Step it Up! Series: Make a Nightgown with the Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern for Dolls

Sewing doll clothes this weekend?  Snuggle up!  Use the simple to sew Bloomer Buddies PDF pattern to turn the dress into a snuggly nightgown for your doll. This easy pattern that you download and print on your home computer will work on any size doll.  Use this simple pattern hack to the Bloomer Buddies PDF sewing pattern to Step it Up!

First, you need the Bloomer Buddies pattern. It’s available in three sizes where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.  Print out the pieces for the dress with short sleeves.

You will need to make a few minor adjustments to the pattern pieces.  You may be able to lengthen the pieces on the original printout, or you may need to cut it out and then tape it to a fresh sheet of paper first, depending on the size doll you are sewing for.

Using the short sleeve pattern piece, and THIS TUTORIAL, you will need to lengthen the sleeve pattern piece to make it a long sleeve.   Measure down from the side edge, not the center, and draw your new sleeve hem edge straight across, not curved.  For this 18 inch doll nightgown, I lengthened my sleeve by 3 1/2 inches, and used a 3/8th hem/elastic casing.  I used 4 inches of elastic for the wrist.

Sew the dress as directed by the pattern. Choose a snuggly flannel or pretty cotton for your nightgown.  The nightgown Grace is wearing below, is the same dress length as the dress length pattern lines.

Luciana is ready to hop into bed in her Bloomer Buddies nightgown!

Another option is to add a pretty ruffle to the bottom of the dress length.  Here I used a piece of a jelly roll, that was 2 1/2 x 40 inches long. A jelly roll is a quilting fabric precut of 20-45 2 1/2 inch strips like this one Ad:  https://amzn.to/2VNxmED.  I keep a few on hand to use as precut dress and skirt ruffles.  I used one end of the same strip to cut the yoke.  Any size ruffle will do; you can choose how long you want your doll’s nightgown to be.

Your dolls will be ready to snuggle into bed in a new, cozy nightgown.  See more ways to sew the mix and match Bloomer Buddies pattern here and here.  Be sure to pin these images to save them for later!

Click HERE to purchase the Bloomer Buddies Pattern for 18 inch Dolls.

Click HERE to find the pattern in other sizes and value bundles.

 

 

 

 

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Oh Sew Kat! PDF Sewing Patterns for Dolls- Where to Shop!

Here at Oh Sew Kat! Designs, you will find quick and easy sewing patterns to make an entire doll clothes wardrobe for your 18 inch dolls (like American Girl®) as well as other, smaller sized dolls, like Wellie Wishers and Bitty Baby®.  PDF patterns are simple to use (shop and print at home!) and easy to store (computer files- save your pattern pieces for next time or toss them and print them again later).  Read below to learn more about the pattern sites where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.

Many of us have favorite sites we like to use and choose and collect reward points to buy (yes!) more patterns.  I want you to be able to shop where you like to shop- so I offer my patterns on multiple selling platforms.  Each platform is a little different, and all patterns are not available on all the sites.  Click HERE to find the FREE Four Season Skirt pattern in 3 sizes.

Please note:  Due to the variety of internet browsers, you should always download your PDF file first, and save it on your computer, before opening it and printing your pieces at actual size.

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ETSY

The full catalog of all Oh Sew Kat! patterns is always found at Etsy.com.  This is normally the only shop to find every single Oh Sew Kat! pattern.  This site is simple to navigate, gives you different options to pay (credit card, etsy gift cards, and paypal), and your patterns remain in your library forever.  Once you place your order (all orders are digital files- no physical patterns will be sent,) you will get an email confirming your purchase with the link to download your file and save it to your computer.  You can also log into your account, and find your patterns in your profile, under PURCHASES and REVIEWS.

Oh Sew Kat on Etsy

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PIXIE FAIRE

Pixie Faire is a one stop shop for sewing patterns for many, many doll types and sizes, and it offers a large selection of Oh Sew Kat! patterns, as well as patterns from 90+ other designers.  PF also offers multiple payment options; an account is required to purchase, but you will also be able to download a FREEBIE FRIDAY pattern each week from various pattern makers and find weekly contests and tutorials as well.  You can also earn credits with your purchases and use them towards the products on the site.

