Silk Scarf Doll Dress
Make a silk scarf doll dress! I know that many of you have lovely silk scarves tucked away. They are just too pretty to throw away, but most of us don’t wear them all that often. I am here today to show you how you can change your silk scarves into beautiful doll dresses.
Silk Scarf #1
Silk is such a wonderful fabric for dressing dolls, but I have not been able to find small prints, just solid colors. Then one day I was looking through a box and noticed some silk scarves and I thought, “Why not?” Scarves are thin, drape well, and have a wonderful rolled hem edge.
This first scarf has a wonderful tiny coral print with a cream edge that will look great for a skirt.
Silk Scarf #2
With thousands of scarves to look through on eBay, I began my search. I wanted vintage colors with a small floral print. With so many to choose from, I decided to try to keep my cost, including shipping, below $10, and I have been able to find several wonderful scarves. Another advantage of a scarf is that between the edge color, the middle color, and the print, it is like having three coordinating fabrics. Another plus is that the print on one side of a scarf is the exact reverse of the other side. So that when you cut a jacket front, one side is going to be the exact opposite of the other, and a back seam will have a perfect line of symmetry also. They are just perfect for a silk scarf doll dress.
Silk Scarf #3
I like the second scarf because it has a vintage looking edge and I will have a choice of tiny rose flowers, or the tiny blue flowers in the center. Even though the other flowers are large, by cutting small pattern pieces it will just show a blend of flower colors.
Pleater
This lovely 7” Bru Brevete doll is wearing an outfit made from the silk scarf pictured. This is my newest pattern and should fit dolls about 7” – 8” tall. Her outfit consists of a waist (corset), bloomers, full slip with back ruffles, dress, and hat. I used the dark salmon outside edge of the scarf for the skirt, sleeves, and outer hat. The hat lining and front inset of the dress was cut from the light pink center of the scarf, and her jacket from the floral print of the scarf.
Silk Dress Back
Because the silk is so thin and that it ravels easily, you do need to use FrayCheck on the edges and line your dresses. I used muslin to line this dress, but you could use silk or batiste also.
Have fun playing with all your silk scarves now. 🙂
7” Bru Brevete
Nice use of your silk scarves! You do good work. Nice looking blog as well.
Thank you! 🙂 I love working on dolls. This is my first attempt at blogging, and I like sharing my projects with others.
Your little outfit is adorable! I agree abt the silk scarfs… and they’re still relatively easy to find at garage sales, estate sales, etc.
I also like the smaller silk hankies made for men… their prints are always tiny and the color combinations, while usually dark, are great for small doll outfits… and they’re still easy to find! Many have la-ti-da silk labels still attached and I found these itsy labels to be just perfect for sewing into the neckline of a small doll dress… so she has a little Pierre Cardin or Neiman Marcus label!
I look forward to reading more of your blog… LOVE love love the little dolls.
I hadn’t thought of using men’s silk hankies yet. Your idea of using the labels in the doll dresses is really great!