No matter how well designed a pattern may be, it cannot fit each individual perfectly. Each human body has its own quirks, and each person has different fitting needs. You may find that you need to enlarge a pattern beyond the sizes available on the sheet, or you might need to shrink it. Perhaps you would like to reduce a woman’s pattern to fit a little girl. Or maybe you found an out-of-print pattern you’d love to make … but the sizes are too small for you. Anything is possible once you know the basics of resizing patterns!
There are so many fun ways you can alter your gown bodice to make it uniquely your style! Below I’ve illustrated two additional ways to change the look of your gown. The first method creates a fitted bodice with darts under the bustline. The second gives you a more “fan”-shaped bodice with the gathers in the center. I strongly recommend that you play around with a muslin bodice or two first until you achieve the exact fit and look you want. You might want to try different neckline treatments while you are at it (I’ve done a bodice with a “V” neckline and darts).
Here are patterns for your 18″ soft-bodied dolls to match all the girls’ patterns! This is the complete pattern bundle. If you'd like to purchase individual ePatterns instead, check the other listings in this category.
This pattern won the 2004 Young Designers’ Contest. Miss Amanda Kastner designed her winning entry based upon fashion plates from 1911 and 1912, creating a kimono-style bodice with an optional inset.
This is my 1914 Afternoon Dress, which was inspired by an original design in a 1914 home economics textbook (see next-to-last image in the slideshow). It is a wonderful pattern for everything from everyday linen dresses to ethereal, filmy teagowns!
This is the companion pattern for my women’s 1914 Afternoon Dress and includes options for darling play dresses and fancy heirloom gowns.
If you’d like to purchase all the Titanic/Teens Era Patterns together (women’s and girls’), you’ll receive a 15% discount!
This is the perfect companion to the women’s pattern above and includes options for short sleeves, long sleeves, and undersleeves. There's also an appendix that gives directions for making a “drawstring” look dress. Now available with sizes 12 and 14!
I created this pattern to work within several different eras and be versatile enough for play and dress-up! Pinafores are perfect over Regency and Romantic Era dresses, and pantaloons make it easy to run and play even in girly clothes.
This pattern is a companion to the ladies' Spencer & Pelisse pattern and will make adorable jackets, long coats, and sleeveless pelisses to go over dresses.
