I am having a Pre-Sale on my newest pattern. It's an Ode to Spring :)
My Etsy Shop

My new Patterns!

One new Pattern and one on the way later this week...


Available now on Etsy

 

Coming Next week:

Exclusive Sewing Patterns for 18" dolls 

by Dollhouse Designs©

1940's Sunday Rose Garden Dress or 

Blouse w/ Skirt

for American Girl Molly & other 18" dolls 

Digital PDF Pattern delivered within 24 hours
$8.95

 Feminine details like gently puffed sleeves & the jaunty peplum ruffle make this pretty enough for dress up or a nice everyday look for school or a day at the movies. Make the Blouse & Skirt for fun fashion options or the dress for a quick -but sweet- choice.

• Fit & Flare skirt
• Pretty lined Peplum ruffle at waist
• Sofly puffed sleeeves w/ band
• Waist is cinched in back w/ your choice of  belt tie or elastic
• Neckline option
• Lined Bodice
• Trim suggestions
• Tailored to fit AG dolls perfectly (no guesswork, disappointing results, or time-consuming alterations) 
• Print out only the pieces that you want
• Clear instructions w/ Photos & Illustrations

I like to imagine this outfit as something Molly's mother cut down from one of her own dresses to make something pretty for her daughter.


Wartime rationing called on 40's seamstresses to  reduce the amount of fabric used. This really changed the silhouette of "fashion on  the ration", raising hemlines and making the US the fashion capital, temporarily trumping Paris couture.  Make Do and Mend was a slogan used in the US & Britain, as fabric manufacturers supplied the war effort. It caught on and was a popular mindset.

This design uses a scant 1/4 yard of fabric & modest trims for a fetching result. I enjoy using high quality muslin -a sewing staple- for lining and bias trim, something dressmakers of the past utilized as well. Perfect for pretty cotton fabrics.


Note: Dollhouse Designs has no affiliation with American Girl or Mattel.

American Girl Doll Pattern  Sewing Pattern 18" Doll Pattern 1940's Doll Dress Pattern Molly McIntire

Holiday Dresses are Coming Soon :)

I am in full-tilt sewing mode and working on some beautiful Holiday outfits, including Dresses, PJ's, and Coats / Outerwear. I am still developing my pattern for Cecile & Marie Grace. There are 2 styles I am working on for them. Check back soon or sign up for email alerts if you want to know when something is released. You can also check Dollhouse Designs Facebook page.

The dress pictured here is "Mariah" and has already sold, however I will create a similar dress soon. I like to make each one unique when possible.

Coupon Code for October Etsy Purchases

October Coupon Code!

Use: Oct10 to receive 10% off your purchase! Good thru Oct 31

This is Rebecca’s Bright Deco dress. With an Asymmetric skirt and Removable Collar, it is a fun new look for ‘Becca.

Next up: I am working on a Cecile & Marie-Grace dress of Ivory tones as well as perfecting my first Sewing Pattern for release. Details will appear first on Facebook! 

Swell Belle Dress - a Blast from the 1940's

I adore old sewing patterns.  Just. Love. Them.

That being said, I find them to be wonderful inspiration for things I want to make for our fave Historical Dolls, as well as interjecting some old style into modern fashions that I sew for my daughter, now 21.
Here is a gorgeous vintage sewing pattern from the 1940's. It is from one of my favorite sites ever: Vintage Patterns Wiki I could not avoid making an American Girl-sized version. It's just too perfect not to emulate :)

From the pointed Basque waist to the curved & pieced bodice, I enjoyed translating these details into miniature. I don't own the original pattern - I am largely a "window shopper", although that would change if I had the means to be a collector.

Also appearing is the finished dress. I drafted it for my own doll sewing pattern. I intend to perfect it and then release it as my very first Digital Pattern for others to use! I am excited about it and can't wait to get it ready and see the results..

I've been working on this converting-patterns-into-digital for awhile now. I am embarrassed to say well over a year! Not this particular one -I created it yesterday for myself our of tissue paper, but the idea in general. I am not the most Tech-Savvy seamstress out there. (Looming understatement.)

I hope you enjoy there little blurbs of back-information to the doll togs I create. Thanks again to all who have been patient in sticking with me. (See previous post)

Milkmaid Glamour

Hello to all!

I have been away so long that I wanted to take a moment to reassure you that I have not fallen through a crack in the pavement! An emergency (and scary) situation with my daughter had taken all of my abilities to navigate the days.

Things are much better now and I am getting back to shipping and stitching. I have had some major delays with shipping some items and I am sincerely sorry –keeping me up at night sorry- for that. I am hoping to get everything resolved this weekend for shipment Monday.

I feel blessed to know so many kind souls that offer encouragement and heartfelt words.

Now I have all of this beautiful Fall and Winter fabric to create with… where to start??

The Milkmaid Gown 

The Polonaise is that oh-so-lovely skirt with the side poufs. Even in the Colonial days, women & girls were every bit as concerned with new fashions as they are today. 

In the countryside, long skirt hems got in the way of milking cows or gathering water. Reaching down and tucking the skirt hems into a waistband or pocket kept them from hazard. Elegant ladies passing by in their carriages might have seen this look worn by their humbler counterparts, simple and wholesome as the style was.

A version of this was created using cords or ties to keep the skirt elegantly in place. It became the surprise darling of Fashion in 1772 and for awhile afterward. Marie Antoinette was so smitten with the shepherdess look, that she had gowns designed to wear when she was relaxing at home in Trianon at Versailles.

While I can imagine a darling country frock to fit a rural AG as she goes off to tend Farm chores (and yes even now I am thinking of stitching one up) it seems that Colonial ladies were quite taken with the very rural and rustic runchings of tucked skirts.

To honor that pretty look, I am finishing a robe à la Polonaise for Felicity and Elizabeth in rich Autumn hues. I created a specially fitted pattern for it. The bodice, or stomacher, is beaded and the entire bodice lined in humble muslin. A long time in the making due to all the hand-stitching, it is quite in keeping w/ the period. I will be listing this on Etsy in a day or so. I hope you enjoy the preview here J

Wishing you Health and Joy, I am so glad you could stop by and read my little scribbling!

-Renee