Button Up Shirt 14 - 14.5 inch Doll Clothes Pattern

So fun

I loved this pattern, and even though a button up shirt of any kind was a steep learning curve for me, I found it to go together beautifully. The shirts completed the dolls Christmas outfits to match their proud little girls. I love that even in miniature not a single detail is missed in the construction. I can’t wait to make more.

Difficult for me

Back yoke of pattern says “cut one on fold,” yet pictures and instructions are given for a yoke lining. I have 50+ years of sewing experience, I sew LOTS of doll clothes, but the pattern was hard to follow for me. I sewed the first one using the “printer friendly” instructions, but would strongly advise access to the photos. Not very happy with this particular purchase.

A terrific pattern with a few reservations - or is it just me?

Look, nobody said sewing fully tailored shirts was easy and this pattern, the photos and explanations are mostly great. But I think the sleeve setting-in is maybe not correct - I cannot make these fit and am on my 3rd shirt. It requires so much 'easing'. Plus some notch symbols may have been omitted on the pattern so we have sleeve notches and nothing actually matches up. (Or am I reading this wrongly? It does say to match notches but they are not actually on the pattern). It is also a bit confusing when the green fabric comes into play and the collar stand facing is not adequately explained for people like me. The seam tolerance is very scant. maybe also, it would be good with these small patterns to suggest sewing quilting paper piecing style (on the paper) to avoid corners getting swallowed by the machine and also snipping the bulk on the corners. However, it has been a really great 'lockdown' project and the hours absolutely fly by. Oh, and just like my grandmother, I am getting little housework done. I am going to keep making this pattern till I get it perfect ...