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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

---

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.

---

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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!

Follow Oh Sew Kat! on Pinterest

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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?

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

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.

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

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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.

---

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

---

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

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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.

 

1. ---

   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.

   ---

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!
   

   ---

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.
   

   ---

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

   ---

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.

Step it Up! Series: Make a Doll 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!

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

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!

Find the Bloomer Buddies pattern here.

Make a nightgown for your 18 inch doll with easy sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

Tester Tuesday: Playground Pants for A Girl for All Time® Dolls

As a pattern designer for doll clothes patterns, I rely very heavily on the work of my tester group. These women fearlessly sew my “not quite ready for prime time” patterns and let me know how they work, how they fit, and if there need to be any tweaks. I’d be lost without them and really appreciate the time and effort they give me on each and every pattern.

Shirley has tested for me for a few years. Her creativity is unmatched and her beautiful photos show the attention to detail she puts into every single outfit.  Stop by and visit her Etsy Shop to see what she has for sale.  The Playground Pants pattern is designed for cotton fabric, but as you can see, it’s beautiful is soft knits as well.

Find the pattern for A Girl for All Time® Dolls HERE.

Love this cute little ruffle at the top of the pocket!

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

The Playground Pants pattern for A Girl for All Time can be found in my Etsy Shop, and on Pixie Faire.  It’s also available in 3 other sizes.  See more ideas for this pattern HERE and HERE.

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

Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns for Dolls- Where to Shop!

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.

Where to Buy Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!

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.

---

Shop for Oh Sew Kat! patterns on Etsy.

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.

Oh Sew Kat on Etsy

---

PIXIE FAIRE

Pixie Faire is a one stop shop for sewing patterns for many, many doll types and sizes, and it offers a large selection of Oh Sew Kat! patterns, as well as patterns from 90+ other designers.  PF also offers multiple payment options; an account is required to purchase, but you will also find weekly contests and tutorials as well.  You can also earn credits with your purchases and use them towards the products on the site.

Oh Sew Kat! on Pixie Faire

---

You Can Make This

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.

Oh Sew Kat! on You Can Make This

---

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

---

Oh Sew Kat! Sewing Patterns- Where to Find them.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

Blaire Wilson- Girl of the Year 2019 – New Sewing Pattern Sneak Peek!

If you are new to American Girl doll world- let me tell you that January 1st is always a super exciting day. That is the day that American Girl ® reveals and begins the sales of the new Girl of the Year doll. The stores have a big reveal event, and everyone is excited to see the photos of the real doll as well as her entire collection.  Last year’s Girl of the Year was Luciana Vega- her collection still has availability unlike previous years’ where they pulled all the stock on Dec 31st.

For 2019, AG has released Blaire Wilson…a creative girl from upstate New York who lives on a farm, and helps with wedding planning. Her collection is an adorable mix of dainty pastels, cute farm animals, and bumblebees.  Sounds right down my alley!!

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

Here at Oh Sew Kat! Designs, we are excited too!! Blaire is on order and will be here any day!  A new redhead to dress! What could be more fun?  As soon as I started to see online glimpses of the Blaire collection, I started to work on a brand new pattern release, that will be a perfect (and quick and easy!) way to add her country style to your doll’s wardrobe.  Or maybe make a few more outfits for Blaire herself.

Here are a few sneak peaks of the prototypes I have created for the new Oh Sew Kat! Backyard Bibs pattern- coming to some of your favorite pattern shops later in January of 2019.  There will be four or five options total, so stay tuned to see more and to see Blaire modeling her new bibs!!  I still need to add a few details (buttons, pockets, you know the drill…) and it will be available in multiple sizes (like 14.5 inch and A Girl for All Time to start) so be on the lookout later this month for this easy project sewing pattern.

The Backyard Bibs pattern will be perfect to make outfits for Blaire Wilson, the 2019 Girl of the Year.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

The 2019 American Girl Doll of the Year, Blaire Wilson, has a country theme and farm animals.

Click here to purchase the Backyard Bibs pattern for Dolls

Are you adding Blaire Wilson to your doll family?  Find my full collection of sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls like Blaire, as well as other popular doll sizes HERE.  Visit the TUTORIALS page to see more ways to sew Oh Sew Kat! patterns.

