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.
The Easy Up! Jumper is quick to sew and makes a no closure jumper that pulls up over your doll’s feet. The technique is easy to follow, but sometimes you may prefer a dress that has a back closure for simple dressing. It’s simple to make the Easy Up! Jumper with a back closure instead. Start with the Easy Up! pattern for 18 inch or 14.5 inch Dolls. Find it in my Etsy Shop HERE.
Use this hack to make a summer beach jumper like Joss’s coral dress.
Easy Up! Jumper Pattern Hack for Dolls- Give it a back closure.
Cut out 1 front and 1 front lining according to the pattern directions.
Cut out your two back pieces, adding 1/2 inch to the edge marked FOLD on the pattern piece. Do not put it on a fold. (You can also print a second copy of your pattern, and add the 1/2 inch to your piece and cut it out that way.). Do the same for the back lining.
You now have 1 front, 1 front lining, 2 backs, and 2 back linings.
Because the jumper does not have to go on over the feet, you can opt to leave out the elastic straps if you like. I just folded mine and sewed them closed, using a 4 inch strap for 18 inch dolls and a 2.5 inch strap for the 14.5 inch dolls. (If making the elastic straps, follow the pattern).
Follow the pattern instructions to add lining, pleat triangles, and straps.
Kat’s Tip: Use a small safety pin to pin the back edges together while you attach the back straps. This will make it easier to ensure you get the jumper straps sewn in the right places, as it will now more closely look like the pattern instructions.
Press up your hem but do not sew it.
Serge or zig zag stitch your back edges, being sure to catch the lining. Fold in 1/2 inch and press (or turn under 1/4th, then 1/4th again). Add hook and loop tape.
Stitch your hem.
Make your Easy Up! Jumper with a back closure for easy dressing.
Isn’t this little birdie fabric so sweet for spring? I just love the fresh lilac and lavender colors. See more Easy Up! Jumper ideas here and here.
Easter likely won’t be the same this year, with the COVID-19 pandemic, but I still wanted to share a pretty Easter dress I made for my dolls. I used the Sugar n Spice PDF Sewing pattern to make a cheery pink dress and the Everything Nice Accessories for the bunny overskirt.
Make an Easter Dress for your 18 inch Doll.
The Sugar n Spice dress sewing pattern has lots of mix and match options.
I like to use solid colors, or tone on tone prints for my Sugar n Spice dresses. Save the fancy, holiday fabrics for pinafores and quick to make overskirts.
Who doesn’t love March? With the small glimpses outside that spring is just around the corner, and the daylight lasting a little longer each day, it’s fun to sew with shamrocks and rainbows. Here are a few dresses to inspire you this Shamrock Season.
I used my Cricut Maker to cut out these Party Time Dresses. Every doll in the house got one this year! I think the rainbow waistband gives a perfect pop of color!
Shirley Fombey of Doll Clothes by Shirley created these adorable Wellie Wishers outfits above using the Four Season Skirt and Popsicle Top patterns.
Find the Party Time Peasant Dress pattern (now available in 5 sizes!) HERE. Above for Saige, I layered a Sugar n Spice modified overdress to offer two outfits in one! Find more details HERE.
Carol Meadows made this darling Party Time dress below for her A Girl for All Time Doll. More shamrocks and polka dots!
A new year is here!! It’s time to clean up the sewing area and start brainstorming projects for 2019. Before I dive into another fresh year of sewing, I like to share my annual 5 latest “must have” tools and notions for doll clothes sewing (or any sewing really!) These simple tools can make sewing smaller doll clothes a little easier and you can find all of them on Amazon. Click here to see my list from last year, and here to see my list from 2017.
My annual list of best notions and tools for sewing doll clothes.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small compensation. See my full disclosure policy HERE.
This brand new tool, made by Patty Young, is a game changer for doll clothes. I LOVE THIS TOOL. In a facebook group one day, Patty asked what tools we would like to see made that had her fabric designs on them. I suggested a gripping, foreceps type of tool and she not only picked my idea, she sent me one when it was actually produced about a year later! This handy tool is well worth the wait, and also the price tag (about $12). You will use it for all sorts of things- mostly to pull that slipped elastic back out of the casing, or to turn a tiny doll bodice right side out after you sew it together with just one little pull.
This little tiny iron really packs some punch for the price. It gets super hot, has a steam option, and doesn’t turn off by itself (which is an advantage and disadvantage for sure!). I first used one at a sewing retreat a few years back. We plugged it in and left it on all week long. Lightweight and tiny, it got the job done and is a perfect companion to your doll clothes sewing tools. I think the difference from some others on the market is that it’s a travel iron not a craft iron.
