L&P 1035: Olá Brasil! Off-the-Shoulder Samba Top, Bahia Dress and Brazilian Baiana Headwrap Pattern for 18 inch dolls such as American Girl

NOTE: This listing is for the 18 INCH DOLL SIZE ONLY.

This pattern is also available as a REDUCED PRICE bundled listing for THREE DOLL SIZES — 18 inch, 16 inch and 14 1/2 inch: https://www.etsy.com/listing/619457857/lp-1035-ola-brasil-samba-top-bahia-dress

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When we set about to design the ultimate summer vacation dress, we surrounded ourselves with inspirations from the ultimate summer vacation destination — beautiful, tropical Brazil.

We combed runway images from São Paulo Fashion Week, collected pictures of Brazilian children's clothes, studied the fairytale-lovely dresses, cascading beads and elegant headwraps of the beach community Baianas. And of course, we listened to glorious Brazilian music — smooth bossa novas, bright sambas, and driving, percussive batucadas.

Through all the fashion inspirations, one essentially Brazilian silhouette kept reappearing: a blouse or dress with a neckline that cuts straight across the body in one unbroken line from shoulder to shoulder.

Turns out, we weren't the only ones combing those runway images for inspiration. That Brazilian "cold shoulder" look became the BIGGEST FASHION STORY OF THE DECADE and was soon proclaimed an iconic style — flattering on everyone, a new classic for the ages.

Pair our beachy, fun "cold shoulder" SAMBA TOP with its slightly cropped waistline, with separates from the Lee & Pearl pattern collection. This quick-to-finish top looks great with our Pattern #1004 cargo shorts, Pattern #1033 cuffed shorts, and Pattern #1041 denim and pencil skirts.

Add the waistband, skirt and ruffled underskirt included in this pattern, and you've made our tropical-inspired BAHIA DRESS — the perfect project for easy-to-sew cottons and splashy, bold prints.

Both pieces feature a fun, Bohemian ruffle bound onto the edge of a perfectly-fitted bodice, with an easy-to-insert lining that make your top or dress almost as pretty on the inside as on the outside.

We've also included a page of instructions to turn the Bahia Dress into a lacy white BAIANA DRESS with tiered eyelet ruffles. To complete the look of a traditional Afro-Brazilian Baiana, follow our directions to make your own two-toned "Crown" BAIANA HEADWRAP to go with the dress!

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We love this pattern so much, that we created a FREE Tweak the Pattern alteration for sleeveless and ruffle-less versions of the Samba Top and Bahia Dress. You can find the FREE tweak document on the FREE STUFF page of the Lee & Pearl website at http://www.leeandpearl.com/free.html

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Our Samba Top and Bahia Dress are rated EASY/INTERMEDIATE for the curved sleeve hems, zig-zag elastic insertion, bias binding neckline finish and limited hand stitching on internal facings. The Baiana Headwrap is rated EASY as no stitching is required!

As always, Lee & Pearl's photo-illustrated directions and computer-drafted, guaranteed-to-fit-together pattern pieces make each step of each item in this pattern as easy as possible.

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MATERIALS for the SAMBA TOP:

1/4 yard light- to medium-weight woven fabric (like quilting cotton)

This pattern is ideal for the lightweight quilting cottons found in pre-packaged fat quarters. Be aware, though, that you will need to stitch two strips of fabric together to cut the 30" wide neckline ruffle.

4" high x 14" long piece of light- to medium-weight woven fabric (like muslin) for the lining

1/2 yard 1/8" elastic

Hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro™)

Matching thread


MATERIALS for the BAHIA DRESS:

1/3 yard light- to medium-weight woven fabric (like quilting cotton)

1/4 yard contrasting or coordinating light- to medium-weight woven fabric for the neckline ruffle, shoulder straps and underskirt

5" high x 14" long piece of light- to medium-weight woven fabric (like muslin) for the lining

1/2 yard 1/8" elastic

Hook-and-loop fastener (such as Velcro™)

Matching thread


MATERIALS for the BAIANA HEADWRAP:

1/4 yard (9" x 48") lightweight knit (non-Lycra) or gauzy woven fabric

1/4 yard (9" x 48") contrasting or coordinating lightweight knit (non-Lycra) or gauzy woven fabric


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Do you love the pretty earrings our dolls are wearing, and the beaded, tiered necklace on our Baiana? We made all the jewelry — and we can show you how to make your own, too!

The new, REVISED and EXPANDED Lee & Pearl Introduction to Jewelry Making for Vinyl Play Dolls Craft Guide eBook is NOW AVAILABLE at https://www.etsy.com/listing/601009838/lp-craft-guide-introduction-to-jewelry

This book will walk you step-by-step, tool-by-tool and material-by-material from absolute beginner projects like pendant earrings and bracelets, all the way up to boho-fabulous feather drops, glamorous chandeliers and cascades of colorful beads.

Follow the technique chapters in this downloadable PDF craft guide, and you will learn how to make jewelry for your dolls — and for yourself!

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

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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

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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.