Don’t pass by that huge fabric section of batik fabrics! I love to use batiks as “solids with interest”. With such a wide range of solid colors and fun patterns, you can create a whole new vibe for your doll clothes.
Use batik fabrics in place of solids to improve your doll clothes sewing.
This blue batik fabric was in my mother’s stash. It must have been a quilt backing as there is four or five yards of it! It’s my go to for a “denim” look because it’s so lightweight and easy to sew!
This batik fabric has a pattern over it, but the muted colors behind it make it perfect for spring play clothes, like this adorable Popsicle Top and Sandbox Shorts outfit for Welliewishers™ sewn by Pam. Find both patterns in THIS BUNDLE.
Use Batik Fabrics to in Your Doll Clothes Sewing
This patriotic batik is a stunner. Each outfit will have a little different look with fabrics that change colors. These outfits are both made with the Backyard Bibs pattern.
Batiks are fun to sew with. You just don’t know what you will get until it’s done. Try it out today!!
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?
Is the Easter Bunny headed to your house soon? Dress up her dolls with pretty new dresses for the big day. Oh Sew Kat! offers doll dress sewing patterns in popular doll sizes and you can sew one up in just an afternoon!
Easy Easter Dresses for Dolls: Oh Sew Kat! Sewing Patterns
How about a free skirt pattern? The Four Season Skirt is FREE in 3 sizes. Click HERE to get yours. This skirt is quick and simple and will give your dolly that perfect outfit for hunting Easter eggs.
The Spring Shine dress has pretty flutter sleeves and can be made with or without the button placket. Use your fun prints like these rainbow unicorns (above) or unicorns and castles (below).
Sewing Easter Dresses for American Girl sized Dolls
The Sugar n Spice dress is perfect for Easter and every other occasion. Visit the Inspiration Gallery to see the many ways to sew this fun pattern. The Sugar n Spice pattern is now available for 15 inch baby dolls too! Find the pattern HERE.
The Bloomer Buddies pattern also has a dress option (with or without sleeves) that can be a fancy dress as well, such as Willa’s ruffled dress (Photo by Shirley F.). Find the pattern HERE.
And finally, the newest dress pattern from OhSewKat!- the Summertime Stroll- is perfect ofr your spring dresses too! Find the pattern HERE.
Pretty Spring Dresses to DIY for your Dolls
Be sure to visit the Easter Inspiration Gallery for more ideas for your dolly dresses. Visit OhSewKat on Etsy to find these patters, plus many more, including the BEST DRESSED Bundle to save 15% on three dress patterns.
Ready for spring? How about some bright colors and feelings of sunshine about now? Use the Backyard Bibs to create these quick and easy fake overall dresses. The pattern also includes another skirt version and two pants (shorts and capris). The Backyard Bibs is available in five doll sizes!
Spring is upon us and it’s fun to give your dolls’ wardrobe some cute new outfits fit the for the season. Save 15% off individual prices with this new value bundle: Spring Fling, available only in the OhSewKat etsy shop and make some mix and match outfits today.
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 Spring Outfits – Doll Clothes Pattern Value Bundle from Oh Sew Kat!
This Spring Fling bundle is offered in 2 doll sizes: 18 inch dolls like American Girl® and 14.5 inch Welliewishers™. Each pattern is also available individually. See them all HERE.
Three fun patterns are included to give you lots of options for so many styles of doll mix and match play clothes plus a cute little string bag backpack. Included patterns: The SpringShine Dress, the Picnic Play pattern and the Sun Day Skort.
Find this new pattern bundle, Spring Fling in my Etsy Shop.
Spring Shine Dress: This pattern includes a sleeveless dress with fitted bodice, flutter sleeves, faux button placket, and gathered skirt. Use it to make a cute top as well!
See the SpringShine Dress Inspiration Gallery HERE.
Here are some samples of the Spring Shine Dress Pattern.
Picnic Play: Top, pants, and backpack pattern- simple Simple and quick to sew, with a reversible top, pull on capris with cuffs and a string style back pack with a pocket to hold her things.
Here are a few samples of the Picnic Play pattern. See more outfits in the Inspiration Gallery.
Easy to Sew Doll Clothes for 18 inch Dolls and other Sizes by Oh Sew Kat!
Sun Day Skort: This quick project is a pair of shorts, with matching or contrasting wrap around skirt that doesn’t quite meet in the middle. Trim it with buttons or use contrasting fabric. Top pattern is not included, but the Sun Day Skort looks perfect with the Picnic Play Top (above).
Here are a few samples of the Sun Day Skort. You can find more ideas in the Inspiration Gallery.
Create your perfect doll outfit for spring with these three simple patterns, bundled together to save 15% in the Spring Fling bundle! Happy Sewing!!
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.
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.
Here are some samples of the Sugar n Spice Pattern. Find a list of Sugar n Spice pattern hacks HERE.
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!
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!!
Instead of soft gathers, make the Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern with a cute pleat down the front. When choosing fabrics, remember that there will be a “break” in your design where the fabric is pressed in or out, so you might want to check how it will line up before you begin. This pattern is available in four popular doll sizes.
Step it Up Series: Pleated Top or Dress with the Bloomer Buddies PDF Sewing Pattern for Dolls
You will need the Bloomer Buddies sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat! Find it in four sizes HERE.
Cut out the pattern pieces for the top, tunic, or dress length
Fold the front along the fold line and make a mark or pin 1 and 1/4th inch from the fold toward the armhole for 18 inch dolls. You will have to adjust the measurement for smaller sizes.
For an inverted pleat: Baste the seam with right sides together.
For a boxed pleat: Baste the seam with wrong sides together.
Press the pleat flat. Remove your basting stitches down the center front. With the pleat fully in place, stitch across the top raw edge to hold it in place.
