I don't think that I have ever sworn so much at fabric in my life than the first time I tried to sew doll clothes.
Here is my short list on sewing for dolls:
- Use relatively tightly woven cloth. Don't use loose or low density cloth. You want cloth that won't unravel as you handle it. Broadcloth, poplin, these are good. Bulky knits = swear words.
- Starch and iron everything before you cut. The smaller the patterns, the more disproportionate the damage if the edges start to fray, wrinkle, or fold. Heavy starch and iron before you cut.
- Forget trying to turn hems and other "normal" steps on such little pieces, just stitch it to a lining and turn right side out.
- If it's a piece with tight curves (and you really can't pick a different piece), I will grimace and mark my sewing line. The reason that I do this is because using the edge of the fabric isn't always the most accurate when turning small tight curves.
- Velcro or snaps are my go-to. But unless it has short hair I usually use snaps. The reason is because velcro can totally destroy doll hair. And just say no to buttonholes or zippers.
- Inform others you are making doll clothes, otherwise they may start to wond about your sanity.
Over the years I learned that it is so much easier to use a washable glue stick to stick the seams of the fabric together before you cut.
I stopped using pins on doll clothes and I were you I would try and avod them. Just use a glue stick for the absolute edges of the 2 pattern pieces and put a book on it and wait something like ten minutes (on mine) for it to dry, then I just start to sew like I normally would for human clothes.
Once I am finished I peel the pieces apart and keep sewing and the dry glue stick residue then becomes a weak startch that keeps the seams together, this is incredibly helpful for making doll clothes.
When you are finished remove the glue and then wash the completed piece like normal.
P.S. When all else fails I often give up and just hand stitch the troublesome pieces together since they will not be put under the same amount of stress that a normal garmet would be.