Oh Sew Kat! on Pixie Faire

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You Can Make This

You Can Make This, or YCMT, is a sewing lovers’ dream!  This was the site where I first found my love of PDF digital sewing patterns.  This site offers much, much more than doll clothes, with a large variety of handbags, kids’ clothes, craft projects, toys, and more from over 300 designers.  They offer weekly newsletters, a place to feature the items you’ve made, and also take most forms of payment.  You will need to establish an account, but your pattern files will always be available for you in your pattern library.  You can also earn points for purchases and use them for future purchases as well.

Oh Sew Kat! on You Can Make This

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iCreateMarketplace

The iCreateMarketplace is a new site that is all about dolls all of the time.  It offers a marketplace to buy patterns, notions, supplies, and finished doll clothes and items.  With a select number of designers, your purchases will add up and you can redeem points for further purchases.  There are forums to ask questions, galleries to post projects, and even scheduled chats, sew alongs, and master classes.  You can join for free to take advantage of the full iCreateforDolls experience, or shop without an account in the marketplace.

Oh Sew Kat! on iCreateMarketplace

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Blaire Wilson- Girl of the Year 2019 – New Sewing Pattern Sneak Peak!

If you are new to American Girl doll world- let me tell you that January 1st is always a super exciting day. That is the day that American Girl ® reveals and begins the sales of the new Girl of the Year doll. The stores have a big reveal event, and everyone is excited to see the photos of the real doll as well as her entire collection.  Last year’s Girl of the Year was Luciana Vega- her collection still has availability unlike previous years’ where they pulled all the stock on Dec 31st.

For 2019, AG has released Blaire Wilson…a creative girl from upstate New York who lives on a farm, and helps with wedding planning. Her collection is an adorable mix of dainty pastels, cute farm animals, and bumblebees.  Sounds right down my alley!!

Here at Oh Sew Kat! Designs, we are excited too!! Blaire is on order and will be here any day!  A new redhead to dress! What could be more fun?  As soon as I started to see online glimpses of the Blaire collection, I started to work on a brand new pattern release, that will be a perfect (and quick and easy!) way to add her country style to your doll’s wardrobe.  Or maybe make a few more outfits for Blaire herself.

Here are a few sneak peaks of the prototypes I have created for the new Oh Sew Kat! Backyard Bibs pattern- coming to some of your favorite pattern shops later in January of 2019.  There will be four or five options total, so stay tuned to see more and to see Blaire modeling her new bibs!!  I still need to add a few details (buttons, pockets, you know the drill…) and it will be available in multiple sizes (like 14.5 inch and A Girl for All Time to start) so be on the lookout later this month for this easy project sewing pattern.

Are you adding Blaire Wilson to your doll family?  Find my full collection of sewing patterns for 18 inch dolls like Blaire, as well as other popular doll sizes HERE.  Visit the TUTORIALS page to see more ways to sew Oh Sew Kat! patterns.

6 Dresses from One Pattern: Six Different Ways to Sew the Sugar n Spice Dress by Oh Sew Kat!

When you purchase a PDF sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat!, you get more than just the look you see on the pattern cover.  With a few tweaks and changes, (called pattern hacks), and some different fabric combinations, you can Step Up! your basic pattern into almost any look you can think of! Today, enjoy these “twists” on the Sugar n Spice Dress pattern.  These outfits can be made for any size doll!  Find even more pattern hacks and tutorials on the Tutorials Page.

 

 

1.  Create a classic holiday dress, similar to the one American Girl® made for the BeForever character, Molly McIntyre.  I used a gorgeous green Kona cotton Sugar n Spice Dress, but the original dress was made of velvet and would be beautiful from that too!  Add a little lace around the sleeves and neckline for a dainty touch.  See more photos HERE.
   

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2. Every dress pattern can be made as a top, and every top pattern can be made as a dress!  Use the Sugar n Spice bodice to make a cute peplum top!  Find the tutorial HERE.
   

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   3.  Every dress pattern can also be used to make a longer dress! Or a nightgown! For the holidays, make the Sugar n Spice Dress in white, and add some peppermint piping and pretty ruffles to make a nightgown that will have sugarplums dancing in her head all season long. Find the tutorial HERE.  I also used THIS TUTORIAL to add the placket in the center front for the buttons.

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   4. And while you are thinking about making long dresses, why not try a fun Hawaiian print and make a MuuMuu style dress! These Sugar n Spice Dresses would be perfect for walking along the beach eating shaved ice!  Use the overdress/pinafore pattern and THIS TUTORIAL.

