Fan Feature: Patriotic Outfits for 18 inch Dolls

Marti McKee took time out of her busy day to send me a beautiful email about how much she has enjoyed sewing with Oh Sew Kat! patterns. She sent me photos of her cute girls in their patriotic outfits just in time for Independence Day!

Here’s an excerpt from her note:

“About a year ago, I remembered a $3 thrift store Samantha doll that I had purchased about 20 years ago and put away.  I had two sons, and they never seemed very interested in American girls (go figure, right?) Last summer I remembered that she was still waiting patiently for a new hairstyle and some clothes.  I started searching online for AG patterns, and fortunately yours were among the first I found.  I am very much a beginner when it comes to sewing, so I really appreciate how clear and concise your patterns are.  I was able to get great results (and if I didn’t, it certainly wasn’t the pattern’s fault!)  I’ve now made many dozens of items from your patterns.  Sewing has been a great creative outlet over this past year plus.  I decided early on that Samantha really needed some buddies, so I have acquired four “rescue” dolls to keep her company.”

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I love to hear from happy customers!!! Thank you to Marti for sharing her beautiful girls in their Oh Sew Kat! outfits. I hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I do! I noted the patterns used for each outfit underneath the photos. All patterns are for sale in my ETSY SHOP.

Jess is wearing a Popsicle Top with lace trim, and the wide legged Sandbox Shorts. She’s ready for a parade!

Julie’s dress is made with such fun balloon fabric!! Marti used the Sunshine Dress pattern and THIS HACK to make it with sleeves to keep Julie cool and comfy in the summer heat.

How adorable is Kit? Marti cut one and 1/4th inch off the long sleeve pattern piece of the Playtime Peasant Top and used that as the bodice, adding elastic at the doll’s waist. She added it’s also perfect for a 3/4th sleeve. Her cute cuffed capris were made with the Picnic Play pattern, but the Boardwalk Boutique pattern will give you the same look.

It’s so hard to pick a favorite, right? I do love Samantha’s outfit. The Backyard Bibs pattern makes an adorable top layered over a tee shirt and paired with a Sixth Grade Skirt. This outfit is quick but has a big cute factor!! See more about making the Bibs into a top in THIS POST.

And finally, Saige is popsicle ready in her Playtime Peasant Top ruffle hem dress. Find the pattern hack HERE. Need a quick and easy belt? Fold over elastic to the rescue! Find more info here.

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Sewing 60s Fashions for Dolls

Sew your 18″ American Girl® doll some fun fashions for the 60s with easy Oh Sew Kat! patterns.

Visit the Oh Sew Kat! 60s Inspiration Gallery for ideas and links to sew the Oh Sew Kat! patterns with a fun, 60’s flair. Your Melody Ellison™ doll with love mix and match fashions that you made yourself!

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Click on each photo to go right to the Post!

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DIY 1950s Fashions for 18 inch American Girl Dolls- Sunshine Dress with Overskirt

Make 1950’s fashions for your 18 inch American Girl® Doll like Maryellen Larkin with easy sewing patterns.

You can make iconic looking doll clothes for 1953 American Girl® character, Maryellen Larkin with Oh Sew Kat! PDF patterns and hacks. Print the patterns on your home computer- find the full selection in the OhSewKat Etsy shop. Use these easy hacks (same pattern with slight changes) to make your doll a sweet wardrobe inspired by the Fabulous Fifties! Find more ideas for Maryellen in the Oh Sew Kat! 50s Gallery HERE.

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Make Maryellen a Shift Dress with Overskirt- Add pearls and gloves for a Fabulous Fifties Outfit

Make a floral 50s inspired dress for your Maryellen doll with the Sunshine Dress pattern.

The Sunshine Dress is a simple, A Line dress (with short sleeves) that is timeless through the decades. Use THIS tutorial to make a sleeveless shift dress and then add an overskirt, made with the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern for the “skirt over dress” look that was popular in the 50s and 60s. The overskirt can be worn with the opening in the back (above) or in front (below). Try different fabrics with the same patterns.

