Budget Friendly Doll Clothes- DIY Valentine Dresses with Oh Sew Kat! Patterns

Are you on a tight budget when it comes to doll clothes for your 18 inch dolls like American Girl®? When my daughter was growing up, I know I sure was. The outfits at the store are super cute, but wow, do they add up quickly!!

My daughter really enjoyed planning her own doll outfits, and from this love and process, Oh Sew Kat! Patterns were born.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

As you wander through Walmart for this or that, be sure to stop by the fabric & craft sections! You can find these darling packs of fabric (called Fat Quarter Packs, which means each piece in the pack measures 18×22 inches.) for just $3.97. You read that right! That is a full yard of fabric for under $4. PS. They also offer bundles with bunnies!! See the dresses I made HERE. Here are two outfits I made from just one of those packs…and I still have a whole lot left to go! That means at a MINIMUM, each dress was only $2. I still have almost the whole piece of the red polka dot (enough for another bib or easy up jumper– maybe some Playground Pants?) and a few scraps from the other three. That could mean 3 outfits total for just $4! Wow!!!

Yes, you do have to add the cost of the PDF sewing pattern- but at $4.99, or even $5.99, you can still consider the outfit less than $10. And the best part? You can use the pattern over and over again, reducing your cost each time you do! And without any bothersome tissue to lay out, cut out, fold up (only to rip each time you pin!), your print at home PDF patterns live safely inside your computer and your etsy (or other) accounts until the next time you need them!

Party Time Peasant Dress:

The Party Time Peasant Dress is my absolute favorite for any holiday dress. I love the accents, the ease, and the full skirt! The top and waistband take inches of fabric. The problem with fat quarters is the skirt. Anything over 22 inches (remember, this was a fat quarter of fabric), has to be pieced. My answer to that seam was to offset it from the middle, and accent it with pretty bows! I also considered red heart buttons! I trimmed the hem with a gingham bias tape trim… easy and cute!!

And cute for Blaire too!!

FREE SKIRT PATTERN FOR DOLLS (3 SIZES)

The next pattern I turned to is the Backyard Bibs. This quick and easy overalls dress takes very little fabric, very little time, and looks adorable over the Playtime Peasant Top, which can also be used with other outfits. Cue the cute heart buttons for Kailey! Find these patterns in a special bundle value HERE. This pattern is also available for 14 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers!

Backyard Bibs:

So you see, making your own doll clothes really doesn’t have to cost too much because the fabric requirements (even for the 18 inch doll- smaller dolls require even less!) are so low. As long as you have a basic sewing machine, some basic tools, thread, pins, and maybe a few extras (see my favorite notions HERE), you too, can make a “SWEET” outfit for your doll this Valentine’s Day for very little money. See what I did there? 😉

Be sure to PIN these images for later!! Check out the Party Time Peasant Dress and Backyard Bibs pinterest boards today! Don’t forget to like this post and follow me on Pinterest!

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

More Backyard Bibs: A New Sewing Pattern for 14.5 inch Dolls by Oh Sew Kat!

Oh Sew Kat! has a new sewing pattern for your 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls® dolls! The Backyard Bibs pattern offers country cuteness with the signature ease of Oh Sew Kat! patterns. Make the big sister little sister outfits inspired by the new collection for Blaire Wilson (from American Girl®), this pattern is quick to sew and offers four fun variations. Add shorts or capri pants to your bibs- or finish it with a straight or gathered skirt. This pattern is also great to make overalls for boy dolls too!

With attached straps and easy one piece bib, your doll is ready for outside play in her cute bibs. The pattern is a perfect match to the easy hPlaytime Peasant Top to make a full outfit. Visit the Backyard Bibs INSPIRATION PAGE to see more cute bibs!

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern on Etsy.

BONUS: Your Etsy purchase through Feb 11th will also include the Playtime Peasant Top pattern FREE so you can make the complete outfit.

Option 1: Backyard Bibs with Gathered Skirt

Option 2: Backyard Bibs with A-Line Skirt

Option 3: Backyard Bibs with Shorts

Option 4: Backyard Bibs with Cuffed Capris

This new pattern is perfect to make outfits for the fun and spunky Wellie Wishers dolls. Use soft pastels, florals, or even denim to fill her closet with outfits to wear in and out of the backyard and playground. What kind of Backyard Bibs will you make for your doll?

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE the Backyard Bibs pattern for 14 inch Dolls

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

Tester Tuesday: Backyard Bibs for 18 inch Dolls

The new Backyard Bibs pattern has been quite a hit on the Oh Sew Kat! facebook page. My testing group had a really great time with this one, each one seemed to try out and outdo the last. 🙂 . Enjoy these cute samples they made.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern and create your own bibs!

