The chart on this page is a list of all the measurement amounts for places within the drafting instructions that say ‘see chart’. It is divided so that you can find the right measurement for your size doll that you may currently be working with and use the correct numbers for the step you are on. Most are for all the different types of dolls but one or two are for specifically just lady dolls or just babies and say so in the doll column. The chart is for just the drafts of the basic blocks – bodice, sleeve, skirt, and pants for the lady, child, baby and man sections in section I. Separate charts will be in later sections for other measurements as needed.
Copy the following to your paper before you start and fill in with the correct measurements for the doll you are working with. The ones in italics can be found on the Miniature Draft Chart.
Sleeve Length
Finger Span
Upper Arm
Sleeve Cap Bottom Marks
Wrist
Sleeve Cap Top Marks
1) Sleeve length-Otherwise referred to as center
2) Cap height-1/3 of sleeve length marked and squared out from the top, 1/2 of the upper arm measurement
3) Wrist or finger span-Mark out 1/2 of the wrist or finger span (whichever is larger) to either side of center
4) Sleeve sides-Connect cap height to wrist level, forming the sides of the sleeve.
5) Sleeve cap bottom marks- 1/8 of upper arm measurement marked from the outside in and up according to Miniature Draft Chart for your size doll
6) Sleeve cap top-Square out to either side
7) Sleeve cap top marks – Using the same 1/8 of upper arm from the bottom marks, mark from the center out and down according to the Miniature Draft Chartfor your size doll.
8 ) Sleeve cap mid marks- Measure diagonally from the tips of the small marks and divide in half. Mark.
9) Sleeve cap curve- Form sleeve cap by using your French curve to connect the side to the bottom mark tip, then to the mid point, up to the top and down the other side.
Alternate Sleeve
Measurements Needed Copy the following to your paper before you start and fill in with the correct measurements for the doll you are working with. The ones in italics can be found on the Miniature Draft Chart
Sleeve length
Armhole circumference****
****Armhole circumference- measure your finished bodice pattern’s armhole from shoulder tip to shoulder tip
Armhole Circumference
X2
X length
= light gathers
Armhole Circumference
X3
X length
= medium gathers
Armhole Circumference
X4
X length
= very gathered
Only does puff sleeves that are gathered at the top and then pulled in by way of elastic at the wrist
*Determine how full you want the sleeve (see chart)
*Measure from shoulder tip around elbow to wrist this will be your sleeve length
*Measure your armhole of your basic block
*Multiply the armhole circumference by desired fullness (see chart) draw first line as the sleeve length
*Label sleeve length
*Square out to one side only the distance of the armhole circumference from the top and the bottom
*Now draw the other sleeve length line
*Your result will be a rectangle that is your desired fullness wide by your dolls arm length long. From here you can add seam allowance to the top and bottom length and gather to fit.
*This sleeve draft ONLY makes a puff long or short sleeve.
This tutorial was originally created in 2000-2001 and tested on my daughter at about a year old (she’s 13 now). I have also used this tutorial to draft for a doll as small as 1/2″ tall of course using magnifying glasses and a very sharp pencil! This is a preview of the techniques used in Pattern Making for Dolls and Pattern Drafting For Miniatures which were originally sold as hard copy books, moved to CD and finally are now available only in PDF as an instant download.
Included in this tutorial series are all the items that will be needed for all the pattern drafts and even some of the items that will be needed for the stylization in following sections of the full book. Please feel free to draft patterns and critique anything you find that doesn’t work quite right for you. Please also remember the full book covers ladies clothing and babies clothing too along with stylization and construction tips and techniques. If you pass this on to anyone else please remember to give me credit and point them to my website or contact information. Feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding my technique.
At some point in the future, I will be expanding this series of books to include Computerized Drafting and a book on Advanced Stylizations for Dolls and Miniatures. Keep an eye on the site and the blogs for announcements!
Here is a continuation of the Pattern Drafting Crash Course. A basic straight skirt and a bonus fuller skirt.
Measurements Needed
Copy the following to your paper before you start and fill in with the correct measurements for the doll you are working with. The ones in italics can be found on the Miniature Draft Chart
Waist Arc
Hip Depth
Front
Back
Hip Arc
Side Hip Depth
1) Skirt Length- side seam
2) Side or Back Hip Depth (whichever is deeper)- square out to either side to the left back hip arc and to the right front hip arc
3) Back Hip Arc- at top square out back hip arc
4) Center Back- square out back hip arc at bottom and then connect from top to bottom to form center back
5) Back Hip Depth-Should be only slightly shorter than side hip depth, mark in. If you used Back Hip Depth in step 2 use Hip Depth here.
6) Back Waist Arc- from center back line towards side seam Formula: waist arc + ease (see Miniature Draft Chart)
7) Hip Line- curve from mark to hip level
8 ) Waist Line- curve from back hip mark to hip
9) Front Hip Arc- front hip arc. At top square out then square out front hip arc at bottom and connect from top to bottom to form center front
10) Front Waist Arc- from center front line towards side seam Formula: waist arc + ease (see Miniature Draft Chart )
11) Hip Line- curve from mark to hip level
12) Front Hip Depth – Should be only slightly shorter than side hip depth, mark in
13) Waist Line- curve from front hip mark to hip
This is a bonus skirt draft for a plain skirt that goes well with a simple bodice and can be as full as can fit around the doll’s waist.
Alternate Skirt
2X
Waist
X Length
=Light Gathers
3X
Waist
X Length
=Normal Gathers
4X
Waist
X Length
=Full Gathers
5X
Waist
X Length
=Lots of Gathers
Measurements Needed
Skirt Length
Skirt Width****
****Skirt width- the amount of gathers you want (see chart above)
Determine skirt length
Multiply waist measurement by how full you want the skirt to be (see chart)
Why are they useful? Specification sheets are very useful to keep track of design details. This is including but not limited to what doll, fabrics, item numbers for those of us in a business or that have a huge doll collection. Most important cost of a project not to mention a copy of the actual design, front and back view with notes and swatches. You can also list where you bought a fabric or what else it might have been used for. Care instructions and anything else you think might be important for future reference.
A specification sheet would be kept with the measuring chart for the doll that the design goes with. If it goes with multiple dolls then the measurement chart for each doll and a copy of the specification sheet should be with each. Later you can also add copies of the patterns in Ziplock bags or file folders and any construction information you need too. It is best to have some form of file folder system for this information if you think you may have a large collection of doll patterns as they are very easily lost!
Permission given by author to photocopy this page.
