Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest 18" Doll Clothes Pattern

4 reviews   |  

This pattern, by Genniewren Designs, is for the Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest only. Other patterns in the Highland Dress and Highland Dance Series are available to enable you to make a complete Highland dress or Highland dance outfit for your doll. Complete the look for your Highland boy with the Highland Accessories, Highland Kilt, Highland Socks and Highland Ghillies, sold separately,as well as in bundled packages (see listing image for purchasing options available).  

The Prince Charlie Jacket is nowadays the most popular choice for full Highland Dress, and for formal evening wear in Scotland or among those with a Scottish heritage. Yet while it is considered traditional Highland dress, it is not as old as we might think. Historical paintings of Highland Dress show men wearing doublets rather than short coats and a vest.

The Prince Charlie Jacket first appears in menswear and tailors’ catalogs in the 1920s. It is said to be based on formal military dress from Napoleonic times, mixed with the sophistication of the tuxedo from the Jazz Era, and a hint of the Victorian military formal mess jackets. It was marketed by tailors as the height of fashion, and the Prince Charlie name was used to make it sound more authentic and Scottish, even though it is not traditional at all.

Originally the Prince Charlie Jacket was strictly for evening dress and was never worn before 7pm. Nowadays it is worn at any time of the day for Highland Dance or for formal occasions such as weddings, graduations, parades etc.

The Jacket is a short coat (or “coatee” in Scottish parlance), cutaway at the front, with short tails at the back. The front of the jacket has buttons that mimic the style of a double-breasted jacket, but the cutaway style means that the front edges of the jacket do not meet and the buttons are only for decoration. The Prince Charlie jacket has braided epaulettes that are finished with silver buttons at the neck edge.

The jacket usually has a center back vent, and the tails and sleeves are decorated with scalloped flaps also known as “Braemar cuffs”. The purely ornamental Braemar cuff was “borrowed” from older military-style jackets and a similar style of cuff survives today on the sleeves of the USMC Dress Blues jacket, and several of the famous red jackets worn by British Guards regiments.

This pattern includes a lined Prince Charlie Jacket, along with the formal-style three button vest. The vest, which has a long collar along the front neck edge, is also fully lined and has the back cut from lining fabric rather than the smart fabric. This was a traditional tailoring practice, to reduce bulk and to allow the jacket to fit the wearer more closely. The vest also features traditional welt pockets.

I hope you will enjoy making the Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest for your dolls.

This pattern is also available in a bundled package with The Highland Dress Shirt, and The Highland Accessories pattern at a discounted bundled price.

Recommended Fabrics: This pattern is designed for woven fabrics only. For the jacket and vest medium weight woolen or linen fabrics are recommended, approximately 190-300 gsm (a similar weight to soft denim jeans).  

Supplies Needed:
JACKET AND VEST
- Half a yard of medium weight linen or woolen fabric
- (Optional) A third of a yard of contrast fabric for lapels etc.
- Half a yard of lining fabric (e.g. habotai silk or acetate lining)
- 25 x 7mm square or 8mm round doll buttons (silver or gold is traditional, but any style can be used)
- 7” x 3” Lightweight fusible interfacing
- 1 yard of ⅜” wide grosgrain ribbon or ⅜” wide single fold bias tape
- 1 yard of ⅛” (3mm) wide Soutache (russian braid), ⅛” (3mm) wide satin ribbon or 5/64”(2mm) diameter rattail cord for the braided epaulettes.

Skill Level:  Intermediate 

What You Get: One 48 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.  This pattern includes a 6 page Summary of Instructions section so you can print out just the text version if desired to 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!

*Creating a customer account will ensure that you have the ability to access your purchased (and free) files at any time.

For detailed information and answers to the most common questions, be sure to read the Terms of Use and FAQ's related to the doll clothes patterns sold at Pixie Faire.

PixieFaire and the designers featured are not affiliated with American Girl®


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JM
10/01/2022
Jill M.
United States

Prince Charlie Vest

I knew I was going to modicy to fit my needs so made one just like the pattern said first. It was incredibly small, lacking 1/2 inch of going around my AG doll. She's a 2007 vintage so perhaps is larger than newer dolls. Once I got the original to fit and button, I began the alterations to make a 1980s style vest my client requested and it turned out beautifully! I'm satisfied but won't even attempt the jacket and am glad I didn't buy the bundle.

DH
07/19/2022
Deanna H.
United States

Highland patterns

Love the Highland patterns! Have you considered adding some Outlander patterns-would buy those for sure. Especially for Jamie

JE
03/07/2020
Judy E.
United States

Prince Charles jacket

I wanted to make this jacket for a 1/6th scale action figure for my nephew. Took a little time to get it reduced to proper dimensions, but the jacket is making up very nicely. The instructions, etc. are fabulous. Pixie Faire pattern is great!

S
09/05/2018
Sewbig

Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest

I tested Genniewren’s new pattern, “Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest”, part of her new series of Highland outfits for American Girl (and boy!) dolls. This is an exceptional pattern. There is so much detail. There are epaulets, little flaps on the sleeves with button trim, a fitted back with vents, and spectacular square button trims. The fit is excellent. The instructions were easy to follow with photos which clearly showed each step. Instructions are included for welt pockets, and a lining technique that is just stunning on the vest. I made mine using black velvet, with glued on square beads. Next time, I’ll make the lapels and scalloped flap details using black satin to show them off better. While the pattern is part of the complete Scottish Highland Collection, I thought this jacket would make a great suit for an 1810 Regency boy doll!

Pixie Faire Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest 18 Doll Clothes Pattern ReviewPixie Faire Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest 18 Doll Clothes Pattern ReviewPixie Faire Prince Charlie Jacket and Vest 18 Doll Clothes Pattern Review