American Girl Doll Ice Skating Outfit Tutorial AG018

Although it doesn’t show, this 4 way stretch fabric is all glitter and sparkles!  Perfect for this outfit.  I used myagdollcraft pattern for the leotard.  I cut the back neck size 2” lower than her ‘suggested cutout’ line on the pattern.  I also added ¼” on to the shoulder seams.  I’m always afraid the clothing will be too tight for a child although, with this fabric, I didn’t need to add the extra.

Leotard

 

 

 

With right sides together, pin FRONT to BACK at shoulder seams. Stitch using a straight stitch.  Press open.  Pin mark into quarters and set aside.

Cut FOE 12.5” for neckline.  Decide whether you want the matte side or the shiny side of the FOE as the right side.  With right sides together, fold the neckline elastic horizontally. Pin the free ends together and stitch with 1/4" seam allowance.  Press open.  Pin mark into quarters.

With the right side of the fabric facing you, lay the wrong side of the elastic underneath so the fabric just reaches the center (fold) line of the elastic.   Match the quarter marks.

Sew the elastic to the fabric edge using a basting zigzag. Stretch the elastic as you go so it evenly matches the quarter marks.

When you have finished, reset your machine to a shorter, narrower zigzag.  Turn the free edge of the elastic to the front, encasing the fabric. Stitch again, on the right side, toward the bottom edge of the elastic.

Baste 2” of 1/8” elastic to the back leg openings only.

I decided not to add the sleeves mainly because I didn’t have quite enough fabric.  Instead, I cut two pieces of FOE 5" long for the arm openings.  Pin mark the center.  Pin the ends of the armhole opening elastics to the side edges of the armhole and the center pin mark at shoulder seam. Attach the armhole elastics in the same manner as the neckline elastic, being sure to stretch as you go to match the length of the elastic to the length of the armhole.

With right sides together, pin and sew the side seams.  These seams need to be able to STRETCH so use a serger or small zigzag stitch.

I wanted to use my serger on the leg openings for a decorative finish but I could not get my tensions set properly for such stretchy fabric so I turned the fabric and zigzagged.  You could cut two pieces of FOE 5-3/4" long for the leg openings - pin and attach the leg opening elastics in the same manner as the armhole and neckline elastics, being sure to stretch as you go to match the length of the elastic to the length of the leg opening.

With right sides together, pin and sew the crotch seam.   If you used a serger for the side and crotch seams, finish off any trailing threads with Fray Check or by hand stitching the finished seam allowances over them.

Skirt

I used myagdollcraft pattern for the skirt with a couple changes.  Take the piece of paper and fold in half to get a center point.  Draw 2 half circles using the same center - first circle with a radius of 4-1/2" for the length; second circle with a radius of 1-1/4" for the waist opening.

Mark the two ends as going on the fold. Mark the quarter points on the paper.

Cut fabric. You should now have a ring as above.

Cut FOE (fold over elastic) 9.5” long.  Sew the short ends together to form a circle.  Mark the quarter points on the FOE circle and line up with marks on the skirt.

Attach the waistband elastic in the same manner as the neckline elastic on the bodysuit, being sure to stretch as you go to match the length of the elastic to the length of the waist.  Add a little ‘back’ tag.

Again, I wanted to just serge the bottom of skirt but couldn’t get the tensions to cooperate so I just zigzagged instead.

Ordering info for this outfit is on my American Girl Doll Creations by Carole Facebook page if you are interested.

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