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Fashion Doll Clothes B. Original with your fashion doll's wardrobe. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-210

Houses and furniture aren't the only expensive fashion doll accessories—clothes for the diminutive divas can be pricey as well. Luckily, homemade fashion doll clothes are a tradition as old as the dolls themselves, and Michele Beschen has some hints to help you along the way.

Scroll down for Michele Beschen's hints and B. Original with your fashion doll's wardrobe today!

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Fashion Doll Fashions

• The easiest way to build a fashion doll wardrobe—without just going to the toy store and buying an aisle of outfits—is to hit the yard sales and garage sales. If you find the right sales, you'll find a wealth of dolls, clothes, accessories and anything else you could want (figure A).

• If the doll clothes at yard sales aren't quite right for your needs, you can repurpose them into something you do like. Take a doll shirt and make it into a skirt, for example.

• Second-hand doll clothes also make excellent patterns for fashion doll clothes. Unlike us mere mortals, fashion dolls' measurements don't change—clothes that fit a fashion doll a decade ago should fit pretty well today. If you find doll clothes in a style you like, but a color you hate, pick apart the seams and use them as patterns for your own creations. Fabric stores also offer patterns for doll clothes.

• Since doll clothes are so small, choose fabrics like
  cotton that aren't too stiff and allow for easy movement (figure B).

• Don't forget notions and small accessories: tiny strips of elastic, small straps for closures and loop-and-hook tape (figure C). Ribbon works well for straps and ties. Fashion doll clothes can be difficult to put on and take off, especially for little hands—keep this in mind when designing for your dolls.

• Most fashion doll clothes can be sewn by hand or glued together; you also could use fusible heat tape or double-faced basting tape.