Oh Sew Kat! Doll Dress Patterns Made Up as Tops

Just as every doll top sewing pattern you have can usually be made into a dress, the reverse is true as well. Every dress pattern can be made into a top or shirt. Here are a few examples to use the patterns you have (or choose a new one) in a new way.

Use your Oh Sew Kat! Doll Dress sewing patterns to make cute doll tops too!

Kelly is wearing a cute spring outfit. Her top is made from the Sugar n Spice pattern. Instead of a full skirt, I just made it ruffle sized. Read more details in THIS POST. The skirt is a simple skirt like THIS TUTORIAL.

Easiest Pattern Hack Ever: Make a Dress Pattern as Top for Dolls

In the above example, sewn by my amazing tester, Michele, Leah is wearing a top made from the Oh Sew Kat! Spring Shine Dress pattern. It’s simply the bodice with a little trim at the hem. Cute cute!! Find the pattern HERE. The skirt is made from the Twinkle Twirl Skirt pattern.

Michele also sewed the cute outfit Snow White is wearing below. Her top is made from the Sunshine Dress pattern. It doesn’t matter the doll size, this hack works for every size. Find the pattern HERE.

Use your Oh Sew Kat! Doll Dress Patterns to Make Cute Summer Tops too!

Maryellen is ready to hit the beach!! The Backyard Bibs is my favorite pattern for every season. Shorten the skirt to ruffle length, and look how cute the top is! (The green shorts were purchased at American Girl®.) See more details in THIS POST. I simply made the ruffle even smaller in the patriotic outfit below. Paired with a pair of Bloomer Buddies bloomers and it looks like a bathing suit!!

Make Easy Doll Tops with your Oh Sew Kat! Dress Sewing Patterns

Pam, another amazing tester and photographer, always made the cutest outfits. Here she used the Sugar n Spice Dress pattern and made it into cute tops for Welliewishers 14.5 inch dolls. She paired them with Sixth Grade Skirts and added the pockets as in THIS TUTORIAL. Such cute outfits!!

What other dress patterns will you use to make your doll tops?

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Zip it Up! Add a zipper to the Oh Sew Kat! Sunshine Dress

This quick tutorial will help you add a zipper to the back of the Sunshine Dress, and will also work for the School Dance Dress pattern as well. You will need this pattern:

Add a zipper to the Oh Sew Kat! Sunshine Dress Pattern

1. Choose your option for the front of the dress (three variations are included) and cut out all of your pattern pieces as directed. I used a six inch zipper. You can use a longer one, but be careful of going too short and not being able to get the dress on the doll.
2. Follow the pattern to put the front together, attach the shoulders, and add the lining. If you are adding sleeves, add them as well. My photos are for a sleeveless version of the dress, like in THIS TUTORIAL. Do not stitch the side seams.
3. Clean finish the back edges with a serger or zigzag stitch, catching the lining pieces.
4. With right sides together, baste the back edges together with a long stitch length and a half inch seam allowance. Two inches or so before the hem, where the zipper will end, switch to your regular stitch length. Press the seam open.
5. With the zipper pull pulled away from the top edge, lay your zipper face down along the pressed open seam. Use pieces of scotch tape to hold it in place. (It’s hard to see the clear tape in the photo, but I used three pieces across the zipper. (Photo 3-white arrow)
6. Using your zipper foot, stitch down one side, across the bottom and up the other side, keeping as close to the zipper teeth as you can. Move the zipper pull up and down out of the way as you sew if you can. Remove the tape. (Photo 3)
7. Remove your basting stitches by pulling the seam slightly open. Stop when you get to the end of the zipper. Using your regular stitch length, restitch from the bottom of the zipper to the hemline on your basted seamline if you need to. (Photo 4)
8. With the right sides together, stitch up the side seams, from hem, through the armhole seam to the hemline of the lining piece or sleeve.
9. Clean finish the hem, press it up and stitch in place.
10. Ta da!! Zip it up!! See how easy it is to get the Sunshine Dress on and off your 18 inch doll.

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Front and Back views are shown below.

Making 18 inch Doll Clothes- Adding a Zipper

Easy Tutorial to Add a Zipper to a Doll Dress

Find the Sunshine Dress and other 18 inch PDF sewing patterns HERE.

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Find more tutorials and pattern hacks HERE and click the photos below to see more ideas for the Sunshine Dress pattern.

New Pattern Value Bundle for Dolls: Best Dressed by Oh Sew Kat!

Does your doll need a new dress? Which doll doesn’t am I right? Oh Sew Kat! has a new value pattern bundle with three styles of dresses for your doll, in four doll sizes.

Best Dresses Doll Dress Pattern Bundle of Three by Oh Sew Kat!

Save 15% by purchasing this value bundle of three print at home PDF patterns that have full color photos for every step in the detailed directions. Each pattern also includes full size pattern pieces that fit your home printer paper (US 8.5 x 11 inches).