6 Dresses from One Pattern: Six Different Ways to Sew the Sugar n Spice Dress by Oh Sew Kat!

When you purchase a PDF sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat!, you get more than just the look you see on the pattern cover.  With a few tweaks and changes, (called pattern hacks), and some different fabric combinations, you can Step Up! your basic pattern into almost any look you can think of! Today, enjoy these “twists” on the Sugar n Spice Dress pattern.  These outfits can be made for any size doll!  Find even more pattern hacks and tutorials on the Tutorials Page.

Use the Sugar n Spice sewing pattern to make six different dresses.

SHOP THE OH SEW KAT! PATTERN COLLECTION

Make a classic dress in different styles.

1.  Create a classic holiday dress, similar to the one American Girl® made for the BeForever character, Molly McIntyre.  I used a gorgeous green Kona cotton Sugar n Spice Dress, but the original dress was made of velvet and would be beautiful from that too!  Add a little lace around the sleeves and neckline for a dainty touch.  See more photos HERE.

   

   
   
2. Every dress pattern can be made as a top, and every top pattern can be made as a dress!  Use the Sugar n Spice bodice to make a cute peplum top!  Find the tutorial HERE.

   

   
   

   

   3.  Every dress pattern can also be used to make a longer dress! Or a nightgown! For the holidays, make the Sugar n Spice Dress in white, and add some peppermint piping and pretty ruffles to make a nightgown that will have sugarplums dancing in her head all season long. Find the tutorial HERE.  I also used THIS TUTORIAL to add the placket in the center front for the buttons.

   

   4. And while you are thinking about making long dresses, why not try a fun Hawaiian print and make a MuuMuu style dress! These Sugar n Spice Dresses would be perfect for walking along the beach eating shaved ice!  Use the overdress/pinafore pattern and THIS TUTORIAL.

   

   5. Dress up the front bodice of the Sugar n Spice Dress with some tiny ruffles, trim, ric rac, piping, or lace.  Use THIS TUTORIAL to add the placket, and tuck the trim in before you topstitch it in place.  See more photos of these cute, bunny dress HERE.

   

   6.  The Sugar n Spice Dress was designed to layer a dress over a dress.  But don’t stop there! Try the overdress/pinafore over a Peasant Top or a Party Time Peasant Dress as I did here for St. Patrick’s Day.  I reversed the overdress, lowered the neckline, and sewed the skirt on with a large opening for the underdress to show through. See more photos and details HERE. 

   

   

   
   

   The Sugar n Spice Dress was designed to layer prints over prints over prints.  Or to make solid dresses and change the aprons/pinafores for the season, like this Easter Dress and this one for Valentine’s Day.   It was also designed to be a blank canvas to create any sort of character dress you can think of from Wonder Woman, to Princess Belle, to Cinderella and more!  Visit the Inspiration Gallery to see even more ideas for the versatile Sugar n Spice Dress pattern.How will you make the Sugar n Spice Dress?  Find the pattern for 16 inch Disney Animators’ dolls and 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls Dolls where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold. 

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

Sew a Holiday Doll Dress with Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!

Oh Sew Kat! patterns are quick and easy.  Choose a fun, holiday print and stitch up a new dress for your doll this holiday in just an afternoon!  The design is in the details.  Add pretty piping or fun buttons and bows to enhance your dress.

The Party Time Peasant Dress is a quick to sew pattern for dolls, that will give lots of “WOW” when you choose fun, holiday themed fabrics.  This pattern is available in five popular doll sizes:  18 inch dolls, 14.5 inch dolls, 15 inch baby dolls, 16 inch Animators dolls, and 16 inch A Girl for All Time® Dolls in my Etsy Shop.  Because PDF patterns are instant download, and you print them at home, you can sew one up without even leaving your house!

Be inspired by these fun, holiday dresses and sew one up for your favorite doll today!  Kelly’s snowflake dress was made with the Party Time Peasant Dress.

Use the Bloomer Buddies pattern for a Christmas Classic, like Riley’s dress below.

This polka dot dress is also made with the Bloomer Buddies.  I just made the sleeves longer.

Maryellen’s Dress was made with the School Bell Blouse pattern, using this easy Pattern HACK.

Make holiday dresses for your Wellie Wishers 14.5 inch sized dolls too! Willa’s dress is made with the Party Time Peasant Dress.

The Party Time Peasant Dress is also available for A Girl for All Time Dolls.

Have fun putting a holiday twist on your doll clothes this season!!

See more Party Time Peasant Dresses here and here!  Find more holiday ideas here and don’t forget to visit the Inspiration Gallery.  Find the entire Oh Sew Kat! pattern catalog HERE.