Since American Girl came out with the new 14 ½” Wellie Wishers doll, I’ve had many people asking if I will be doing patterns to fit them. So I thought I had better get myself one so that I could do a little experimenting. Ashlyn finally arrived and around about the same time, I started a Facebook group, Rosie’s Doll Clothes Sew and Share. One of the first people to join this group was Ann Mellor who has done my How to Sew Doll Clothes video course and been a wonderful customer since my very first year. Ann posted some gorgeous photos of Hearts 4 Hearts and Wellie Wishers dolls wearing clothes that she had made after resizing some of my patterns. So immediately I asked Ann what percentage she resized the patterns to?
Ann Replied, ‘Winter Pj’s – For the H4H girls 60% is just about perfect and 65% for the Wellie girls, but I made the collar a bit wider and added about 1 ½” to the length of the pants and ½” to the top at the waist. The bigger pattern will fit the H4H girls too, but a bit looser.
Summer Dress – For the H4H girls, I printed at 60%. For the Wellie girls there is a bit of a difference. They have a longer waist and are a bit broader in the chest. Some of my patterns I’ve printed at 65% for them and added 1/4 of an inch to the length at the waist. The rest fits pretty well.’
‘Sew’ this got me very excited! Yes, the group has only been going for a few days and I’ve been inspired by one of my past pupils – how awesome is that!
I decided to go through my patterns and reduce them as Ann advised. I don’t have a H4H doll, but I have my new Wellie Wishers doll and a Disney Toddler doll which is super popular here in Australia at the moment. So I’m trying these new resized patterns on both of these dolls and I think the Disney Toddler doll may be similar to the H4H dolls.
In this blog I have concentrated on the bonus patterns that come with my How to Make Doll Clothes Video course and I will do more blogs in the future reducing more of my doll clothes patterns. My hope in doing these blogs is that you will save money by not having to purchase new patterns for your new dolls and that you realize just how easy it is to adjust patterns and ultimately giving you the confidence to have some fun and experiment with your patterns.
All pattern reductions were based on my 18″ and American Girl patterns and the following table shows you what adjustments were made.
DISNEY TODDLER DOLL
WELLIE WISHERS DOLL
Print at 65%
Print at 65%
Add ½” (12mm) to top of pattern.
Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) Elastic for waist.
Print at 65%
Add ½” (12mm) to hem of pattern or add lace/trim if preferred.
Same as for Disney Toddler.
Print at 65%
Use string or ribbon instead of strap.
Overlap more at back.
Print at 65%
Same as for Disney Toddler.
Print at 65%
Add 1” (2.5cm) to top of pattern for short sarong.
Add 1 ½” (4cm) to top of pattern for long sarong.
Print at 65%
Add 1 ½” (4cm) to hem of pattern or less if you prefer it to be shorter.
Use 7” of ¼” (17cm of 6mm) Elastic for around the top of the Nightie.
Use 3 ½” of 1/8” (9cm of 3mm) Elastic for each shoulder strap and use the casing method.
Place the centre of each strap 1 1/2″ (4cm) either side of the centre point at the front and 2″ (5cm) from the raw edge on both sides of the back.
Same as for Disney Toddler
Print at 65%
Use 6” of 1/8” (15cm of 3mm) Elastic for the waist.
Use 1 ½” of 1/8” (3.5cm of 3mm) Elastic for each leg.
Same as for Disney Toddler.
Print at 65%
Add ½” (12mm) to the length of the hem on the pattern.
Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) elastic for the waist.
Print at 65%
Add 1½” (4cm) to the length of the hem on the pattern. (in this photo I have the Disney Toddler pants on so you can see they need an additional inch.
Use 6” of ¼” (15cm of 6mm) elastic for the waist.
Print at 87% for Anna, however the Disney Toddler dolls have different size and shaped heads so this percentage may be different depending on your doll.
Reduce gathering stitch to 4.
Print at 77% for Ashlyn, however you may need to adjust this percentage if your doll has a larger head. Oh, and do be careful if you are using one directional print – you may notice that I cut the crown of my hat out upside down.
Reduce gathering stitch to 4.
If you need help resizing your patterns with your printer, you may be interested in my blog, How to Resize You PDF Doll Clothes Pattern Using Your Printer.
If you have other sized dolls and would like to know how to determine how much to reduce or increase your pattern, you may be interested in my blog, A Great Tip for Resizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns.
Please have fun with these adjustments and let me know how you go. You know I love to receive photos of your creations so please don’t be shy and send them in.
Happy reducing & sewing
They look good and I really must have a go. Meanwhile I’ve been busy knitting outfits for a little doll I made, and I can’t knit and sew at the same time unfortunately!
Thanks Jo. Sounds like you are keeping very busy 🙂 Let me know how you go when you try the resizing.
Hi Rosie.. thank you for the information. It is hard to keep up with all the different dolls isn’t it? Good fun though. Best wishes Cherrylm and girls
It sure is Cherrylmaree. Say hi to the girls for me 🙂
This is so helpful and I am hoping you might help with another problem I’m having, though I don’t know if it’s in your purview. My granddaughter is loving Baby Alive right now and it’s hard to find doll clothes patterns to fit her. I also notice that there are different sizes of these dolls, the ones she has are about 12″ long, with very big heads. Any help you can give is most appreciated.
