My Favorite Doll Clothes Sewing Patterns for the Holidays

All those cute holiday fabrics in the stores and online are just so hard to resist! Every year I love to sew up a few new doll outfits with the latest prints and colors. Here are some of my favorites. Find all of these PDF sewing patterns in my ETSY SHOP.

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Make your doll a holiday outfit with the Backyard Bibs PDF Sewing Pattern

The Backyard Bibs PDF sewing pattern is a very easy sewing project. Even a very inexperienced seamstress will find the process easy to follow with awesome results. Pull out your awesome holiday fabrics and make your doll a Backyard Bibs skirt or capri outfit today!

Grace’s poinsettia bibs (above) bring a fun PINK color to the holiday season. I used it with the Playtime Peasant top pattern- you can find the 2 bundle value here. Perfect for warmer climates or add a cozy sweater and some furry boots! Nicki’s aqua snowman bibs are from the same fabric collection (Merry Merry Snow Days by Moda). I used striped bias tape to add more interest and she’s wearing it over a Jumping Jack turtleneck shirt (made with the lower collar option.) . Find the patterns HERE.

Make a quick and easy Easy Up! jumper in fun holiday fabric. Make it Reversible!

I love this pattern! I made a dress for my daughter a long time ago and this pattern is the result. See the full post here. The Easy Up! pattern looks complicated, but it’s really very simple. With a full front and front contrast straps and hem kick pleat, it’s the perfect pattern for your awesome and fun holiday fabrics.

I used a cute, gingham bias tape for the hem on this jumper. I didn’t, but it would be cute to use the same trim for the straps too. Have fun mixing and matching your fun fabrics. Go outside your box! Fabric is called SNOW GLOBE by Moda.

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Your doll will be ready for the holidays and beyond with an adorable Jumping Jack 3 in1 Jumper Set.

The Jumping Jack pattern is probably the biggest Oh Sew Kat! sleeper pattern. It consists of three pieces, a long sleeve, turtleneck shirt, a pair of wide leg shots, and a reversible “front and back” apron style jumper that makes the complete outfit look like a cute dress. This pattern is based on a 1974 design. See more HERE. With three unique pieces, you will certainly want to add it to your pattern collection whether you use it as a set or for its individual pieces . Check out the turtleneck shirts I featured in THIS POST.

Sewing Tip- any time I make a reversible outfit for the winter holidays, I often make the reverse in Valentine fabric. This santa jumper has red and pink hearts on the reverse.

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Holiday outfits for dolls? Yes, please. Try the Bloomer Buddies sewing pattern for so many options!

Bloomer Buddies is a very versatile pattern. With three lengths for the top (top, tunic, dress) and three lengths for the bloomers (shortie, knee, capri), you can make it with out without sleeves for even more options. Choose classic Christmas colors (See more photos HERE) or make it with long sleeves (directions in THIS POST). Use this pattern to make nightgowns and pajamas too!! (See THIS POST and THIS ONE.)

Every sewing pattern is just the starting point. Once you have a bodice and a skirt, you can make a dress that fits your dream.

Use Oh Sew Kat! patterns to make cute holiday outfits for American Girl sized dolls.

See my favorite patterns for Fall HERE and for Summer HERE.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Oh Sew Kat! Sewing Patterns

Are you new to Oh Sew Kat! Or new to the digital sewing pattern world? Here are some answers to some general questions you might have about what an Oh Sew Kat! (OSK) PDF pattern is and why you will love it. Find the full list of FAQ HERE. Find the full OSK pattern collection HERE.

GENERAL QUESTIONS ABOUT OH SEW KAT! SEWING PATTERNS

What size dolls do Oh Sew Kat! patterns fit?  Oh Sew Kat! Offers patterns in 5 popular play doll sizes from 14-18 inches.

