Happily Ever After Gown 18" Doll Clothes

Does your doll live in the 16th Century? Is she going to the Royal Ball? Surely she needs a new gown!

This three-piece gown is fit for a queen, or your favorite fairytale princess! It is a French design that became popular in Tudor England in the 1530s. The gown closes in the front with lacing that is covered with a placard that can be left plain or embellished as desired. The fully lined pleated skirting can be finished with a straight hem or a short train. The central feature of this gown are the wide fold-over sleeves are perfect for showcasing sumptuous fabrics such as faux furs, luxurious silks, or other specialty fabrics. A back laced kirtle is also included to wear underneath the gown. The front bodice can be boned or left unboned. The skirting is seamed at the sides so that more decorative fabric can be used at the front opening of the gown. The neckline of the kirtle is exposed along the neckline of the gown for a layered look and can be made with decorative cloth and embellished as desired. Hook and loop tape can be used instead of the lacing on the kirtle and gown for easier dressing. Instructions for a chain girdle are included with the pattern.

The Happily Ever After Gown ensemble is designed so that it can be worn on its own or over the 16th Century German Smocked Hemd as shown in the example images.

This PDF sewing pattern by Thimbles and Acorns is designed to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl® and other similarly sized dolls.

Thimbles & Acorns Pattern #1530-03
PDF Pattern for 18 inch Happily Ever After Gown

Suggested Fabrics: Kirtle Decorative Fabric, Gown, and Gown Contrast 1 in medium weight woven fabrics such as quilting cotton, cotton sateen, linen, silk taffeta, silk dupioni, wool, special occasion fabrics, damasks, lightweight velveteen. Not suitable for knits. Kirtle and Gown Lining in light to medium weight woven fabrics such as quilting cotton, cotton sateen, linen, silk taffeta, silk dupioni. Not suitable for knits. Contrast Fabric 2 a special contrast fabric for the fold-over portion of the sleeves in medium weight woven fabrics such as quilting cotton, cotton sateen, linen, silk taffeta, silk dupioni, wool, special occasion fabrics, damasks, lightweight velveteen, lightweight minky, lightweight faux fur.

Supplies Needed:
Fabric:

• Kirtle Decorative Fabric - 1/3 yard 45” wide fabric
• Kirtle and Gown Lining - 1/2 yard 45” wide fabric
• Gown - 3/4 yard 45” wide fabric
• Gown Contrast 1 - 1/2 yard 45” wide fabric
• Gown Contrast 2 - 1/2 yard 45” wide fabric

Notions:

• Thread

Kirtle:

• Lightweight interfacing
• Six inches 1/4” wide boning (optional)
• Eight 1/8” metal eyelets (hand sewn eyelets or 3” of 3/4” wide hook-and-loop tape can be used, if preferred)
• One yard of 1/8” wide twill tape or ribbon for lacing
• Miscellaneous trims, jewelry findings, buttons and other embellishments as desired

Gown:

• Eight 1/8” metal eyelets (hand sewn eyelets or 11/2” of 3/4” wide hook-and-loop tape can be used, if preferred)
• Scrap pieces of fusible interfacing
• Six small snaps for placard
• Miscellaneous trims, jewelry findings, buttons and other embellishments as desired

Girdle:

• One necklace with fastener
• Jump ring or other connector

Tools:

• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pins
• Hand sewing needle
• Tapestry needle that fits through eyelets
• Fabric marker
• Eyelet setting tool
• Iron and pressing tools
• Blunt needle or point turner
• Jewelry pliers for girdle

Skill Level:  Intermediate

What You Get: One 37 page sewing pattern that you digitally download as a PDF file so you can start your project immediately! The PDF sewing pattern provides full color step-by-step illustrated instructions and full size pattern pieces. A PDF reader is required to view and print the files (example: Adobe Reader or Preview for MAC). The download link is received immediately after the transaction is complete. Print copies are NOT available.