Learning to Sew? What pattern to start with?

I get asked this question quite often.

“What would be the best pattern for my young, or brand new sewist start with?”

Oh Sew Kat! offers patterns with basic pattern pieces and simple constructions for this very reason. The goal is to give success to someone who has NEVER SEWN A PATTERN EVER.  Here are my top 3 patterns for newbie seamstresses: The Sixth Grade Skirt, the Playtime Peasant Top, and the Easy Up! Jumper.

1.  Sixth Grade Skirt

The greatest thing about the Sixth Grade Skirt is that it’s very hard to mess it up. Because it is an open skirt, with a hook and loop tape closure in back, it fits a wide variety of dolls (and toys), and also accommodates a beginning seamstress’ (possibly) uneven seam allowances.  It’s fun to mix and match different fabrics, and you can add easy pockets with this TUTORIAL, or ruffles or lace to the hem like in this TUTORIAL.

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2. Playtime Peasant Top

As far as a doll shirt goes, the peasant top is a timeless staple for every doll wardrobe.  It really does not get much easier than this.  The simple construction still lends itself to whimsical fabric combinations for unique styles.  Feeding a safety pin through an elastic casing for the easy neckline will teach a beginner a skill that can be then used on skirts, pants and shorts too!

Make the Playtime Peasant Top with long sleeves with elastic at the wrist.  This classic look works for both historical and modern outfits.

Playtime Peasant Top with short sleeves with elastic.  Add lace to a skirt with this easy TUTORIAL.

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3. Easy Up! Jumper

The Easy Up! Jumper is just that! Easy! It’s easy to cut, and quick to sew.  For first time seamstresses, make the simple version (no side pleats) and use FOE (fold over elastic) for the straps. Be careful, this pattern is addicting! It’s hard to make just one!

 

Visit the Inspiration Gallery for each pattern to see more ideas.

Other simple patterns to try:  Boardwalk Boutique, Playground Pants, HalterAlls, and the Party Time Peasant Dress.

SHOP for Oh Sew Kat! Patterns

 

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Tester Tuesday: The Sixth Grade Skirt

It’s Tester Tuesday!  The Sixth Grade Skirt has just been updated. It was the first pattern I ever published, so I have wanted to update the photos and images for awhile.

Here are some adorable skirts that my Oh Sew Kat! testers made as we tweaked the pattern for the perfect fit.  I had forgotten how easy and fun this skirt is!  If you purchased this pattern, contact me to get your updated copy.

Sophie Pagr made adorable skirts and her photos really capture the essence of summer fun!

Kathy McMilin added interest and contrast to her skirts. The lace front instructions are included in the pattern.

If you haven’t sewn a Sixth Grade Skirt in awhile, I encourage you to dust it off and give it a whirl. With a velcro close in back, it is easily adapted to fit nearly any brand of doll.

Find a tutorial to add pockets to your skirt HERE.

Find a tutorial to add a ruffled or lace hem trim to your skirt HERE.

Find the pattern in multiple sizes in my Etsy shop and on Pixie Faire.

Step it Up Series: Make a Sixth Grade Skirt with Ruffle or Lace Hem! Easy Skirt Pattern Hack!

Add a ruffle or lace hem to your Sixth Grade Skirt!

The Sixth Grade Skirt is the perfect skirt to make for your doll all year long.  It takes such a tiny bit of fabric and goes together in a jiffy!  Here’s a way to give your Sixth Grade Skirt a new look! Add a cute hem to your skirt with this easy tutorial.

First, you will need the pattern.  I offer the Sixth Grade Skirt in five sizes:  18 inch, 16 inch Disney Animators, 15 inch Bitty Baby, 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers, and 14 inch HeartsForHearts Girls.  (Because this skirt is fitted and does not use elastic, I encourage you to check the fit on your own doll before you sew on the hook and loop tape, especially if your doll does not have a cloth body.  If you purchased this pattern before June 2018, be sure to get the updated version! (Check your etsy purchase history, contact me, or Pixie Faire.)

