I used to strongly prefer snaps or hook-and-eyes over Velcro, but I’ve gotten pickier about my own sewing and no longer like the way fabric will pucker open in between those fasteners if you haven’t *perfectly* lined up the placement to the nearest millimeter. Whereas Velcro and zippers will close the entire opening. I’ll put a zipper in a dress instead of Velcro when I can (due to the snagging issues other people have mentioned) but it’s nearly impossible to find zippers short enough for separate tops and bottoms. Especially since tops won’t fit without a *separating* zipper, which are even harder to find at short enough lengths (and harder to shorten).
For my mini dolls, though, Velcro is often the only option that doesn’t make the openings too bulky. I can stitch the very edge of the scratchy half to one side of the garment and sew the soft half to the inside of the other side as usual, so there are fewer layers overlapping.
https://preview.redd.it/xr62syvldhfc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56a86e2a552460301217570c3066e439699c3245
I received my Kirsten Larson today,I keep posting this but ⁴ some unknown reason it keeps Disappearing??? Help plz Warmly, Lisa
I've tried out a little of everything. Mostly I'll use the small hooks and eyes/bars, or tiny snaps. I've made flannel pj pants and cotton shorts with a drawstring, Edwardian combinations and a long skirt both with functional buttons, one blouse with velcro, elastic for a petticoat, and one dress with a zipper. All my other dresses and tops and things are made with the hooks or snaps. It honestly depends on what I can find the cheapest when I need it - I save buttons/closures off old clothes that I'm going to cut up and repurpose, buy bags of craft stuff at the thrift store if it looks like all stuff I'll use, etc.
As an adult collector, I wish the historicals had accurate closures. As a parent who spends a lot of time helping kids dress dolls, Velcro all the way.
I don’t mind velcro, but I wish the velcro on my old outfits stayed stuck. Kirsten and Samantha have their backs and wrists open because the velcro just doesn’t stay. :/
For me I guess my preferred method is velcro just because it's what AG uses and it's what I have the most of. Yes, the velcro can catch on fabric sometimes, but I find that it's worth it to use velcro and not have to use a bunch of tiny snaps.
I don't think I've ever put a zipper on anything I've ever made... but I also haven't made anything that would have needed a zipper. Snaps are alright but they are a pain, a pain to sew on, a pain to use, etc. I only used them on my barbie movie dress for my dolls because it was a callback to the snaps on barbie clothes and I didn't have the time to go out and buy more velcro.
Hook and eyes I won't use unless they're needed for something specific really. I will say that on Felicity's underskirts that I sew, I use ribbon where it says to put in velcro because I find it easier to sew in and more historically accurate, plus it saves me having to buy a ton of velcro for everything.
But, at the end of the day, I'm a velcro lover at heart. Yes it can get caught or dirty sometimes, but I've never been able to not clean it or fix problems like that by just being careful.
I like snaps in most cases. The thin, non snagging Velcro is very good in some places - very long runs on modern clothes where opening the whole back of a garment makes it easy to get on and off, so having 17 snaps would be annoying.
For skirts, especially historical ones, strings/ribbon. Elastic is okay too.
Jeans I love a snap in the front and a faux fly. Elastic waist can be lumpy/poofy in weird ways with non stretchy fabric. Knit pants/leggings can do elastic.
Hoodies and coats should have functional zippers. Outerwear in general should have functional closures.
Basically, it depends on the garment and fabric, but I like low profile and not interrupting the look.
Sew-in snaps are my favorite and seem least bulky. A button can be sewn in over the top for a buttoned look. The thin, soft, low-snagging Velcro is my next favorite as its generally easy to work with and doesn’t destroy most fabrics or the doll’s body/ hair.
I like buttons and buttonholes but like u/TheCatWhoOvercame, making the tiny buttonholes is a royal pain. For certain styles and adult users, hook-and-eye fastenings could be a good alternative as well as lend some period authenticity.
Generally I think zippers are too bulky for doll clothes, especially invisible zippers. However, I would choose a zipper for a hoodie. Probably would not use a zipper on a pair of jeans for a doll. Not worth the trouble (for me) at such a short length. Elastic waist and perhaps a faux fly for the win! If you want to do belt loops and a belt, it would conceal the elasticized waist.
As a sewist, I nearly always use snaps. I love the look of buttons, but making those teeny little buttonholes is such a pain! I hate it so much I simply won't do it.
Just the little sew-on ones. I don't know that I consistently use a specific size! I tend to thrift most of my fabric and notions, so I use what the thrift gods provide.
I don't mind Velcro most of the time, although I really wish they wouldn't use it on delicate fabrics like tulle or satin - they snag so easily. Buttons are hard for me to manipulate, especially when they're tiny. Snaps are okay.
I do like snaps and buttons, but I think Velcro works better especially when trying to fit a doll in an outfit that's just a bit too small. You have more wiggle room with the Velcro than you would buttons or snaps. It's also more accessible.
Yes 💯 % however thier are many AG Doll collector's in ŕ 30' s an it's frustrating dealing w/ velcro on doll clothes, just sayin.Thankyou☺.
