In the 1970s when my kids were young I traced doll clothes patterns from a book at the public library that had patterns for the 12 1/2 inch fashion dolls - Barbie, etc. The patterns were simplified - most clothing items were cut in one piece and had only one or two seams. White glue was used to keep the edges from raveling, or the clothes were lined to make reversible items. Now my sister wants to make doll clothes for her granddaughters, and I've lost my patterns. Does anyone know the book I'm talking about and if so, can you tell me the title and author? The book was probably published in the 1970s, maybe even the late 60s. I'd really like to find it again. Thanks in advance.

Hi Virginia, I too make dolls. I enjoy doing one-of-a-kind dolls. I make a lot of my own patterns. I once made E. T. for a woman I worked with. I'll have to say he turned out really well. (complete with the red finger-tip ;c) I only wish I had taken a picture. I am showing you a picture of some purse babies I created years ago.

I have made lots of AM Girl doll clothes from patterns like Simplicity, McCall and Butterick. They have good directions and fit perfectly if you cut it out correctly. I try to use light weight woven's and light weight knit fabrics. The AM Girl doll clothes are no where near as hard as Barbie doll clothes because of the size of the doll. You can search the internet for doll zippers (I think its Tiny Zippers) and the fabrics stores have bags of tiny buttons. I buy the Velcro dots for making closures. If you buy the sticky ones you will want to also buy Sewers aid by Dritz. It makes your needle glide through the sticky back on the Velcro dot.. I usually just sew an X over the dot to hold it on. I sew on Velcro for the closures and a button on the outside of the garment with the Velcro right under so it looks like an actual button closure. I also use lots of snaps with the button sewn on the outside just like I do for the Velcro. I like to use as much detail as possible, I don't find hard to add lace or ribbons. I use felt and fleece on occasion, you don't have to finish the edges!! Have fun, start with something simple like a pair of pull on pants with elastic waist. I also bought a doll of my own so I would have it available to fit the clothes to as I am sewing (if you don't already have a doll handy.)

deedee, try going to google, type in free doll clothes patterns, there are hundreds of sites, not all will have free patterns, but you can find a lot of things, Rene