Step 1. To keep the skirt’s cute silhouette, you need to remove a little bit from the hem of the pattern pieces.  You can do this after you sew the pieces together, but it’s easier to just cut the seam allowance off the bottom of each pattern piece.  Cut out your skirt and put it together according to the directions.  Before you add the waistband, complete Step 2 below.

Step 2.  To add a fabric ruffle for an 18 inch doll skirt, cut a strip of fabric 2 inches by 27-36 inches.  (27 inches will give a less full ruffle than 36 inches will.)  You will need a thinner, and shorter piece for smaller dolls. Measure the hem of your skirt, and cut the ruffle to 1.5 or 2 times that length.  Pre-gathered eyelet lace also makes a pretty hem!

Step 3.  With wrong sides together, press your ruffle the long way.  The fold will be the hem.  Gather the top, raw edges or use (my new favorite!) a ruffle foot.  With right sides together, pin the ruffle (or your lace or trim) to the hem of your skirt, and stitch with a 1/4th inch seam allowance.  Use an overlock stitch, zigzag stitch, or serger to give the seam allowance a clean finish.  Press it towards the skirt, and top stitch close to the edge.

Step 4.

That was easy!  Complete the skirt according to the directions.  Your Sixth Grade Skirt is complete!

This post is the second post in a series of six posts:

Six Ways to Sew the Sixth Grade Skirt!

1.  Add pockets to your Sixth Grade Skirt
2. Add a ruffle or lace hem to your Sixth Grade Skirt
3.  Check back to see another way to Step it Up!
4. Check back to see another way to Step it Up!
5. Check back to see another way to Step it Up!
6. Check back to see another way to Step it Up!

Each post in this series will feature a new way to “Step it Up” and make your Sixth Grade Skirt just a little more unique.  Find the quick and easy pattern in my Etsy Shop:

Sixth Grade Skirt for 18 inch dolls like American Girl®

Sixth Grade Skirt for 15 inch dolls like Bitty Baby®

Sixth Grade Skirt for 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers™

You can also make Sixth Grade Skirt for Disney Animator Dolls and Hearts for Hearts.

Share your skirt with ruffles or lace online with hashtag OhSewKat.  Click HERE to see another way to step up your Sixth Grade Skirt.

4th of July Doll Clothes

It’s time to celebrate the red, white and blue here in the USA!  Here are a few 4th of July inspired outfits made with Oh Sew Kat! patterns.  Click on the photos to go right to the pattern.

Melody looks adorable in Bloomer Buddies!

Kendall shows her pride in Party Time Peasant Dress (photo credit: Amy Violet’s).

Sam is also in a Party Time Peasant Dress.

The Bitty Twins are ready for a picnic in their HalterAlls.

Summer classic:  Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.

Emily and Mary keep cool in Popsicle Tops and Sandbox Shorts.

Nina Self made this cute version of Boardwalk Boutique.

Ashley Crawe has Bitty Baby all decked out for the holiday in a Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.

Willa and Kendall look cute in their Popsicle Tops and Four Season Skirts.

 

Pattern Update: The Sixth Grade Skirt by Oh Sew Kat!

The Sixth Grade Skirt has just been updated. It was the first pattern I ever published, so I have wanted to update the photos and images for awhile and finally got around to putting it at the top of the to do list.  I love this simple, little skirt! It has so much potential!

The updated pattern is now available in all of my shops.  If you purchased your copy at Pixie Faire, you will receive an email. If you purchased it anywhere else, simply contact me, tell me when and where, and I will send you the updated copy.  There are not a whole lot of changes- I redrew the pattern pieces in new software, updated the photos, and added new images. The overlap in the back of the skirt was adjusted as well.

The Sixth Grade Skirt is a perfect match with the Popsicle Top pattern.  Directions are included to add lace or pleats to the center front panel.

If you haven’t sewn a Sixth Grade Skirt in awhile, I encourage you to dust it off and give it a whirl. With a velcro close in back, it is easily adapted to fit nearly any brand of doll.

Find a tutorial to add the pockets to your skirt HERE.

Find the pattern in multiple sizes in my Etsy shop and on Pixie Faire.

Sixth Grade Skirt

The Sixth Grade Skirt was the pattern that started it all!  I had just finished a pattern making class, and a few friends and I were all working together to publish our first patterns.  We worked together and tested each others’ work, challenging ourselves to publish our first patterns! We all did it!  And the Sixth Grade Skirt was mine.

