Feminine and flattering — the draped tiers on these sweet suits will put your 18" girls right on trend this beach season!

The graceful, fluttery tiers on our Halter Swimsuit wrap half way around your doll's body, ending at the side seams, while the slightly longer ruffles on the Halter Swimdress float freely all the way around, for a fetching baby-doll dress effect.

The pretty tiers offer loads of design flexibility: use coordinating colors for a modern, sophisticated look — or let your imagination run wild with vibrant contrasting colors and accent fabrics like sparkle or holographic dance lycra, stretch lace and stretch mesh. You can leave the tiers unfinished, finish them with a decorative rotary cutter, or apply a rolled or lettuce-edge hem. You can even leave off the drape tiers entirely to make a super-easy, super-sporty halter tank suit!

Both the swimsuit and the swimdress feature neckline elastic that extends into back straps. Tie the straps behind your doll's neck for a beachy-casual halter look, or cross them in back and attach the ends at the side seams for a sleek, athletic look. It's your choice: we have included directions for both styles.

These suits feature pretty — and sturdy — fold over elastic edges. If you've never used fold over elastic before, don't worry: our photo-illustrated directions will guide you through an easy two-step method to apply it smoothly.

Here's big news if you don't have a serger or have been nervous about sewing spandex-containing swimsuit fabric: as an added bonus, we've included our NO SERGER? NO PROBLEM directions right in this pattern. Yes, you can sew swimsuits like these on a regular sewing machine!

DO YOU LIKE THE FRINGED SUITS in our pictures? Download the FREE fringe-cutting template from our website at http://www.leeandpearl.com/2015_05_newsletter.html#tweak_fringed

The Halter Swimsuit with Tiered Drape and the Halter Swimdress are rated INTERMEDIATE for multiple layers of slippery fabrics and some hand basting. As usual, Lee & Pearl's photo-illustrated directions and computer-drafted, guaranteed-to-fit-together pattern pieces make each step as easy as possible.

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MATERIALS:

1/4 – 1/3 yard swimsuit fabric or other 4-way stretch fabric*

1 1/2 yards fold over elastic (either 5/8" or 3/4" works best)

Matching thread (to match both the fabric and the fold over elastic)

* 4-way stretch fabrics, which typically include spandex, lycra or elastane, stretch not only from side to side, but also lengthwise. Test any fabric before you buy it by stretching one corner: to be a 4-way stretch, the fabric must stretch both vertically and horizontally.

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In 2017, that's Pattern #1025: She Blinded Me with Science Unisex Lab Coat (or Unlined Coat) and Safety Goggles for Dolls. This is our first multi-size release, which contains patterns drafted for 18” dolls, 16” dolls and 14 1/2” dolls — because we think every child, and every doll, should know the thrill of launching a chemical reaction or spotting a single-cell organism in a drop of pond water!

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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 or organization.