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   5. Dress up the front bodice of the Sugar n Spice Dress with some tiny ruffles, trim, ric rac, piping, or lace.  Use THIS TUTORIAL to add the placket, and tuck the trim in before you topstitch it in place.  See more photos of these cute, bunny dress HERE.

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   6.  The Sugar n Spice Dress was designed to layer a dress over a dress.  But don’t stop there! Try the overdress/pinafore over a Peasant Top or a Party Time Peasant Dress as I did here for St. Patrick’s Day.  I reversed the overdress, lowered the neckline, and sewed the skirt on with a large opening for the underdress to show through. See more photos and details HERE. 

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   The Sugar n Spice Dress was designed to layer prints over prints over prints.  Or to make solid dresses and change the aprons/pinafores for the season, like this Easter Dress and this one for Valentine’s Day.   It was also designed to be a blank canvas to create any sort of character dress you can think of from Wonder Woman, to Princess Belle, to Cinderella and more!  Visit the Inspiration Gallery to see even more ideas for the versatile Sugar n Spice Dress pattern.How will you make the Sugar n Spice Dress?  Find the pattern for 16 inch Disney Animators’ dolls and 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls Dolls where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold. 

Sew a Holiday Doll Dress with Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!

Oh Sew Kat! patterns are quick and easy.  Choose a fun, holiday print and stitch up a new dress for your doll this holiday in just an afternoon!  The design is in the details.  Add pretty piping or fun buttons and bows to enhance your dress.

The Party Time Peasant Dress is a quick to sew pattern for dolls, that will give lots of “WOW” when you choose fun, holiday themed fabrics.  This pattern is available in five popular doll sizes:  18 inch dolls, 14.5 inch dolls, 15 inch baby dolls, 16 inch Animators dolls, and 16 inch A Girl for All Time® Dolls in my Etsy Shop.  Because PDF patterns are instant download, and you print them at home, you can sew one up without even leaving your house!

Be inspired by these fun, holiday dresses and sew one up for your favorite doll today!  Kelly’s snowflake dress was made with the Party Time Peasant Dress.

Use the Bloomer Buddies pattern for a Christmas Classic, like Riley’s dress below.

This polka dot dress is also made with the Bloomer Buddies.  I just made the sleeves longer.

Maryellen’s Dress was made with the School Bell Blouse pattern, using this easy Pattern HACK.

Make holiday dresses for your Wellie Wishers 14.5 inch sized dolls too! Willa’s dress is made with the Party Time Peasant Dress.

The Party Time Peasant Dress is also available for A Girl for All Time Dolls.

Have fun putting a holiday twist on your doll clothes this season!!

See more Party Time Peasant Dresses here and here!  Find more holiday ideas here and don’t forget to visit the Inspiration Gallery.  Find the entire Oh Sew Kat! pattern catalog HERE.

Make a Santa or Elf Apron for your Doll with this Boardwalk Boutique Pattern Hack

Here is a quick and easy sewing project (which doesn’t even have very much sewing!) to dress up any doll for the holidays~~

Make this easy apron, with fabric or felt.  Use the Oh Sew Kat! Boardwalk Boutique PDF Sewing pattern for this quick and easy pattern hack.

You only need the FRONT pattern piece.  This pattern hack is super easy if you just use felt, but you can certainly use other fabric and fun materials like fringe, cotton balls, jingle bells, htv, vinyl, embroidery, scraps, felt etc.  I used felt for my samples because I wanted a “no fuss” project, which is also very inexpensive and available at every craft store.

