Are your dolls ready for spring? Kira’s new dress is perfect for this time of year- made with the Playtime Peasant Top pattern and the instructions HERE.
Make your 18 inch Doll a Spring Dress with the Playtime Peasant Top PDF Sewing Pattern
See more dresses made with this Playtime Peasant Top pattern hack here and here. Add a cute belt and matching shoes to complete the look!
I used a fat quarter of cotton fabric. I cut the ruffle first at 3 inches (I had to piece it together to make it long enough- I like to use double the length of the piece I am attaching it to- in this case, the bottom edge of the Playtime Peasant Top. Then I found I didn’t have quite enough fabric left for the full sleeve pieces. I cut the bodice as normal, and then shortened the sleeves so they would fit. I used the rolled hem on my serger to hem both the sleeves (a great way to hem if you are short on fabric!) and the ruffle.
I used a fold over elastic headband with a flower attached as the belt. I purchased this one in the baby section of Target or a similar store. You can easily make your own with this Tutorial.
Find the Playtime Peasant Top & Twirl Skirt Pattern in the Oh Sew Kat! Etsy Shop
*This post has affiliate links. Read my full disclosure HERE.
Electronic cutters are gaining popularity not just with paper crafters, but for those that sew and craft for American Girl® and other dolls too. I have had a Cricut machine since they first entered the market and have owned just about every version at one time or other. I currently own three of them! I also have one Silhouette Cameo and recently sold an older one. I added the Brother Scan n Cut to my craft room in 2020. All three machines have a place in my craft room. Read on how you can use your Cricut Machine to cut out your paper pattern pieces in a snap!
Use your Cricut Machine to Cut out Your Paper Pattern Pieces
What are some advantages to spending the time to load your PDF sewing pattern into the Cricut Design Space and cutting them with your Cricut Machine?
The truth of the matter is that you can do pretty much the same things on all the machines. Which one you choose will likely depend on the ease of the associated software, the content libraries available, price, and whether or not you want to cut fabric “straight off the bolt”. The Cricut Maker and the Cameo 4 are the only machines on the market that can cut fabric that has not been bonded or stiffened. I’m not a fan of that extra step, so it was worth it to me to get the Maker.
Pattern pieces storage- with your pattern pieces just one cut away, there’s no need to hang on to the paper after you sew. When you want to use the pattern again, just open Design Space and cut a new set.
Pattern pieces are cut with precision
Save wear and tear on your hands and muscles
If you own a Cricut Maker, you can easily cut the fabric pieces as well using the same file
When you purchase a PDF pattern from Oh Sew Kat! you will receive a digital PDF file. There are a few ways to get this pattern into your Design Space software for cutting. I outline how to use Adobe Illustrator in this POST. You can find a full tutorial on how to adjust your PDF patterns in Adobe and Design Space to cut your fabric pieces on the Cricut Maker HERE.
Here is another method if you don’t want to tangle with fancy and expensive software.
Print out your pattern pieces as usual
Using a scanner, scan the image into your computer as a JPEG (photo) file (if you have software that will do this, it’s easier to do it that way. Print and scan it if you don’t.)
You will see your image and it will ask how complex it is. Choose the bottom choice, COMPLEX
You may have to zoom out. Use the magic wand tool and touch it to the background. The entire background will likely disappear. (Shown by a gray and white checked pattern). Continue to zoom in and out, erasing anything but your pattern pieces and the one inch square.
Click NEXT and choose CUT FILE. Give it a name and keywords to help you find it later
Highlight the file you just imported and add it to your design canvas.
In the top left corner of your grid, you can click the square to toggle between a blank canvas, one inch grid, or smaller grids. Choose the one inch grid.
Zoom out and resize your piece (or pieces as one group if you have more than one piece) until your one inch square matches the one inch grid lines.
Once it is correct, you highlight the group again, choose CONTOUR (bottom right) and turn off the one inch square if you don’t want it to cut.)
Save your project
Choose MAKE IT and load your paper or cardstock to cut your pattern pieces out. Please note: If you use this method for cutting the fabric pieces, you will have to duplicate pieces you need two of (ie sleeves) and create adjusted/full pieces for any pieces cut on the fold, as the machine can only cut one layer at time.
Prepare your PDF Pattern to cut the pieces on a Circut Machine
See more ideas to use your cutting machine with your doll crafts HERE, HERE, and HERE. After cutting your smaller pattern pieces, you can use THIS tutorial to make a paper pattern piece for your gathered skirts.
Do you have a Brother ScanNCut machine? See this VIDEO TUTORIAL for quick and easy paper pattern cutting.
The Oh Sew Kat! Etsy shop has quite a few pattern bundles to help you save a few dollars as your build up your pattern library. You can find the SEW BASIC wardrobe bundle in four sizes: 18 inch dolls, 15 inch baby dolls, 14 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers and 16 inch Disney Animator dolls. It has everything you need to get started and is perfect for young beginners!
Make your own doll clothes with the Sew Basic pattern bundle from Oh Sew Kat!