• 18 inch Dolls like American Girl® and Our Generation®
• 16 inch slim ball jointed (BJD) Dolls like A Girl for All Time® 
• 16 inch Dolls like Animators’ Dolls by Disney®
• 15 inch Baby Dolls like Bitty Baby® from American Girl®
• 14.5 inch Dolls like Wellie Wishers™ from American Girl®, and Glitter Girls® from Our Generation®
• 14 inch Dolls like Hearts for Hearts Girls®

What are the levels of difficulty?  Oh Sew Kat! Patterns have a difficulty rating clearly marked on the pattern cover.  Even though smaller doll patterns may use the same sewing skills, sewing smaller pieces (sleeves, collars etc) will naturally be a little harder than sewing for larger dolls.

• Very Easy:  Great pattern for beginners, Uses basic sewing lines, and threading elastic.
• Easy:  Simple construction, few pattern pieces, included rounded necklines and sleeves
• Confident Beginner:  Uses a few advanced techniques such as button holes, knit fabric etc.
• Intermediate and Experienced:  Oh Sew Kat! Doesn’t make sewing patterns that are this difficult.  

What is included in the Oh Sew Kat! PDF patterns?  Each Oh Sew Kat! Pattern is packed full of instructions, tips, and inspiration.  Each pattern includes:

• Basic pattern reading instructions
• Cutting layout and print guide
• Step by step, full color photos and instructions
• Text only printable instructions (to save paper and ink)
• Full size, computer drawn, labelled pattern pieces
• Sample Idea Gallery and Tester Samples
• Find a Full Inspiration Gallery, Pattern Hacks, and Sewing Tips at http://www.ohsewkat.com.

Do Oh Sew Kat! patterns include a seam allowance? Yes, every Oh Sew Kat! pattern piece has a 1/4th inch seam allowance included. This is clearly marked by a dashed line.

Do Oh Sew Kat! patterns include the large pattern piece for a gathered doll skirt or ruffles? Oh Sew Kat! patterns do not include a pattern piece for the rectangles used to make gathered doll skirts. Measurements are always included and pattern pieces for waistbands and straps are always included, along with the measurements. Read why I do it this way and how to make your own skirt pattern piece in THIS POST.

How long does it take to make a doll outfit?  The amount of time it takes you to sew one outfit will vary depending on your experience, but as a general rule, most Oh Sew Kat! Patterns are simple to sew without a lot of fussy details and small pieces.  They are designed to be completed in an afternoon. Some patterns will sew up very quickly (Sixth Grade Skirt, Halteralls, Boardwalk Boutique, Four Season Skirt, Backyard Bibs) and can probably be made in about 1-2 hours.

How much fabric do I need for each pattern?  Each pattern will specify exactly how much fabric will be needed, depending on the doll size.  As a general rule, if the pattern is for a doll dress with a gathered skirt, you will need a minimum of 1/4th to 1/3rd yard of fabric, cut off the bolt.  If there isn’t a gathered skirt, most Oh Sew Kat! Patterns will easily fit on a fat quarter of fabric (18×22 inches), that are often offered in pretty, folded bundles of coordinating fabrics.  You can also find a great selection at Ad: Cricut.com. 

Can I purchase a printed copy of the sewing patterns? I don’t normally offer printed patterns. If you are interested, please CONTACT ME for more details. In order to purchase a printed copy of the pattern piece pages, you would also need to purchase the full digital copy.

Frequently Asked Questions about PDF Sewing Patterns

Find the full FAQ Section HERE.

Make Easy Doll Clothes to Fit 15″ Baby Dolls like Bitty Baby

The 15 inch baby dolls, like Bitty Baby® and Bitty Twins® are fun to sew for. Mix and match an easy wardrobe with the basics using easy to sew PDF patterns from Oh Sew Kat!

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Easy sewing patterns for Bitty Baby and Bitty Twins Dolls

The newest pattern available for 15 inch baby dolls is the super popular Backyard Bibs pattern. Pair it with the Playtime Peasant Top for a cute outfit for your boy or girl baby doll. (These two patterns are also available in a special price bundle here.) This pattern includes four options- two skirts and two pants- for lots of ways to dress baby! See more photos of the Backyard Bibs pattern HERE and in the Inspiration Gallery HERE.

Use beginner level sewing patterns to make doll clothes for 15 inch Bitty Baby Dolls.

Easy and cute, every baby girl loves a twirly dress like the Party Time Peasant Dress. This pattern is also available in 5 popular doll sizes and is quick and easy to sew! Find more ideas in the Inspiration Gallery HERE.