1. You only need to print the front pattern piece.  On your paper pattern piece, measure over 1/2 inch from the center fold and draw a new fold line.  Cut off the extra 1/2 inch and use this as your new center fold line.  Cut off all of the seam allowances, top, sides, and bottom. (Especially if using felt, which does not fray.) . Draw a line across the top from where the front meets the strap, to your new fold line. This “fills” in to make a top that goes straight across.  If you like the look of the squared off front, just realize you will have to trim those edges in step 5.
2. For the length, measure up 1/4th to 1/2 inch up from the “Cut here for ruffle” dashed line and draw a new line. Use this as your new hem line.
3. Cut out the front pattern piece on the fold of your fabric. Do not cut into the square neckline, leave that filled in so it’s straight across the top.
4. Using a heat and bond product, or a careful edge stitch, add a 1/2 inch wide, black ribbon across the middle to form the belt.  Trim even with the apron sides.   Add lace or a white band across the bottom, turning in each side’s raw edge by 1/4th inch.  If you want to add a Santa beard, or a pointed elf collar, cut them from felt, and bond or sew them to your apron.
5. Enclose the top, raw edge in a 5 inch piece of bias tape and stitch.  Do the same for each straight side edge, turning the raw end of the bias tape under at the hemline. Trim to be even with the edge of the apron.  (You could also use ribbon or even fold over elastic.)
6. Cut 2 straps (also of bias tape) 30 inches long.   Mark the center of each strap and place it at the middle of the armhole.  Place your apron in between the bias tape and pin in place, working your way out to the edges, attach the bias tape and when you sew, continue the seam from one end to the other so the strap is sewn together and the apron is sandwiched in between.
7. Try it on your doll and trim the straps to the length you prefer with a diagonal cut. If you used bias tape, you will not need to turn in the raw edges.
8. Using ribbon, a buckle, or glitter heat transfer vinyl, cut a one inch belt buckle and attach it to the apron.  Add buttons, bells, pom poms etc (glue or sew on) if desired.
9. SNAP or Hook and Loop Tape VARIATION IDEA:  Cut your ties to 18 inches each.  After you finish the apron, try it on your doll and add velcro or snaps at the neck and waist, trimming off the long ties for a more fitted, easier to put on apron.

It’s the perfect way for your doll to keep her special holiday dress clean!

Would you rather a full outfit for your doll? Find the Elf, Santa, and Gingerbread outfits from this same pattern HERE.  Find my 5 Favorite Holiday pattern hacks HERE.

 

Shop for the Boardwalk Boutique pattern in 4 sizes HERE.

Make a Classic, Holiday Doll Dress with the Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern

Are you looking for a simple sewing pattern to make doll clothes gifts this season?  You’ll find a whole selection of easy level sewing patterns that you print at home from Oh Sew Kat!  Take a look around the website, especially the Inspiration Gallery, and see all the fun ways you can make a simple pattern look completely special and unique!

Try this easy version of the Bloomer Buddies pattern.  A classic green, Kona cotton, a red ruffle (I used pregathered eyelet), some red baby piping, and a holly felt cut out will give you the perfect classic Christmas dress for your 18 inch or other sized doll.  She will be ready for her photo with Santa!

I used my Big Shot Die Cutter and some felt to make the cute little holly accent for this dress. You could easily use your cricut machine or other e-cutter as well!

I just love this classic look for the holidays! Make this dress for Disney Animators or 14 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers dolls too!

Find the Bloomer Buddies Pattern for 18 inch dolls (like American Girl, Our Generation, and more) here and see more ideas to make with it here and here.

Oh Sew Kat’s Holiday Gift Guide

**This post has affiliate links.  See my policy HERE.

Looking for a few ideas for the girls, doll lovers, crafters, and seamstress (sewists) on your list?  Here are a few top picks from Oh Sew Kat!

For the Doll Lover:

Glitter Girls!! These new, smiling dolls are the exact same size as the Wellie Wishers™ dolls made by American Girl®, but you can get them for less than half the price.  There are ten different dolls to choose from and they are poseable too!!  How much fun with that be for the little girl in your life?

A Girl for All Time Dolls:  These 16″ poseable dolls are fairly new to the doll market. They have a loyal following and wonderful stories, most of them historical.  Over time, I think you will see them more and more, not only in pattern shops, but in doll clothes shops too!

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For the Crafty Gal:

I absolutely have used and love my cricut products for years and years and years.  There are just so many wonderful things you make with these electronic cutter machines from tee shirts to coffee mugs, to journals, to doll clothes.  See how I cut my doll clothes patterns with my Cricut Maker machine HERE.

Does she want to learn something new? How about crafting classes at craftsy.com? Sign up for a free trial and see what you want to learn!

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For the Serious Seamstress:

These are hands down my favorite scissors.  I have four pair of them.

Every seamstress needs a good walking foot.  Be sure to find the correct one for her brand and model of sewing machines. They vary widely in price, but are well worth the extra investment, especially when sewing silky and knit fabrics.