Thank you, MIchele
Hi Michelle, yes there are a number of different sized Baby Alive dolls and it is difficult to keep on top of them all. Have you read my blog A Great Tip for Resizing Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns mentioned above? This will show you how to resize patterns to fit your doll and is pretty much the basis that was used in resizing my American Girl patterns to fit the Disney Toddler and Wellie Wishers dolls. You may need to make small adjustments but it is a great place to start and don’t worry about the size of the head unless you are making a hat because most tops or dresses have an opening down the back so you don’t have to get it over their head. I would love to know how you get on if you decide to give it a try. Happy sewing, Rosie 🙂
Thank you so much, Rosie, I will definitely try resizing on the printer–don’t know why I didn’t think of this!
What is the height on the Disney toddler dolls? I have been resizing for the Disney Animator dolls and they definitely are bigger than the Wellies. Disney appears to put out different sizes. Thanks for the measurements.
Hi Roxie, Yes Disney have a number of different dolls available. My Disney Toddler doll (Anna) is 33cm tall, torso 10.5cm, neck 8.5cm, waist 15cm, inseam 12cm, leg 14cm, arm 9.5cm, head 29cm. Hope this helps. Happy sewing, Rosie 🙂
Hello Rosie. You did a wonderful job on the new size clothing. I hadn’t done the summer nightie yet and love how it looks on the Wellie doll. Wasn’t it fun and isn’t it exciting when the result of the resizing comes out so well? I’ve even done the same on some of my Simplicity patterns, although you have to scan the pattern pieces in first and save them to a pdf file. I love the challenge of using what I have to dress other size dolls. I did want to say that the Hearts for Hearts dolls are a bit slimmer then the Wellie girls and a half inch shorter. The waist to toe length is the same, but they’re shorter in the torso. Are you able to purchase these dolls in Australia? Wellie dolls are so popular because they were released by American Girl so that speaks for itself, but the dainty Hearts for Hearts girls are my very favorite doll to sew for. Everything looks so pretty on them. Also, part of the proceeds when you purchase one of the dolls goes to World Vision which is an organization I supported for years. The money goes to helping poverty in the area that the doll you purchase represents. Just a little info so that others know these beautiful dolls have a story also, just like the AG dolls. I had 13 of these little dolls, but gave three to a friend.
Thanks for all that information on the Hearts for Hearts dolls Ann, they do look really sweet but just like the Wellie Wishers, they are not readily available here in Australia. I’ve been looking online and it seems that Ebay may be my best option if I wish to purchase one. I too love that part of the purchase price goes to World Vision 🙂
Thanks again for inspiring me to resize my patterns for these smaller dolls, it really has been a lot of fun and I’m loving the results.
Happy sewing
Rosie
Forgot to add that I’m glad you purchased the Wellie girl, Ashlyn. She is so cute and everything you make looks so cute on her. She’s my very favorite. 🙂
Yes, she is really cute and I love her hair.
Quick question Rosie. When you made the Wellie size summer nightie, did you adjust the measurements for the strap placement at all, or is it the same as the original size? I have my nightie cut out and it occurred to me that perhaps the placement is a bit different. Thank you. Ann
Good question Ann, I will amend the table above to include this info. Place the centre of each strap 1 1/2″ (4cm) either side of the centre point at the front and place the centre of each strap 2″ (5cm) from the raw edge on both sides of the back. Let me know how you go and send me a photo or post to my Facebook page 🙂
I posted a picture to the Facebook page of my completed nightie. I had a bit of difficulty keeping the elastic in the middle of the straps, so I ended up remaking them with a casing. Much better and easier for me to do for these smaller girls. I love this little nightie. Thank you for your help Rosie.
I forgot to say that I’m going to make some shorty pajamas with this pattern next. I’ll just make the nightgown shorter and add some ruffled bottoms. I’ll post a picture when finished.
Opps, I forgot to mention in my blog that I used the casing method so I have updated that in the table above. Thanks so much for sharing Ann. The nightie looks so pretty and I can’t wait to see the shorty pyjamas, I’ll include them in my next Share and Tell blog. I’m sure they will both be a hit in your Etsy store 🙂
This is a very interesting topic as I have over 100 AG patterns and now bought my first Wellie. I was told by a very well known designer that you can’t reduce patterns by photocopier as it will not work. I have resized one of my favourite full flares just by drawing a new pattern. Still needs some adjustments but we will get there in the end. I did buy 2 WW patterns just to get the right size for bodices. Still waiting for my dolly to arrive end of January so only then I can experiment more.
Anne-Marie don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Give it a go and decide for yourself if you are happy with the result. Yes, you may need to make some adjustments after reducing the pattern but if you are happy to experiment, it’s a great start. With so many 18 inch patterns to experiment with you should find some that work fine. Happy sewing 🙂