Because it was my first pattern, the learning curve was pretty steep. Who knew there was so much work in a pattern? I chose a simple design that my (at the time) 12 year old daughter could easily sew.  Thank you to all of you that have purchased this (and any that have come since!) pattern!

 

The Sixth Grade Skirt is a simple skirt to sew.  From cutting to finishing, you can easily complete it in under an hour.  With the overlap in back, it’s easy to fit for different sized dolls.  You can make it for summer, or winter, or anything in between!

Add pockets to your skirt with this easy tutorial!

Choose shiny fabrics and pretty trim to put in between the seams.  Here is the Sixth Grade Skirt for Hearts for Hearts Dolls.

This rainbow skirt was fun to make and is perfect for a hot summer day.  I turned my fabric when I cut the center panel for interest.

Maryellen is ready for the holidays in her red, corduroy Sixth Grade Skirt.  A perfect fall skirt to take your doll right into the holidays and on to Valentine’s Day!

This pink skirt was made with simple, pink cotton.  It easily works in summer and winter. Because dolls don’t get cold 😉

School Bell Blouse and Sixth Grade Skirt by Oh Sew Kat!

Rapunzel’s summery outfit was stitched by Jaci of JGooseandCO.  Mixing and matching prints make a perfect play outfit for Disney animator dolls.

Find the patterns here to stitch up your version today!  You can find all the sizes in my ETSY SHOP.  These patterns are also available on Pixie Faire, and You Can Make This.

Sixth Grade Skirt for 18 inch dolls

Sixth Grade Skirt for Animators

Sixth Grade Skirt for Bitty Baby

Sixth Grade Skirt for Wellie Wishers

Sixth Grade Skirt for Hearts for Hearts

Shirley of Doll Clothes by Shirley used the Sixth Grade Skirt with pretty embroidery and fold over elastic as the trim for her Wellie Wisher outfit.

 

 

Step it Up Series: Sugar N Spice Peplum Top for Dolls – Easy Pattern Hack!

Take your patterns to the next level when you step up the Sugar n Spice Dress to this cute, peplum top!

This cute little top is easy to sew from the Sugar n Spice Dress pattern.  Buy it in my Etsy shop. The pattern bundle also includes the dress up accessories! This pattern is also available sized for WellieWishers and Animators Dolls.

 

Make your dress into a Peplum Top with this easy variation to the pattern. This tutorial assumes you have a basic knowledge of sewing.  Please refer to the pattern instructions for more detail, as well as the pattern pieces.

1.  Cut out your pattern pieces and fabric for the bodice, lining, and sleeves.  Add 1/2 to 3/4 inch to the bodice if you want the peplum to sit below the waist.
2. Instead of a wide skirt piece, cut a shorter skirt piece as the peplum.  For the 18 inch doll size, I used 2 1/4 inches by 28 inches.  The longer your peplum, the fuller it will be.  For the 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers dolls, I cut peplums at 2 1/2 by 15 inches (ladybug) and 1 3/4 inches by 17 inches (holly).
3. Follow the pattern directions to make the top, using the peplum piece instead of the skirt piece.

Enjoy these amazing photos by Pam Ray of Amy Violet’s, who made the cutest peplum tops for her Wellies and sells the outfits in her shop. Each set is paired with a Sixth Grade Skirt, with the added pockets as shown in THIS TUTORIAL.  She also used THIS TUTORIAL to add the front placket with a little lace!  Nice touch!  I just love to see how others stitch up the patterns I created.

 

Have fun sewing up a cute top with Oh Sew Kat’s most popular (and versatile) dress pattern, Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice!  See the Inspiration Gallery for even more ideas to use your pattern!  Thanks for stopping by!  Use the links below to share this tutorial with your friends!

 

Step it Up Series: Make a Sixth Grade Skirt with Pockets! Don’t miss this Pattern Hack!

Pockets for the Sixth Grade Skirt!