Easter Bunny Cuteness by the Pearl Pony:

Rockin the Red by Juliette A:

Buzzin Bees by Carol G:

Floral Shortalls by Jenny S:

The Backyard Bibs is a simple to sew pattern that is easy on and off for the little hands that like to play with dolls. No buckles and no snaps- add fun accents like embroidery, pockets, and bows to make your bibs as unique as your doll. Visit the Backyard Bibs Inspiration Gallery to see more ideas for this fun pattern, as well as THIS POST.

Find more sewing patterns for 18 inch and other sized dolls in my ETSY SHOP.

Valentine Skirts made with the Four Season Skirt FREE Sewing Pattern for Dolls

Hearts are in the air!  Here at Oh Sew Kat!, our dolls are decked out for heart day with doll clothing made from print at home PDF sewing patterns.  Today’s photos feature the Four Season Skirt, a free pattern for your 18 inch doll (like American Girl® and Our Generation® dolls), your 14.5 inch doll (like Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls®) and for 16 inch dolls like Animators’ by Disney (available online and at the Disney Store.)

FREE SKIRT PATTERN FOR DOLLS (3 SIZES)

Nicki is wearing her Four Season Skirt with a simple, red turtleneck made from the Jumping Jack pattern (also by Oh Sew Kat!).  Make a simple necklace for your doll with chains and charms from the jewelry department of your favorite craft store.

Isn’t Willa cute in her sister look? Both the Four Season Skirt and Jumping Jack patterns are available sized for smaller dolls too.

I used my cricut maker machine to add a sparkle heart to the front.  It’s quick and easy to decorate doll tee shirts- check out this simple TUTORIAL.  Interested in cricut products and learning more?  Check out their website here:  AD: cricut.com.

Which dolls have your heart?  I know they would just love a pretty Valentine themed skirt that you made with your own loving hands.  Happy Valentine’s Day from our dolls’ home to yours!

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Five Popular Pattern Hacks for Oh Sew Kat! Patterns

Don’t you love making special doll clothes for the girls in your life with the easy PDF sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!  The easy to follow photo instructions are designed to help even the novice sewist have a successful time.  In many of my more recent patterns, I’ve started to include some ideas and simple instructions for variations on the patterns.  You can “Step them Up” or “Step them Down” to your heart’s content.  Read below to see five of my favorite (and most popular to date!) pattern hacks.  Click on the photo to go right to the tutorial of Kat’s favorite pattern hacks.

Find all these patterns, plus many more in 5 popular doll sizes in my Etsy Shop or other places Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.

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   Tee shirt Dress tutorial:  Make a cute, tee shirt dress from the Simple, Sweet Tee Shirt pattern.  Works for any size doll.  Find the pattern in 4 popular doll sizes here.

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2. Pumpkin jumper:  The classic Boardwalk Boutique pattern doesn’t have to be put away when the weather gets cooler.  Use it as a base to make cute holiday themed outfits as well as summer play clothes.  A little orange fabric and an iron on pumpkin face took this simple halter top to a cute jumper for fall. Layer it over a Playtime Peasant Top or a Jumping Jack Turtleneck!
   

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3.   50s overskirt dress:  This one isn’t even a pattern hack.  Make a 50s or 60s classic look dress with an overskirt for Melody or Maryellen.  The Sunshine Dress is worn underneath an overskirt made from the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern.
   

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4.   Make a Halter Maxi Dress:  This easy hack to the Boardwalk Boutique lets your fabric shine with one or two big ruffles.  
   

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5.   Add lace to a ruffle skirt:  Take your skirts to a new level with an added lace layer.  See this easy tutorial for any ruffled skirt- shown with the Four Season Skirt and Playtime Peasant Twirl Skirt patterns. Find all these patterns, plus many more in 5 popular doll sizes in my Etsy Shop or other places Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.  See more pattern hacks and tutorials HERE.

Backyard Bibs: A New Sewing Pattern for 18 inch Dolls by Oh Sew Kat!

Oh Sew Kat! has a new sewing pattern for your 18 inch dolls! The Backyard Bibs pattern offers country cuteness with the signature ease of Oh Sew Kat! patterns. Inspired by the new collection for Blaire Wilson (American Girl®, this pattern is quick to sew and offers four fun variations. Add shorts or capri pants to your bibs- or finish it with a straight or gathered skirt. This pattern is also great to make overalls for boy dolls too!

With attached straps and easy one piece bib, your doll is ready for outside play in her cute bibs. The pattern is a perfect match to the easy hPlaytime Peasant Top to make a full outfit. Visit the Backyard Bibs INSPIRATION PAGE to see more cute bibs!

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern on Etsy.

BONUS: Your Etsy purchase through Jan 28th will also include the Playtime Peasant Top pattern FREE so you can make the complete outfit.

