Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links that help support my blog. I received this pattern in exchange for testing it.
Because I need to have a million things on my plate at any one time, a couple of weeks ago I decided to sign up to test the new Simple Life Pattern Company Aria Dress for dolls! I already own the girls version of this dress and just KNEW my eldest would LOVE to match her doll with this one! While I didn’t have time to sew up a matching Aria for my daughter this time, I did get two made for her doll.
About the Dress
The Dolly Aria Dress features a bow or solid back with closure, two sleeve lengths, sleeveless option, ruffle sleeve option, and multiple skirt options – gathered, circle, tunic/midi/ruffled. The pattern is available in 3 doll sizes – 14″, 15″ and 18″ – and all in separate layers for easy printing.
I sewed up the 18″ (American Girl) size dress with short sleeves and circle skirt in tunic length. In my second version I added ruffles to the sleeve, but I suggest only using the ruffle on the sleeveless or long sleeved versions as it’s a bit too much with the short sleeves.
I decided to jump straight in with using nice fabric for my first test version – in this adorable strawberry fabric from Wolf & Rabbit (I adore W&R fabric – the designer is extremely talented and hand painted these strawberries!!). Miss (nearly) 8 however, was quick to point out that she didn’t like this one because it didn’t have a closure on the back. Whomp whomp whomp. I was very grateful that Gail, the designer of this pattern, took our tester feedback on board and made the necessary adjustment to create a velcro back!
I used the sushi fabric (also Wolf & Rabbit but currently NA) to create the second version of this dress – this time with a closure – but with a not-quite-so-nicely-done neckline (my bad… I failed to clip the corners to give it that nice sharp point). I also used the wrong size back panel on this dress (this has been corrected on the final version) – the strawberry dress shows the correct size for the low back version (the high back goes behind all the bows).
This pattern is listed as beginner, and that might be the case for the basic version of the dress, but I would rate the bow back version as intermediate as it is a little fiddly. I did use Wonder Tape to baste the bows to the back before stitching it. Next time I plan to add interfacing to each edge of the back to keep it from stretching out as I piece it together.
About the Leggings
I didn’t seem to have leggings in my collection of doll patterns, so Gail sent me a copy of the new Dolly Roxie Leggings pattern to promote with the tunic. These leggings also come in 14″, 15″ and 18″ sizes, all layered in a PDF. There’s also an option for a skirt. Since I was pairing mine with a dress, I skipped the skirt. The leggings are super fast to sew up and have a nice snug fit. Isabella – the doll – is a fan ;-).
Grab both these patterns on sale! They’re just $4.80 each (25% OFF) until October 17, 2019 (no coupon needed). Yay!
Link Summary
- Simple Life Pattern Company Dolly Roxie Leggings
- Simple Life Pattern Company Dolly Aria Dress
- Wolf & Rabbit Fabrics Organic Cotton Lycra Strawberries on Navy
- Wolf & Rabbit Fabrics Organic Cotton Lycra Sushi (NA)
- Wolf & Rabbit Fabrics Organic Cotton Lycra Jade
Love Wolf and Rabbit fabrics? Check out the latest pre-order! Everything in the latest collection has been hand painted by the designer! (I’m going to go broke 😦 !!)
auschick sews 