Monday, October 1, 2012

Tutorial-Underwear/Shorts For Amelia Thimble



It looks like Tika has strung some pennants in her little flat, cute bright little flags...nooo, we want to share a quick and easy tutorial for making little underwear or shorts for Amelia Thimble and other similar sized ball joint dolls. I have made a ton of these cute britches, they look like little shorts, I've been giving them out in my shop with dresses and skirts. The fold over elastic comes in so many colors and styles, you'll have no end of choices! I love this stuff and I also use it for the bodice on my Party Dress, very handy for clothing these wee little bods.

Here's your supply list:
Fold Over Elastic Band or Lace Elastic Band (used for for making headbands)
The style I have here is from Blue Moon Beads and I bought it at Michaels in the bead isle. One side has a bit of a shiny look, the other side is matte, I like to make a few of each. The elastic is 5/8" wide and hits little Amelia's waist in just the right spot.
Transparent Thread
I find this easier than switching colors on the sewing machine, one bobbin, one spool of thread, easy right?
Fray Check

To begin, measure a two inch length of the elastic, I actually do up a bunch at once and run them through the sewing machine one after the other. As you can see in my long swag of "pennants." Don't worry if you don't have a sewing machine, just sew them up by hand.

Once you have cut the elastic for as many panties/shorts as you want to make, Fray Check the cut ends and let them dry completely before you begin sewing.

Decide which surface you want on the outside and the fold elastic in half, matching the cut ends, with the good side in. Mark off 3/4"  from the folded edge, either with a pin or some taylors chalk, or even a light pencil mark. Line up where you want your seam placed with the needle and begin sewing. Remember to lock your seam by taking a couple back stitches at the beginning and end of each seam. Before you come to the end of your seam, pause in your sewing and ready the next pair to feed into the sewing machine.

Now for the finishing touches. Trim the excess fabric as close to the seam as you safely can, then lightly apply fray check to the fresh cut. Don't over do it, that fray check can get stiff, a little goes a long way. Once this had dried, turn the underwear right side out, with the seam in the center back. Using a needle and transparent thread, take a stitch at the crotch (I usually take a couple stitches in the same spot for strength) and volia you have two little leg holes!

Soon you will have ever so many little britches for your tiny doll and more than enough to share with all your doll friends!


2 comments:

  1. These are just fantastic.
    You do a great job explaining it too.
    Thanks.

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  2. Those are adorable. I love all of the accessories you arr creating for her.

    ReplyDelete