Each bundle includes three, simple to sew, patterns with full size pattern pieces (digitally drawn on computer), and step by step instructions with a clear photograph for every step. You can mix and match these pieces for unlimited wardrobe fun and easy dressing for young children.
What patterns are included: (Click each link to visit that pattern’s Inspiration Gallery). You can make two tops, pull on pants and a skirt.
Sew your own Basic Wardrobe for Dolls from American Girl™ with this easy Pattern Bundle
DIY Doll Clothers- Sew an Easy, Basic Wardrobe
Aside from the obvious outfits shown in the pattern, there are lots of ways to sew these patterns to get even more options! Find these easy pattern hacks and tutorials for these specific patterns here on the Oh Sew Kat blog.
The Backyard Bibs pattern is available in 5 popular dolls sizes. The 15″ baby doll size is perfect for Bitty Baby™ and her friends, the retired Bitty Twins™. Find the pattern for baby dolls here. You can easily sew this outfit up in just an afternoon!
Sew the Backyard Bibs PDF Sewing Pattern for your Bitty Baby™ or Bitty Twins™ 15 inch dolls.
This easy sewing pattern is quick to sew and makes a cute skirt and shorts in one for your 14.5 inch dolls like Welliewishers™ by American Girl® and Glitter Girls™. This pattern will also fit the 15 inch Ruby Red Fashion Friends Ball Jointed Dolls. Find it exclusively in my Etsy Shop!
March 26, 27, 28 ONLY- your Sun Day Skort for 14 inch dolls purchase will also include the POPSICLE TOP Pattern (shown below in yellow). No coupon necessary- it will automatically show up in your etsy account/receipt.
Find easy to sew PDF Sewing Patterns at Oh Sew Kat! to make your own 14 – 15 inch Doll Clothes
Need a quick and easy doll skirt that sparkles and shines without breaking the proverbial doll piggy bank? Try this easy tutorial using some sequin dot fabric and a piece of fold over elastic.
Make an 18 doll skirt that sparkles!
Create your own version of a pink and silver snowflake outfit for your 18 inch Dolls
Make doll clothes as unique as you are with your own supplies, fabrics and a few easy tutorials from Oh Sew Kat!
I make all my graphic tee shirts with my Cricut® machine. Find easy tutorials to make graphic tees for dolls HERE, HERE, and HERE.
Simple Silver Sparkle Skirt Tutorial for Dolls
Super Simple Sparkly Skirt for your Doll
Say that five times fast!!!
Make a Simple, Sparkly Doll Skirt
I simply searched through my stash to find any silver sparkly material I already had on hand. You can often find it in the costume fabric section of craft stores- and enjoy great sales leading up to Halloween (Kat’s Tip: stock up on a yard or two of some basics colors each year and you won’t be overwhelmed, but still have enough to use for small doll projects.)
You can use a pattern (Four Season Skirt? Sixth Grade Skirt?), or you can simply make your own. Here is a simple way to make a gathered skirt.
Materials: 7 x 20-30 inch piece of fabric (depending on size of doll) and fold over elastic that matches for waistband (7-12 inches depending on your doll), and basic sewing supplies
You need two measurements for your doll. Waist and length from waistband to hem. For 18 inch dolls, I use a 10 inch waist, and 5 inches from waistband (top of) to hem as the finished length. If you have to hem your fabric, you will need to add an additional 1/4-1/2 inch (no matter the doll size) as well as 1/4 inch to attach the skirt to the waistband.
You will cut the skirt piece longer (side to side) for a fuller skirt, and shorter for less fullness. I suggest a minimum of 1.5 times the waist measurement for a basic skirt. Most skirts are more along the lines of 2 or 2 1/2 times the waistband measurement. Keep in mind that thicker fabrics will have more bulk when gathered so you may want to reduce the length to keep the fullness down. It’s all a lot of trial and error and personal choice, of course.
Cut your shiny fabric skirt. For an 18 inch doll, I cut mine 30 inches long by 5 1/2 inches tall because of the drape and weight of the sequin dot fabric. The thinner your fabric, the longer you want to make your skirt so it will be more full. I would probably use more if the fabric was cotton or another stiff fabric. Many specialty fabrics do not fray, so you may be able to get away with just a serged edge/rolled hem or even none at all. It will depend on your fabric. If you need to hem one edge, do this now. Sew the short ends of the skirt together, with right sides together to make one big circle. Place a pin, piece of colored washi tape, or clip at the seam. Using the seam as your first mark, divide the skirt into four equal sections, marking each one with a pin, tape, or clip. I usually put the seam as one side, and extend the piece out to mark half way. Then line up the seam and the halfway pin, pulling the sides out to now show the 1/4th. You should have divided your hemmed skirt piece into four equal sections. (Photo 1)
Cut your elastic to fit the doll’s waistband – 1/2 inch. For an 18 inch doll, I cut mine at 10 inches. This gives me some overlap while still ensuring a snug (but not tight) fit. With right sides together, overlap the edges and sew the waistband together, making a circle. Like the skirt, divide the waistband into four equal sections and mark with a pin, tape, or clip. (Photo 1)
Run a row (or two) of gathering stitches along the top edge of the skirt.