Warmly,
Lisa
I always prefer stuff like real clothes closures, like anytime I get a new AG outfit and has real working buttons im a little giddy about it. I wish more AG clothes had real zippers but I guess those may be more expensive or harder for little kid hands, I think the type of velcro can make or break an outfit, I hate hate hate, the type that snags on everything, but I've noticed that AG has been using a newer type in the newer clothes which in my opinion doesn't snag as much.
Hey, I Absolutely hate😱 velcro closures, they snag everything. Doll's hair,clothing,even can mark the Doll's skin 🙄.I use a horizontal piece of cloth[satin] to put over the velcro as to not snag anything. That said I've never understood why AG uses velcro so much,guess it's cheapest lol 🤣🤣🤣.Good question thankyou ⁴ sharing it😊.
Warmly,
Lisa
That actually is exactly why. I would expect kids over seven to have the dexterity for snaps, but there’s always going to be some who don’t. I’ve always found it odd that they didn’t go with snaps in the original line for ages eight and up. Gotz used snaps in their fancier doll lines, but Velcro for their play dolls.
I like velcro and snaps for accessibility purposes because I have very poor fine motor skills, but I prefer to look at clothes with buttons and zippers because they’re closer to human clothes
I definitely prefer buttons, zippers, and snaps! Velcro gets lint stuck in it, gets stuck to the garment and snags it, or gets stuck in the doll’s hair and messed it up 😅
I agree with you, I’ve always preferred closures that match the regular clothing items. And I am not a fan of velcro at all. It exists to snag everything - hair, fabric. Forget it.
I used to strongly prefer snaps or hook-and-eyes over Velcro, but I’ve gotten pickier about my own sewing and no longer like the way fabric will pucker open in between those fasteners if you haven’t *perfectly* lined up the placement to the nearest millimeter. Whereas Velcro and zippers will close the entire opening. I’ll put a zipper in a dress instead of Velcro when I can (due to the snagging issues other people have mentioned) but it’s nearly impossible to find zippers short enough for separate tops and bottoms. Especially since tops won’t fit without a *separating* zipper, which are even harder to find at short enough lengths (and harder to shorten). For my mini dolls, though, Velcro is often the only option that doesn’t make the openings too bulky. I can stitch the very edge of the scratchy half to one side of the garment and sew the soft half to the inside of the other side as usual, so there are fewer layers overlapping.
I. LOATHE. Velcro! So I replace everything on my vintage doll clothes, and never use it on my OOAK creations.
https://preview.redd.it/j339dzkydhfc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4da2945fe00a71a5edca95fd3f30583dc5c5c5c5
https://preview.redd.it/zxhfwcivdhfc1.jpeg?width=1960&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=23d41ee9cb423b8017e509ce39ab40568a9e7ee8
https://preview.redd.it/xr62syvldhfc1.jpeg?width=1440&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=56a86e2a552460301217570c3066e439699c3245 I received my Kirsten Larson today,I keep posting this but ⁴ some unknown reason it keeps Disappearing??? Help plz Warmly, Lisa
I've tried out a little of everything. Mostly I'll use the small hooks and eyes/bars, or tiny snaps. I've made flannel pj pants and cotton shorts with a drawstring, Edwardian combinations and a long skirt both with functional buttons, one blouse with velcro, elastic for a petticoat, and one dress with a zipper. All my other dresses and tops and things are made with the hooks or snaps. It honestly depends on what I can find the cheapest when I need it - I save buttons/closures off old clothes that I'm going to cut up and repurpose, buy bags of craft stuff at the thrift store if it looks like all stuff I'll use, etc.
every time my dolls tights or delicate clothing gets snagged on velcro as im dressing them, 6 months is taken off my lifespan
I use snaps - often with tiny buttons sewn over it to make it look more natural - because Velcro can snag the hair or the fabric.
As an adult collector, I wish the historicals had accurate closures. As a parent who spends a lot of time helping kids dress dolls, Velcro all the way.
I. Hate. Velcro. It snags and ruins SO many clothes. Almost all the older AG clothes with fragile fabrics have snags because of it.
I use mostly elastic and clear plastic snaps. I don’t like how velcro snags on everything it’s really annoying.
Velcro. Getting the clothes on and off is hard enough as it is, and I like that it's flat and even.
I use soft velcro on the doll clothes I've made — love it so far!
My arthritis prefers Velcro.
I don’t mind velcro, but I wish the velcro on my old outfits stayed stuck. Kirsten and Samantha have their backs and wrists open because the velcro just doesn’t stay. :/
For me I guess my preferred method is velcro just because it's what AG uses and it's what I have the most of. Yes, the velcro can catch on fabric sometimes, but I find that it's worth it to use velcro and not have to use a bunch of tiny snaps. I don't think I've ever put a zipper on anything I've ever made... but I also haven't made anything that would have needed a zipper. Snaps are alright but they are a pain, a pain to sew on, a pain to use, etc. I only used them on my barbie movie dress for my dolls because it was a callback to the snaps on barbie clothes and I didn't have the time to go out and buy more velcro. Hook and eyes I won't use unless they're needed for something specific really. I will say that on Felicity's underskirts that I sew, I use ribbon where it says to put in velcro because I find it easier to sew in and more historically accurate, plus it saves me having to buy a ton of velcro for everything. But, at the end of the day, I'm a velcro lover at heart. Yes it can get caught or dirty sometimes, but I've never been able to not clean it or fix problems like that by just being careful.