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See, save, and share more ideas for bitty baby and bitty twins on my Pinterest Boards.

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Your Bitty Baby would love a new outfit- sew one yourself with easy sewing patterns.

The Boardwalk Boutique Halter Top and Capri pattern is still one of Oh Sew Kat’s most popular patterns. Available in five doll sizes, it’s easy to make with very little time and very little fabric. Make the top a little longer for a cute sundress- or use the pants pattern for pajamas and other cute outfits. See more ideas HERE and HERE.

The HalterAlls for Dolls pattern (below) is a very easy pattern to sew. It’s very similar to the Boardwalk Boutique pattern used above. Use ribbon for straps and add your own special details. It’s available in 5 doll sizes and you can see more ideas for it HERE.

Make your Bitty Baby and Bitty Twin dolls their own special outfits you design and sew yourself.

The Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt pattern is very easy and quick. Make it in cute bandana fabric for a country western look. See more ideas in the Playtime Inspiration Gallery.

Find all Oh Sew Kat! sewing patterns by clicking the blue button below. No time to sew? Pin it for later!

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60s Fashions to Sew for your American Girl Doll, Melody Ellison

Sewing for Melody Ellison?  Try these twists on patterns from Oh Sew Kat! to make a 60s inspired outfit for your doll.  Find all of these patterns in my Etsy Shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/ohsewkat.

Make 60s inspired doll clothes with Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!

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Make 60s themed doll clothes for Melody with these sewing patterns:

1.  Sleeveless Sunshine Dress with Everything Nice Overskirt (roses)
2. School Bell Blouse Dress (blue)
3. Colorblock Sunshine Dress with Pockets (green and white)
4. Sleeveless Sunshine Dress (lime and hot pink)

What other Oh Sew Kat! patterns might work for Melody outfits? Comment below with your ideas!

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

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Happy Fourth of July!

For those of us in the USA, have a wonderful 4th of July!

“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!”

-Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Oh Sew Kat! Shop Feature: You Can Make This

UPDATE 11/21/19- the You Can Make This site may have been hacked. I encourage you to shop on Etsy instead.

Here at Oh Sew Kat! Designs, you will find quick and easy sewing patterns to make an entire doll clothes wardrobe for your 18 inch dolls (like American Girl®) as well as other, smaller sized dolls, like Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby®.  PDF patterns are simple to use (shop and print at home!) and easy to store (computer files- save your pattern pieces for next time or toss them and print them again later).  Read below to learn more about the pattern sites where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.

Many of us have favorite sites we like to use and choose and collect reward points to buy (yes!) more patterns.  I want you to be able to shop where you like to shop- so I offer my patterns on multiple selling platforms.  Each platform is a little different, and all patterns are not available on all the sites.  Click HERE to find the FREE Four Season Skirt pattern in 3 sizes.

Please note:  Due to the variety of internet browsers, you should always download your PDF file first, and save it on your computer, before opening it and printing your pieces at actual size.

Where to buy Oh Sew Kat! PDF sewing patterns for dolls

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You Can Make This

Update 11/21/19: You can still find and purchase my patterns on the YCMT site, but I am concerned it may have been hacked. If you purchased patterns there before, download them now for safekeeping as I am unsure if the site will be around much longer. I encourage you to shop elsewhere for Oh Sew Kat! patterns.

You Can Make This, or YCMT, is a sewing lovers’ dream!  This was the site where I first found my love of PDF digital sewing patterns.  This site offers much, much more than doll clothes, with a large variety of handbags, kids’ clothes, craft projects, toys, and more from over 300 designers.  They offer weekly newsletters, a place to feature the items you’ve made, and also take most forms of payment.  You will need to establish an account, but your pattern files will always be available for you in your pattern library.  You can also earn points for purchases and use them for future purchases as well.

Where to buy Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!

Use your Cricut to make Doll Clothes! 5 Ways to Use the Cricut Maker or Explore Machines when Sewing Doll Clothes

Use your cricut maker or cricut explore machine to make doll clothes sewing faster, easier and more precise.

