Making Doll Clothes – Recommended Supplies
The list of sewing supplies to make simple doll clothes for your doll’s wardrobe is very basic. The items listed below are necessary for all of the projects we post. If any additional supplies are needed for new projects/sewing techniques they will be listed at the top of each project.
- Sewing machine
I find a way to use my machine on everything I sew. I like to finish projects quickly and the seams are more stable. If you are good at hand sewing, be my guest. - Iron and ironing board
This is for pressing seams, hems, casings, etc. It is also helpful to press manufactured pattern pieces, fabric (after you have prewashed it, etc.). Yes, I am an ironer of everything – but you don’t have to. It will just make your sewing sooo much easier. - Tape measure, 12 inch ruler, or yard stick
These are for measuring for the pattern. The patterns I use will give cutting instructions for basic shapes. You will need the ruler to cut the right size. - Paper scissors
These are for any cutting you do using regular paper. On some of the instructions you can measure the pieces on copy paper and then cut them out. - Fabric scissors
You want to mark and only use fabric scissors to cut fabric. Paper scissors are not as sharp and may give you difficulty cutting the fabric. In addition, if you use fabric scissors to cut paper they will be dull in a short period of time. - Sewing pins
These will be for lining you seams appropriately and making sure they stay together. - Pin cushion
A place to put your pins when they are not in use. - Seam ripper
Because NO ONE is perfect. We ALL make mistakes, have tucks, and skip over instructions. That is part of learning. Do not let it get you frustrated. I own 3 seam rippers myself. I have even worn out a couple of them. - Seam gauge
This is for measuring hems, making casings, and placing marks on fabric pieces. - Marking pens, or wheel and tracing paper
These are for placing pattern marks on fabric pieces. - Needle threader – optional.
But can be very helpful with small needles. - Quilters grid or True Grid- optional
This is a type of sew-in interfacing that has 1 inch squares marked on it like a big piece of graph paper. (They also have a fusible type of quilter’s grid. The fusible type does not mark well. It is for ironing onto fabric or patterns.) Quilter’s grid can be very useful for measuring and drawing the patterns when following the cutting instructions. It is sold by the yard for about $1.99.
This may seem like a long list of supplies. But you can get all of these items, with the exception of the sewing machine and ironing supplies, at your local fabric and craft store in a kit for less than $20.
Here is a list of the basic fabric notions that will be used for most projects.
- Fabric
For those who are just learning to sew cotton and quilting fabrics are the easiest to work with. Knits, satins, silks, and thicker fabrics can be harder to work with for beginners. - Thread to match fabric
Cotton or poly-cotton blends work very well. Stay away from glazed cottons because they can be hard on your sewing machine. - 1/4 inch elastic
This is for waistbands, sleeves, pant legs, etc. as the project style recommends. - Sew-in velcro
Sticky back velcro gums up your machine needles, is very hard to get off, and may ruin them. - Buttons, lace, snaps, zippers (for more advanced projects).
You can add other supplies that may make sewing more convenient as you feel you are ready. Buying any crafting supplies can easily become overwhelming. This is also very true with sewing and learning to sew. However, as with any other craft, hobby, or sport it is not the fancy equipment that makes a great product. The time, dedication, and effort used is what creates the love of your designs.