stephanier.1765 Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 My son and his wife are giving my granddaughter a Bitty Baby for Christmas. And since our income right now is $0 and since I have a lot of cotton fabric, felt, flannel, minky and some notions, I thought I could make accessories for the Bitty Baby as a Christmas gift for gd. Trouble is that son and family live in NH and I live in FL, so I can't measure the doll to make sure I make clothes, diapers, or headbands correctly and when I Google, I'm mostly finding generic baby doll patterns. I'm trying not to buy patterns, if I can get away with it. So I'm hoping someone would be willing to measure their child's Bitty Baby and give me it's dimensions: head, neck, waist and length of arms and legs. I'd also appreciate any tips, tricks or other ideas from those of you who have made these sorts of things in the past. Maybe some tutorials that you found helpful. I've never made doll clothes (or any clothes) before. Eek! Thanks so much! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 (edited) My aunt used this pattern to make diapers. https://littleabbeepatterns.blogspot.com/2014/03/tutorial-doll-diaper-plus-pattern.html My youngest's bitties are stashed somewhere in her closet (she's 13) so Lord knows I won't be able to find them right now. I'll dig around if no one else replies though. Edited October 9, 2020 by historically accurate 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 24 minutes ago, historically accurate said: My aunt used this pattern to make diapers. https://littleabbeepatterns.blogspot.com/2014/03/tutorial-doll-diaper-plus-pattern.html My youngest's bitties are stashed somewhere in her closet (she's 13) so Lord knows I won't be able to find them right now. I'll dig around if no one else replies though. Thank you, the diaper pattern helps a lot. The not knowing which pattern out of all the diaper patterns would actually work was making me a bit crazy. LOL Don't worry about the measurements but thank you for offering. I wouldn't wish digging through a 13 yo's closet on anyone. 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kfamily Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 (edited) I found this on a website: Medium 16 inch (40cm) Bitty Baby Doll Measurements taken on Bitty Baby by American Girl Doll has soft stuffed cotton body, vinyl arms, legs, head, and sleep eyes.Chest - 13 inches (32.5cm) Waist - 12.5 inches (31.5cm) Hips - 13.25 inches (33cm) Across shoulders - 5.75 inches (14.5cm) Shoulder to waist - 4.5 inches (12cm) Top of arms - 5 inches (12.5cm) Waist to below knees - 5 inches (12.5cm) Waist to ankles - 7.5 inches (18.75cm) Medium 15 inch Baby Doll Measurements taken on American Girl Bitty Baby Chest - 13 inches Waist - 12.5 inches Hips - 13 inches Neck to waist - 3.5 inches Waist to knees - 5 inches Waist to ankles - 7 inches Upper arm circumference - 4.75 inches Forearm circumference - 4.5 inches Thigh circumference - 5.5 inches Calf circumference - 4.5 inches Neck Circumference - 8 inches Head circumference - 12.25 inches I hope this helps! I found another one, so maybe both will be helpful. 🙂 Edited October 9, 2020 by Kfamily 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 Dd16 (who is an amateur seamstress) just helped me measure her sister's bitty baby. head = 12 in. neck = 8 in. waist =12 in. arm length (cloth near the neck to the wrist) = 6 in. leg length (joint at top of leg to ankle) = 6 in. She has not sewn specifically for the bitty baby dolls, although she has sewn many outfits for her full-size AG dolls. She helped me to find these free bitty baby patterns which might be useful to you. :) https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qY2xSMnVoZEJWMTA/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qSDRYaGw5TzZVQmc/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qR0FyU0lsNlpNTU0/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qS19PNkRQNWpWODA/edit These come from this website. Dd16 suggests choosing fabric with some stretch to it so that there is some forgiveness in cutting/sewing the outfit. When attaching the sleeve, attach the unfinished sleeve to the shoulder first, and then sew up the sleeve seam. If you're using a machine, she suggests using the stretch stitch option, especially if you are using stretchy fabric. Fabric with small patterns will look better than larger designs that will overwhelm the doll's face. If you have any questions, dd16 said that she's willing to help. :) 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junie Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 (edited) She also suggests hemming (sleeves and the collar, for example) before attaching them to the garment. She says it's easier to hem a flat item than one that is circular (like a completed sleeve). Edited October 9, 2020 by Junie 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted October 9, 2020 Share Posted October 9, 2020 You can also make blankets and a diaper bag. It would be cute to make them matching outfits. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 9, 2020 Author Share Posted October 9, 2020 2 hours ago, Kfamily said: I found this on a website: Medium 16 inch (40cm) Bitty Baby Doll Measurements taken on Bitty Baby by American Girl Doll has soft stuffed cotton body, vinyl arms, legs, head, and sleep eyes.Chest - 13 inches (32.5cm) Waist - 12.5 inches (31.5cm) Hips - 13.25 inches (33cm) Across shoulders - 5.75 inches (14.5cm) Shoulder to waist - 4.5 inches (12cm) Top of arms - 5 inches (12.5cm) Waist to below knees - 5 inches (12.5cm) Waist to ankles - 7.5 inches (18.75cm) Medium 15 inch Baby Doll Measurements taken on American Girl Bitty Baby Chest - 13 inches Waist - 12.5 inches Hips - 13 inches Neck to waist - 3.5 inches Waist to knees - 5 inches Waist to ankles - 7 inches Upper arm circumference - 4.75 inches Forearm circumference - 4.5 inches Thigh circumference - 5.5 inches Calf circumference - 4.5 inches Neck Circumference - 8 inches Head circumference - 12.25 inches I hope this helps! I found another one, so maybe both will be helpful. 