How to sew the Audrey Doll Capris
Transcript for the video: Audrey - Step-by-Step Tutorial.
Hi this is Marina from Frocks & Frolics with some more doll clothes for you. I hope you are very excited to make some more doll’s clothes. In this video I'm going to show you how to make these Audrey Capri pants. They're really super super easy to make.
Before we start I want to point out a couple of things here which are quite important for these gorgeous pants.
Fabric and Fit Options
You can make these gorgeous pants very very fitted if you use a material which has stretch. It can be woven like this one but it has to have stretch and then it'll fit really snugly.
If you're using a woven fabric with no stretch in it then you use this option which is a little bit looser, otherwise it won't even go on and that is quite important for everyone that's a beginner. I don't want you to get stuck at the end.
Make sure that when you are cutting out, and we're going to look at all that in a minute, that you are using the right pattern for it. So if you're making the tighter fitting version that can only be done in warp knits or very stable knits or woven fabrics with stretch.
Whereas this one will be just perfect for your woven fabrics.
Design Features Overview
When you look at the back we've got a little bit of elastic in here to make it fit comfortably. We have got a Velcro fastening which is quite simple.
Then we've got the gorgeous pockets which I thought you might all want to do but we are shortcutting them. They're not real pockets, you can only go in a little tiny bit because you won't ever stick a hand in there, it doesn't work with dolls anyway so we're sewing them shut which is really really quick to do.
Pattern Overview and Preparation
So let's have a look at the pattern first and then we're going to put the Audrey pants together.
When you get your pattern it's in this format here. You want to check your test square first, make sure it's 2.5 centimeters from both sides, then you can assemble your pattern pieces after you've cut them out.
Sometimes you have two pieces to put one pattern piece together but most of the time for dolls it's actually just one piece.
On the last page you will find an assembly plan which shows you how pattern pieces are put together.
Here you can see the one piece that I needed to add together. It has attachment lines which we cover when we put something together and they're labeled A and B. So you just sellotape that together and that gives you then the complete pattern piece for cutting out.
Cutting Layout and Pattern Pieces
You have got the front leg which you cut two times mirror image, and the back leg two times mirror image.
Then we've got the pocket just once and the pocket facings or lining which we cut two times mirror image. And then of course the waistband.
Now you can leave off the vents on the side and if you want to do that you just fold over your paper like that and that'll be fine.
If you're doing the vents of course you cut across the end here. The back is mirror image of course as well, same thing applies.
Then you've got the option to make these slimmer pants. That means we are going to just fold over from one line to the other here right through the center. You can see the difference between the two pants, it's actually quite substantial. One is more like a fitted leggings type and the other one is a wider one.
I've made both and needless to say I could hardly get the slim ones on.
Pocket Pieces and Options
Here we've got the facing or lining for the pocket and that is just sewn too and then turned to the inside so you get a really nice finish.
We're going to do some faux piping with that.
You have two options for this little pocket. You can either leave it loose hanging, there is a dashed line on your pattern so you can cut that off there so it's a little bit smaller.
Or you decide like we are doing here in the video that we're going to put it all in. Then you need to serge around the front edge first and then include it at the lower edge of your pocket all together.
Just make sure that if you make the tight version you also reduce the pocket amount so that it fits perfectly.
If you don't cut it back to the dashed line it will fit exactly because it's got the same length.
Materials and Notions
Everything is cut out now: pocket facing or lining twice mirror image, pocket once, waistband once.
We also need to mark where we're going to put the elastic in. You could snip it or mark it with a textile marker.
And then we've got the back twice mirror image and the front twice mirror image. You also need elastic and Velcro tape. I've cut my tape in half lengthwise so it's slimmer.
Front Assembly and Pocket Construction
We begin with the front. The first thing to do is to serge the edges of my front facing.
Then we're placing those pieces onto the front, right sides facing together, and we're going to sew along here and back up on both sides using a regular stitch length of 2.5.
Don't forget to lock in your stitches at the beginning and end. Needle needs to be in the fabric when you lift the presser foot and turn.
I'm using foot width seam allowance here, most of the time we're using one centimeter seam allowance which is included in the pattern.
On the other side I am starting on the side seam. Then we cut into the point where we've sewn, iron it gently, and then turn the edge in.
Here it becomes interesting because we can do our full piping look. It looks like piping but it's just rolled edge and pressed in.
Topstitching and Center Front
Next step is to topstitch close to the edge. You can use 2.5 or even 3 stitch length. I do that on both sides.
Now I can close my center front for the pants with one centimeter seam allowance all the way around. As you go down it's good to sew stitch by stitch, needle down, lift presser foot, turn, and continue.
Then secure stitches, trim if needed, and iron the seam away from you so both sides sit in opposite directions.
Pocket Attachment
Now we're going to put the pocket on. If you're not sure check your pattern piece again. Place it underneath so it fits correctly and then serge it together in this area.
Pin along the pocket opening on both sides and one pin in the center. Then over to the overlocker and serge it together. If it's not perfectly aligned you can just trim it, it's no big deal.
Next we secure the pocket with a stitch foot width from the edge.
Back Pieces and Side Seams
Next we serge the sides of the back and the sides of the front and all hems.
Close the center back with one centimeter seam allowance. Always start at the top, never the tip.
Work step by step around the curve. Iron seams so they sit neatly in opposite directions at the crotch seam.
Side Closure and Vent Preparation
Close one side seam up to the vent point. Line up hems first and pin. Sew one centimeter seam allowance, lock stitches at beginning and end.
Trim corner if needed. Iron seam depending on thickness of fabric.
Waistband and Elastic
Mark where elastic will go using textile marker. Iron waistband lengthwise in half. Create a tunnel where marked and sew from one side to the other.
Insert elastic using safety pin, leaving one centimeter on both ends. Secure elastic ends with stitching.
Attaching Waistband
Serge short sides of waistband. Place waistband onto pants with elasticated part at the back.
Sew one centimeter seam allowance while stretching elastic section. Then serge edge and topstitch down.
Velcro Fastening
Attach Velcro. Fluffy side goes on right side. On front only topstitch one side because it will be folded later.
On back sew all the way around. Make sure both sides align perfectly at hem and fastening points.
Final Assembly and Side Seam Closure
Close final side seam starting just under Velcro. Secure stitches and sew one centimeter seam allowance.
Iron and press. Topstitch Velcro area to secure fastening.
Vent Finishing
Line up raw edges of vents and sew together carefully. Do not align serging line, only raw edges.
Sew foot width or one centimeter seam allowance. Iron seams and check symmetry.
Mark stitching points on serged line and sew carefully into tip area. Repeat for all vents. Press everything neatly.
Final Steps and Finish
Close inseam, secure pins, then serge seam and trim excess. Tie off serger threads to prevent fraying. Press seams toward back. Try on the doll for fit check.
Final Thoughts
The fit is fantastic and the pants look really cute on the doll. These are great practice projects for beginners and really help build confidence.
If you're watching this on YouTube, don't forget to subscribe for more doll clothes tutorials. And I hope to see you again soon. Bye for now.