This post includes affiliate links. Please read my POLICY here. I’ve been a cricut user since the very first “baby bug” machine came out. Cricut sure has come a long way since then! Don’t know what I’m referring to? Check out this LINK to see what a cricut machine is.

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1. Make graphic tee shirts for your dolls with a cricut or cameo machine.

Use your cricut machine to cut out cute designs and make your own graphic tee shirts and outfits for your dolls! Boy and girl dolls alike love tees with clever sayings and personalization. I find that heat transfer vinyl is much quicker and easier than using my embroidery machine! With a subscription to Cricut Access, I have thousands of designs at my fingertips that can be resized to doll scale with a push of a button.

2. Cut out your PDF doll clothes paper patterns with your cricut machine and Design Space software.

If you have a cricut machine, no matter the size or name, you can use it to cut out your paper patterns that you purchase from Oh Sew Kat! and other online designers. You will need a cricut account and to be able to use Design Space. You can also do this on the Brother Scan and Cut and Silhouette Cameo machines. You will need to get the images from the PDF pattern into the cutter’s software. I convert mine to SVG files but there are lots of way to do this, depending on your software. (You can try the cricut SNAP Mat for example, or in the Silhouette software, it might be easier to print your pattern page and scan it back in as a jpg file. Load that into the software and use the TRACE tool for each piece.) Again, a little extra prep work the first time you do this, will save you lots of time later on when you go to use your patterns again. Once you cut them out, be sure to label them with the piece name and size, plus add any markings like notches, dots etc.

3. Cut out your doll clothes from fabric with your cricut maker machine.

Yep! You read that right! Technology has arrived!! The newest cricut machine on the market, the Cricut Maker, is the only one that has a rotary blade, that can easily cut fabric on a specially treated mat. There is a learning curve and a time factor to get a pattern set up, but once it’s complete, you can just pull it up and be cutting your doll clothes out in minutes. The cricut maker does not require the fabric to be stiffened to work. Just lay it on the mat and cut! What a time saver, especially for you craft show sellers! Read more in THIS POST.

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4. Decorate your doll clothes with easy to cut pockets, appliques, or accessorize with purses and belts.

Included with the Design Space program are a lot of basic shapes that you can manipulate and cut for free. You can also weld shapes together or slice them apart. Save your files to use them again later. The sparkly pumpkin face on Kelly’s Boardwalk Boutique dress was part of a full pumpkin image. I simply told the cricut to only cut the face. You can weld a square and a triangle together to make a pocket. The new cricut Maker cuts leather very nicely, which opens the door to fun accessories like purses and belts.

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5. Make doll shoes with your Cricut machine.

There are lots of ways to use your cricut machine when it’s time to make doll shoes. Use the cricut to cut the foam or chipboard for nice, precise soles. Use the leather and cut out the uppers.

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Too busy to sew right now? Pin these images for later! What other ways can you use your Cricut machine to enhance your doll world? Need some specific cricut tutorials? My favorites can be found HERE. Tell Megan you were sent by Oh Sew Kat!

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The Easy Way to Make a Paper Pattern for Doll Skirts

When an Oh Sew Kat! pattern uses a gathered skirt, it’s very difficult to please everyone by either including large, blank pages of pieces of paper to print and tape together to make a rectangle pattern piece, or to just put measurements and let everyone cut their fabric with a rotary cutter. As a pattern designer, I find it to be about a 50/50 split on what people prefer. Personally, I either rip my fabric, or I use my rotary cutter and quilting rulers (like these: AD: https://amzn.to/2XaHDeC) but if you don’t have one, or prefer to cut around a paper pattern, here is an easy tutorial to make a paper pattern for the gathered skirts if one is not included in the pattern.

Make a paper pattern for a doll skirt with just copy paper, a ruler, and a pencil.

First of all, no graph paper is needed. You can, of course, use graph paper to make an easy paper pattern. Most graph paper is 1/4 inch squares, so simply count and mark off your inches and tape them together. This technique does not use graph paper, but rather standard, 8 1/2 x 11 copy paper and a ruler.

It’s actually really easy to make your own pattern with regular printer paper. Start with the basics of the math. A piece of standard, US printer paper is 8 1/2 inches x 11 inches. If you fold it in half the long way, it’s now 4 1/4 inches wide on each half by 11 inches long. Use this basic concept to make your paper pattern.

