Shamrocks, Sugar n Spice

It’s almost time for the annual wearing of the green!! Get your doll’s Irish on with these fun inspiration photos using the Sugar n Spice PDF Sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat!

Start your outfit simply- a pretty green base dress. Remove the rainbow ribbon and button, and her doll can wear it all spring long too!

St Patrick’s Day Themed Dresses for Dolls

Find the Sugar n Spice Everything Nice PDF pattern HERE.

Both Jenna (above) and Lanie (below) are wearing the same green dress. Add a no sew tutu or themed fabric pinafore to change the look.

Sewing for American Girl Dolls- St Patrick’s Day

Visit the Sugar n Spice Inspiration Gallery HERE.

Saige (below) is wearing a Sugar n Spice pinafore (overdress) backwards with an incomplete skirt. Underneath is a green and white Party Time Peasant Dress. Read more about it HERE.

Be sure to visit the St Patrick’s Day Inspiration Gallery for more ideas to sew in green!

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Collection Here

Sewing for Your 1980s Courney Moore Doll

Do you remember the 80s? The days of Dallas and Mr. T. Care bears and long telephone cords. ET and Top Gun, trolls and mix tapes. American Girl®’s Courtney Moore™ doll shares our love of all things 80s. Here are some ways to sew Oh Sew Kat! pdf patterns with an 80s vibe for Courtney.

When sewing for your 80s doll, like Courtney, choose geometric patterns and bright, neon colors. Rainbows and graphic tees were also popular.

Make 1980s inspired Doll Clothes

Click on each picture for instructions and pattern information.

Use Oh Sew Kat! Sewing Patterns for 80s Fashions

Visit the Oh Sew Kat! Historical Inspiration Gallery for more ideas to sew!

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection HERE

Step it Up Series: Doll Dresses Made from Large Prints

Using Large Prints for Doll Clothes

Tell me if you have heard this one before? When sewing for dolls, never use a print fabric that has a motif bigger than the doll’s hand. As a general rule, I totally agree with that, but at the same time, it’s okay to break the rules. This post is showcasing how I took some fabric that should be “too big” for doll clothes, and turned them into fun doll fashions.

Kira’s sunflower dress (above) and Kelly’s pink roses dress (below) are two examples of large, bold prints sewn up for 18 inch dolls. Both dresses use the princess seam version of the School Dance Dress.

To be fair, I certainly don’t sew with large prints for dolls on a general basis. I like my tiny “scaled” prints that look realistic on the small dolls. But every now and then, I will come across a super fun fabric that I just love, and just decide to go for it anyway, no matter the rules!!

Doll Scale Fabric Tips

When you want to showcase a large print, the first suggestion I have is to pick a pattern that has large pieces to really show it off. Try to avoid patterns that will break up the pattern at the waist. Leah’s wearing a hack of the Jumping Jack 3 in 1 turtleneck shirt made from a large, festive knit. Find the pattern hack HERE. Corinne (below) has a jumper made from a Vera Bradley apron using the Easy Up Jumper. See this post for the full mix and match set I made in this pretty green and purple theme.

Riley (below) is also wearing Vera Bradley. Her Sunshine Dress (solid front option) started life as a napkin. I used the existing napkin hem and left off the sleeves. Read more about it HERE.

Easy to Sew Doll Clothes- Large Print Dresses

Below- Grace and Kelly are modeling more School Dance Dresses. These dresses are the ones that actually helped me get outside the lines. They were a custom order, and the customer provided the actual Vera Bradley fabric. It was cut into very small pieces, and when she chose the School Dance Dress, I really had no choice but to use the princess seam version that does cut up the center of the dress a bit, but I was so happy with the fit and the pattern that I used the same version (princess seams) on the Sunflowers and Roses at the top of this post as well.

