How to Sew Doll Clothes - Changing a T-shirt Sleeve into a Cap Sleeve.

In the studio Jennifer is trying on her cap sleeve crop top (from doll clothes pattern 1801)

Sometimes it is quite easy to modify your American girl doll clothes patterns. When I created the Collection of Basic Knit Tops for my doll clothes pattern 1801 I included several different sleeve lengths. It was just a matter of working out where the cutting lines should go and drawing in some straight lines.
Of course it is much better if the pattern comes with the lines in the right place so you can get it right first time.

When I started designing doll clothes patterns I wanted to include as many simple drafting variations as possible. Now that I have worked out the best lengths for different sleeves it is easy to include sleeve length variations in all my patterns. I really like the no hem cap sleeve I have used in the Collection of Basic Knit Tops. You can make it yourself from any basic knit sleeve.

How to modify the sleeve of your doll clothes pattern

Print out an extra sleeve piece. Create a cap sleeve from your regular sleeve.

Cut it off with a side seam of just 1/2".

Cut the new sleeve on the fold.

Keep the sleeve folded and the raw edges together at the sleeve head

I love making lots of modifications to my patterns that can be done easily by you. When I think something up I write a tutorial and create a Fashion File that you can download. Just click on Fashion Files in my Labels list in the right side bar to find all my Fashion Files. The Fashion Files are easily applied to my doll clothes patterns but I suppose you could use some of them with other patterns.

Fashion File 5 is one of my favourites.

Happy Sewing,

Val