Creating Custom Clothes for American Girl Dolls

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For many children, playing with American Girl dolls is the highlight of playtime. These children like to create their own fun stories and adventures with their dolls. You and your child can work together to make playtime even more fun by creating custom doll clothes at home. With the help of your sewing machine, you and your child can create fabulous American Girl Doll clothes.

Planning Process
Before you can begin making custom doll clothes, you need to formulate a plan. If you’re particularly creative with dressmaking, you can create your own custom patterns. This option gives you the flexibility to create just about anything. For example, you can create a durable pioneer-era dress or a stylish flapper dress from the 1920s. Have your child give you some suggestions if you need ideas.

If you’re not familiar with making doll clothes, it may be best to stick to an existing pattern. You can get a pattern at a store or through the Internet. Have your child help you decide which pattern you will make first. Once you’ve settled on a pattern, ask your child to help you pick out the right fabrics from your stash or the local fabric store. You will also need to pick up matching thread and any other sewing notions needed for the outfit.

Making the Clothes
If you want your child to really enjoy making American Girl doll clothes with you, assign them a few simple tasking during the sewing process. You can even use this time to teach your child how to properly pin a pattern to the fabric (you may want to learn how if you don’t know), thread a sewing machine and other common tasks. Keep your child at your side as you go through the entire construction process.

During the construction phase, don’t be afraid to deviate from the pattern you’ve selected. Your child may request a particular alteration as you work together. The dress you create may not resemble the original pattern, but you and your child will enjoy the process regardless. When you’ve finished one outfit successfully, you can start planning the next one. After completing a few outfits, you and your child can start making more complex clothes.

Creating custom clothes for American Girl dolls is an enjoyable hobby that you and your child can do together. With a bit of work and creativity, you can create a fun doll outfit that your child will love.

*This is a guest post written by Anna Hicks.