The Sunshine Dress PDF sewing pattern for dolls (available from Oh Sew Kat! in three popular doll sizes!) is a great basic pattern to have on hand to make simple short sleeve dresses for your dolls like American Girl, Welliewishers, and Animators’. The pattern includes three variations for the front, and below you will find links to even more ideas for this basic pattern. Find the patterns in my Etsy Shop!
In addition to the cute many included options for dresses, you can use this pattern to create all kinds of additional outfits. Click each photo to go right to the Tutorial. All of these outfits were created with the Sunshine Pattern. See more in the Inspiration Gallery here. Which will you try first?
Create different looks with a simple to sew dress pattern for dolls
These pattern hacks will also work for other sized dolls with minor adjustments. The pattern is available for 18 inch dolls like American Girl®, 14.5 inch dolls like Glitter Girls® and Welliewishers™, and 16 inch dolls like Animators’® dolls.
Try fun sewing hacks for Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns
Use the Picnic Play pattern to make quick and easy play clothes for your 18 inch dolls like American Girl® dolls. The pattern is available in the Oh Sew Kat! Etsy shop for 18 inch and 14.5 inch dolls. It includes a reversible top (one pattern piece!), cuffed capri pants, and a cute, drawstring backpack.
18 inch American Girl Doll PDF Sewing Patterns
Michele made this adorable outfit as part of my test team.
Mix and Match Doll Clothes- Easy Sewing Pattern for Dolls
This quick to sew outfit is also perfect to make pieces that mix and match in your doll’s wardrobe. This Picnic Play top was sewn with a lace overlay and looks cute with a skirt!! Emily’s striped skirt was made with the Everything Nice Pattern and THIS TUTORIAL.
Use the Picnic Play Pattern to Make an 80s Style Top
Or use this SLIGHT MODIFICATION to make the top have more of an 80s look for your Courtney Moore doll. See more in THIS POST and on the Courtney 80s Inspiration Page.
Does your doll need a new dress? Which doll doesn’t am I right? Oh Sew Kat! has a new value pattern bundle with three styles of dresses for your doll, in four doll sizes.
Best Dresses Doll Dress Pattern Bundle of Three by Oh Sew Kat!
Save 15% by purchasing this value bundle of three print at home PDF patterns that have full color photos for every step in the detailed directions. Each pattern also includes full size pattern pieces that fit your home printer paper (US 8.5 x 11 inches).
3 Doll Dress Pattern Value Bundle from Oh Sew Kat!
This Best Dressed bundle is offered in 3 doll sizes: 18 inch dolls, 16 inch Animators’ and 14.5 inch Welliewishers. There is a similar bundle (one dress is different) for 15 inch Bitty Baby dolls. Each pattern is also available individually. See them all HERE.
Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice: This pattern includes a short sleeve dress with fitted bodice and gathered skirt. Also included are patterns for a no sew tutu, reversible corset, apron, overskirt, and hooded cape so you can make your full imagination’s worth of outfits.
Here are some samples of the Sugar n Spice Pattern. Find a list of Sugar n Spice pattern hacks HERE.
Party Time Peasant Dress: Simple and quick to sew, with an elastic neckline, and contrasting waistband, the Party Time Peasant Dress is perfect for every season. You can make it with long sleeves with THIS HACK for even more options.
Here are a few samples of the Party Time Peasant Dress. Instructions are included for both the solid skirt and the 3 tiered prairie skirt. See more dresses in the Inspiration Gallery.
Easy to Sew Doll Dresses for 18 inch Dolls and other Sizes by Oh Sew Kat!
Sunshine Dress: This a-line dress is simple to sew with three variations to the front: Straight lined center, princess seams, or solid. Use THIS HACK to make it without sleeves for even more options.
Here are a few samples of the Sunshine Dress. You can find more ideas in the Inspiration Gallery.
Create your perfect doll dress with these three dress patterns, bundled together to save 15%. Happy Sewing!!
Looking for something to sew for the little Valentines in your life? Oh Sew Kat! has your back! Shop in my Etsy Shop and download your pattern immediately. Print your pattern at home and be ready to sew in just minutes. Here are some fun Valentine fashion ideas to get you started.