Go ahead and break the rules a bit!! Step up your doll sewing with big, bold prints and see how they turn out! The dolls won’t complain a bit. 🙂

Shop for Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns HERE

Easy Fleece Scarf for 18″ Dolls Tutorial

Try this fast and easy doll craft today! Use strips of fleece or flannel to make your doll a cozy scarf or fall and winter fashion accessory. Choose contrasting colors, your team or school colors, or red and green for the holidays.

Fast Fashion for Dolls: Make a Cozy Scarf

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Fringe Doll Scarf Tutorial Instructions:

1. Choose two fabrics. You can use fleece or flannel. For Fleece: Cut a strip measuring 2 inches x 20 inches from each fabric. For Flannel: Cut a strip measuring 1.5 x 20 inches from each fabric.
2. With wrong sides together, stitch the strips together right down the middle of the strips. Fleece can be stretchy, so use clips or pins to hold it if needed. Trim any parts of your scarf that don’t line up, including the ends.
3. Use sharp scissors to cut “fringe” up close to your sewing line but be careful not to cut through it. You don’t need to measure this, just clip it every quarter inch or so the full length, both sides. The thinner the better, especially for the flannel fabric.
4. Fluff up your scarf! Twist it around your finger or use your iron to press the fringe layers apart so you see a nice mix of both fabrics.

You can trim your scarf to your liking if you think it’s a little long. Lanie likes to wear her scarves as a fashion statement to add pops of color to a simple outfit of the Jumping Jack turtleneck shirt with a Sixth Grade Skirt and boots. You can find both patterns in the Oh Sew Kat! pattern shop here.

Fleece Fringe Scarf for Dolls- Easy Craft Tutorial

Mix it up a bit by making your strips longer or wider— try using 3 or 4 layers for a fluffier scarf!! Cut strips 8 inches by 36 or more inches and make a matching one for your girl!

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! PDF pattern Collection HERE

Click the photos below to find more, easy doll crafts from Oh Sew Kat!

New to Sewing? Beginner Tips and Patterns for Sewing Doll Clothes

It’s a new year!! Does your 2023 goal list include starting to sew? Or making doll clothes? I got you!! Oh Sew Kat! Designs offers beginner level sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls like American Girl®, as well as other popular doll sizes like Welliewishers™, Bitty Baby™, Animators’ by Disney, and A Girl for All Time. Oh Sew Kat! patterns are easy to follow with simple construction and designs to help even the newest seamstress to achieve success. Oh Sew Kat! patterns are PDF files, purchased in my Etsy Shop, and downloaded to your home computer. Print only the pattern piece pages on your home printer, and cut them out. You are ready to begin!!

Learning to Sew is Easy with Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns

Shop for Oh Sew Kat! PDF Patterns HERE

What kind of supplies do you need? A sewing machine, some pins, sharp scissors, fabric, a pattern, and some thread. There are lots of other tools to make your sewing easier, but these are truly the basics. Take a look at THIS POST that is full of beginner tips!!

The simplest pattern from Oh Sew Kat! is the Sixth Grade Skirt. With only straight lines, it’s a quick sew that uses just a fat quarter of fabric. In fact, you can make two skirts from just one fat quarter! Mix and match prints to make your own unique skirt. You can find fat quarter cuts of fabric in rolls or small folded bundles at Joann’s, Michaels, and Walmart. Or you can shop m favorite online selection from the AD: FatQuarterShop. Find the pattern is 6 doll sizes HERE. Want to see more ideas for this cute skirt? Check out the Inspiration Gallery HERE.

When my daughter was young, and wanted to start sewing (She was around 6), we each selected a fabric and cut out two Sixth Grade skirts. I sewed my first seam, then she sat down and did the same. We went back and forth for every step until my excited little girl put her skirt on her doll.

Once you have mastered the simple Sixth Grade Skirt, step it up a bit, and add some pockets!! A pattern hack is when you take an existing pattern, and make a change to it, to make it look different. The instructions to add the pockets are found HERE. The Sixth Grade Skirt looks so cute with added pockets! It’s also a great way to practice straight, steady stitching.

Teach a newbie how to sew Doll Clothes with Oh Sew Kat!