🙂 1 hour ago, Junie said: Dd16 (who is an amateur seamstress) just helped me measure her sister's bitty baby. head = 12 in. neck = 8 in. waist =12 in. arm length (cloth near the neck to the wrist) = 6 in. leg length (joint at top of leg to ankle) = 6 in. She has not sewn specifically for the bitty baby dolls, although she has sewn many outfits for her full-size AG dolls. She helped me to find these free bitty baby patterns which might be useful to you. 🙂 https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qY2xSMnVoZEJWMTA/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qSDRYaGw5TzZVQmc/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qR0FyU0lsNlpNTU0/edit https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BxZw36eKRH_qS19PNkRQNWpWODA/edit These come from this website. Dd16 suggests choosing fabric with some stretch to it so that there is some forgiveness in cutting/sewing the outfit. When attaching the sleeve, attach the unfinished sleeve to the shoulder first, and then sew up the sleeve seam. If you're using a machine, she suggests using the stretch stitch option, especially if you are using stretchy fabric. Fabric with small patterns will look better than larger designs that will overwhelm the doll's face. If you have any questions, dd16 said that she's willing to help. 🙂 Seriously, you guys are awesome! Thank you so much for taking the time to help. It's means a lot to me! It really does. 💗 @Junie Please thank your dd16 for me. Those are exactly the kind of tips I need. I would never have thought of those things on my own, not in a million years. I'm mainly a quilter so this is a whole new world for me. And thank her too for the offer of help. I'm hoping not to need it but knowing I have back up will ease the stress quite a bit. What a kid you've raised! 💗💗💗 1 hour ago, lmrich said: You can also make blankets and a diaper bag. It would be cute to make them matching outfits. Blankets and diaper bag are things I can make for sure. Well, at least the blanket. LOL I've made bags before but it's been awhile. I think matching outfits would be adorable! I'm not sure if I could do real clothes but I think I could do nightgowns. I'm getting more and more excited about doing this. Yay! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 Your granddaughter is going to love this gift! I’ll keep an eye out for some easy patterns as I read my blogs and post them here. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy Gen Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 My 22 year old had every Bitty Baby accessory made, but her favorite was a ring sling that my SIL made for her. That might be a good item to add to your list. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 10, 2020 Author Share Posted October 10, 2020 11 hours ago, Amy Gen said: My 22 year old had every Bitty Baby accessory made, but her favorite was a ring sling that my SIL made for her. That might be a good item to add to your list. Excellent suggestion! Thank you! That's something I think I can do for sure and she will love it. She has a new baby brother and sees her mom wearing him so I bet she would love to wear her baby too. 11 hours ago, mumto2 said: Your granddaughter is going to love this gift! I’ll keep an eye out for some easy patterns as I read my blogs and post them here. Thank you so much! I'm getting really excited about this project and, as I was telling my mother about it last night, she was getting excited on my behalf. She still has her childhood doll and the clothes her mother and grandmother made for it so this brings back a lot of great memories for her. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medawyn Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 14 hours ago, Amy Gen said: My 22 year old had every Bitty Baby accessory made, but her favorite was a ring sling that my SIL made for her. That might be a good item to add to your list. Yes to this. My DD5 still wears her "Special Baby" everywhere. She would love homemade outfits. Bitty Baby is a more challenging size to find inexpensive doll clothes for, although she's been perfectly content with the 0-3 castoffs from her now 2yo sister. They are too big, but as long as she doesn't complain, I don't point it out. She also had a set of PJs that matched Bitty Baby's, and those were a huge hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emba Posted October 10, 2020 Share Posted October 10, 2020 Since you quilt, this is the perfect opportunity to make an adorable mini quilt baby blanket! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mumto2 Posted October 11, 2020 Share Posted October 11, 2020 I ran into this post https://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/01/cute-little-patchwork-bag.html?m=1. It’s old but at least one of the links still works. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted October 11, 2020 Author Share Posted October 11, 2020 12 hours ago, mumto2 said: I ran into this post https://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/2012/01/cute-little-patchwork-bag.html?m=1. It’s old but at least one of the links still works. That is so cute! I might have to make me one too to keep my mini iron in. I love patchwork. It reminds me of the summers I spent with my great grandmother. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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