Option 1: Backyard Bibs with Gathered Skirt

Option 2: Backyard Bibs with A-Line Skirt

Option 3: Backyard Bibs with Cuffed Capris

Option 4: Backyard Bibs with Shorts

This new pattern is perfect to make outfits for the 2019 Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson. Use soft pastels, florals, or even denim to fill her closet with outfits to wear in and out of the farm she lives on. What kind of Backyard Bibs will you make for your doll?

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE the Backyard Bibs pattern for 18 inch Dolls

Find the complete Oh Sew Kat! pattern library HERE.

Step it Up! Series: School Bell Blouse Dress Pattern Hack 2- Valentine’s Day Dress for Blaire

Welcome back to Oh Sew Kat!  Your one stop shop for PDF sewing patterns for your dolls.  I’ve been playing around with my Valentine fabric…and came up with this super cute dress for the new Girl of the Year, Blaire Wilson, who just joined our family this week!

See more sewing pattern for 18 inch and other sized dolls in my Etsy Shop!

This cute dress was made using the School Bell Blouse pattern. Read more about the pattern HERE.

First, you will need the pattern.  Click the photo to purchase this pattern for 18 inch dolls, 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls®, and 16 inch Animators’ princess dolls.

This dress is made from View B, or the School Bell Blouse with the peplum., shown in green on the right on the pattern cover.  You don’t even need to make very many changes to turn this cute top into a fun dress!  Click here to see another tutorial to make a dress using view A.  You can make so many different tops and dresses from just one pattern!

1.  Print out your pattern pieces.  Measure up one inch from the bottom of the bodice front and back, and cut on this new line.  This will make the bodice more of an empire waisted dress.  You can also leave this piece as is and keep the waistline at the natural waist.
2. Do not cut the peplum out.  Instead, cut a “skirt” piece that measures 7 x 36 inches.  Finish one long edge, and press up 3/8th inch. Stitch the hem in place.
3. Follow the pattern as directed, using your gathered skirt instead of the peplum piece when you come to that step.
4. Finish your dress with a pretty bow, or sparkly belt.  Use ribbon, fold over elastic or other fun trim.  I used some glitter trim I found at Hobby Lobby and added velcro to the ends like a belt, so I can use it with other outfits too!

There are lots of ways you can sew this one, simple pattern in order to create a look that is as unique as your doll is.  Find other ideas for the School Bell Blouse pattern here and here.

A few of my Favorite Things. Must have sewing notions and tools.

A new year is here!! It’s time to clean up the sewing area and start brainstorming projects for 2019.  Before I dive into another fresh year of sewing, I like to share my annual 5 latest “must have” tools and notions for doll clothes sewing (or any sewing really!)  These simple tools can make sewing smaller doll clothes a little easier and you can find all of them on Amazon.  Click here to see my list from last year, and here to see my list from 2017.

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small compensation.  See my full disclosure policy HERE.

1. Patty Young’s Turn n More Tool by Riley Blake.

This brand new tool, made by Patty Young, is a game changer for doll clothes. I LOVE THIS TOOL.  In a facebook group one day, Patty asked what tools we would like to see made that had her fabric designs on them.  I suggested a gripping, foreceps type of tool and she not only picked my idea, she sent me one when it was actually produced about a year later! This handy tool is well worth the wait, and also the price tag (about $12). You will use it for all sorts of things- mostly to pull that slipped elastic back out of the casing, or to turn a tiny doll bodice right side out after you sew it together with just one little pull.

2.  Travel Size Craft Iron

This little tiny iron really packs some punch for the price. It gets super hot, has a steam option, and doesn’t turn off by itself (which is an advantage and disadvantage for sure!). I first used one at a sewing retreat a few years back. We plugged it in and left it on all week long.  Lightweight and tiny, it got the job done and is a perfect companion to your doll clothes sewing tools.

3.  KAI Dressmaking Shears

Everyone needs a pair of nice, sharp, high quality fabric scissors. You know the ones- the ones that you lock up yourself each night or threaten bodily harm to anyone found using them for anything other than fabric?  I started using KAI scissors with my paper crafting.  Strong and sharp, I found a pair that was a bit shorter and they are my go to for all of my fabric cutting.  I own three pairs!

4.  Ruffler foot attachment for my sewing machine

I know I’ve mentioned this little gadget before, but yes, this year, my ruffler foot is on my top five list.  It’s just so quick to gather up a doll skirt (like 15 seconds quick!) that is really pays for itself over and over.  I’ve kept a spreadsheet of some of my common skirt length settings (to make the skirt match up with the bodice for example) so I don’t have to figure it out each time.  This foot is also great for the popular ruffled sleeves too, and makes putting a ruffle on a full skirt a breeze!  Be sure to get the one that is correct for your specific sewing machine make and model.