The Sixth Grade Skirt will give a beginner seamstress the confidence to move on to a simple top. And the next thing you know, you’ve got a complete outfit!

The Playtime Peasant Top pattern is another quick and easy project to sew. Straight lines and feeding elastic in the neckline (and arms) are the only skills you need. You can make it long sleeved or short sleeved and if you stick with some basic colors (white, black, red, navy) you will have wardrobe pieces to mix and match with many more wardrobe items. Find the pattern HERE and be sure to visit the Inspiration Gallery for more ideas with this simple pattern HERE. Mary’s wearing her peasant top with a red skirt (below) with the Sixth Grade Skirt worn backwards with cute button accents and a simple ribbon belt for a completely different look! Look how many ways you can change up this easy peasant top pattern in THIS POST.

Easy Sewing Pattern for Beginners: Playtime Peasant Top

Ready for another easy project? The Four Square Skirt is very similar to the Sixth Grade Skirt, and has just a little bit of gathering. It’s also a very simple pattern for someone new to try!

Learn to Sew with Easy 18″ Doll Sewing Patterns from OhSewKat

Evette (below) is wearing the Four Season Skirt with the OhSewKat Popsicle Top- also available in the SHOP!

Easy Doll Sewing Patterns for Beginners

When you purchase a PDF sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat! you will get a beautifully laid out pattern, fully tested by more than four sewists of different skill levels, computer drawn, full size pattern pieces, easy to follow step by step instructions that include a color photograph for each step, and this blog, which offers more ideas, inspiration, tutorials, and pattern hacks to keep even a simple pattern, feeling fresh and new with every time you sew. Check out the tutorials and pattern hacks page HERE.

Have some fun with this new hobby. With such a small investment in patterns, fabrics, even time, you can experiment and gain confidence with each try. I can’t wait to see what you make!

Click here to See the Entire Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection

Free Sewing Patterns for 18 inch Dolls

Do you need a last minute gift for a doll lover on your list? Look no further. The Four Season Skirt is a FREE pattern that is quick to sew and fun to give!!

18 inch Doll Skirt- Free Pattern from Oh Sew Kat!

Free Skirt Sewing Pattern for Dolls

Click here to get your Free Four Season Skirt Pattern

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The Four Season Skirt pattern uses measurements instead of pattern pieces, which means you can get to your sewing faster!! Many like a paper pattern piece, so use this quick method to make your own paper pattern piece. Click the photo below or THIS LINK to get to the tutorial.

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You can also make bloomers for her dolly to wear under the skirt or for your baby doll outfits. Click THIS LINK or the photo below to download that pattern for free.

Free Baby Bloomers Sewing Pattern

(Please Note: The Bloomers will fit both Bitty Baby and 18 inch Dolls.)

Get the Baby Bloomers Free Pattern HERE

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Cozy Turtleneck Dress: Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Hack

Use the Jumping Jack turtleneck shirt pattern from Oh Sew Kat! to make a cozy knit dress for your 18 inch dolls like American Girl® dolls. You can also use the Simple, Sweet Tee shirt pattern and lengthen the sleeves.

Turtleneck Doll Dress- Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Hack

Both the original tee shirt pattern hack and this turtleneck dress hack work better with knit fabrics. Check out your local Walmart or Target store for fun and festive leggings, or other tees and shirts in both the girls and womens departments. Buy the largest size you can find in order to have the most fabric. Keep an eye on the sale racks! This pink stripe fabric was a girls’ shirt I found on sale. I used the existing hems for the hem and sleeves of my doll dress, making this quick little dress even quicker!

How to Make Your Doll a Cozy Turtleneck Dress

Set up your pattern the same way as I posted HERE on making a tee shirt dress. The bodice of the two shirts patterns (Jumping Jack and Simple, Sweet Tee) are very similar so the measurements and process will be the same. If you are using the Jumping Jack pattern, it already has long sleeves. With the Simple, Sweet Tee, you will need to length the sleeve pattern by 3 1/4 inches for 18 inch dolls. I added the 1/2 inch width to the hemline of both the pink and holly dresses for a bit of extra flair, creating a new side cut line with a little bit of a slant.