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Let’s start with an easy example, like a skirt that measures 4 x 20 inches.

1. Fold your paper in half the long way (hot dog). Cut down the center fold, and then measure over and cut off 1/4th more from the long side of each piece. Each piece now measures 4 x 11 inches. (Use a scrapbooking type paper trimmer if it’s easier for you!)
2. Tape the short sides together, so they overlap by one inch exactly. The piece will now measure 4 x 20 inches. Ta da! Wasn’t that easy?

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To make a skirt that measures 5 inches by 20 inches, you will need two pieces of paper instead of one. Fold down the middle, and then measure over another 3/4th inch from the fold in either direction. Cut on that line (5 inches from one edge. You will not use the other part of that paper). Do the same for the second piece. Overlap the short edges by one inch, for a total of 20 inches by 5 inches.

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Let’s try one that is a little harder this time. Let’s make a pattern for a doll skirt that measures 6 x 36 inches.

1. Fold your paper in half the short way (hamburger). This fold will be at 5 1/2 inches. Measure one half inch from the fold in either direction and cut along this line. You will not need the smaller piece you cut off. Your piece now measures 6 by 8 1/2 inches. Do this 5 times, so you have a total of five pieces.
2. Overlap each one by one inch and tape them together. The piece will now measure 36 1/2 inches. Measure 1/2 inch of one end and cut it off.

Use basic math to make a paper pattern piece to cut out your doll skirt.

This technique can work for ruffles as well, like in the Playtime Peasant Twirl Skirt Pattern.

If you like to have a pattern piece when you make a gathered doll skirt, these tips/ideas will work for any size that you need. Simply work with what you know. You know what your copy paper measures, so trim it down and overlap it to make it the desired size. Save it for next time with your other pattern pieces.

When you fold a standard piece of American copy paper in half the long way (hot dog), each side measures 4 1/4 x 11 inches.

When you fold a standard piece of American copy paper in half the short way (hamburger), each side measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.

Now anytime you purchase a PDF pattern that does not include the pattern piece for the gathered skirt, you have an easy way to construct one yourself without having to run out to buy graph paper.

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Oh Sew Kat! Shop Feature: Etsy

Here at Oh Sew Kat! Designs, you will find quick and easy sewing patterns to make an entire doll clothes wardrobe for your 18 inch dolls (like American Girl®) as well as other, smaller sized dolls, like Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby®.  PDF patterns are simple to use (shop and print at home!) and easy to store (computer files- save your pattern pieces for next time or toss them and print them again later).  Read below to learn more about the pattern sites where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.

Many of us have favorite sites we like to use and choose and collect reward points to buy (yes!) more patterns.  I want you to be able to shop where you like to shop- so I offer my patterns on multiple selling platforms.  Each platform is a little different, and all patterns are not available on all the sites.  Click HERE to find the FREE Four Season Skirt pattern in 3 sizes.

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Please note:  Due to the variety of internet browsers, you should always download your PDF file first, and save it on your computer, before opening it and printing your pieces at actual size.

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ETSY

The full catalog of all Oh Sew Kat! patterns is always found at Etsy.com.  This is normally the only shop to find every single Oh Sew Kat! pattern.  This site is simple to navigate, gives you different options to pay (credit card, etsy gift cards, and paypal), and your patterns remain in your library forever.  Once you place your order (all orders are digital files- no physical patterns will be sent,) you will get an email confirming your purchase with the link to download your file and save it to your computer.  You can also log into your account, and find your patterns in your profile, under PURCHASES and REVIEWS.

My etsy shop also has a selection of bundled patterns, to save you more when you purchase multiple patterns. Some bundles are by size (all for 18 inch dolls for example), some are for the same pattern in multiple sizes.  Be sure to check out all the options HERE.   See more bundles in THIS POST.

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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.

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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.

Take a new twist on Oh Sew Kat! PDF sewing patterns with these favorite pattern hacks.

 

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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.

 

Easy to sew Pattern Hacks for 18 inch and other sized doll clothes.

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.

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