The Betsy Dress, by Genniewren Designs, for 18 inch dolls is typical of the type of dresses worn by both toddlers and older girls in the 1930s and early 1940s, but depending upon your choice of fabric, the dress can look vintage or modern.
Both views in this PDF pattern have a bodice gathered into a yoke at the front, and a skirt made from six main gore panels. The center back gore panel is seamed to allow for the center back closure.
View A has a curved shape yoke trimmed with rick rack. It has puffed sleeves with contrast cuffs. The optional contrast peter pan collar adds a touch of charm and the rick rack inserted into the center front skirt panel seams emphasizes the shape of the skirt. An optional ribbon belt with a purchased mini buckle completes the smart look.
View B has a gently sloping yoke trimmed with piping. Keyhole sleeves trimmed with contrast binding add a touch of interest to the dress. The piped neckline looks neat and simple and the piping extends down the center back bodice opening. Contrast binding adds a more modern look to the skirt hem finish, and the adorable contrast bow belt just oozes cuteness.
Recommended Fabrics: woven fabrics, e.g. cotton poplin, broadcloth, Tana lawn, quilters' cottons, gingham, seersucker, polyester & cotton blends
Supplies Needed:
- Half a yard of 45” wide fabric or two matching fat quarters for the main fabric.
- A quarter of a yard of contrast fabric.
- A fat eighth (9” x 22”) of lining fabric (you could use the remainder of the contrast fabric if you prefer).
- Six small (¼"-⅜") buttons - two for the yoke, four for the back
- Four snaps or 6” anti snag hook and loop tape for the center back bodice closure
- 1½ yards of Rick Rack trim (View A) OR 1 yard of contrast piping (View B)
- One purchased package of ½” wide single fold bias binding tape (View B only) or the equivalent in home made bias binding. (Note the ½” is the folded width of the tape).
- Half a yard of ½” wide Petersham or grosgrain ribbon and a ⅝” mini buckle for the View A belt.
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 49 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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