Doll dresses are so much easier with a ruffler foot.  Again, ensure you choose the correct brand and model for her sewing machine.  This amazing tool is my favorite for skirt ruffles and for gathering doll skirts!

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For the Beginning Seamstress:

This Brother sewing machine is a perfect starter machine for anyone that is new to sewing.  It’s lightweight, and strong, with a wide variety of basic stitches.

Find a few more tools that make great gifts in THIS POST.  Need a few sewing tool stocking stuff ideas?  Try this post and this one to see my favorite tools of 2017 and 2018.

How about some easy to sew patterns for her dolls?  Choose from a variety of styles and sizes at http://www.etsy.com/shop/ohsewkat.  Put them on a cute thumb drive and tuck them in her stocking!

Fun fabric packs to sew doll clothes with?  Yes, please! Here is an adorable bundle from one of my favorite designers, Riley Blake.  Find these doll sized stripe bundles at www.cricut.com.

It’s certainly not an all inclusive list, but hopefully you’ve found a few ideas for the crafty, sewing, doll lovers in your life!  And every doll lover, always loves new doll clothes for their special friends.  Create a keepsake, like this Clara inspired nightgown, this holiday season with easy sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!,

 

Step it Up! Series- Make a Dress with the School Bell Blouse Pattern by Oh Sew Kat!

Welcome back to Oh Sew Kat! Designs- where you can find an endless stream of ideas of new ways to sew the PDF sewing patterns for dolls I offer.  Today’s post will show you a simple pattern hack of the School Bell Blouse.  See how easy it is to take the School Bell Blouse pattern, and make a super sweet dress for your doll.

This pattern is currently available sized for three dolls:  18 inch Dolls like American Girl® dolls, 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers™ and Glitter Girls™, as well as the 16 inch adorable Animators’ Dolls made by Disney®.

The pattern looks like this and you can find it where Oh Sew Kat! patterns are sold.  This post will show you how to make a dress from View A, the pleated front top (shown in pink on the cover.) Check back soon to see more fun variations with this fun pattern!

1.  To begin, cut out all of your pattern pieces.  I made my dresses from View A, the pleated front version.  Tape each front piece and back piece near the top a new sheet of paper.  You will be extending these pieces at the hem by three inches for 18 inch dolls and 1 1/2 inches for 14.5 inch dolls.  Measure from the two hem corners, and also in the middle, to create a new hem line parallel to the bottom of the pattern piece.

2. At the corner where the side seams will meet, measure out 1/2 inch to the side (less for smaller dolls if you even need any at all).  Draw a line from this point, back up to the armhole to give the dress a little bit more flare in the side seams at the hem. Do the same for the back piece.  Cut out your new pieces.

3.  You will need to cut a front and 2 backs from view b (peplum top).  These will be the lining for your dress. You do not need the facing piece.  Serge or zigzag the bottom of each lining piece.

3.  Now simply follow the pattern as directed to make your doll dress!  I like to decorate the neckline of my blouses and dresses with crystals (found in the bead or scrapbooking section of craft stores) for some extra sparkle.

You can make it sleeveless too!!  Follow the same steps as seen in THIS TUTORIAL.

Or give it a retro feel for BeForever characters Melody or Julie.

Try this pattern hack to take a pattern for a top, and make it into a cute dress!  See more ideas for the School Bell Blouse pattern here and here.

 

Tester Tuesday! Easy Up! Jumper Sewing Pattern for 14.5 inch Dolls

Looking for a quick outfit to make for 14.5 inch dolls like Wellie Wishers and Glitter Girls?  Try the new Easy Up! Reversible Jumper sewing pattern found HERE .  Add a Jumping Jack turtleneck or Playtime Peasant Top to complete the outfit.

The Oh Sew Kat! test group never ceases to amaze me. Their talent and creativity are top notch! I always love checking me email 2-3 days after sending out a patter to test because my mailbox is full of photos like these lovelies below!!

This unicorn princess outfit was sewn by Jenny.

Linda made this adorable spring jumper.  I love the added button detail.

Michele added a cute pocket to her striped jumper.

The instructions (and pattern piece) to make the faux button front version are also included in the pattern.

Willa is out and about in her animal jumper, that is also reversible!

Let your creativity shine as you play designer to create your own version of this simple sewing pattern.  Find the pattern here and also for 18 inch dolls here.  See more Easy Up Jumpers in this post and this one!