vintage pattern help

[jschalka]

In the book "Welcome to Molly's World" there is a picture of a dress made from a print table cloth. The book said that this was done to conserve and re-use fabric. I am wondering if anyone might know where I would find more information/pattern to do this for my Molly. Thanks in advance.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ October 02, 2006 11:20 AM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>

[Bean Bunny]

Are you looking for a specific pattern?

[Kenshinchan]

Any sort of '40s-style pattern would work. Some people here have posted links to those kind of patterns, though I'm no expert so I don't have any offhand.

[Gomunk]

Here is a link I found that might be helpful:

18" cloth doll with dress form 1942: Stuffed Rag Doll 1/3 down the page

I hope this helps.


-Jenifer

[muppetquilter]

Not sure if this is what you are looking for but here goes:

I'm looking at the picture in the book. I have no idea where you'd find a pattern for turning a tablecloth into a dress but the dress in the book would be easy to copy. The trickiest part would be finding a good table cloth.

That is a simple A line dress that buttons up the front. Slightly gathered where the bodice and skirt meet the waist band. (You might need to add a couple inches to the bodice to allow for that gathering if you can't find a pattern that has it.) If you can't find a current pattern for that (I'd be sure to check bathrobes as well as dresses as you might find a lightweight robe pattern that is very similar and could just be shortened) I know you could find a 1970s or early 80s pattern for that style. (Google vintage patterns-- you'll get tons of sites) If all else fails, a shirt pattern and button up the front A line skirt (with a waist band!) pattern could be combined to create this look. If you went that route you might want to make up a sample out of cheap muslin to make sure you work out any kinks and get everything to line up right before you cut the tablecloth.

What they did with that dress is take a tablecloth with a border print. The pinky/peach stripe would have been at the hem of the tablecloth. The skirt fronts were cut from two corners of the tablecloth so the edge design (in this case the stripe) goes around the hem of the skirt and up the center fronts along the button line. The waist band and dress fronts were carefully cut so the stripe would continue and match up just right (this could be tricky-- just pay attention to the markings on the pattern so you line it up right). The collar was cut almost entirely out of the stripe. The Sleeves and (I imagine) the skirt backs were cut so the stripe is at the bottom of them as well. A table cloth has a lot of fabric in it so this shouldn't be too hard.

If you are interested in patterns designed to conserve fabric, google patterns from the 40s or try the Folkwear Glamour Girl Dress or Sporty Forties Dress and Sweater patterns. I've made the Glamour Girl dress and it uses remarkably little fabric-- I was sure I couldn't possibly get the whole dress cut out of so little but it worked-- with barely a scrap leftover. Folkwear Patterns

Hope some of that helps!

Duh! How did I miss that you want to do this for your doll and not for you??? [img]redface.gif[/img]

For Molly-- I would look for a fabric with a border print the right size. You might have more luck looking in upholstery fabrics.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ August 17, 2006 11:07 PM: Message edited by: MuppetQuilter ]</font>

[smwoodsie2004]

Did you ever think of making a pillowcase dress out of a pillowcase from goodwill. They are really easy to make, goggle pillowcase dress. Good Luck with whatever you decide!

[jschalka]

Thank you all so much for your help and ideas. I am sure Molly will have a new dress soon. Maybe I will be able to post pictures by then.

<font color="#33CCCC" size="1">[ October 02, 2006 11:22 AM: Message edited by: djsnjones ]</font>

[marilyn2222]

Originally posted by Gomunk:
Here is a link I found that might be helpful:

18" cloth doll with dress form 1942: Stuffed Rag Doll 1/3 down the page

I hope this helps.


-Jenifer

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Wow, thanks for this website. I love it. I shared it with my family who also likes to make cloth dolls and clothes. I've never seen anything as extensive as that. If you know of anymore websites like it, please let me know.

[bethmn]

Dress pattern idea.
When I made Molly's Girl Scout dress
(in my avatar)
I used the pattern for the top of her pjs and the skirt pattern in the Molly pattern packet.
Took a bit of altering but worked well.