Step it Up Series: Easy Pattern Hack: April Moon PJ’s makes a Cute, Knit Dress

Use the April Moon PJ Set PDF sewing pattern to make more than just PJ’s. Here, I hacked the pattern to make 2 cute dresses for spring. The April Moon pattern was designed for knit fabrics and offers a wide, cropped short sleeved top with loose capri pants.

Make a knit dress for your 18 inch doll with the easy to sew, April Moon sewing pattern.

The April Moon Sewing Pattern for 18 or 16 inch Dolls.

I used the April Moon pattern (photo above) to make these dresses. Unlike most knit top patterns, this top is fully lined. It’s a little easier for beginners to sew a smooth neckline by doing it this way, but if you want, you can simply fold over the neckline with a nice 1/4th inch seam and omit the lining if you prefer.

To make this knit dress with a full circle skirt, I didn’t make any changes to the top, to use as my dress bodice. I did a few searches on you tube and google, to find some simple directions for a circle skirt. With a little math and some graph paper, I came up with a pattern for a full circle skirt. Be sure to measure your finished bodice to make sure the skirt will fit correctly. I was pretty pleased with how it came out.

Who wore this 18 inch doll dress best? Emily or Maryellen?

Try either a circle skirt or a gathered skirt to make your knit doll dress.

For this second dress, I cut about 3/8th inch off the bottom of the bodice to give it more of an “empire waist” feel. A simple rectangle skirt, cut and gathered, gives the dress more of a “baby doll” look. I like both versions for different reasons, but as you can see, there’s a lot of possibilities with this pattern. The cute sleeves, when tied up, give more of a designer feel to it, without any of the work!

Find the April Moon Sewing Pattern HERE to make a knit dress for your 18 inch doll.

Make a knit dress for your 18 inch doll with this April Moon pajama pattern sewing hack.

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Check out the Inspiration Gallery to see more ideas with the April Moon and other Oh Sew Kat! patterns. The April Moon pattern is currently available for 18 inch dolls and 16 inch Animators’ in my Etsy Shop.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

Pajama Party: Make Your Doll PJ’s or a Nightgown with Oh Sew Kat! sewing patterns

Oh Sew Kat! currently only offers one pajamas/nightshirt pattern. The April Moon pattern is offered in two sizes and was designed by April, a young girl in Minnesota. Read more about it HERE. But lots of other OSK patterns can be used to make adorable pajamas or nightgowns for your dolls.

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Make pajamas for Dolls with the April Moon PJ Sewing Pattern

Make doll pajamas with the Bloomer Buddies sewing pattern

The Bloomer Buddies pattern can be used to make pajamas and nightgowns in a variety of lengths, with or without sleeves. Find the pattern HERE.

Photo Credit: Koala-T Designs.

These pretty pink PJ’s were made using the pattern as directed in cozy flannel.

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Make your doll pajamas with the Playtime Peasant Top and Boardwalk Boutique Capris

Just using flannel fabric can make a regular top and pants outfit look more like pajamas. Add a pretty bow. Find the patterns in my ETSY SHOP in multiple sizes.

Find the details for these pretty heart pajamas HERE.

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The Sugar n Spice Dress sewing pattern makes a lovely CLARA inspired nightgown.

Find the tutorial for this Clara/Nutcracker inspired nightgown HERE.

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Make a Doll Nightgown with the Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern

Find the Nightgown Tutorial HERE.

Find the tutorial for the floor length version of the Bloomer Buddies nightgown HERE.

Your doll deserves some sweet dreams! What kind of pajamas will you make for your doll?

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Step it Up! Series: Make a Cute Top for your 18″ Doll with the Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern

The Backyard Bibs, a new pattern from Oh Sew Kat!, has a lot of variety built in with four different ways to make it. Now, you can use it in a fifth, new way, and make it into a cute top!

Make the Backyard Bibs into a cute, summertime top for your 18 inch and other sized dolls.

This easy pattern hack will give you even more ways to sew the Backyard Bibs sewing pattern.

This pattern hack will work for all sizes of the bibs. Simply change the measurements to fit your doll. To make your Backyard Bibs top, follow the instructions to make the bib cutting a large ruffle instead of the gathered skirt variation. Gather it and attach to your bibs as directed by the pattern. Wasn’t that easy?

