Looking for the perfect summer dress for your doll? Find out how to make it with this clever pattern hack from Marilyn of QTπ Doll Clothing!
Giveaway Update: Our winner is Darlene who sounds like she is looking forward to a wonderful summer!
Follow along as Marilyn shows us how to use her Take The Plunge Swimsuit pattern and her Easy As π Bandeau Dress pattern to make a cute halter dress that will leave your doll feeling cool, comfortable and beautiful this summer!
(Click on the cover image to find the pattern on Pixie Faire.)
Let's get started...
First, you're going to need some supplies:
• ½ yard light-medium weight knit with minimum-moderate stretch works best (there
is a helpful stretch guide in the “Easy As π Bandeau Dress” pattern)
• About 30” of ⅝” FOE
• Pattern Piece A from “Take The Plunge Swimsuit”
• Pattern Piece B from “Easy As π BandeauDress"
Preparing The Pattern Pieces
Before we cut the fabric, we need to prepare pattern piece A (Take The Plunge Swimsuit) for the bodice. Add 1 ¼” bottom edge of the pattern piece.
Tape pattern pieces B (1 of 2 and 2 of 2) together from “Easy As π Bandeau Dress”.
Cut fabric using this cutting layout:
• Piece B from “Easy As π Bandeau Dress”
• Piece A “Take The Plunge Swimsuit”
Cut fabric.
Assembling The Bodice
Cut ⅝” FOE (Fold Over Elastic):
• 2 x 5 ¾”
• 1 x 18”
Mark the 5 ¾” pieces of FOE.
Follow STEP 2 for marking the 18” piece of FOE.
Follow STEPS 5 to 27 (omitting STEPS 13-15) from the “Take The Plunge Swimsuit” pattern to complete the bodice.
Adding The Skirt
Follow STEPS 8 to 11 from the “Easy As π Bandeau Dress” pattern.
Use the finishing guide on PAGE 6 from the “Easy As π Bandeau Dress” pattern to finish the dress hem. Congratulations! Your new halter dress is finished!
How would you like to win this darling dress? Marilyn will be sending one to one lucky winner!
We'll pick a winner on Monday, May 29th, and get in touch via email. Thanks for entering and good luck!
For Pixie Faire,
Marilyn & The PF Team
I’m looking forward to summer because my children and grand children are able to come for visits more often!!
I’m looking forward to summer because in NZ we still have our summer, and I have been inside sewing as it is 28-30 deg out there. With the beach across the road its the place to be to have a break.
I love summer because I can sit with my granddaughter and sew doll clothes
I am looking forward to summer because that means cool summer sundresses and shorts and bathing suits.
I’m looking forward to summer because I get to see friends and hand quilt with them. Make doll clothes for my step granddaughter. Enjoy the summer.
I’m looking forward to summer because it is my grandmothers 91st birthday! All our family is coming’ down to sunny Orlando, Florida to celebrate!
I’m looking forward to summer because I enjoy the warm days as I hate being cold! And love the long days of sunshine!
I’m looking forward to summer because I can get the kayaks out and spend hours on the lakes and rivers! I am also looking forward to fresh local produce!
“I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER BECAUSE: I can open the windows in my sewing room and smell and hear the beautiful aromas and sounds of Spring.
I look forward to summer because each of my grandchildren get to spend a week alone with me, doing what they want and eating what they want (with guidance).
Looking forward to summer so I can sit on my deck and the humming birds come.
Summertime means change of wardrobe for my granddaughters dolls. Lots of pretty dresses to make, tops too. Thank you for all the lovely patterns and ideas you share!
So clever. Really makes your mind open up to new ideas.
I am looking forward to summer because I love to see all the flowers blooming and I am not cold when I go outside!!!!
I am so excited – I won! Such a thrill – just love the creativity of Marilyn of QTπ Doll Clothing fashions – we are both Canadians :) What an amazing way to start summer, and the weather arrived early for summer too!! I think we skipped spring! Thank you so much Marilyn – I think you got warm weather first! It is so generous of you to share the instructions for the pattern hack, and giveaway the garment too! Wow :) thanks! Thanks to Pixie Faire too :) I think it will look terrific on Melody.
I’m looking forward to summer because I can finally sit out in my gazebo with a nice adult beverage, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. But still busy in my head thinking of all the different designs I’ve planned for sewing new doll cloths.
Oh darn, been busy pattern testing and just saw this on FB — adorable idea — may have to have both patterns now! Sure sad I missed a chance to win this dress!
I’m looking forward to summer because I can get out to work in my vegetable garden and my flower beds.
I looking forward to summer because that means I sew doll clothes and I get to visit friends and family!
I l am looking forward to Summer because the flowers will bloom.birds will sing and the days will be bright. I will begin sewing for Christmas. Lord, grant me the patience to sew doll clothes for 18 inch dolls and the teach my granddaughter s to sew them with me.
I’m looking forward to Summer because ice cream!
I am looking forward to summer.
Living in Philadelphia we can celebrate Independence Day in old city with fire works,,Wawa hoagie day and, we even have the Army fife and, drum band comes here and hope to have my three grand daughters come again to enjoy all the festivities and, maybe Allesandra might get a serenade by the Army band playing Yankees doodle dandy. They played and, she sang. Allie was five years old at the time and, loved it.
There is so much to see and, do in Philadelphia during the summer.
Can’t wait for my grand kids to come. Hopefully they will bring their American Girl dolls with them to celebrate the Fourth of July.
I am looking forward to summer.
Living in Philadelphia we have a lot of great things
Looking forward to the summer now that I am retired; so I can spend more time with my grand daughter making Pixie Fairie clothes for our 18’ dolls !!!