3 Doll Dress Pattern Value Bundle from Oh Sew Kat!

This Best Dressed bundle is offered in 3 doll sizes: 18 inch dolls, 16 inch Animators’ and 14.5 inch Welliewishers. There is a similar bundle (one dress is different) for 15 inch Bitty Baby dolls. Each pattern is also available individually. See them all HERE.

Three dress patterns are included to give you lots of options for so many styles of doll dresses. The Sugar n Spice pattern, the Party Time Peasant Dress pattern, and the Sunshine Dress pattern.

Find this new pattern bundle, Best Dressed, in my Etsy Shop.

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Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice: This pattern includes a short sleeve dress with fitted bodice and gathered skirt. Also included are patterns for a no sew tutu, reversible corset, apron, overskirt, and hooded cape so you can make your full imagination’s worth of outfits.

See the Sugar n Spice Inspiration Gallery HERE.

Here are some samples of the Sugar n Spice Pattern. Find a list of Sugar n Spice pattern hacks HERE.

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Party Time Peasant Dress: Simple and quick to sew, with an elastic neckline, and contrasting waistband, the Party Time Peasant Dress is perfect for every season. You can make it with long sleeves with THIS HACK for even more options.

Here are a few samples of the Party Time Peasant Dress. Instructions are included for both the solid skirt and the 3 tiered prairie skirt. See more dresses in the Inspiration Gallery.

Easy to Sew Doll Dresses for 18 inch Dolls and other Sizes by Oh Sew Kat!

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Sunshine Dress: This a-line dress is simple to sew with three variations to the front: Straight lined center, princess seams, or solid. Use THIS HACK to make it without sleeves for even more options.

Here are a few samples of the Sunshine Dress. You can find more ideas in the Inspiration Gallery.

Create your perfect doll dress with these three dress patterns, bundled together to save 15%. Happy Sewing!!

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Sewing for the Ruby Red Fashion Friend 15″ dolls?

This post will be updated as more information becomes available. Bookmark it for your records and check back often as the Ruby Red Fashion Friends become more popular!

Make Doll Clothes for 15 inch Ruby Red Fashion Friends Doll with PDF Sewing Patterns from Oh Sew Kat!

I asked my test group to try their Welliewishers 14.5 inch doll clothing on their Ruby Red Fashion Friends 15 inch dolls. This is the feedback they gave me on the fit, as well as a few of their photos. Please note, that at the time of this writing, I do not own any RRFF dolls. These adaptations are just guidelines, and you may have to adjust the patterns more or less to your individual taste.

Photo Credit: Juliette Auckland

Use these slight modifications to make Oh Sew Kat! 14.5 inch sized patterns for Welliewishers™ to fit the new, popular 15 inch dolls, Ruby Red Fashion Friends.

Find a full selection of Oh Sew Kat! Patterns for 14.5″ and 15″ Dolls HERE.

• Backyard Bibs: Add 1/4th inch to bodice, and 3/8 inch to length
• Boardwalk Boutique Top: Add 1/4th inch
• Boardwalk Boutique Pants: Add 1/4 inch to top of waistband
• Picnic Play Top: No changes
• Picnic Play Pants: Add 1/4 inch to top of waistband
• Popsicle Top: No changes OR add 1/4th to the length to show less tummy
• Playground Pants: Add 3/8 inch to length
• Sandbox Shorts: Add 1/4 inch to top of waistband
• School Bell Blouse: Add 1/4 to both bodice and sleeve length
• School Dance Dress: Add 3/8 inch to dress length and 1/4th inch to sleeve length
• Sugar n Spice: Add 3/8 inch to both bodice length and skirt length
• Spring Shine: Add 3/8 inch to both bodice and skirt length
• Sun Day Skort: Double the seam allowance at center skirt fronts and don’t ease, add 1/4 inch to length of both shorts and skirt
• Sunshine Dress: Add 3/8 inch to length
• Twinkle Twirl skirt: Add 1/2 inch to length of skirt blocks

Sewing for the Siblies? Try a 15% reduction of your Welliewishers patterns as a good place to start.

Photo credit: Pam Ray

Please note that this list is not an exact science. The OSK patterns were designed to fit the Welliewishers™ and Glitter Girls® 14.5″ dolls. By adding a little length to most of my patterns, they will also fit the taller 15″ Ruby Red Fashion Friends. You may need to adjust the measurement more or less depending on the look you like for your dolls.

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Make it Monday: Sunshine Dress with OverSkirt

Combine the pieces from the Oh Sew Kat! Sugar n Spice bundle with the Sunshine Dress to make a cute, retro sheath and overskirt for your 18 inch dolls (or any size) like Maryellen Larkin and Melody Ellison from American Girl®.

Mix and Match Oh Sew Kat! sewing patterns – Sunshine Dress with OverSkirt

Make the simple sheath dress with the Sunshine Dress PDF pattern and THIS TUTORIAL to make it without sleeves.

DIY Classic dresses for 18 inch Dolls like Maryellen and Melody

Add the overskirt from the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle– in matching or contrasting fabric. The doll can wear it frontwards or backwards!

Easy to Sew PDF Patterns for American Girl Dolls

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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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