L&P 1943: Molly Waves Goodbye 1940s Suit for 18 inch dolls such as American Girl — Retro Doll Jacket, A-Line Skirt, Slip and Hat / Cap

Can it possibly be true — is American Girl™ Molly really coming back out of retirement?

We're so excited! We designed this pattern — inspired by a 1943 vintage doll trousseau pattern — to commemorate Molly's original retirement. We didn't like to think of it as retiring anyway, but rather moving on to bigger and better things, like her first truly stylish, big-girl suit.

Here's an outfit in which Molly can face whatever comes next: our interpretation of that 1943 pattern's post-wedding "waving goodbye" outfit, including a SUIT JACKET with curved front seams, blouson back and lapel facing; an A-LINE SKIRT with waistband, rear closure and inverse front pleat; a FITTED SLIP (or sleeveless DRESS) with French seams and an internal yoke lining; and a close-fitting CAP with tailored bow trim, internal facing and an optional full lining.

What's more, though the pieces in this pattern make a wonderful 1940s ensemble, they can also be split up as vintage-inspired elements in any modern 18 inch girl's wardrobe, as our pictures show.

***

The skirt and hat are BEGINNER level patterns, while the suit jacket and slip are INTERMEDIATE level. As usual, Lee & Pearl™ have made things as easy as possible. Even a careful beginner should be able to follow our photo-illustrated, step-by-step instructions while using our computer drafted pattern pieces to complete this pattern.

With pattern #1943, you're not just getting four garments, you're getting a sewing class! Key construction techniques taught in this pattern include: curved seams, lapped seams, sleeve cap ease adjustments, continuous placket insertion, internal yoke facing, French seams, darts – and a nifty technique to press and turn perfect square corners every time!

Don't believe it? Here are some comments from our pattern testers:

"This pattern is great! It is a tailoring class in itself. A sewer can improve their skills by doing this pattern. I love that your notches match up! Most patterns don't bother... yours match. The instructions were clear and helpful and I learned a couple of tricks reading them."

"By following the excellent instructions, a beginner could do this one – and the reward for doing this pattern is that the sewist would probably advance to an intermediate sewist. Excellent instructions. In fact, I would market it more as a sewing class than a pattern! And with all of my sewing experience, I learned how to do a couple of new things."

***

MATERIALS

NOTE: Yardages are based on the longest pattern piece for that garment. Though the length is required, you might not need the entire width. If you want to cut more than one garment out of a particular fabric, it is best to lay out all the pattern pieces you need to determine the exact yardage.

SUIT JACKET
1/4 yard light to medium weight woven fabric: cotton twill, calico, velveteen, baby-wale corduroy, linen, wool gabardine or tweed.
OPTIONAL 1/4 yard contrast fabric for facing/lapel revers
2 doll-sized (1/4" to 3/8") buttons
OPTIONAL 2 snaps (if not using buttonholes)
Matching thread


A-LINE SKIRT
1/3 yard light to medium weight woven fabric (see Suit Jacket)
Hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro™)
Matching thread


FITTED SLIP
1/3 yard very light weight to light weight woven fabric: cotton or silk
6" piece of 1/8" ribbon, or other trim as desired
2 small snaps
Matching thread


CLOSE-FITTING HAT with OPTIONAL LINING & TAILORED BOW TRIM
1/4 yard light to medium weight woven fabric (see Suit Jacket); also felt or flannel
Scraps lightweight fusible interfacing
OPTIONAL scraps lining
OPTIONAL 1 yard 5/8" ribbon (if NOT making self-fabric tailored bows)

***

Sign up for our mailing list at www.leeandpearl.com, and you'll receive our newsletter full of behind-the-scenes news, tutorials, crafts and printables. PLUS, you'll get the link for our annual members-only FREE PATTERN.

Don't miss out on this pattern — join our mailing list today at www.leeandpearl.com!

Join the Lee & Pearl™ community: like us on Facebook (Lee & Pearl), follow us on Instagram (#leeandpearl), share us on Pinterest (www.pinterest.com/leeandpearl) and watch us on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/c/leeandpearl).

To see our other patterns, visit the PATTERNS section of our Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/leeandpearl?section_id=15862176&ref=shopsection_leftnav_1

To see our selection of Fabric & Trim Kits, visit the FABRIC & TRIM KITS section of our Etsy store at https://www.etsy.com/shop/leeandpearl?section_id=15860795&ref=shopsection_leftnav_2


***

This pattern will be delivered as an instant download. After purchasing, you will receive a link to a PDF copy of the file. No paper copy will be mailed.

This pattern may be printed solely by the original purchaser. It may not be duplicated, redistributed, posted or resold without prior authorization from Lee & Pearl™. If you use this pattern to make items to sell yourself, we ask that you give Lee & Pearl™ design credit in the description of those items. Thank you!

Lee & Pearl™ is not affiliated with Mattel, American Girl® or any other company.