I am looking forward to summer because I won’t have to wear so many clothes. No socks, no coats, no scarves, just shorts and T-shirts.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SUMMER BECAUSE…..that means Fall is coming soon after! Which is really the best time of the year.
I am looking forward to summer because it won’t be so cold.
I.m looking forward to some time to sew this summer.
I am looking forward to summer because I get to spend more time with my kids doing projects and having fun.
I am looking forward to summer because though the humidity and heat keeps me inside, I have my wonderful Grandnephew to keep me company. He will be 7, and loves crafts. It will be the perfect time to teach him to sew. He loves fabric, and the AG patterns also fit nicely on a lot of his stuffed animals. What a joy this will be, as my Grandchildren were not interested. We both can hardly wait.
I’m looking forward to summer because I get to spend it with my children and watch them play the sports they love to play.
Looking forward to summer because both my kids are have a birthday coming up. We have 3 family reunions to go to and we get to see family that we only see once a year. We are planting a garden this year and I always look forward to seeing the flowers blooming all summer long. Feeling blessed!
Looking forward to summer and being able to spend more time with my 3 terrific girls watching and helping them explore and experience new things.
oh so cute! looking forward to summer and having more time to do all the things I enjoy
I’m looking forward to summer because my grandchildren will be coming to visit, and we can sew and have fun doing things together.
I am looking forward to summer because I will not be working and have more time to sew.
I’m looking forward to summer because I have more time for knitting and I will be able to listen to the ice cream truck.
I am looking forward summer because I will get to spend more time with my kids, and will hopefully have more time for sewing.
I’m looking forward to summer to see the beauty all around in the mountains near me. And hope to get in some good camping time!
I’m looking forward to summer, so I can sleep in a bit lol NO EARLY ALARMS YAY!
I am looking forward to summer because school is out and all the little girls now have more time to spend dressing up their dolls with the beautiful clothes that are now available thru wonderful patterns.
I’m looking to summer i can sew more my sewing room will cooler and there will be spring and summer flower everywhere and time to have fun too!
I’m looking forward to summer because it is time to forget about everyday life by getting away in the RV and just do some chillin.
I’m looking forward to summer because " IT’S SUMMER!".
I am looking forward to summer because I love the river, boats, and swimming.
I’m looking forward to summer because everything is bright and beautiful when the sun is shining.
I am looking forward to summer because that is when each of my grandchildren get a week alone with me. We do and eat whatever they want – cooking with my grandson, sewing & art with my granddaughter.
I am looking forward to summer because life slows down when the kids are not in school. There is time to play and teach and sew!
… because it means good weather for gardening and family fun!
I’m looking forward to summer because when its hot outside I can spend time in my basement sewing some doll clothes for a charity project. I look for good used in good condition 18" dolls and redo hair and sew some outfits for them.
I am looking forward to summer because my grandkids are out of school so we can spend quality time together. I love the perfect weather we have in southern California for going to the beach, having BBQs, picnics and camping. Can’t wait for June gloom to be over and summer to begin.
I’m looking forward to summer because there are so many outdoor events/activities to attend and participate in.
I am looking forward to this summer because I am off work for 2 fun filled months to spend with my adorable grandchildren! I see a whole lot of sewing doll clothes in my near future
I’m looking forward to summer because there’s swimming to be had, and ice cream, and all kinds of good times like fireworks. Yay!
I’m looking forward to summer because it will be time to do some fun outdoor projects and visit the beach and other places of interest and our 18" friends will be joining us and then will be able to wear the cute summer clothes.
I’m looking forward to summer because it is my favorite season! My daughters will be home from school and we are headed to the beach. This dress pattern is perfect for our 18" friends that will be coming along for the trip!
I am looking forward to summer because my daughter who lives on the opposite coast will be coming to visit! I will also be doing a couple craft shows and selling my doll clothes creations.
I am looking forward to summer because it makes me happy. I love watching everything grow, wearing lighter clothing, sandals and the sense of freedom walking in the sunshine and the warmth it creates. Everything becomes a delight, instead of a struggle. The colours change constantly throughout the summer with our stunning sunrises and sunsets. The furnace is off, windows are open, and sunlight streams into the house, onto my sewing machine. Sewing for spring, summer and fall is great fun, because the fabrics are lighter in weight and brighter in colour. The summer fabrics make my eyes happy. Best of all, the warmth of summer makes me feel good physically, making everything I do easier and more fun. Even housecleaning is easier in the summer. Rain washes the air clean and makes it easier to breathe – I remember reading that the trees love having a shower! Getting caught in a summer shower and splashing in the puddles is fun, even at my age! Summer means freedom, relaxation, and fun. Yes, I look forward to summer for all of these reasons and more! :) And, I can brag about surviving another hard winter!
I am looking forward to summer because I can be outside and can spend time with my friends and family.
I’m looking forward to summer because we have family coming to stay for 2 months. A wonderful opportunity to spend time with my grandsons and daughter in law.
I’m looking forward to summer because my daughter loves being outside and playing in the water and summer is perfect weather for that.
I’m looking forward to summer because I’ll be welcoming a new grandson to my family.
I’m looking forward to summer because I will be traveling to visit family that I miss very much.
I’m looking forward to summer because it has been a long winter in Mi. I love being outdoors enjoy working in my garden and enjoying the summer.
Louise
July 06, 2018
I’m looking forward to summer because for us it means a change of pace. I love the warmer weather, seeing my flowers grow (and others), knowing children have some ‘free time’ to do some fun, creative, lazy things.