5. Omnigrid 4×8 inch Ruler

I believe I have an omnigrid ruler in every size they make- from 1 x6 all the way up to 24 x 24 inches.  However, even with multiple rulers right at my finger tips, this 4×8 inch one is the perfect size for so many of my doll clothes needs.  It’s easy to use to extend a pattern (make pants from shorts, or long sleeves from short sleeves for example) or for cutting straps, waistbands, and skirts with my rotary cutter.  Keep this handy ruler right next to your work area.

So there’s my Favorite Five for 2019.  Use these few tools to make sewing your doll clothes a little easier and a little more fun.  We’re going to have a great sewing year ahead, stop by again soon!

Blaire Wilson – Girl of the Year – Bee Skirt and Top Outfit

Blaire Wilson is the newest doll made by American Girl®.  She is the 2019 Girl of the Year doll- which usually means she and her collection are only available in 2019.  The GOTY creates a fun buzz in the doll community as her collection is unveiled.  Blaire’s a NY girl- living on a farm to table Bed and Breakfast.

When you purchase your 18 inch dolls, they come fully dressed in what is called their “meet” outfit.  Blaire’s meet outfit is a cheery white sundress covered in bumblebees and purple sandals.   Our January weather is a little chilly, so I got to work to create an outfit she might find a little more comfortable.

The Jumping Jack 3 in 1 jumper set includes the pattern for a universal, knit turtleneck shirt. This go to staple fits any doll’s wardrobe, and can be worn with all kinds of outfits from jeans to skirts.  I found this adorable bee fabric at Hobby Lobby, and used the Four Season Skirt pattern (find it FREE HERE) for a quick project!

The Four Season Skirt is a great beginner project, especially for girls that want to learn to sew. It doesn’t use pattern pieces- just measure out two rectangles of fabric and some 1/4th inch elastic and off you go! Blaire is much happier in a warm shirt and boots!  See more about Blaire HERE, and find lots of ideas for her wardrobe in the Inspiration Gallery.

FREE SKIRT PATTERN FOR DOLLS (3 SIZES)

Here is a closer view of her daisy necklace.  The local craft stores have wonderful selections of charms and beads in their jewelry and scrapbooking sections, at a very low price point.  These little ball chains were already precut (key chains?), but you can easily cut your own from a roll, so I just put the daisy on it and completed Blaire’s outfit.  Find bee themed charms online here: AD:  https://amzn.to/2CUZVsg and the keychains here: https://amzn.to/2VyJSaO.

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Step it Up! Series: Make a Nightgown with the Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern for Dolls

Sewing doll clothes this weekend?  Snuggle up!  Use the simple to sew Bloomer Buddies PDF pattern to turn the dress into a snuggly nightgown for your doll. This easy pattern that you download and print on your home computer will work on any size doll.  Use this simple pattern hack to the Bloomer Buddies PDF sewing pattern to Step it Up!

First, you need the Bloomer Buddies pattern. It’s available in three sizes where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.  Print out the pieces for the dress with short sleeves.

You will need to make a few minor adjustments to the pattern pieces.  You may be able to lengthen the pieces on the original printout, or you may need to cut it out and then tape it to a fresh sheet of paper first, depending on the size doll you are sewing for.

Using the short sleeve pattern piece, and THIS TUTORIAL, you will need to lengthen the sleeve pattern piece to make it a long sleeve.   Measure down from the side edge, not the center, and draw your new sleeve hem edge straight across, not curved.  For this 18 inch doll nightgown, I lengthened my sleeve by 3 1/2 inches, and used a 3/8th hem/elastic casing.  I used 4 inches of elastic for the wrist.

Sew the dress as directed by the pattern. Choose a snuggly flannel or pretty cotton for your nightgown.  The nightgown Grace is wearing below, is the same dress length as the dress length pattern lines.

Luciana is ready to hop into bed in her Bloomer Buddies nightgown!

Another option is to add a pretty ruffle to the bottom of the dress length.  Here I used a piece of a jelly roll, that was 2 1/2 x 40 inches long. A jelly roll is a quilting fabric precut of 20-45 2 1/2 inch strips like this one Ad:  https://amzn.to/2VNxmED.  I keep a few on hand to use as precut dress and skirt ruffles.  I used one end of the same strip to cut the yoke.  Any size ruffle will do; you can choose how long you want your doll’s nightgown to be.

Your dolls will be ready to snuggle into bed in a new, cozy nightgown.  See more ways to sew the mix and match Bloomer Buddies pattern here and here.  Be sure to pin these images to save them for later!

Click HERE to purchase the Bloomer Buddies Pattern for 18 inch Dolls.

Click HERE to find the pattern in other sizes and value bundles.