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!

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!

Pretty Pilgrim Outfits for Dolls

As Thanksgiving approaches here in the USA, our thoughts turn to our turkey dinner. Yum! Here are a few quick ideas to make a pilgrim outfit for your 18 inch doll like American Girl®.

Simple Pilgrim Outfits For Dolls

The easiest way to make a pilgrim outfit for your doll is to pull together some simple separates. You might already have them on hand! All you really need are a black or white peasant top, black skirt, black corset, and white apron. See below for some easy to make accessories to complete the look.

Pilgrim Dress and Hat / Bonnet for 18 inch Dolls

Black Dress: (These options also give you a head start on next year’s witch costume for Halloween. You can also use brown or gray instead of black fabric.)

• Sugar n Spice Dress with Long Skirt and Long Sleeves (Click HERE for sleeve tutorial; cut skirt length at 9 1/2 inches for 18 inch dolls.)
• Everything Nice Skirt with a black Playtime Peasant Top. (Skirt tutorial is HERE.)
• Any other black skirt and top you like. (See THIS POST to make an a-line long skirt.)
• Make the free FOUR SEASON SKIRT in a long version.

Optional Corset:

• The Everything Nice pattern includes a simple, reversible corset. Make it with or without ribbons, or use yarn for a more rustic look.

White Apron:

• The Sugan n Spice Pattern includes a tutorial for an easy apron.
• Use the Everything Nice overskirt pattern in white for a wrap around style apron.
• Use white fabric to make Kirsten’s Meet Apron (Tutorial is HERE.)

White Cuffs:

• You can easily make detached cuffs with white paper, felt, or even ribbon. Cut to five inches long and attach around her wrists. I used ribbon and a stapler.
• If you are making a dress or top, simply add white cuffs in your sleeve design.

White Collar:

• Use the Everything Nice cape pattern, without the hood and make it shorter from white fleece or felt.
• Try this ridiculously easy Oh Sew Kat! collar tutorial HERE.

White Cap:

• Use your kindergarten skills to make a doll’s pilgrim cap from white paper or felt. You can sew it or use a glue gun. (Find the doll sized tutorial HERE.)
• If you have a Felicity or Elizabeth American Girl Doll– use her meet bonnet.

As we gather around the table this Thanksgiving, I am so grateful for my wonderful customers. Thank you for supporting my business.

Find the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection HERE

Doll Skirts- Free Patterns and Tutorials

Skirting the Issue: Doll Clothes Basics to Sew

No matter the era, it seems that one of the most basic pieces of a doll’s wardrobe is a selection of skirts to mix and match for different seasons and weather. Oh Sew Kat! offers the FREE Four Season Skirt Pattern in 3 sizes HERE. Be sure to grab yours and then come back here to find ways to make different skirts from the same pattern!

More Free Skirt Patterns Plus Pattern Hacks to Try for your Dolls

Click the photos below to find two more (FREE) easy skirt tutorials, or to find instructions to take the Four Season Skirt to the next level. You can find a selection of shirts and tops patterns HERE.

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Collection HERE.

Easy Projects: Making Skirts for 18 inch Dolls

Find more doll skirt patterns in the Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Shop. Shown below are the Four Square Skirt, the Twinkle Twirl Skirt, the Playtime Peasant Skirt, and the Sixth Grade Skirt. Click on the names (above) to visit the Inspiration page. Click on the photos below to find the patterns. Many are available in multiple doll sizes. Find more pattern hacks on THIS PAGE.

Oh Sew Kat! Pattern Shop

Free Skirt Patterns for Dolls- DIY Doll Clothes

Step it Up Series: Boutique Style Skirts from the Free Pattern- Four Season Skirt

Make a Four Season Skirt look like high end boutique with just a few changes to this easy “no fuss just cut” pattern. Mix and match fabrics with a contrast hem for a patchwork skirt with lots of twirly goodness.

Four Season Skirt Pattern Hack- Make a Boutique Style Patchwork Twirl Skirt for Dolls

This tutorial is free here on my blog. If you prefer a PDF file to print or save in your files, I offer it for sale in my Etsy Shop HERE for just a few dollars, but the PDF includes 2 more skirt variations and pattern pieces for 5 popular doll sizes. Find the Twinkle Twirl pattern HERE. (Note: the Twinkle Twirl pattern is listed in my etsy shop under the different doll sizes, but the pattern is the same for all of them. You only need to purchase one copy.)

Free Doll Skirt Sewing Pattern- Pattern Hack by Oh Sew Kat!

Kelly (photo above) is wearing her skirt with the Popsicle Top, while Courtney (photo below) is wearing a modified Playtime Peasant Top. Find the tutorial for the ruffled neckline HERE.

