While I had the sewing machine out and on a roll, I decided to make one more thing for our dolls. This one is another American Girl Doll clothes pattern and it is for making a cute bandeau top for your dolls.
Just like the American Girl Doll clothes pattern to make the maxi skirt this was another quick, easy, and cute pattern. Love that! I did change the pattern in one way and want to show you because I think it is an important change to make for the durability of this top.
I was given this pattern by the nice people at Liberty Jane Patterns. It is the Bandeau Top and Dress for AG Dolls. It is listed as an easy skill level and it costs $3.99.
The pattern was well written and easy to follow. In the pattern step 26-28 are the final steps and work on the back opening. They tell you to sew two inches of the bottom of the back together then place the velcro above that and have a smaller opening. I have never had success with this type of opening. I have always had problems with my girls being able to get that type of opening on the doll. They also seem to rip the seam as well. Doesn’t work for us.
It seemed like it was going to be too tight of a fit to fold both sides of fabric under by 1/4″. As I don’t have a serger, I used a zig zag stitch on the fabric on the left in this picture. The zig zag stitch will help prevent this fabric from fraying.
On the right side, fold the fabric under by a bit more than 1/4″.
Cut a length of 3/4″ wide velcro long enough for the full back opening. Now cut that 3/4″ velcro 
in half lengthwise and pin to the folded fabric. Sew the velcro to the full back opening to attach.
in half lengthwise and pin to the folded fabric. Sew the velcro to the full back opening to attach.
The back of your top will have the full length of Velcro rather than the half sewn together half Velcro back that the pattern calls for. For our family this just works better, is more durable and easier for my girls when dressing their dolls.
Such a cute bandeau top. The pattern can be adjusted to turn this top into a dress. I have a feeling I will be making some of these in the future. 🙂
Saige is wearing her bandeau top and the maxi skirt I made for the dolls as well. The whole outfit coordinates with the maxi skirts I made for my girls. Now everyone is ready for the first day of school!
Super cute and super easy…another great sewing project in my book.
What do you think, do you like to do the full Velcro on the back or the half and half approach?
I link up with these great link parties and at Between Naps on the Porch, Savvy Southern Style and My Repurposed Life.
© 2011-2013 The Real Thing with the Coake Family. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Oh man, this is really taking me back – I had an American Girl Doll when I was little! I remember the clothes being really expensive, so I love the idea of creating your own clothes. Great job!
Yes, I sew the clothes for that reason. It would be so expensive to really outfit our dolls if we only relied on AG. It is also lots of fun to make things for my girls and let them pick out their fabric and such and so on. I love it when they see what I have created…great moments!
Thanks so much for stopping by.
KC
Very cute! Have you thought of selling your creations! I have a pile of stuff going that I eventually plan on selling, I just have to get organized!
Thanks, Diana! Yes, I thought of it way back in the beginning of my blog. I just don’t have the time to make things for my girls, run the blog, homeschool, etc., etc., and add making and selling things as well.
It is a great idea but I have to know my limits.
Good luck to you with selling yours…it sounds fun!
KC
Thanks for the tip, my daughter and I love making clothes for her AG dolls. ;o)
You are so welcome! I hope you have a great time making this with her. 🙂
Have a great week.
KC
So pretty! I love those dolls and the clothes are so cute! Lovely pics!
Have a wonderful week!
Hugs and love from Portugal,
Ana Love Craft
http://www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com
Thank you so much, Ana!
KC
So cute!!!
Thanks!
KC