Pattern drafting in doll scale is easy and inexpensive and a canvas for your creativity. With basic skills and a little ingenuity, you can turn your unique vision into reality, creating one-of-a-kind pieces for your dolls.

Here are some common methods for making patterns:

• Painters Tape Method: Painter tape is used to create a “mold” of the doll. You wrap the doll in plastic and cover the body with tape over the plastic film. Then, carefully cut along the tape lines to make a template.
• Draping Method (my favorite): Draping means laying fabric directly on the doll, pinning or taping it to make the desired shape.

• Tracing Existing Patterns: You can start with pre-made doll clothing patterns and modify them to fit your doll. This involves tracing the pattern onto pattern paper and making adjustments as needed. This method is cumbersome if the part you’re tracing is tiny.
• Drafting from Scratch: This method involves drawing the pattern pieces from scratch based on the doll’s measurements. Excellent patternmaking books can help you learn the skills. All the books I’ve read have you practice on a 1/3 scale, which is perfect if you design for Smart Dolls or BJDs.

Every method has its perks, and picking one is up to you. Try different techniques, be bold, and stay open to new ideas. You might find that mixing a few methods works best for your unique designs.

In the video “Doll Dress Pattern Making 101 with Robert Tonner | Virtual Doll Convention | Sewing Workshop,” Robert Tonner teaches a tutorial on drafting a bodice for one of his doll bodies. This is an excellent resource that shows the step-by-step draping method.