Use a Turtleneck Shirt Pattern to Make a Cute and Cozy Doll Dress

Leah’s holiday dress (below) was cut from a four way stretch knit. It was leftover from a shirt I made myself last year. The all over print is fun and festive and this fabric hugs her body just the right amount for a classic look. Leah’s navy boots are new from the Janie and Jack® collection at American Girl®. I’m not one to pass up a good doll boot! Ha ha.

Make an 18 Inch Doll Dress From Your Turtleneck Shirt Patterns

For the pink striped dress Corinne is wearing (below), I used a girls’ long sleeved tee shirt I found on the sale rack awhile ago. I cut the body and sleeves using the shirt’s exiting hem and cut the collar on the bias for the contrasting stripes. I added some sparkly pizazz with my AD:Cricut Machine and some glitter, silver HTV, along with some glued on crystals. Keep the age of the child in mind if adding crystals! Snowflake tights (made by American Girl®) and her meet boots complete the cozy ensemble!

Make a Cozy Turtleneck Dress for Your American Girl Sized Doll- Easy to sew Pattern Hack

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Shop the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection HERE

This simple dress is perfect for your doll accessories! Grace’s meet boots and a simple, hand-knit shawl give Jenna a casual and classy outfit for the holidays!

Find more ways to use your tee shirt patterns for dolls by clicking the photos below!

Make a Colonial Dress- An Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Hack

Make a Colonial Dress for 18 inch Dolls

This fun pattern hack is for the Felicity and Elizabeth fans. Felicity and Elizabeth have been in the vault for many years, but Felicity was re-released for the 35th anniversary of American Girl® along with the other original characters. The colonial duo had a very large collection to include a four poster bed for each, a two seat carriage, and many outfits (especially for Felicity). If your Felicity Merriman doll is a little light on dresses, use this pattern hack to make simple colonial gowns for her or her friend, Elizabeth Cole.

One of the long held questions amongst American Girl® loyalists is why did they make the Elizabeth doll blonde (she’s clearly a brunette in the original books), and where is her iconic yellow dress? (See the illustration in THIS PIN.). Ever since I found Elizabeth in a thrift store, I’ve always wanted to make her yellow dress, despite her long, blonde locks. You can still purchase the Elizabeth books at the AG store and on AD: Amazon.

Easy Pattern Hack: Make a Colonial Doll Gown

Looking at the illustration, the dress will be simple to duplicate using the Oh Sew Kat! Sugar n Spice PDF sewing pattern. Purchase the pattern HERE or click the photo below. The white lace/ruffle on the sleeves is much wider than at the neckline, but you can easily use the same trim for both.

DIY American Girl Colonial Doll Dress Tutorial

1. Cut the bodice pieces as directed. For the sleeves, round off the top of your pattern piece by about 1/4th inch to give a little less poof to the top of the sleeve. Use a pen and ruler to extend the sides of the sleeve by one inch. Connect the lines to create a new, straight hemline. I just printed a new copy of my sleeve piece, made the changes, labelled it, and put it in with my pattern pieces for next time.
2. The finished skirt length will be 9 inches. Cut your skirt piece 9 1/2 inches by the Width of Fabric (WOF is usually 42-44 inches). This will make the skirt a little fuller than the Sugar n Spice Dress.
3. Follow the pattern instructions to assemble your dress adding the lace or trim to the neckline and sleeves as below.
4. Neckline: Remember that there is a 1/4th inch seam allowance. If your trim is very small, you may lose much of it in the seam allowance so take that into consideration when you pin your trim. After attaching the shoulder seams, carefully pin your lace trim to your neckline (wrong side of trim to right side of bodice.) Baste in place right at the fabric edge and remove pins. With right sides together, pin the lining to your bodice (lace will now be in the middle of the two layers) and stitch. Press to the right side and topstitch. (Optional, if your lace is small and easy to manage, finish the neckline according to the pattern directions, then pin the lace inside the neckline and topstitch in place.)
5. Sleeves: Add a 1/2 to 1 inch ruffle to the hem of the sleeves before you attach them to the bodice. Depending what type of lace or trim you use, it can be attached underneath, or on top of the hem seam. If you are using a fabric ruffle instead of pre-made trim (like eyelet lace), you want to attach it to the inside of the sleeve.