Your doll can also wear the floral Sunshine shift dress all by itself for even more play value.

Find these and many other sewing patterns HERE. See more ideas for Maryellen’s fashions HERE, HERE, and HERE.

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Sewing 50s Fashions for Dolls

Sew your 18″ American Girl® doll some fun fashions for the 50s with easy Oh Sew Kat! patterns.

Visit the Oh Sew Kat! 50s Inspiration Gallery for ideas and links to sew the Oh Sew Kat! patterns with a fun, 50s flair. Your Maryellen Larkin™ doll with love fabulous fifties fashions that you made yourself!

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Click on each photo to go right to the Post!

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Tester Tuesday: More Sunshine Dresses for 18 inch Dolls

The Sunshine Dress is a simple pattern to sew, with or without a contrasting front panel. With three options to sew, plus the option to make it sleeveless, you will find yourself turning to the Sunshine Dress over and over, no matter what the season!

Be inspired by these wonderful dresses sewn up by Oh Sew Kat! testers!

Pretty pastels! And notice the neat trim added to the hem of the center panel before the dress was constructed. So clever!

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Jenny Z made this cute floral dress for her Caroline doll. She used THIS TUTORIAL to make a sleeveless version.

Easy to sew PDF pattern: Sunshine Dress for 18 inch Dolls

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Kit is ready for Disney in her cute Mickey and Minnie Mouse Sunshine Dress. The contrasting fabrics give it even more charm.

Find the Sunshine Dress PDF pattern in 3 doll sizes HERE and see more ideas HERE, HERE, and in this POST.

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Tester Tuesday: Sunshine Dress for 18 inch Dolls

Tester Tuesday is my chance to show off the talent of the Oh Sew Kat! tester team. Each tester chooses which version of a new (unpublished) pattern they want to sew, and offer feedback on fit, directions etc as well as provide a few photos for me to share. These two Sunshine Dresses were sewn by the very talented Jozel W. I hope you are as inspired as I am to make a Sunshine Dress for your doll!

Purchase the Sunshine Dress Sewing Pattern for Dolls HERE.

The Sunshine Dress has three versions- including the princess seams version here on this adorable cherries dress. Find the PDF pattern in my Etsy Shop.

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Easy PDF sewing pattern for doll dresses: Sunshine Dress by Oh Sew Kat!

Jozel used THIS TUTORIAL to make a sleeveless version of the Sunshine Dress. It’s the perfect way to show off a bold, fun print. I use it often to make Game Day and historical fashions like this these, and these dresses for Melody and Maryellen. Click the photos below to see more ideas for doll clothes to sew!

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Step it Up Series: Make a Reversible, Sleeveless Sunshine Dress

Reversible Doll Dresses with the Sunshine Dress PDF Pattern by OhSewKat

The Sunshine Dress is a great “go to” pattern for a basic dress, with or without sleeves. It has a loose fit so it’s great for dolls that may be older or different brands.

Make your doll a reversible Sunshine Dress for summer

When you make an item reversible, take the extra time to put the fabrics with wrong sides together and ensure that each one can’t be “seen” from the other side. I try to choose lighter prints for the insides of my dresses and I usually choose fabrics that have a few coordinating colors.

To make your Sunshine Dress reversible, start with THIS TUTORIAL to make the sleeveless version. You do not need the bodice lining pieces. I used the simple front for Joss’ dress, but you can use any of the options in the pattern. Complete the front first.

Use two fabrics and make two versions of the dress, one for the outside and one for the inside. Sew the shoulder seams and the neckline as stated in the pattern. Sew the armholes, and the hem. Turn the dress right side out, and press well.

