School Girl - Paperback

by Bonnie Spencer (Author)

"School Girl" is a 31 page pattern booklet. It contains 24 pages of full color detailed instructions and 7 pages of full size pattern pieces. This versatile little dress pattern is designed to fit your favorite 18" doll. The pattern can be combined in different ways for a wide variety of looks. View A - Perfect for picture day at school, this dress has a sweet pin-tuck yoke with a peter pan collar. The puff sleeves are gathered onto a sleeve band edged with lace. The full skirt has two tiers.View B - This dress can be made in many variations, for wearing any day of the week. It has a "bib" edged with trim, accented with a peter pan collar. The puff sleeves are gathered with elastic and the skirt is edged with a contrasting band.The pattern includes instructions for two construction options - one to make your dresses "Fast and Easy" and the other to make it "Heirloom" quality. Both go together easily, and will look exactly the same on the outside. The difference is on the INSIDE. If you want to create a dress for play dolls, use the "Fast and Easy" instructions. If you want to create a dress that collectors will treasure, use the "Heirloom" instructions.The Heirloom Construction features a lined bodice finished with lace. The bodice lining is hand-stitched to the sleeve seam, and the back is finished with buttonholes or snaps.The Fast and Easy Construction dress goes together much more quickly. The bodice is lined, but the finished seams are exposed. The back closes with hook-and-loop.Dress View A:3/8 yard main fabric (for upper skirt, bodice, sleeves)1/3 yard contrast fabric (collar, cuffs, skirt band)6"x12" lightweight white fabric scrap (yoke)Dress View B:1/4 yard woven fabric (skirt and bib)1/2 yard contrasting fabric(bodice, collar, skirt band, sleeves)Notions:2 yards 1/2" lace or rick rack (Both Views)Two or three 1/4" or 3/8" decorative buttons (Both Views)6"x9" scrap fusible interfacing (I recommend a woven)1/2 yard round elastic (View B)Five 3/8" buttons for back closure OR9" Ultra-Thin Hook and Loop ClosureThread

Author Biography

When I first started Crabapples, I was making doll clothes to fit the American Girl(R) dolls. I spent a lot of money on patterns that didn't fit, didn't turn out the same as the pictures, or were tedious to construct. In frustration, I started designing my own patterns, and experimenting with different construction techniques. I have a lot of sewing experience, and I have developed many methods for constructing doll clothes that simplify the process and give great results. When you purchase a Crabapples pattern, you not only get a pattern that is guaranteed to fit, but you get a fully illustrated tutorial with lots of sewing tips. Please enjoy your Crabapples pattern - I hope it brings you many hours of sewing pleasure. Bonnie Spencer, Owner and Designer