Catching Up: A Pink Dress for a Special Doll

Over the past couple months I have managed to finish a particular project from my list,  a doll dress.  Technically I finished all the projects on my list, but that will come later.

Anyway, I had been meaning to make at least one really great dress for my ball jointed doll since I first got her (see Catching Up -- A New Friend).  What’s the point in paying that much for one doll if I don’t put effort in dressing her.  But I put off making her anything other than some basic skirts and tops, until now. 

Behold the pink princess dress.  Some of you may find it very familiar since I already made post about it here on my doll blog. 

This dress was not a easy project to tackle.  I found a pattern that was supposed to fit Msd sized ball jointed dolls like mine, but it was intended for dolls with considerably more child-like figures. 

This was something I didn’t realize until after I had cut and sewn most of the bodice.  I had to spend a great deal of time taking it in and such to get it to fit right.  Then came another problem…

…the skirt.  I hadn’t notice that the skirt pattern wasn’t as full or as long as it needed to be to get the right look.  This I noticed after I had already sewn it and attached it to the bodice.  But rather than let my doll wear a dress that was too short, I added to it. 

I cut into the skirt and gathered it in a couple of spots to create a bustle look, then added some lace and bows.  Finally I used one of the circle skirts I had made before (see 5 a Week: Skirts for Dolls) as an under skirt.

The end result was a more interesting skirt design and an over all prettier dress.  It’s nice how things work out so perfectly, or at least close to perfect.

I also made a cute little matching hair accessory with a scrap of lace and some ribbon.  It ties on her head with some ribbon, bad idea.  I know it looks pretty tied, but it is a pain to actually tie the darn thing.  Her wig usually falls off at least twice each time I try.  I’m going to have find some doll size headbands to use as a base the next time I feel like making doll hair accessories.

Here’s the updated list:

• Purse
• Bag
• Mini-bag
• Dress
• Vest
• Fleece

Three down, just three to go.  They will be up tomorrow.  Look forward to it. :)