How I made a paisley sundress from an upcycled skirt...

Our doll Emma, walks out onto the
lawn to model her new sundress in
a pair of striped, strappy sandals.

       The fabric for this doll's sundress originated from a skirt worn by my younger daughter many years ago. I loved the skirt so much that I didn't have the heart to toss it into the rag bag.
       Paisley design was first produced in Persian countries but it's name came from Paisley, Scotland, where so many of these prints were produced for the European textile market that the English soon started to call any tear-drop-shaped motif, paisley.
       The former cut of the skirt had a lovely handkerchief hem. While cutting it down to fit our 18" model, I kept the bottom finished edge for the doll's hem as well. I cut two identical Reuleaux triangles (curved triangles) to fit over the doll's chest area. I lined these with a blue knit on the inside of the finished sundress.
       The dress is tied at the neck with knit straps and it snaps down the front. I finished the front opening with a polka-dot ribbon and attached a tiny seahorse bead just below the bust to swim in the ocean of paisley patterns.   

• Paisley Pattern 
• Scottish Textiles Heritage - A Day in Paisley
• India: Fashion's Muse - The Evolution of the Paisley

Left, the full frontal view of our doll's paisley sundress. Center, This dress could be worn at the
 beach or to a market on a lazy, hot Saturday afternoon. Right, see the trimmed bodice,
the polka-dot ribbon and seahorse bead.

Left, the inside of the dress with lined bust. Center the outside of the sundress, very simply cut.
Right, snaps attach the skirt to our doll's waist.

Left, the tie about her neck made from a knit strap.
Right, the asymmetrical skirt with a tail in back.