Transcontinental Dress 18” Doll Clothes

Not Just for Knits!

I’ve been eyeing this dress for a long time, but every time I read the suggestion of making it in a knit, I moved on. Not that I mind sewing with knits at all, but a knit fabric with all those pleats just didn’t seem right! After some conversations with a few people, I decided to give this a try with a woven fabric … I used a linen for the outside, with a very thin batiste for the lining. I made no adjustments to the size this first time, and found that the dress fit fine … but barely! With no stretch like a knit would have, it was a little hard to get over the splayed fingers on her right hand, and the bodice is just a little snug. I think if I did it again in a woven, I would reprint the whole pattern at 105% … my test shows that would add about 1/8” all around, which would be a big help. (Keep in mind this adjustment is because I’m trying to use a woven fabric for a dress specified as a “for knit” … would probably fit fine in a knit that has a little more give.). Besides that, I thought the dress was gorgeous … the completely finished inside made it just as pretty inside as out, and gave me some “finishing” ideas for other patterns. Not a pattern for a beginner at all, but sometimes I like a challenge!

Transcontinental dress for 18" doll

I loved the couture design of this pattern. I will make another in another fabric..