With right side of the skirt to the wrong side of the waistband, pin the skirt top edge to the waistband, matching up the pins or clips and pulling up the gathering thread to fit. Ensure that the edge of the waistband fully covers the raw edge of the skirt. Stretch the waistband as you sew with a 1/4th seam allowance. Remove all pins, tape, and clips, and also the gathering thread. (Photo 2 and 3)
DIY Simple Sparkle Skirt for Dolls like American Girl® and Our Generation®
Easy peasy, right? You can easily make this skirt out of any fabric you have- knits, wovens, satins and more. It’s also a great way to make a simple tulle tutu! Increase your skirt length to make it longer, or width to make it more full. Add fun lace, hems, tulle, or layer fabrics together for even more different skirts. In fact, you can also use the free pattern: Four Season Skirt pattern like I did in the photo below. My silver fabric was so sheer- it wouldn’t work for a skirt (maybe a pretty overskirt! Will have to try that!) so I placed it on white fabric and sewed it up as one piece. It’s also quite sparkly and super easy to do as well!
Choose a more slim or modern look- Grace is wearing a fitted tee (from Amazon) and the Sixth Grade Skirt made out of the same sequin dot fabric. It gives the same vibe, but with a little less “fluff.”
Which version of this “SNOW CUTE” outfit is your favorite? Find more holiday ideas to dress up your doll outfits by clicking the photos below.
Girls and dolls alike will fall in love with pretty, Easter fashions that you sew yourself with the easy to follow PDF sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat! Find a full selection of patterns for dolls that are 18 inches, 16 inches, 15 inches, and 14.5-15 inches in the OH SEW Kat Etsy shop and download and sew today!
Easter Dresses for Your Dolls- DIY Doll Clothes
Click on the photos to go right to the post. Click on the description’s pattern name, to go to the Inspiration Gallery for each pattern. Find all the patterns in the OhSewKat Etsy shop for instant download.
Travel in Ireland: World Traveler Outfit for 18 inch Dolls by American Girl® Review
I saw this outfit on the American Girl® website and just knew it was coming home to me! I purchased it right away. It cost $36 and also has an accessory set for an additional $18. Without any little girls at home to play with it, I opted just for the outfit. It’s a great value for the cost and I thought I’d share my own opinions with you about it!
I chose Jenna to model my Ireland World Traveler outfit. Of all my red headed dolls (and I do have a lot of them- Saige, Emily, Felicity, Blaire, Maryellen, Nicki (sort of), I chose Jenna (JLY #38) to be my model. American Girl® makes a lot of different dolls- but they’ve just never landed on a curly haired red head with freckles and green eyes. Aka, a mini me!! LOL. So despite Jenna’s lack of curls- she won the new outfit lottery today!
Top o the Mornin’ To Ya! World Traveler Ireland Outfit for Dolls
Here Jenna is dressed in the full outfit: boots, tights, kilt, tee, sweater, cap. Everything feels really high quality (love love love the boots!), although the sweater is a little thin. I realize that miniature doll sweaters can feel bulky, but being Irish, having been to Ireland, and having many, many hand knit aran sweaters made by my mom, this is the only part of the outfit that falls a little short for me. I like the green cardigan style (exactly what I bought for myself when I travelled to Ireland a few years ago) and the skirt is absolutely adorable. The tee shirt is a cute graphic tee, very similar to something my young daughter would have worn. I’m not very good placing the caps, but this one feels like real wool and is very high quality. The tights are super strong- although I wish the tee had a yellow accent to sort of pull it all together just a bit more.
Here is Jenna without the tights. The yellow doesn’t pop from the skirt as much without the tights but still a super cute outfit overall in my opinion. If you are on the fence about this outfit, I highly recommend it. It has a lot of pieces for the price (high value) and they can easily be mixed and matched with other outfits all year long.
Jenna’s shamrock and rainbow capri pants are made with the OhSewKat! Picnic Play PDF sewing pattern. It matches the World Traveler Tee perfecly for a casual look or even pajamas! Find the sewing pattern HERE.
Please note: This review is 100% my own. I purchased this outfit with my own funds and the opinions are solely my own. Oh Sew Kat! is not affiliated with American Girl and no endorsement is implied.
The Party Time Peasant Dress is super popular with sewists of all doll sizes. Find it in my Etsy Shop in 5 sizes: 18 inch for American Girl®, 14.5 Welliewishers™, 16 Animators’ and A Girl for All Time, and 15 inch baby dolls like Bitty Baby™.
The Party Time Peasant Dress is quick to sew and is perfect for St Patrick’s Day Dresses for Dolls in all Sizes.
Sew your 18″ American Girl® doll some fun fashions for the 50s with easy Oh Sew Kat! patterns.
Visit the Oh Sew Kat! 50s Inspiration Gallery for ideas and links to sew the Oh Sew Kat! patterns with a fun, 50s flair. Your Maryellen Larkin™ doll with love fabulous fifties fashions that you made yourself!
