Snuggle in and Snuggle up! Fall is on its way and your dolls need new, snuggly nightgowns! Use the simple to sew Playtime Peasant Top PDF Sewing Pattern and a few tweaks to make your perfect doll nightgown in six popular doll sizes.
Make Easy Nightgowns for Your American Girl Dolls
You can make your nightgowns look exactly as you choose. Make the dress shorter and the ruffle longer. Or make the dress long with a short ruffle or just lace at the hem The choice is yours. I made at least one nightgown in each size, so I offer the “starting points” for you. Use them to create your perfect, cozy nightgown for dolls.
This pattern hack requires the Playtime Peasant Top and Twirl Skirt Pattern. It’s available HERE in five popular doll sizes.
Directions for Playtime Peasant Top Nightgown with Ruffle (All Sizes)
- Cut 2 long sleeves according to the pattern.
- To give your gown more of a flair at the bottom, print a second bodice pattern piece. Fold it in half and tape it to the top, left corner of a new piece of paper.
- Trace the armhole and extend that side edge nearly to the bottom of the page.
- Measure your bodice addition (see below for exact measurement for your size doll) inches below the bottom hem of the pattern piece. Draw a new line, intersecting the side line and continuing on beyond it.
- Measure your width addition (see below for exact measurement for your size doll) from the side line, and make a dot. Connect the dot to the armhole as your new side edge. Cut out your new pattern piece and remove the original bodice piece. Mark the long edge as the center fold. Label your new piece and keep it for next time. Cut 2 of these new pieces, on the fold of fabric, one for the front and one for the back.
- Cut ruffle to measurements as desired, or listed below.
- For Ruffle: Zig zag or serge one long edge, press up 1/4th inch and hem. Gather the top (raw) long edge.
- Assemble the pattern per the instructions, adding the ruffle in place of a hem in Step 11. Optional: Topstitch the ruffle after attaching it.
You really can’t go wrong with how long you make your gown or your ruffle. Below you will find my “starting point” for each size doll. Feel free to experiment and have fun with your own Playtime Peasant Top Nightgown!
18″ American Girl Doll
- Mid Calf Length: Add 1 inch to bodice + 1 inch width
- Mid Calf Ruffle: 3 1/2 inches x WOF (36-44 inches)
- Full Length: Add 3 inches to bodice + 1 inch width
- Full Length Ruffle: 3 1/2 x WOF (36-44 inches)
15″ Bitty Baby or Bitty Twins Doll
- Add one inch plus one inch width to bodice
- Ruffle: 3 inches by 30 inches
16″ Animators’ Doll
- Both Lengths: Add 2 inches to bodice plus 1 inch width
- Mid Calf Ruffle: 2.5 x 24 inches
- Full Length Ruffle: 4.5 x 24 inches
14.5″ Welliewishers Doll
- Both Lengths: Add 3 inches plus 1 inch width
- Mid Calf Ruffle: 2.5 x 20 inches
- Full Length Ruffle: 3.25 x 20 inches
16″ A Girl for All Time Doll
- Both Lengths: Use pattern labelled Dress Length for bodice
- Mid Calf Ruffle: 3 x 24 inches
- Full Length Ruffle: 4.5 x 24 inches
8″ Caring for Baby Doll
- Add one inch to bodice front and back hem, and create the side lines about 1/th wider than the slant they are on.
- Ruffle: 1.25 by 14 inches
Use the Playtime Peasant Top PDF Sewing Pattern from Oh Sew Kat! To make a Holiday Nightgown
Find the PDF Sewing Pattern HERE. Change up your fabric for the perfect (and quick!) Holiday Nightgown for Dolls. I love the 70s vibe of this plaid fabric. It looks so great on Julie too. Find more ideas for Julie’s wardrobe HERE.
Easy to Sew Nightgowns for Dolls 8-18 inches
Oh Sew Kat! 