Pattern ratings
If you are new to sewing or making dolls you may not know which pattern to start with. I've included a skill rating on each of my doll sewing patterns to help you.
The tables below show the skill rating of each sewing pattern. In some of the patterns, the dolls and clothes have different ratings. The tables show the reason for patterns being given a rating higher than beginner-level to help you decide whether you are ready to try it
Whilst some patterns have been given a higher skill rating they are still written as if they were for beginners with step-by-step instructions and detailed instructions. All of my patterns include tips from my years making dolls and highlight common mistakes to help you avoid them.
The easiest pattern for beginners is the bunny, followed closely by the bear
Doll patterns
| Pattern | Rating | Reason for rating |
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Bunny Shorts Skirt |
Beginner
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Bear Overalls |
Beginner
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Dog Dress Playsuit |
Beginner Beginner Confident beginner |
Attaching the bodice to the shorts |
|
Cat Dress |
Beginner Confident beginner |
Attaching the ruffle to the sleeves |
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Fox and wolf Dress All-in-one |
Beginner Beginner Confident beginner |
Attaching the waistband to the shorts |
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Deer Turn up trousers Ruffle trousers Waistcoat |
Intermediate Beginner Confident beginner Beginner |
Y seam on the face requires precise sewing
Attaching the ruffle to the straps
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Mouse Dress/shirt Bloomers/underwear Headband |
Beginner Confident beginner Beginner Beginner |
Sewing the casing on the neckline is tricky (a video is provided)
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Lamb Dress Romper Jumpsuit Bow |
Confident beginner Confident beginner Confident beginner Confident beginner Beginner |
Sewing with furry fabrics is a little tricky if you haven't done any sewing before. The straps on the clothes are thin and a little tricky if you are new to sewing |
|
Elephant Turtleneck shirt Ruffle top skirt Ruffle top shorts Socks Shoes |
Confident beginner Confident beginner Beginner Beginner Beginner Beginner |
You need to be careful sewing around the elephant's trunk. Stuffing the head so that there are no wrinkles in the trunk is easier if you have made a couple of my easier sewing patterns first. Attaching the neck to the turtleneck shirt is tricky if you are new to sewing |
|
Unicorn Swing dress Romper Ruffle dress |
Confident beginner Confident beginner Confident beginner Intermediate |
Attaching the hair Attaching the collar The ruffle dress requires sewing multiple gathers and layers which would be difficult for a beginner. The tulle version uses lightweight and tulle fabrics which might be tricky to sew if you haven't sewn them before. |
Clothes patterns
| Pattern | Rating | Reason for rating |
| Spring outfit | Beginner | |
| Daisy dress | Beginner | |
| Pyjamas and sleep mask | Intermediate |
Attaching the collar and sleeves to the shirt is tricky |
|
Fairy outfit Cotton dress Tulle dress Wings Crown Boots |
Confident beginner Beginner Confident beginner Beginner Beginner Beginner |
Sewing the tulle itself isn't difficult, but cutting the fabric and pinning it in place can be tricky. If you are new to sewing I recommend making the cotton dress before trying the tulle dress |
| Pattern hacks | Confident beginner | To make the hacks you should have already made quite a few of my other sewing patterns so you are familiar with them |
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Ballerina outfit Leotard Circular tutu Knotted tutu Leg warmers Ballet shoes Headband Sleeves Sewn-in leotard Painted shoes |
Confident beginner Confident beginner Beginner Beginner Beginner Confident beginner Beginner Confident beginner Beginner Beginner |
Sewing with spandex is trickier than cotton fabric
Small curves, a little fiddly to make
They are small, so a little fiddly to make
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| Bella cardigan | Confident beginner | A few extra stitches are picked up and created in each underarm |