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5 Ways to Stop Your Doll Clothes From Fraying
When you're sewing doll clothes, one thing that's never talked about enough is what to do with the raw edges. More specifically, how to stop the fabric from fraying. Working on such tiny clothes can be frustrating because a small rip in a fabric can ruin your work, let alone a fabric that frays. But have no fear, because I found 5 ways to prevent your doll's clothes from fraying for good.
But first, why does fabric fray?
A fabric frays when the fibers in the fabric become loose. This happens when the fabric is cut, torn, or worn over time; the constant fabric manipulation causes the fibers to loosen and come apart. And once it starts to unravel, your clothes will fall apart, no matter how clean your stitches are, so it's always important to seal your raw edges.
1. Choosing the Fabric
Fabric comes in a lot of different types; some tend to fray more than others. I mostly group them into two: one that frays and one that doesn't. Choosing the right fabric eliminates the problem of fraying altogether. This is perfect for beginners, as they don't need to worry about raw edges coming apart and can just focus on sewing the clothes. The only downside to this is that it limits the fabric we can work on.
When selecting fabrics for your doll's clothes, it's important to choose fabric that is tightly woven and has a smooth texture, like cotton or polyester. These fabrics are less likely to fray than the more delicate ones, like silk or chiffon.
2. Overlock Stitch
Of course there will be instances where we do want to work on fabrics that fray; it's inevitable. And for that, what we can do is finish the edges with overlock stitches. You can use a serger or do a zigzag stitch using a sewing machine. But if you don't have any of those fancy machines, you can always sew it by hand. Below is a YouTube video I made showing how to sew an overlock stitch by hand.
Stitching the edges like this not only makes the doll clothes durable and long-lasting, but it also makes them clean and professional-looking. Something to keep in mind if you ever want to sell your doll's clothes.
Now for the downside: overlocking stitches takes a lot of time to do, especially if you're doing it by hand. So if you ever plan on using this method for your next project, sit back and watch some Netflix, because you'll be stitching for hours.
3. Fray Check
Fray check or fabric glue is a liquid seam sealant that many use to secure the threads and prevent fabric from fraying. Just apply a small amount of glue along the edges of the doll clothes and leave it to dry. It will then create a barrier that keeps the fabric intact. This is by far my favorite way to secure the edges because it's quick and easy to apply. It's a lot faster compared to the overlock stitching I mentioned before, and the good news is I can use this on any fabric, which means I can work on any fabric I want.
One thing to note, although I'm not sure if it applies to all brands of fray check, is that it doesn't dry transparent. So the seam sealant you put on the edges is quite noticeable on darker fabrics.
4. White Glue
If you're broke like me or just don't have a fray check on hand, I found using white glue to be an effective seam sealant on the fabric. Just apply it thinly on the raw edges and wait for it to completely dry, and your edges are sealed and secured. But a few washes with water will cause the glue to fade over time, so you might have to reapply it again.
5. Nail Polish
Another cheap alternative I have tried as a seam sealant is using clear nail polish. Just applying a small amount on the edges of the fabric helps stop the thread from unraveling. It's actually much more durable than the white glue, and it doesn't wear off as fast. But the problem is that it can take a long time to dry and it smells bad (after all, it's still nail polish). It can also make the fabric incredibly stiff, so be careful when applying it and only use small amounts.
After Thoughts
In conclusion, there are several things you can do to prevent the fabric from fraying, from selecting the fabric to using different types of seam sealant. By applying one or two of these methods, you can assure your doll clothes will remain in good shape and last for a long time. Just remember to handle your doll clothes with care and to always be gentle when putting them on and off your dolls. With these tips in mind, you can keep your doll's clothes looking great and fray-free.
Thanks for reading!
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3 Cottagecore Inspired Dress to Sew for Barbie
Unless you live under a rock (or don't have a social media account), you've probably heard about this aesthetic in passing. Like the E-boy aesthetic, Cottagecore also blew up on Tiktok among millenials and Gen Z. It's an aesthetic that celebrates rural life, finding joy in traditional skills like baking, gardening, sewing, and pottery that promote self-reliance and sustainable living.
That simple lifestyle echoed in its fashion, as cottagecore takes inspiration from western agricultural life. Peasant silhouettes we often see on a Disney princess, like flowy dresses and loose-fitting skirts, are a must for this aesthetic.
And I'm all about making barbie a princess so here's my attempt at emulating this whimsical aesthetic. Below are the 3 barbie dresses you can sew that are cottagecore inspired:
1. If you ever search Google for a "cottagecore dress," best believe this milkmaid dress is the first to show up, so it's only natural that I make a Barbie version of this dress. This dress has all the elements a cottagecore dress should have: billowing balloon sleeves, a milkmaid neckline, and feminine silhouettes.
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| same dress pattern but with 2 different style of skirt |
A good thing about this dress pattern is that it's customizable; you can modify the skirt to how you want it. You can shorten it to a midi skirt or make it a balloon-style gathered skirt, whatever style you want. I made a video tutorial on YouTube on how you can do it; the link is down below.
Video Tutorial: Barbie Tries Cottagecore Aesthetic
Patterns: Barbie Cottagecore Dress -Top
Barbie Cottagecore Dress - Skirt
Don't know how to print doll patterns? Check out this beginner's guide here!
2. A cottagecore dress doesn't always mean a long dress; it can also be a short one. This puff-sleeve dress is a perfect example of that. It has the elements of the cottagecore aesthetic—a flowy skirt and puff sleeves—but it has a twist at the back. If you want a cuter and more playful version of this aesthetic, this dress is for you.
3. For the last dress, we have a wrap-around dress. This dress is actually a stand-alone top that can also be modified into a dress. It's also a flowy dress, but the difference is that it doesn't have puff sleeves like the first two dresses above. And out of the three, this is also the easiest to sew, so if you're a beginner, I suggest choosing this first.
And that is the end of this post. I hope you like all the cottagecore inspired dresses that are shown here. Cottagecore is probably my favorite aesthetic I made for barbie (I have done three aesthetics, btw). The patterns are a struggle to make, but seeing the finished dress on my dolls really made everything worth it.
If you have any questions, suggestions, or maybe an aesthetic you want me to make, leave a comment down below. And don't forget to follow me on all my social media, especially on my YouTube channel, for more DIY doll content.
Happy sewing~
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