and View 2 has a bateau neckline with a V in the back for a party or evening look. Bonus instructions are provided to make an easy 1950s petticoat that gives the skirt of the dress the requisite mid-1950s loft and swish.
Princess seams help with the close fit of this dress, but additional shaping comes from the double-pointed darts in the side front and side back panels to further shape the contours and curves of the bust, waist and hips. Tips are provided to help you sew the perfect princess seam.
The dress is fully lined for a beautiful couture finish on the interior.
The result is a charming day dress for school or a trip to the soda shop, or an elegant party dress, perfect for holiday celebrations.
The pattern introduction includes a brief illustrated fashion history to place this design in the context of Christian Dior's "New Look", as well as a fun peek at the popularity of lavish petticoats in the 1950s.
Techniques included in the pattern: making a dart, sewing a princess seam, setting a sleeve, setting a collar, understitching a collar, lining a garment, and finishing the interior of the bodice by hand.
This PDF sewing pattern, by Eighteen Cotton Lane, is designed to fit popular 18" dolls. This pattern will fit a variety of eighteen-inch dolls, such as those shown in the photos.
Suggested Fabrics: Dress: Light to medium weight cotton, cotton blends, velveteen, taffeta. Lining: Cotton or cotton blend batiste
Supplies Needed:
View 1 and View 2 Dress:
• ½ yard of 44” wide fabric for the main dress fabric
• Scrap of crisp white cotton for the collar (View 1 dress only)
• ¼ yard of 44” wide batiste for lining
Petticoat:
• 2.5 yards of 6” wide tulle ribbon or 1/2 yard of tulle fabric 54” wide
Notions:
• Dress Back Closure: Five snaps sets, or five buttons, or 8 inches of soft ¼” hook and loop tape.
• Petticoat: 10 inches of ¼” elastic
• 2 yards of 1” – 1 ¼” wide lace for bottom of petticoat. Your choice of additional lace and ribbon trims for additional embellishment.
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 48 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.
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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with doll brands pictured. No endorsement is implied. Dolls are used to show the fit of the designed garments. The product and photography shown in this listing are original content, copyright of the pattern designer.
