Let's Have a Tea Party! A 1930s Tea Dress for Eighteen Inch Dolls
"Let's Have a Tea Party!" is inspired by a vintage sewing pattern - DuBarry 1554B - published in 1937 by a division of Simplicity Patterns. DuBarry Patterns were sold in Woolworth's Department Stores in the 1930s.
This little girl's tea dress has a one-piece flared front, shaped by four tucks in the bodice that open at the natural waistline to allow the skirt to fall gracefully. The dress back has a bodice with a waistline seam and a lightly gathered back skirt. Short puffed sleeves and a ripple collar with bow add interest to the shoulders and neckline. A sash, sewn into the center front tucks, extends to the back, and ties in a lavish bow.
For fashion history lovers, in the pattern introduction, this dress design is placed in the context of fashion trends in the 1930s, and discuss the tea dress as a staple of feminine civic life in the 1930s.
This 29-page pattern was developed for the Confident Beginner level doll sewist, and assumes that you are familiar with common sewing terms and methods.
Techniques included in the pattern: making tucks, gathering, top stitching, setting a puffed sleeve, making a ripple collar, under stitching a collar, and binding a neckline.
Every step of the process is illustrated with detailed instructions and photographs.
This PDF sewing pattern, by Eighteen Cotton Lane, is designed to fit 18" dolls. This pattern will fit a variety of eighteen-inch dolls, including American Girl®,
Maplelea®, Our Generation®, My Life As®, and Götz Precious Day®.
The dress is designed to be a little loose at the waistline, to accommodate the measurements of older Pleasant Company® and American Girl® dolls. The sash will tighten the waistline on slimmer dolls as much as desired when it is tied.
Suggested Fabrics: lightweight cotton, rayon, crepe, silk or a polyester like charmeuse or georgette for dress. Semi-sheer fabrics may require a slip.
lawn, voile, batiste or organza for collar.
Supplies Needed:
• Dress: 1/2 yard of 44" wide lightweight cotton, rayon, crepe, silk or a polyester like charmeuse or georgette. Semi-sheer fabrics may require a slip.
• Collar: 1/8 yard of 44" wide lawn, voile, batiste or organza.
• Sewing machine
• Scissors
• Pins
• Marking method: disappearing pen, chalk, tailor's carbon paper, or light box
• Point tool or blunt needle for turning crisp corners
• Small safety pin or turning tool for turning sash pieces
• Sewing thread that matches your fabrics
• Small piece of lightweight fusible interfacing
• Buttons - 4-6 1/4", or snaps, or 6-8" 1/4" soft hook and loop tape
• Ribbon - 1/2" wide satin ribbon, 8" long for bow to finish collar
Skill Level: Confident Beginner
What You Get: One 29 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 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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FAQ's related to the doll clothes patterns sold at Pixie Faire.
Pixie Faire and the designers featured are not affiliated with Pleasant Company®, American Girl®, Maplelea®, Our Generation®, My Life As®, or Götz Precious Day®.