Attach the yoke and continue with the pattern directions.
Note: When you press up your hem, you will press out the pleat. Leaving it pressed open like this will give more flair to the bottom of your dress or top.
Simple to Sew Pleated Dress or Top for Dolls by Oh Sew Kat!
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
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.
Follow these simple instructions to modify the Everything Nice Overskirt (Included with the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice Pattern bundle) to close it with a pretty bow at the waist.
Make the Sugar n Spice Overskirt Close with a Pretty Tie
You will need the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle pattern. The overskirt is part of the accessories set.
Cut your skirt and waistband pieces according to the pattern instructions. I actually made my skirt more full at 33 inches.
Hem and gather the skirt, including the short edges.
Fold in each short end of the waistband 1/4th inch and press, then stitch.
With right sides together, press waistband in half long ways.
Open the waistband, and find the center. Also find the center of your 36 inch piece of ribbon.
Decide if you want the skirt to close in the center or off to one side and place your ribbon in the waistband accordingly. Optional: Stitch some or all of the ribbon near the fold, to the back of the waistband piece so the ribbon will not come out during play. If you want to be able to tie it both in the center and to the side, you will need to leave the ribbon unattached so it can slide. In that case, put the ribbon inside, and use clips or pins to hold it in place and out of the way as you attach your waistband.
Press the waistband closed again and complete the skirt as directed. The ribbon will be hidden in the waistband but the skirt will close with a cute bow.
Use the skirt on its own, or over a dress frontwards or backwards.
DIY 18 inch Doll Dresses for Valentine’s Day with Easy to Sew PDF Sewing Patterns from Oh Sew Kat!
Kira turned the skirt around (bow tie is now in the back) and matched it up with a simple white tee shirt. These bicycles are just so cute!! I found the fabric collection at the ad: FAT QUARTER SHOP.
Meet Corinne Tan, the 2022 Girl of the Year, from American Girl®. She’s 18 inches tall, and has black hair with minty green highlights, bright brown eyes, and comes dressed in shiny leggings, a white sweater and some adorable mint green boots! She comes with a book as well titled Corinne. Every year we anticipate what theme AG will come out with and I think this year it’s over to top!!! I was thrilled to add Corinne and her younger sister, Gywnn, to the Oh Sew Kat! modeling crew!
American Girl Doll Corinne Tan 18 inch Doll Review
In the past, American Girl® has offered their yearly doll with limited collections, and one time they included two friend dolls (Sonali and Gwen with Chrissa), but they’ve never offered a little sister doll!! Gwynn is a sweetie- she’s the exact same size (and mold) as the Welliewishers™, and is very similar to the current Emerson doll, but her hair is different and she has a little different skin tone. She comes dressed in a pink furry skirt, purple sweater and tights, with some fun, purple boots. My guess is she will only be available this year, or for a limited time like other girls of the year, because she came in a regular, two piece Girl of the Year doll box, instead of the plastic Welliewishers™ packaging. That little doll box is cute too!
Girls of the Year Review from American Girl® Dolls
One of the first things you notice about Corinne, is her eyes. They are bigger than the other dolls, and AG used a new face mold for her. She has feathery eyebrows and painted eyelashes, giving her a wide eyed look. Not everyone will enjoy this change, but I think she looks cute and modern.
GOTY (Girl of the Year) dolls come and go, over the years. There are some that I just love (Joss, Blaire) and some I’m a little less excited about (Kira) 🙂 But when I saw Corinne in person, I knew she would be very popular for a lot of reasons!! First of all, she’s the first GOTY of Asian heritage, so that is fun and unique. She’s winter themed, just in time for the Winter Olympics excitement around the world, and her collection and color palette are stunning. I think her meet outfit is so perfect I have yet to change her clothes, ha ha! The sweater is a little thin, (you can see the leggings through it) but the leggings are very sparkly and the boots are adorable with the little pom pons. I love the combination of the purple, white and the green in her hair. Colored hair on the dolls is probably a like it or hate it thing. I prefer traditional hair colors, but Corinne’s mint tints are mostly underneath her hair so it slips in and out of view for a fun surprise.
Overall, I have to say I love everything about her. She’s a delight to look at and I can’t wait to make her part of the Oh Sew Kat! team.
Meet Gwynn, Corinne’s Little Sister from American Girl®
New 18 inch Dolls from American Girl® – Corinne and Gwynn
I went ahead and purchased Gwynn, even though I already have Emerson in my crew. Emerson’s hair is curly, and crazy, and very difficult to photograph (something I do a lot of, right?) and so I was immediately attracted to Gwynn simply for her hair style. She’s also got fun, wintery colors and a lot of adorable accessories for play. I’m not as impressed with the style of her meet outfit. I believe it to be what a real child would wear, but the chunky fur skirt with a thin, tucked in sweater just seems bulky and odd for her small frame. I’m sure I can find something else for her to wear around here! I also find her name difficult to spell (and I’m an adult!) and seems similar to the name Gwen, that American Girl® seems to recycle over and over (Chrissa’s friend, Hopscotch Hill etc)
So what kind of outfits will I make for Corinne? She might like the cozy turtleneck and shorts outfit from the Jumping Jack pattern. Or some cozy Playground Pants. Once winter is over, she will certainly need some shorts and other playclothes like the Boardwalk Boutique and the Picnic Play outfits.
Corinne and Gwynn are sisters, and live in Aspen, Colorado. Corinne loves to ski and her sister loves to skate. Corinne also has a puppy she is training to search and rescue. Overall, the theme of this year’s GOTY is timely, fresh, and fun!! The outfits and accessories offer so much play value for little girls. From cozy fireplace s’mores to a ski lift and ski slope, be sure to check out the full Corinne collection.
Oh Sew Kat! 