I drafted the jean jacket for the Pear Body Smart doll using the basic block. The following are tips for making a realistic-looking jacket.
Fabric Selection
The denim jacket has lots of areas where the pieces of fabric meet, resulting in bulky seams. Use a lightweight fabric to make sewing it less cumbersome.
Topstitching
Topstitching is the traditional decoration of the jean jacket. Achieving neat decorative topstitching on doll-scale garments is not easy, but it’s achievable with practice and patience.
Use regular thread; there is no need to use a heavier thread for a doll scale.
I usually use a regular 2.5 mm stitch length.
Use an edge presser foot or a blind hem foot to keep your stitching straight.
Use a scrap piece of fabric that’s the same thickness as the piece and place it at the edge to keep the presser foot balanced.
Finishing the Front
Most dolls wear unbuttoned jackets, so it’s essential to make the inside look good at the front opening. To accomplish this without using a lining, fold in the raw edges of the placket, collar, and waistband so that no serger seams are visible.
Notice that the collar, placket, waistband, and cuffs are sewn so that they’re folded under on the inside to create a self-lined effect.
Hand basting ensures that the sewn edges meet accurately, which is helpful when closing with a topstitch.
The pattern and instructions for this jacket are available for purchase at my Etsy shop.
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