Doll Clothes Patterns: How to Sew on Knits

Doll clothes patterns that fit perfectly when made in woven fabrics may not fit at all when sewn in knits. Loose and stretchy knit fabrics can be difficult to handle if you don’t know a few important tricks.

1.) When cutting out the doll clothes patterns, first cut the fabric along one of the ribs in the knit. Use this as the grain line when you pin your pattern piece in place, even if it isn’t parallel with the selvage edge. If your knit is very crooked, wash it. Then while it’s wet, pull it into shape or ‘block’ it with your hands and lay it flat to dry.

2.) Use seam tape to prevent the fabric from stretching and to maintain the size of the original doll clothes patterns. See the photo below. Also try not to pull the seams when surging or zigzagging the unfinished seam lines.

3.) Use steam to ‘block’ your knits into shape. Be very careful when using steam on knits. It can either shrink the garment, or restore its shape. 

NOTE: Never steam a garment while your doll is wearing it. The heat from the steam will permanently damage her hair.

The (front and side view) photos above show a sweater that has been steamed too much. The hoodie has lost its original shape and now it’s too small for the doll’s head.

By steaming the sweater again you can gently stretch the pieces into the shape of the original doll clothes patterns. As you can see from the photo, the hoodie fits perfectly now.

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