Heirloom Luncheon 13-14.5 Inch Doll Clothes Pattern

“Madeira Applique” is a beautiful technique often seen in heirloom sewing. The subtleness, gentility, and serenity of this method is perfectly displayed in this graceful dress. This outfit is ideal for a luncheon out with friends, for a Baptism or religious ceremony, or simply for a day when harmony and poise are required. 

The “Heirloom Luncheon” outfit, by Karen Lorraine Design, consists of a striking dress with a delicate Peter Pan collar and optional lace sleeves. Buttons and optional embroidery dot the bodice, while a back opening of hook and loop tape or buttons allows for a clean line.

The star of the show – subtle though she is – has to be the Madeira Applique. Often sewn by hand, this pattern lets you complete the technique by machine. This is perfect for those of us with limited time, eyesight, or finger strength! The Madeira Applique itself is clearly demonstrated with illustrations and allows for either a pinstitch or a zig-zag finish. The pattern discusses the use of various fabrics, threads, bias binding as facings and as binding, the use of soluble thread (or not), and stitches used on the general sewing machine (that is, you do not need a special embroidery machine for this ensemble). The use of woven fabrics adds to the heirloom feel and gives the dress a beautiful lightness.

“Heirloom Luncheon” is designed to fit 13 to 14.5-inch dolls such as WellieWishers™  (whom it was primarily designed for), as well as Hearts for Hearts Girls® and Corolle® Les Cheries dolls.

This pattern is also available on Pixie Faire for 18" dolls such as American Girl®.

Recommended Fabrics: light to medium-weight woven cottons like lawn, batiste, cotton, quilting cotton, broadcloth

Supplies Needed:

• Main fabric for bodice, bias binding, and skirt 1m (wide) x 1/3m (deep) [or 39" x 13"], light woven cotton, non-stretch (like lawn, cotton voile, cotton batiste, cotton)
• Contrast fabric for applique 1m (wide) by ¼ m (deep) [or 39" x 10"] woven cotton, non-stretch, like quilting cotton or broadcloth. Ideally, you want this contrast fabric to be HEAVIER than your main fabric choice (or equal to).
• Embroidered fabric 10" w x 10" d non-stretch like Broderie Anglais. I have used an embroidered daisy cotton fabric. Extra fabric is allowed for positioning purposes*
• Polyester thread in the main colour and in the contrast colour
• Cotton thread only for “pinstitch” in the main colour (if you are using the pinstitch option). This needs to be 100% cotton and a fine thread. I have used a weight of 50, although a higher count of 80 would be better (but my local shop doesn’t have this).*
• Regular machine needle AND a machine needle of 100 (or 110/18). I have used 100*
• Freezer/luncheon paper
• Spray-on starch*
• Bias binding (self-made or store bought) of 24" long by 1" (deep). See cutting layout for further information
• Pins (general and fine pins)
• Water-soluble thread. Optional. (I haven’t used this.)*
• Lace for sleeves. Optional. I have used cambric lace at 30mm wide*
• Double-sided satin ribbon for sash (belt). Optional
• Hook and loop tape, or hook and eye closures
• Tweezers*
• Three beads for bodice “buttons”
• Optional: buttons for back closure and store-bought loops or handsew your own

* denotes further information about the item in the instructions.

Skill Level:  Intermediate

What You Get: One 43 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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