The Party Like It's 1985 Dress, by FROG Princess Fashions. Dresses of the 1980s were characterized by pleats, floral prints, large collars, bows, lace, and layers. Guests at parties and special events in the 80s would wear lots of ruffles, bows, rosettes, lace, puffed sleeves and poufy skirts.
The Party Like It’s 1985 pattern design incorporates many features of clothing from that period while still offering a unique look:
- the puffed sleeves are vertically pleated
- the gathered skirt is full and tea length
- the big collar is ruffled and accented with a fabric rosette or bow
- the waist is accented with a fabric cummerbund that ties in a big bow in the back
Add the retro purse and big hair bow and your doll is ready to party 80s-style!
This design has so much potential for a custom couture look! The collar could also be made of wide lace or trimmed with lace, and the sleeves and cummerbund could be lace-trimmed, as well. For those who machine embroider, a lovely filigree embroidery design is offered as a companion to this sewing pattern and provides the perfect embellishment and accessories for your doll’s party attire, including a hat emblem, a free-standing lace masquerade mask, a damask style cummerbund design, a purse flap design, and a lovely free-standing lace choker. So, grab your floral prints and let’s make a dress suited for your 18” doll to wear to any party, 1980s-style or today!
Be sure to check out the coordinating Party Like It's 1985 Machine Embroidery Design!
This pattern is designed to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl®.
Recommended Fabrics: Main fabric: dupioni silk, taffeta, peau de soie, velvet, brocade, toile, damask, crepe back satin, medium weight cottons and cotton blends; Lining: pillow satin, georgette, organza, lawn, batiste, lightweight cotton and cotton blend solids; Purse: felt, velvet, velveteen, wool, or other soft fabric with some body. Vinyl is not recommended. Interfacing: very lightweight woven for cummerbund; heavyweight for purse bottom
Supplies Needed:
Fabric
• ½ yd* without nap main fabric
• ¾ yd* with nap
• ½ yd lining
• ⅛ yd felt, velvet, velveteen, main fabric, or wool for purse
Interfacing
• 2 3/8” x 1” scrap of heavy interfacing for purse bottom
• 10” x 3” strip of lightweight woven interfacing for cummerbund
• Lightweight interfacing for bow is optional
Notions
• Matching thread
• 4” -7” matching (closed) zipper
• 1 small snap or decorative button for purse flap
Optional: 1 small metal hair clip for bow
Optional: ¾ yd. of ½” wide satin ribbon in place of fabric ties
Optional: ¾ yd. of ¼” wide satin ribbon in place of fabric for roses
Optional: 1 yd. 1” wide flat lace in place of fabric for collar
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 25 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 summary of instructions is included to help save on printer ink. 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.
Download, Print, Sew!
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