A fat quarter is half a yard halved.  The selvedge edge should be 18" tall, and then it will be half way across - most fabrics are 44/45" so the short width would be 22/22 1/2 inches across.

Four fat quarters would equal 1 yard; if you want to use regular fabric instead of fat quarters you'd need to get 1 1/2 yards in order to get the length of the all your pattern pieces.  You might get away with 1 1/4, but you'd have to have some experience with layouts.

Have you checked the tension?  I'd try re-threading the top, and taking the bobbin out and making sure the thread is caught up properly, then I'd make sure I had the bobbin back in the machine securely.  Do you have a manual?  I was shown how to check the tension on a bobbin by the lady who sold me my first machine.  Maybe You Tube would have a video?

That is so. CUTE!

Now I want a dremel.  And some time 

Thanks!  I found it on eBay. I was invited to a pirate-themed wedding so I was on the lookout for the perfect material, I just started googling pirate, skulls, brocade, etc and it turned up.

Oh, you wretched child!   

I found it on eBay in PURPLE.  I. Must. Have. IT.  My children will roll their eyes    and my friends will think I've lost my middle aged white lady mind, but omiGOD, I want it.

I am **so** glad I saw your corset.  I suspect mine will just be a relatively fitted vest, but still!  I shall be gorgeous this Halloween - and any other time I please - thanks to you! 

What a great recipe.  I went to your blog and am madly in love with the Coco-Lime Bath Cookies. 

I have been hanging out on bath and body etailers and spending waaay too much time on etsy.  Maybe this will help soothe my expensive cravings!

[yourself]

You go girl!  That's awesome.  I wish my daughters had even a smidgen of interest in sewing.  And you drafted that yourself  WOW.  I've been sewing forever, and I still balk at drafting. 

I feel inspired! 

I got a ruffle foot when my oldest daughter was born and it was useless!  There was some complicated fabric ruffle ratio thing you had to figure, because it's not like you can set it to: fit a 21" edge. 

What sort of fabric are you using?  How are you constructing the ruffles?  If you are using satin, try pressing the piece of fabric with spray starch before you gather it.  It will also help with handling it, because satin is very slippery.

It looks like the ruffles on the skirt are made of a long piece of satin that has been folded in half to eliminate the need for a hem or edge finish.  It looks like the designer used the same technique at the neckline, but because it's a more narrow piece of fabric, it has a "crisper" look.

When I gather, I set my machine to normal tension, longest stitch possible.  I make double rows, which allows me to control the fullness.  Alternatively, when I made a crinoline from netting (in the late 80's) I zig zagged over a piece of dental floss. 

Side note: you do NOT want to spend any amount of time sitting on el cheapo netting.  Just a heads ups.

You could also use tulle or netting to "line" the ruffle... that will help it to keep it's shape.  Just cut a piece the same size, and sandwich it inside the satin when you fold it over.  I can tell from the picture that the ruffle was not pressed, just folded over.

Hope that helps!

I have tried just about everything out there (example: air soluble pens doesn't work in a humid climate  ) and finally found these chalk markers at Hancocks:

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Chalk-Cartridge-Set---Tracing-Accessories_stcVVproductId47580201VVcatId539596VVviewprod.htm

I like the fact that it's got interchangeable chalk colors which is helpful, it doesn't wear away, and I haven't found that it stays around after the garment's been washed.

Wow.  That fabric is GORGEOUS.  Where did you get it?  What motivated you to turn it into a corset?  Was it hard fitting it?  I've seen patterns and I'm tempted, but frankly, I'm a lazy sewer - three seams, finish the edges and go is my motto!

Have you tried Ebay?  They have lots of older craft patterns, Butterick, McCalls, Simplicity and Vogue, as well as the independents. 

Here's a link in the Crafts section:
http://crafts.listings.ebay.com/Sewing-Patterns_Doll-Barbie-Clothing-Patterns_W0QQdfspZ32QQfclZ3QQfromZR11QQsacatZ116691QQsocmdZListingItemList

and here in Dolls:
http://dolls.listings.ebay.com/Patterns_Doll-Patterns_W0QQfromZR4QQsacatZ18814QQsocmdZListingItemList

The doll your friend describes almost sounds like an elinor peace bailey pattern.  Have you looked at her patterns?

Hope this helps!