Four Season Skirt Pattern Hack: Patchwork Twirl Skirt

This tutorial assumes you understand the basic skirt construction detailed in the Four Season Skirt pattern. Find the free Four Season Skirt pattern here in 3 sizes:

Make a Patchwork Twirl Skirt for your Doll

1. Choose 2 or 4 fabrics to make your skirt.  Cut four pieces total, 5 x 8 inches each.   With right sides together (RST), stitch the short edges together, to make one long piece 5 x 30 inches.  (This is for the 18 inch doll size.  To adapt this for other sizes, divide the total skirt piece measurement by four, then add 1/2 inch to each piece for the seam allowances). Attach the skirt to the waistband as stated in the pattern directions.
2. Add a fun contrasting hem using 1/2 inch double fold bias tape! You can find so many neat bias trims online now, or you can use AD: THIS TOOL to make your own. Sew up the back seam, and then add the bias tape to the hem. Ta da!! (If you prefer flat construction, you can add your bias trim to the skirt before seaming up the back, but sometimes bias trim makes a little bulkier join.)

Choose any fabrics you like to change up the look! This is a great project for your small scraps too!

Do you prefer a PDF you can print or save instead of a blog post? Find the PDF (with 5 sizes and 3 variations) for sale HERE.

See more ideas for the Four Season Skirt here and here, as well as clicking the photos below.

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Collection HERE

Simple Summer Projects: Crafting for Dolls

Are you and your girl looking for some quick and easy doll crafts to do during the summer months? Try these tutorials from Oh Sew Kat! Click on each photo to go right to the tutorial.

Try these easy craft projects for dolls- Simple Summer Fun!

Summer Fun Doll Projects: Quick and easy Doll Crafts

Visit the Oh Sew Kat! Tutorials page to find more fun and easy doll projects.

Click here to visit the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Shop

Washi Tape in the Sewing Room: Kat’s 6 Top Tape Tips

Are you a washi tape lover like I am? Washi tape is pretty and functional, and has very light tack, making it an ideal sewing notion! Here are five ways you can use it in your sewing room. You can find loads of washi tapes at local craft stores and online. Washi tape is a very light tack tape, so that makes it perfect for sewing projects where you don’t want sticky residue left on your fabrics. Choose some pretty tapes that make you happy and add them to your sewing notions. You can also use them on notebooks, cards, laptops and more as quick and fun accents. Washi tape bundles are very inexpensive on Amazon: Ad: Washi Tape Bundle. You can choose solids, florals, geometrics, and more!

1. Use Washi Tape to Hold Zippers in Place While You Sew

Sewing Zippers:  Use your washi tape to hold your zipper in place as you stitch it in instead of pins or hand basting. Use this tutorial in THIS POST to add a zipper to your doll dresses. You can use washi tape or Scotch Magic Tape to make this a super, easy task.

2. Use Washi Tape to Hold Buttons While You Sew Them On

Buttons and Buttonholes:  I often use washi tape to mark button or buttonhole placements, and I also use it to hold the button on my garment while I sew and remove it once I’m done.

3. Use Washi Tape to Mark the Front or Back Side of your Pattern Pieces

Mark the Front or the Right sides of Fabric:  Put a little piece of washi tape on the bodice front and back that you want to use as the outside of your garment, especially when using the lining as the same material.  If you fussy cut your front (so that a certain flower or other image is centered etc, mark it with a tiny piece of tape.) Use washi tape to mark a specific piece instead of using pins or making marks on your pieces (ie. put tape on the top/waistband of pant legs that seem similar and could get mixed up and sewn together upside down, or to mark the fronts of the pants as different from the similar pants back pieces for example).

4. Use Washi Tape to Mark Your Seam Guide on Your Sewing Machine

Seam Guide:  Attach a piece to your machine throat plate for a perfect 1/4th inch seam- or any other size you may need. When you are done, pull the tape up and throw it away!

5. Use Washi Tape to Print Once yet Still make different Lengths or Sizes offered by the Pattern

You can also use it to join pattern pieces together after you cut them apart. For example, the Bloomer Buddies pattern has three lengths marked on one pattern piece. Print and cut the longest piece (the dress.). As you need the different lengths, remove the hem pieces and then reattach them with washi tape. You can do this a few times, and then, if they seem too worn, throw them away and print new ones!

6. Use Washi Tape to Hold Darts and Pleats in Place While Your Sew

Pleats and Darts:  Hold pleats or darts in place instead of pins.  Remove the tape easily after you sew.

Shop the Oh Sew Kat! PDF Pattern Library HERE