We appreciate you for joining us for the Dolly Sewing Crush: Momolita Project #3.
For a whole month we’re shining a light on one doll designer from Japan by sewing one of their patterns each week for a total of 4 projects.
Get inspired as we share a summary of our sewing process.
Our Sewing Motto: Seeing Is Believing
Dolly Sewing Crush: Momolita Project #3
For the 3rd Momolita project we turned to Dolly Dolly vol. 15 to make the Pierrot Shirring Sleeve.
Fun Fact: Pierrot is a type of pantomime character
This project has 10 steps.
There are no images to go with the directions, only an illustration with numbers that correspond with the steps.
Your Layout For Sewing Success
Steps 1-3 Sleeves & Cuffs
This section involved attaching lace to the cuffs and attaching elastic to the sleeves and the cuffs.
We didn’t add lace to our shirt because we didn’t have any on hand, so we moved onto the next step, which was creating ruffle sleeves using elastic.
It was our first time creating this type of sleeve and it was a challenge.
The instructions called for 3cm of elastic but we found it difficult to sew and stretch the elastic at this length because there wasn’t much to grab onto.
So for the 2nd sleeve we sewed the elastic 1st before we cut it.
Steps 4-6 Gathered Sleeves, Side Seams, & Collar
These steps included attaching the sleeves to the shirt, sewing the shirt side seams and the collar.
Another 1st we encountered was attaching a gathered sleeve to a shirt.
We didn’t know how to do this, but we found a video by Hanon that showed how to sew a gathered sleeve.
Then it was on to the collar, it was a challenge.
The design called for 2 collar pieces but we didn’t know how they worked together.
We tried looking at the image of Licca-chan but her cloak blocked the collar.
So we made a modification and only used 1 collar piece.
Steps 7-10 Finishing the Pierrot Shirring Sleeve
This section was straightforward.
It involved hemming the shirt, sewing the back opening, and adding the Hook-and-loop closures.
The last step was applying an applique design to the shirt, we skipped this step.
Final Thoughts:
Seeing the shirt take shape was an awesome experience.
Dolly Insider Skill Level Rating:
Intermediate Friendly
Keep Exploring
- Dolly Dolly vol.15
- Dolly Sewing Crush: Momolita Project #1
- Dolly Sewing Crush: Momolita Project #2
- Dolly Sewing Crush: Momolita Project #4
- Explore all Dolly Sewing Crush projects
I think it turned out really well! Gathered sleeves are a pain even in human clothes. I want to start making more couture type gowns for my nendo dolls, so something I will be visiting soon
Hi Mariana,
Thanks for the kind words. 🙂
Couture and nendo dolls sounds interesting!
We look forward to checking it out, please keep us posted.
Thanks for leaving a comment on Project #3.
~Kat
I realised when looking at the magazine again that the top could be made with one of two collars and I was looking at the wrong one. I was thinking of attempting making the top into a dress using a fine cotton (I bought some fabulous teensy tiny prints yesterday) but started looking at other of my doll pattern books instead. One thing I noticed was that most of the Korean ones have brilliant step by step photo illustrations which would be great for beginner sewers.
Hi Hilarie,
What, there are Korean doll books???
I fear there is no end in sight for my ever growing wish list of doll books. lol
Do you have any recommendations? I’m interested in checking them out.
Thanks for expanding our world of doll sewing books. (●^ｏ^●）
~Kat
Part 2
Gather the tops of the sleeves where shown on the pattern and sew to the bodice while it’s flat. Press the seams at the back opening. Stay stitch (a small stabilising stitch) just inside the neck stitching line and clip. Stretch the neckline open and pin (it might be an idea to then baste) the collar right sides together matching the back seams to the back opening and centre fronts. Stitch. Press the seam towards the bodice.
Stitch the side seams and sleeve seams as one. Finish the bottom edge.
I don’t like sewing jersey fabrics and would consider making this in a fine woven. I find it odd that the bodice is cut as one so the stretch of the jersey would be diagonal on the back. To use a woven I’d cut the collar on the bias and straighten the side seams – then test the fit.
Hi Hilarie,
Thanks for sharing so much insight with us, it’s greatly appreciated.
I like your idea of using a zigzag stitch, I never would’ve thought of using it for doll clothes.
If we tackle this project again, we will give your tips a try!
Thanks for taking the time to share your sewing knowledge with us.
~Kat
There’s a better picture of the shirt on p104 of the magazine which shows the collar. It’s a rather strange stand up collar with two collars cut as one. This is how I’d sew the top (I don’t read Japanese but have been seeing for dolls a long time).
I’d sew the collar by cutting a freezer paper template on the solid lines around the sides and the notched edge and extending the sides to the cut line at the neck edge. Then ironing the template to the wrong side of doubled fabric (with the stretch going from side to side) – I’d make sure the fabric was quite a bit bigger than the pattern piece to make it easier to handle. Then stitch round the three outer sides following the edge of the template – the freezer paper stabilises the fabric making it easier to sew. Trim close to the stitching round the sides and outer edge and along the cut line on the neck edge, clip the front notch where shown and turn inside out.
For the gathering on the sleeves I’d zigzag over a longer length of shirring elastic then pull it up to size. Leave the ends of elastic so you can tie them on the inside once the seams are finished.
I love to sew, but always struggle with stretch fabrics or jersey material. I’d like to improve my skills!
Hi Fee Berger,
I know exactly what you mean.
Stretchy fabric scares me and I want to improve too 🙂
I’m working on a project that uses minky fabric and it left me in tears because of how slippery it is to work with.
I’m trying my hardest to overcome my fears with slippery fabrics though.
Let’s work hard to improve our skills! 🙂
~Kat
It’s so cute! I love this type of sleeves. I think my dolls would love wearing something like that, but I need a little more practice. Can’t see myself making such tiny shirred/gathered/ruffled sleeves with the current level of my skills.
Oooh you should totally give it a try Neon.
We were scared about doing it but once we did it, it wasn’t as scary as we thought.
Maybe one day we’ll do a video showing how we did it （●￫‿ฺ￩●）
It’s always a pleasure chatting with you,
Kat