Fashion during the 1980s was a contrast of styles and ideologies. On one side were the glamorous fashions from Hollywood designers which typically featured wide padded shoulders, luxurious fabrics, and often a generous dose of glitz. An opposite approach in sensibility was an emphasis on antique clothing and themes from English designers, who specialized in romantic designs with natural fabrics, dainty prints, and nostalgic details such as pin tucks and lace. However, no matter what aesthetic approach a designer chose, one consistent element in 1980s fashion was an emphasis on shoulders. Whether it was glamorous creations with exaggerated shoulders or enormous puffy sleeves like those in Princess Diana's iconic wedding dress, wide shoulders were a part of every fashionable woman's wardrobe!
The Forever 18 Inches 1980s Romantic Heroine pattern is a tribute to these ideals. The two-piece dress features a bodice top with princess seams, a dainty ruffle, front closure, and ties in the back to help cinch the bodice with a close fit. An alternate choice features a plain bodice with flutter sleeves. All the design elements can be mixed and matched for a personalized look.
Two skirt choices are offered: a long gathered skirt with ruffles and tucks, and an easy double-layered contemporary circular skirt with an elasticized waistband. No matter what your choice, I hope you enjoy sewing this blast to the past.
This PDF sewing pattern is designed to fit 18" dolls such as American Girl®.
Recommended Fabrics: Lighter weight quilter's cotton or other similar medium-light natural fabrics.
Supplies Needed:
Option 1: 1/2 yd. Main Fabric; ¼ yd. Lining
Option 2: 1/3 yd. Main Fabric; ¼ yd. Lining
Option 3: 1/2 yd. Main Fabric
Option 4: 1/2 yd. Main Fabric
All Options:
1. Matching thread and sewing needle; optional contrasting thread
2. A pair of small, very sharp scissors to trim seam allowances
3. A Frixion® pen (or other marking tool) for marking Dots and tracing around templates (when touched with heat, the pen markings disappear!)
4. Optional: Fray Check®
5. Optional: a hemostat or long pair of tweezers for turning small areas
6. Optional: coffee filters to help prevent thread bunching while sewing
Option 1:
1. Optional: ¼" graph paper to create the pattern for the Bodice Ruffle
2. Five ¼" buttons
3. Three small snaps
Option 2:
1. Five ¼" buttons
2. Three small snaps
Option 3:
1. Optional: ¼" graph paper to create the patterns for the Skirt and Skirt Ruffle
2. One large snap for Waistband closure
Option 4:
1. 12" of 3/8" wide elastic
Skill Level: Intermediate
What You Get: One 54 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.
Download, Print, Sew!
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Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with American Girl®.