For both of these tops shown in my photos, I folded the ruffle in half (wrong sides together) instead of hemming it. If you want to hem it instead, you will have a thinner strip of fabric to start with. The measurements I used for the 18 inch Doll are:

• For the short ruffle (Stars) use 3 x 30
• For the longer ruffle (Floral & Leaves) use 5 x 24

If your doll won’t wear the Backyard Bibs top over a shirt or blouse, you may want to shorten the straps by 1/4th inch to give a bit more snug fit.

Add a pair of shortie bloomers, made with the Bloomer Buddies sewing pattern, and make a cute dolly swimsuit!

Find the Bloomer Buddies pattern HERE.

Eek! How cute is this? As I was dressing Kelly in this new top, I thought, “Sure would be cute with bloomers.” Well, look at that. I was right. It makes an adorable swimsuit and is made of cotton fabric (easier to sew!).

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

See more ideas to sew with the Backyard Bibs pattern HERE and HERE. Be sure to visit the Inspiration Gallery page!

The Backyard Bibs Easy Overalls Sewing Pattern can also be used to make an adorable Peplum style Doll Top.

This easy pattern hack gives you even more options to use your Backyard Bibs sewing pattern. Download your copy and stitch one up today!

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Tester Tuesday: Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern for A Girl for All Time® Dolls.

Be inspired by these Backyard Bibs that were sewn by the Oh Sew Kat! testers. I love how each one looks completely unique!

Inspiring tester photos of the Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern.

Backyard Bibs PDF sewing pattern for 16 inch dolls by Oh Sew Kat!

Clementine in roses by Michele A. (Shown with the Playtime Peasant Top.)

Pastel Plaids by Shirley F.

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Spring circles by Juliette A. (shown with the Playtime Peasant Top.)

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

The Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern lets you make overalls and skirtalls in five doll sizes.

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Find more ideas to sew the Backyard Bibs pattern in the Inspiration Gallery.

18 inch Doll Traveling Bag Project: Who Wore it Best?

This past summer, just for fun, I participated in a facebook group’s Traveling Bag project. I think there were about 50 people in the project, and everyone had to put a doll outfit into an American Girl bag, and send it to the next person on the list.  How fun!!! I was waiting to post this until the big reveal, but it’s been almost a year and as far as I know, the bag is still going. So I thought I’d share now anyways.

I received this gorgeous ruffle dress from Janet Flath of Jane’s Booties and More.  Be sure to stop by her Facebook shop and see all her cute things!! Tell her Oh Sew Kat! sent you.  The dress also came with an adorable pair of sandals as well as a headband.

18 inch Doll Outfit Swap- Travelling Bag Project

So I have to ask. Who wore it best?  Emily looks stunning with the bright collar.  The dress is sort of a pastel toile design. Very rich looking with a pretty sheen to it.

Luciana also looks fantastic! So hard to choose! These sandals are just amazing. I’m not sure the photo shows that the soles are metallic gold!

So what do you think?  Emily or Luciana! Comment below.  See other “who wore it best” posts here and here.

Who wore my travelling bag doll outfit best?

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Hawaiian Fashions to Sew for American Girl, BeForever Character, Nanea Mitchell

Sewing for BeForever character Nanea Mitchell?  Try these twists on patterns to make a variety of Hawaiian themed dress from Oh Sew Kat! patterns. Find all of these patterns in my Etsy Shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/ohsewkat.

Sew Hawaiian themed doll clothes for Nanea with easy sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!

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40s Fashions for Nanea:

1.  Bloomer Buddies MuuMuu Tutorial
2. Sunshine Dress MuuMuu Tutorial
3. Playtime Peasant Top MuuMuu Tutorial 
4. Sugar n Spice MuuMuu Tutorial

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What other Oh Sew Kat! patterns might work for Nanea outfits? Visit the Nanea page of the Inspiration Gallery to see more ideas.  Comment below with your ideas.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! HISTORICAL FASHIONS GALLERY TO SEE MORE IDEAS.

Backyard Bibs in Beautiful Blue Bees for Blaire

The Backyard Bibs sewing pattern for 18 inch dolls is so fun to sew! I like to make them two or three at a time.

Backyard Bibs with Playtime Peasant Top PDF Sewing pattern for dolls.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

I added lace to the hem and made the waistband from a contrasting fabric. Blaire is also wearing a Playtime Peasant Top which completes the outfit. Both the gingham and white look so great I just can’t pick! Maybe white for spring, and gingham for fall!

Sew easy overalls and skirtalls with the Backyard Bibs sewing pattern.

Are your dolls ready for spring? They will be in their cute Backyard Bibs.