Valentine’s Day Sewing for American Girl Dolls- patterns by Oh Sew Kat!
The Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern includes a simple dress and pinafore/jumper. The pinafore makes a great stand alone dress as well. Here I kept it short, but it’s fun to make longer versions like in THIS POST. Layer the pinafore over a turtleneck, like the one included in the Jumping Jack pattern, or a tee or peasant top. Add some fun tights (these pink and red ones were actually from a Bitty Baby set by American Girl® called Sweetheart Outfit) and some cozy boots to complete the look.
DIY Valentine’s Day Doll Clothes with simple Sewing Patterns
If you are like me, I collect holiday prints, usually purchased in bundles like THESE from the AD: Fat Quarter Shop. I love to mix and match the colors and prints. The Twinkle Twirl Skirt was made for these fabrics. The single pattern includes five doll sizes and three variations!!
PDF Sewing Pattern for Dolls- Oh Sew Kat!
The Party Time Peasant Dress is quick to sew and is my favorite GO TO pattern for a fun, holiday dress. I made it with long sleeves like in THIS POST since Valentine’s Day can be a little chilly around here!
Kira’s skirt was made with the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle- it’s a simple overskirt that ties with a bow. It can also be worn over a dress with the opening in the front, as seen in THIS POST.
Valentine’s Day Fashions for American Girl Dolls- Easy and Quick to Sew!
Click the photos below to see more ideas for Valentine’s Day, and visit the Valentine’s Day Inspiration Gallery HERE.
Follow these simple instructions to modify the Everything Nice Overskirt (Included with the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice Pattern bundle) to close it with a pretty bow at the waist.
Make the Sugar n Spice Overskirt Close with a Pretty Tie
You will need the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle pattern. The overskirt is part of the accessories set.
Cut your skirt and waistband pieces according to the pattern instructions. I actually made my skirt more full at 33 inches.
Hem and gather the skirt, including the short edges.
Fold in each short end of the waistband 1/4th inch and press, then stitch.
With right sides together, press waistband in half long ways.
Open the waistband, and find the center. Also find the center of your 36 inch piece of ribbon.
Decide if you want the skirt to close in the center or off to one side and place your ribbon in the waistband accordingly. Optional: Stitch some or all of the ribbon near the fold, to the back of the waistband piece so the ribbon will not come out during play. If you want to be able to tie it both in the center and to the side, you will need to leave the ribbon unattached so it can slide. In that case, put the ribbon inside, and use clips or pins to hold it in place and out of the way as you attach your waistband.
Press the waistband closed again and complete the skirt as directed. The ribbon will be hidden in the waistband but the skirt will close with a cute bow.
Use the skirt on its own, or over a dress frontwards or backwards.
DIY 18 inch Doll Dresses for Valentine’s Day with Easy to Sew PDF Sewing Patterns from Oh Sew Kat!
Kira turned the skirt around (bow tie is now in the back) and matched it up with a simple white tee shirt. These bicycles are just so cute!! I found the fabric collection at the ad: FAT QUARTER SHOP.
Combine the pieces from the Oh Sew Kat! Sugar n Spice bundle with the Sunshine Dress to make a cute, retro sheath and overskirt for your 18 inch dolls (or any size) like Maryellen Larkin and Melody Ellison from American Girl®.
Mix and Match Oh Sew Kat! sewing patterns – Sunshine Dress with OverSkirt
As I’m learning to knit, it’s fun (and quick!) to knit for dolls!! As we worked our way through November, the fur trimmed capes were a great way to learn to use furry yarn, but also to create beautiful holiday ensembles for dolls. (These cape patterns are both by A Little Knitty.)
Make your Own Holiday Doll Clothes for American Girl Dolls
Dress your Dolls for Christmas with Doll Clothes made with OhSewKat PDF Sewing Patterns
One knitting pattern had a hood, and one didn’t. These dolls look so cute and so ready for the holidays that I just had to share!!
Riley (above) is wearing a holly jumper made from the Sugar n Spice PDF sewing pattern. You can find more info about her jumper HERE.
18 inch Doll Fashionistas: Holiday 18″ Outfits for Dolls
Poppy is wearing a classic outfit for the holiday under her cape. The Jumping Jack Turtleneck and Sixth Grade Skirt! Find both sewing patterns HERE.