Colonial Gown for Dolls: Oh Sew Kat! Tutorial

Make a Colonial Doll Dress for American Girl Felicity

Does your colonial doll need a bonnet to match her pretty new dress? Use this easy tutorial to make one from felt. You can also add an apron with this tutorial.

Be sure to visit the Felicity Inspiration page HERE. And find Oh Sew Kat! pattern hacks for other historical time periods HERE or click the character photos below.

Shop for Oh Sew Kat! PDF Patterns HERE

American Girl® Outfit Review: Gryffindor™ Set

American Girl Review: Gryffindor™ Set for Dolls

Who else is excited to finally see American Girl® release Harry Potter and Hogwarts™ themed doll clothes and accessories. These drool worthy items are now available both in the actual store as well as online and if you are a rewards member, you can do some holiday shopping on days with extra rewards points. You can also find a limited selection of dolls, outfits, and accessories in the AD: Amazon American Girl shop– often with free shipping!!

New from American Girl: Harry Potter™ Outfits for 18 inch Dolls

So much to love about this sweater outfit. It doesn’t have a lot of pieces, as it comes with the sweater, the scarf, and the tie for $26.00. Hogwarts™ has 4 houses, so I believe AG is smart to offer these pieces as a separate. You can get just the number of each school sweater as you need for your own doll collection. In a household of military vets, we tend to gravitate to the loyal Gryffindors, so that is the set I chose.

I also love the very high quality of these items, and the fact that altogether with the school uniform (See my review of that HERE.) it really completes the outfit. I love how closely it matches the movies and Emily makes a perfect Ginny Weasley, doesn’t she? The scarf is very thick and the colors are bright. The sweater is also well made and of decent weight; with a closure in back so it’s easy to put on the doll.

Gryffindor™ Set for 18 inch Dolls: Oh Sew Kat’s Review

At $26.00 a set (no sales, probably due to the trademark rules) and no returns, it’s not a light commitment. It will cost $100 to outfit four dolls for four houses, and you have not even purchased the school uniform to wear with it. I think they should have included some sort of accessory here for this price. A broom? An owl? How about a wand? They could also bundle things together (but two or three and save?) but maybe that is yet to come.

I also have to acknowledge the tie issue. The tie is attached to a ribbon that closes with velcro. A simple piece of elastic would do the job so much better. It was VERY hard to get the tie on at all, much less get the collar to stay down over it. If you look at my photos, you will see I never did get it quite right. If you are purchasing this for a child, be prepared to help.

Find the OH Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection for Dolls HERE

18 inch Doll Harry Potter™ Outfits- Oh Sew Kat Review

For true Harry Potter fans, this set is perfection. It is high quality and has a lot of play value when you include it with the fun accessories (the trunk!) and more dolls. I’m very happy this is available and that I have one set for my collection. It will be fun to use as a Halloween costume next year as well! See more product reviews on THIS PAGE. Click the black button link below to visit the Oh Sew Kat! pattern shop.

Shop for Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns for Dolls HERE

Make it Monday: Holiday Nightgown for Dolls

It’s not too early to start thinking about your holiday gift list and what you want to make for dollies this fall! How about a cozy nightgown?

Make it Monday- Holiday Nightgowns for 18 inch Dolls

It’s easy to use the Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt pattern to make a simple, classic nightgown for your doll. This holiday plaid is also perfect for our 70s girl, Julie! Find the full tutorial HERE.

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Shop the Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Collection HERE