Silkspike Dolls Duster Coat

Made from a pattern by

Matisse Fashions

Please click on the Matisse Fashions banner to see Brenda's incredible fashions. She makes patterns for Silkstone Barbie and Fashion Royalty dolls, but she also has them in 16" fashion doll size.

As you can see, the pattern is a perfect fit for The Tyler body. The coat is fully lined and has a snap closure. I gave it a funky double collar (not necessarily planned), and made a molded wool felt hat and matching rose felt brooch for the lapel to finish off the look.

Brenda is an amazing seamstress and is so friendly and helpful. She promptly answered all of my questions and gave me excellent advice and encouragement.

I could not believe how beautifully all the pattern pieces fit together. I especially love the little pockets. The patterns do not come with seam allowances, so I drew my own 1/4" seam allowance around each pattern piece. They also do not come with instructions, so I thought I'd just throw myself into the deep end and try this pattern. Once you cut the lining, there are over 30 pieces to sew.

I don't normally finish the raw edges when sewing linings, but I made an exception here.

Empire-waist Duster Coat

As you can see in the photos below, to save bulk in the lining, I cut the bottom back and front sections as only one piece (each). The finished coat looks prettier inside for not having the extra seams, and it doesn't affect the fit or the way it hangs in the slightest.

Another thing to mention is the patterns are made for the older Tonner dolls. If you have the bendy-wrist dolls, their arms are just a bit shorter, so you will have to adjust the pattern accordingly. I used the extra length and tried out a mock cuff, which didn't turn out very well because it puckered. I won't do that again!

The outer shell of my practice coat

with the puckered mock cuffs :)

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Thanks! Micki :)

I will confess to having problems sewing the collar. I completely messed up the join where the collar attaches to the lapel on the practice coat (the peachy orange one shown lower on this page). I almost got it right on the coat worn by Kit - and I disguised my mistake by adding another collar and making it a double collar. I thought I had it and started the purple coat and completely fluffed it. I shouldn't have tried to sew with that slippery silver fabric. I immediately sewed the red and white collar and lapel in the photo below and made it perfectly. Some instructions would have been appreciated, but I figured it out.

Here are some snap shots of my progress with my practice coat using the Matisse Fashion Empire Duster Pattern in the 16" fashion doll size.

Sydney Chase by Tonner