You now need to complete the side seams. You will be sewing the lining and dress together, with right sides together. The front will be sewn to the front, and the lining will be sewn to the lining. (This is the same method I use in the Popsicle Top pattern). You will not be able to sew the entire seam. Try to get at least one inch of the lining, then over the seam, down the front, and then over the seam again to the lining by at least one more inch. Once you do that, you can pull the sides into place, and the gap should pretty much close up. You can handstitch the gap closed, or you can “stitch in the ditch” along the seam with your machine. Attach the hook and loop tape as usual.

Make a reversible dress for your 18 inch doll with the Sunshine Dress sewing pattern.

Use Fold Over Elastic to make an easy, slip on belt or headband as seen in THIS TUTORIAL to complete your outfit. Find the Sunshine Dress pattern in 3 sizes HERE.

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50s Fashions to Sew for your American Girl Doll, Maryellen Larkin

Make 50s style Fashions and Outfits for your 18 inch Doll.

Maryellen Larkin and her family are glad WWII is over and everyone is hopeful about the future in 1954. She loves pretending to be a 50s movie star and playing the jukebox at the diner with family and friends. Use Oh Sew Kat! patterns to stitch up 50s style outfits for your Maryellen doll and her friends.

Ad: Want to learn more about Maryellen’s adventures? Find Maryellen’s stories by Valerie Tripp HERE and at the American Girl stores.

Use Oh Sew Kat! patterns to sew 50s outfits for your Maryellen Larkin Doll.

Do you want to make Maryellen a new outfit?  Try these twists on patterns from Oh Sew Kat! Find all of these patterns in my Etsy Shop:  www.etsy.com/shop/ohsewkat.

1.  Sunshine Dress &  Sugar n Spice Bundle
2.  Bloomer Buddies
3.  Boardwalk Boutique with Bloomer Buddies Shortie Bloomers
4.  Party Time Peasant Dress

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

Free 50’s headscarf pattern for dolls

Click HERE for a tutorial to make a cute fifties style headscarf for your doll!

Make 50s inspired doll clothes with Oh Sew Kat! PDF sewing patterns.

Find more ideas to sew for Maryellen HERE and HERE.

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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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Sewing a Sunshine Dress for Saige – An Ombre Confetti Doll Dress

Last month, Oh Sew Kat! featured the Sunshine Dress Sewing Pattern all month long. As the Pattern Pick of the Month, it was on sale for the 1st five days and we posted lots of samples, ideas, and more all month long. Stay tuned to the newsletter to see when we offer a Pattern Pick of the Month so you can join in the fun.

Sew a Sunshine Doll Dress for your 18 inch doll like American Girl.

The Sunshine Dress sewing pattern is a simple to sew A Line dress with three variations for the front. Make it with a straight contrast, pretty princess seams, or leave the front as one solid piece (easier and quick to sew) and embellish with machine embroidery, iron on designs, or trims and appliques. The short sleeves are perfect for summer…or make a sleeveless shift with THIS TUTORIAL. The Sunshine Dress is available in 3 popular doll sizes.

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Make a doll dress for your 18 inch doll with the easy to sew, Sunshine Dress Sewing Pattern

I bought a bundle of these ombre fabrics with metallic gold dots awhile back. The Sunshine Dress is the perfect canvas to give the light to dark a chance to shine. The turquoise color matches Saige’s eyes perfectly! The fabric is part of the Ombre Confetti Collection by Vanessa Christenson for Moda Fabrics.

Need an easy to sew pattern? Try the Oh Sew Kat! Sunshine Dress

See more ideas for the Sunshine Dress HERE, HERE, and HERE. Don’t forget to stop by the Inspiration Gallery! The Sunshine Dress is a simple dress that looks different every time you sew~ mix and match the front panels to create a dress as unique as your doll!

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Simple Sewing Pattern for a Versatile 18 inch Doll Dress

The Sunshine Dress sewing pattern is available in my ETSY SHOP and other sites where my patterns are sold. Find it for Animators, 18 inch dolls, and 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers.

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