Arabella, by Genniewren Designs - 1970s Britain was a great time and place to grow up. The fashions were so diverse that almost everyone could find their fashion niche. This was mine: Victorian and Edwardian inspired fancy blouses and dresses. Just enough lace and ruffles to feel feminine, but nothing over the top. Soft floral fabrics, striped fabrics, light lacy fabrics and cameo-style buttons were the flavor of the day.
Perfect for daytime or evening wear, this pattern is based on an actual dress I designed to wear to a schoolfriend's birthday party. My mother and I made the dress from a Regency-style striped curtain fabric we found in her stash, using a mash-up of my favorite elements from existing paper patterns.
The Arabella 1970s style blouse and dress pattern gives you the very best elements of the 1970s. A classy blouse that’s comfortable to wear in the daytime or in the evening, and looks perfect with jeans, or with a skirt.
The blouse features a tucked front bodice, high collar, center back fastening, a curved waist ruffle and optional back waist ties for the perfect fit. A choice of sleeve styles makes the pattern even more versatile.
View A has an adapted gigot-style sleeve with a puffed top and a bell bottom. A tulle sleeve stay ensures that the top half of the sleeve remains perfectly placed and does not slip down your doll’s arm. View B has a bell sleeve. Instructions for attaching the lace in an heirloom style are included.
But wait – there’s more! The pattern includes an A-line maxi skirt to turn the blouse into a dress with a choice of a plain hem or a ruffled hem. Either sleeve design can be used to make the dresses, which can also include the waist ruffle or not. A plethora of possibilities all contained in one single pattern – and the choice is yours!
Just like my wonderful party dress, the Arabella blouse and dress pattern is going to be one of your doll’s favorite patterns. It’s so versatile. What’s not to love?
This PDF sewing pattern is designed to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl®.
Recommended Fabrics: This pattern has been designed for light-weight to medium-weight woven fabrics. For daywear suggested fabrics include: cotton or cotton-blend apparel fabrics such as poplin, percale, lawn, printed calico or quilter’s cottons. For formal wear this pattern can also be made from woven eveningwear fabrics such as duchess satin, charmeuse satin or bridal fabrics.
Supplies Needed:
- View A: One third of a yard of 44” wide fabric;
- View B: One third of a yard of 44” wide fabric;
- View C: Half a yard of 44” wide fabric for the option without the waist ruffle, OR two thirds of a yard (24”) of 44” wide fabric for the option with the waist ruffle;
- View D: Two thirds of a yard of 44” wide fabric for the single fabric option, or two thirds of a yard of 44” wide main fabric plus 6” x 36” of all-over lace fabric or contrast fabric for the sleeve and waist ruffles;
- Views A, C and D: - 12” x 4” of tulle for the sleeve stay;
All views:
- 8” x 3” lightweight fusible interfacing or tulle for the collar;
- 3.5” hook and loop fastener tape (both sides), or snaps if preferred;
- 3 x 3/8” buttons (optional);
- Lace or trims as desired.
Skill Level: Easy to Intermediate
What You Get: One 42 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
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