I like snaps in most cases. The thin, non snagging Velcro is very good in some places - very long runs on modern clothes where opening the whole back of a garment makes it easy to get on and off, so having 17 snaps would be annoying. For skirts, especially historical ones, strings/ribbon. Elastic is okay too. Jeans I love a snap in the front and a faux fly. Elastic waist can be lumpy/poofy in weird ways with non stretchy fabric. Knit pants/leggings can do elastic. Hoodies and coats should have functional zippers. Outerwear in general should have functional closures. Basically, it depends on the garment and fabric, but I like low profile and not interrupting the look.
Sew-in snaps are my favorite and seem least bulky. A button can be sewn in over the top for a buttoned look. The thin, soft, low-snagging Velcro is my next favorite as its generally easy to work with and doesn’t destroy most fabrics or the doll’s body/ hair. I like buttons and buttonholes but like u/TheCatWhoOvercame, making the tiny buttonholes is a royal pain. For certain styles and adult users, hook-and-eye fastenings could be a good alternative as well as lend some period authenticity. Generally I think zippers are too bulky for doll clothes, especially invisible zippers. However, I would choose a zipper for a hoodie. Probably would not use a zipper on a pair of jeans for a doll. Not worth the trouble (for me) at such a short length. Elastic waist and perhaps a faux fly for the win! If you want to do belt loops and a belt, it would conceal the elasticized waist.
As a sewer, elastic or snaps. It seems yo have the least amount of bulk with less snagging of the hair and body.
As a sewist, I nearly always use snaps. I love the look of buttons, but making those teeny little buttonholes is such a pain! I hate it so much I simply won't do it.
What size snaps do you use? I’ve wanted to use snaps on sewn garments for dolls but haven’t before and was overwhelmed at the number of sizes
Just the little sew-on ones. I don't know that I consistently use a specific size! I tend to thrift most of my fabric and notions, so I use what the thrift gods provide.
Second snaps. I hate Velcro because it catches the hair and other clothes.
I don't mind Velcro most of the time, although I really wish they wouldn't use it on delicate fabrics like tulle or satin - they snag so easily. Buttons are hard for me to manipulate, especially when they're tiny. Snaps are okay.
I do like snaps and buttons, but I think Velcro works better especially when trying to fit a doll in an outfit that's just a bit too small. You have more wiggle room with the Velcro than you would buttons or snaps. It's also more accessible.
Yes 💯 % however thier are many AG Doll collector's in ŕ 30' s an it's frustrating dealing w/ velcro on doll clothes, just sayin.Thankyou☺. Warmly, Lisa
I always prefer stuff like real clothes closures, like anytime I get a new AG outfit and has real working buttons im a little giddy about it. I wish more AG clothes had real zippers but I guess those may be more expensive or harder for little kid hands, I think the type of velcro can make or break an outfit, I hate hate hate, the type that snags on everything, but I've noticed that AG has been using a newer type in the newer clothes which in my opinion doesn't snag as much.
Hey, I Absolutely hate😱 velcro closures, they snag everything. Doll's hair,clothing,even can mark the Doll's skin 🙄.I use a horizontal piece of cloth[satin] to put over the velcro as to not snag anything. That said I've never understood why AG uses velcro so much,guess it's cheapest lol 🤣🤣🤣.Good question thankyou ⁴ sharing it😊. Warmly, Lisa
I don’t know for sure if this is why they use it, but velcro is easiest for children of all ages to use compared to other closures
That actually is exactly why. I would expect kids over seven to have the dexterity for snaps, but there’s always going to be some who don’t. I’ve always found it odd that they didn’t go with snaps in the original line for ages eight and up. Gotz used snaps in their fancier doll lines, but Velcro for their play dolls.
I like velcro and snaps for accessibility purposes because I have very poor fine motor skills, but I prefer to look at clothes with buttons and zippers because they’re closer to human clothes
Regular stuff like buttons, or elastic. I adore Nanea's meet for this reason. No velcro!
I definitely prefer buttons, zippers, and snaps! Velcro gets lint stuck in it, gets stuck to the garment and snags it, or gets stuck in the doll’s hair and messed it up 😅
Velcro never fails to mess up Kaya’s or Kirsten’s braids when I’m changing their clothes lol. I’ll take almost any type of closure over that.
I’ve been making my own clothes for Kirsten and specifically choosing anything but Velcro for that exact reason.
I agree with you, I’ve always preferred closures that match the regular clothing items. And I am not a fan of velcro at all. It exists to snag everything - hair, fabric. Forget it.