 

With the end of summer, we find ourselves back to routines and Back to School!  Put a new twist on the classic A-Line Skirt for dolls, the Sixth Grade Skirt by Oh Sew Kat!  Add some cute pockets with this easy tutorial!

First, you will need the pattern.  I offer the Sixth Grade Skirt in five sizes:  18 inch, 16 inch Disney Animators, 15 inch Bitty Baby, 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers, and 14 inch HeartsForHearts Girls.  (Because this skirt is fitted and does not use elastic, I encourage you to check the fit on your own doll before you sew on the hook and loop tape.)

Step 1. Begin your pattern as you always do.  Print the pieces, cut them out, and choose your fabrics.  Cut out all of the pieces for your skirt. To add pockets, (in the same or contrasting fabric- your choice!), cut two additional SIDE FRONT pieces.

Step 2.  Hold your pocket piece up to your doll and figure out how far down the pocket should go. (About to her hand).  Draw a straight line on each pocket, fold along that line, and press wrong sides together. (For the 18 inch dolls, I measured 1 7/8th inch down from the top. For Wellie Wishers I measured down 1 1/2 inch.)

Step 3.  Top stitch the top of your pocket.  Double stitch it if you like.  Trim the excess fabric inside.

Step 4.  Place the pockets, with rights sides facing up for both pieces, directly over each other and pin.  Be sure to they match exactly.  Continue to put your skirt together according to the pattern directions.

That was easy!  Your Sixth Grade Skirt is complete!  How about some cute buttons?

This post is first in a series of six posts:

Six Ways to Sew the Sixth Grade!

Each post in the series will feature a new way to “Step it Up” and make your Sixth Grade Skirt just a little more unique.  Find the quick and easy pattern in my Etsy Shop:

Sixth Grade Skirt for 18 inch dolls like American Girl®

Sixth Grade Skirt for 15 inch dolls like Bitty Baby®

Sixth Grade Skirt for 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers™

You can also make Sixth Grade Skirt for Disney Animator Dolls and Hearts for Hearts.

Share your skirt with pockets online with hashtag OhSewKat.  Click HERE for the second way to step up your Sixth Grade Skirt.

Tester Tuesday: Simple, Sweet Tee for Wellie Wishers Dolls

It looks like Shirley Fomby had a ball with this new and easy tee shirt pattern from Oh Sew Kat! She has a wonderful Etsy shop full of adorable outfits so your Wellie Wishers dolls will be the best dressed on the block!  Stop by and see what she has to offer.

Shirley paired this cute tee with the Sixth Grade Skirt pattern for a simple, school outfit.  The fold over elastic makes a cute trim for both tee and skirt and is easy to sew!

Find the Simple, Sweet Tee Pattern here and the Sixth Grade Skirt Pattern here.

Ashlynne looks so pretty in pink!! Her Simple, Sweet Tee is paired with a perfect pair of Playground Pants!! Shirley really had fun giving them a girly touch! Find the Playground Pants pattern here.

You are going to love this simple tee shirt for your dolls! It’s easy to sew, quick to make, and looks perfect with all the skirts, shorts and pants in your doll’s wardrobe.

Find the pattern for WellieWishers in my Etsy shop and see more Sweet Tees in the Inspiration Gallery!

Style It Up! Color Combo to Try: Blue and Pink

It’s time to Style it Up! Open up your doll’s closet and dress her in a fresh, new color combination! Getting ready to sew? Try putting these fun colors together, either as complete items, or bright accents.

Dress your dolls in dreamy pinks and blues to move from a balmy spring to a sizzling summer!

Bright blue and hot pink make me think of the the tropics.  A bright combination in any pattern, your dolls will shine in these colors. I used one batik print as my focal point for these outfits.  (Grace is wearing a School Bell Blouse with the easy Sixth Grade Skirt.  Lanie has a Popsicle Top paired with Sandbox Shorts).  I love the added sparkles a few crystals can give!

How about just a splash of color?

You can even take each shade a little lighter!

Here the Boardwalk Boutique for Animators gives the princess dolls a soft and feminine look for spring and summer.

Find all the patterns for these outfits and  much more in my Etsy Shop and at http://www.youcanmakethis.com and on Pixie Faire.

What will your doll wear when you Style it Up?