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Find the Backyard Bibs sewing pattern for 18 inch Dolls HERE.

Find the Playtime Peasant Top Sewing pattern for 18 inch Dolls HERE.

Find the two patterns bundled together HERE.

See more ideas for the Backyard Bibs pattern HERE and HERE.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

Tester Tuesday: Oh Sew Kat! Fashions in Blue

Sophie is one of my very talented, long time testers. Her sense of fashion and amazing photography give me so much joy. I hope you are as inspired by her cool, blue fashions as I am! Find more of her beautiful work on Instagram under Project_AG_Runway, and find the link to each pattern below the photos.

Sew a soft, ruffled skirt and eyelet top with the Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt Pattern.

Find the Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt pattern HERE.

The Party Time Peasant Dress features of the waistband and pretty ruffles shine in denim blue.

Find the Party Time Peasant Dress Sewing Pattern HERE.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.

The Backyard Bibs Sewing Pattern is the perfect pattern for soft florals and a sweet, eyelet peasant top.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

Soft and sweet florals make a dreamy Easy Up! Jumper with detailed pocket.

Click Here to Purchase the Easy Up! Jumper for 18″ Dolls

Sweet, blue stripes are perfect for a summer Halteralls romper.

Find the HalterAlls Sewing Pattern HERE.

The Sweet Simple Tee can also be made as a cool, striped tank top.

Find the Simple Sweet Tee pattern HERE.

Thank you again to Sophie for sharing her amazing talents with me. These outfits were all sewn using Oh Sew Kat! PDF patterns. Find all of these patterns and more in my Etsy Shop for 18 inch dolls and other sizes as well.

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Make Ruffled Skirt Bibs for your Dolls by Combining 2 Sewing Patterns

Have you seen the pattern value bundles section of my Etsy shop? I now offer bundles of patterns for more than one size in one listing, with more being added all the time. I also offer quite a few bundles of 2 to 4 patterns that go together…like for summer or school, as well as certain pairs of patterns that were designed as outfits. See the selection of bundles HERE.

Oh Sew Kat! Doll Clothes Sewing Pattern Bundles

Some of these pairs include my first two patterns published, The Sixth Grade Skirt and Popsicle Top available in different doll sizes. You can also find the Easy Up! Jumper paired with the Jumping Jack 3 in 1 set for the turtleneck. My newest bundle pair is the Backyard Bibs and Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt. This bundle gives you the top (which can be made into a dress), the 3 tiered prairie skirt, and four versions of the Backyard Bibs overalls.

Combine the Playtime Twirl Skirt with the Backyard Bibs for a new look!

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Make your doll a set of Ruffled Backyard Bibs with this easy pattern hack.

Create this adorable ruffled bibs dress by combining the two patterns (shown above) in the Bibs and Blouse bundle. Follow the instructions as written to make the bibs, then instead of adding one of the skirt or pants variations, add the two bottom ruffles from the Playtime Twirl Skirt. Go even further by adding all three ruffles if you like! (Just realize that the top ruffle of the skirt goes into an elastic waistband, which the Bibs pattern does not have. You will need to make the top layer longer in order to be full enough for the larger bibs waistband.)

Riley is ready for the spring and sunshine!! Ad: This outfit was made with a fabric bundle sold by Cricut. Check out their bundles for a great fabric bundle selection.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

Find more ideas for making unique doll clothes in the Oh Sew Kat! Inspiration Gallery.

A Girl for All Time Sewing Pattern- The Sixth Grade Skirt by Oh Sew Kat!

The Sixth Grade Skirt pattern is now available for 16 inch ball jointed dolls like A Girl for All Time®. Some of my AGAT patterns may also fit Sasha dolls, depending on the fit.

Find the Sixth Grade Skirt for A Girl for All Time® Dolls in my Etsy Shop.

This A line style skirt is very quick to sew, but offers lots of options by adding pockets (see this TUTORIAL) or lace (see this TUTORIAL). Visit the Inspiration Gallery for even more ideas.

Find this pattern HERE and the Popsicle Top to go with it HERE.

The Sixth Grade Skirt is a very easy sewing pattern for A Girl for All Time Dolls.

Find the pattern in 5 other popular doll sizes, and also in some value bundles HERE.

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Make an adorable Sixth Grade Skirt for your A Girl for All Time® Doll.

VISIT THE OH SEW KAT! INSPIRATION GALLERY TO SEE MORE DOLL CLOTHES IDEAS.