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Enough with the excuses. Yes, Mattel changed the body on Miss B, but don't let that stop you from making some killer clothes. At the end of these instructions is a pattern that will fit the new body. Warning - this is a tight fitting dress. Any deviation from the 1/4" seam will result in Skipper getting a new dress.

1. Lay pattern on right-side-up fabric. Pay attention to the grainline to ensure the garment will hang properly.

2. Cut one of each piece. This will be an unlined garment.

3. Insert pins through the front of the pattern at each dart dot. Turn the piece over, and use a pencil to lightly make a dot at the point where the pin comes through.

4. Stitch darts. Press toward the navel - in other words, press the vertical darts toward the center and the bust darts down.

5. Stitch shoulder seam and press open. Clip curve of arm hole opening and neck edge. Only clip about 1/8" in at about three or four points.

5. Take some "Steam a Seam" fusible tape (this stuff has a slight stick to it and when pressed forms a permanent bond) and trim it to 1/4" wide (like long strips that are narrow) and apply it, in sections, around the neck and arm hole opening. Gently fold over and press. If you like to make clothes that are removable do the same thing to the back flaps. If you're like me, just sew her in for a wicked tight fit!

6. With right sides together, stitch side seams.

7. Apply more of the tape at the bottom, turn under, and press.

8. With right sides together, stitch back seam to lower edge of flap. You're DONE!!

VARIATIONS:

Don't like the one-shoulder look? Fold the front pattern piece down the center and trace the strapless side onto a piece of paper. Place that on the fold when cutting and you'll have a strapless gown. Remember to cut two pieces of the back right side instead of one right and one left. Hate the gown thing? Cut that baby off at the knees (or higher). Don't like straight dresses, copy the top of the pattern on another piece of paper and draw a flared bottom.