This cape can also look very classic!! Julie is ready for Christmas with her cape and mittens over the Everything Nice Gingham Skirt. Find more information about her outfit here. See more ideas for Julie’s outfits HERE.
DIY Your Own Holiday Dresses for Dolls- Download and Sew Today
Make your doll a classic holiday jumper this year. This simple jumper is made with the pinafore pattern, found in the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern, available in four popular doll sizes. Find the pattern hack instructions HERE.
Use the turtleneck shirt pattern included in the Jumping Jack pattern to put underneath the jumper. You can make the neckline tall or short based on your preference. Find the pattern HERE.
Make your Dolls a classic Holiday Jumper this Christmas with easy PDF Patterns from Oh Sew Kat!
Find more ideas for the Sugar n Spice PDF Pattern here and here. Need more ideas for Christmas doll clothes? Check out the Christmas Inspiration Gallery. You might also enjoy these posts, click on the photos below.
Isn’t this the sweetest holiday outfit? It’s perfect for your 1970s characters like Julie and Ivy. You can make this classic outfit for your doll with easy to sew pdf patterns by Oh Sew Kat!
Dress your 18 inch American Girl Doll, Julie Albright (and her best friend, Ivy Ling) in all things 1970s with easy to sew PDF sewing patterns for Doll Clothes from Oh Sew Kat!
The fashions of the 70s featured lots of wild prints and earthy colors. Take a look at my Julie pinterest board HERE. Choosing fabrics with geometrics and florals in bright colors will give any dress or pattern you make a totally groovy vibe!
The School Dance Dress Sewing Pattern Has a 1970s Vibe
The School Dance Dress features a contrast front panel and long, wide sleeves. Add a chain across the front as you sew your front panels together for even more grooviness! You can also shorten the dress to be more in line with the era. Find the School Dance Sewing Pattern HERE.
The Jumping Jack PDF Sewing Pattern was created based on a 1974 pattern
The Jumping Jack 3 in1 jumper pattern from Oh Sew Kat! was inspired by a pattern from 1974. Turtlenecks and knee socks paired with shorts for fun times, button on a reversible apron style jumper and it looks like a cute dress!! This outfit made me think about the days we spent playing outside- and then it was time to get dressed to go out to dinner. Quick change! Click HERE to find the Jumping Jack PDF Sewing Pattern.
Make a Gingham Maxi Skirt Outfit with Oh Sew Kat Patterns
Maybe it’s just nostalgia (I was 7 years old in 1974, so just a bit younger than Julie was at 10) but so many of the outfits speak to me. My sister and I wore long maxi dresses to church and I even played on an all boys basketball team (Well, I was on the team and in a uniform- I’m not sure I would call what I did “playing basketball”) that when I saw THIS image on Pinterest, I knew it would make a perfect holiday outfit for Julie. The Playtime Peasant Top is a staple for every fashion era, and I simply took the overskirt from the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle, and made it floor length with a bit of lace at the hem. See more details on this outfit HERE. The Sugar n Spice bundle pattern can be found HERE, and the Playtime Peasant Top pattern is HERE. Find both patterns in the Holiday Bundle HERE.
Make a long nightgown for your 70s Doll, Julie.
I wore both pajamas and nightgowns as a child of the 1970’s. This floor length version of the Playtime Peasant Top (find the tutorial HERE) would have been perfect for Christmas morning. Find the pattern HERE.
Cute 1970s Tops were made from cotton calico fabrics.
My mother sewed a lot of my clothes when I was a child, both in the 70s and the 80s. A lot of the fabrics she used were the exact same fabric, but in different colors. I tried to reproduce one such red and white top here for Julie. The Bloomer Buddies pattern is simple to sew, and I added some matching patch pockets to give it that 70s vibe. See THIS POST to read more and use THIS TUTORIAL to add a cute headscarf to complete the look. I remember lots of mushrooms on my clothing as a child. 😉
It’s fun to take a basic pattern from Oh Sew Kat! and give it your own personal or historical flair. See my full list of pattern hacks and simple doll tutorials HERE, and visit the Julie Historical Fashion Gallery page HERE.
Oh Sew Kat! 