Everyone needs a pair of nice, sharp, high quality fabric scissors. You know the ones- the ones that you lock up yourself each night or threaten bodily harm to anyone found using them for anything other than fabric? I started using KAI scissors with my paper crafting. Strong and sharp, I found a pair that was a bit shorter and they are my go to for all of my fabric cutting. I own three pairs!
I know I’ve mentioned this little gadget before, but yes, this year, my ruffler foot is on my top five list. It’s just so quick to gather up a doll skirt (like 15 seconds quick!) that is really pays for itself over and over. I’ve kept a spreadsheet of some of my common skirt length settings (to make the skirt match up with the bodice for example) so I don’t have to figure it out each time. This foot is also great for the popular ruffled sleeves too, and makes putting a ruffle on a full skirt a breeze! Be sure to get the one that is correct for your specific sewing machine make and model.
I believe I have an omnigrid ruler in every size they make- from 1 x6 all the way up to 24 x 24 inches. However, even with multiple rulers right at my finger tips, this 4×8 inch one is the perfect size for so many of my doll clothes needs. It’s easy to use to extend a pattern (make pants from shorts, or long sleeves from short sleeves for example) or for cutting straps, waistbands, and skirts with my rotary cutter. Keep this handy ruler right next to your work area.
So there’s my Favorite Five for 2019. Use these few tools to make sewing your doll clothes a little easier and a little more fun. We’re going to have a great sewing year ahead, stop by again soon! Check out my other lists by clicking the photos below.
Here is an easy 1970s style top to make for your American Girl doll, Julie. Julie is the BeForever character from 1974. I was seven years old in 1975, and I had a top that looked just like this one, red fabric and all, but the print was of mushrooms. I used “Little Ruby” fabric for this imitation calico top and the Oh Sew Kat! Bloomer Buddies sewing pattern.
Make a retro 1970’s themed outfit for Julie and other dolls with this easy sewing pattern from Oh Sew Kat!
This outfit was inspired by THIS PIN. For this outfit, I didn’t make any adjustments to the Bloomer Buddies pattern. In order to be more authentic, next time I might add a seam allowance and make the front open with buttons. That will stay on my “to do” list for now. 🙂
It’s easy to add pockets to any pattern, especially square pockets. I add the pockets after the front is complete, before I add the sleeves as it’s a little easier to work with a flat item than a rounded one.
Figure out what size you want your finished pocket. On this blouse, my pockets measure one inch square. Add 1/2 inch to the width, and the length for seam allowances. I cut my pieces 1 1/2 inch square. With right sides together, sew three sides of the pocket, and turn right side out. Press well, folding the unfinished edge to the inside.
I put my top on my doll, and use scotch tape (the magic, transparent kind) to hold the pockets in place. It’s easier to sew over tape than pins that are longer than your pocket! Use a top stitch or edge foot if you have one to get nice topstitching around the three lower sides of the pocket. Complete the top as directed by the pattern.
Make a calico top for Julie and her friends- inspired by the seventies.
Complete the 70s inspired look with an easy headscarf. Find the full tutorial HERE.
Free tutorial and pattern for a 70s retro headscarf for dolls.
It makes a cute long sleeve top too!! Use THIS tutorial for the sleeves and just add elastic to the cuffs.
What other outfits will you make for your Julie doll or her friends? Find more 70s inspiration here in my Inspiration Gallery, as well as here and here. Don’t forget to visit and follow my Julie inspired Pinterest board!
Make 1970’s fashions for your dolls with the Oh Sew Kat! Bloomer Buddies Sewing Pattern.
Make a perfect doll outfit this fall. Look at this adorable denim and gingham! This outfit was made by Julie. She used a woman’s shirt to make this adorable outfit, and took advantage of the fun, quilted detail from the shirt.
This adorable fall outfit was created by SewDolledUp81. Be sure to check out her etsy shop on a regular basis to see what she’s created lately for sale. The cute shirt was made using the Playtime Peasant Top pattern.
Find more easy sewing patterns for doll clothes in the Oh Sew Kat! Etsy Shop.
Find more ideas for your Easy UP! Jumper pattern here and here.
How’s this for crazy cute? This outfit was made by Shirley. I adore the gingham pleats to really give a playful “little girl” vibe. The purple shirt was made with the Jumping Jack Turtleneck pattern, also by Oh Sew Kat!
This adorable Halloween outfit was created by DollClothesbyShirley. Be sure to check out her etsy shop on a regular basis to see what she’s created lately for sale.
Bring on the PUMPKIN SPICE!!! A brand New Sewing Pattern is now available- get your Wellie Wisher dolls ready for the cool, fall weather with this easy, pull on style jumper. Make it reversible and get two dresses in one!
Is it too soon? 🙂 Have you thought about the special girls in your life that might enjoy new clothes for their special dolls this holiday season? Here are a few ideas to inspire you to ring in the season! Click on each photo to go right to the Oh Sew kat! sewing pattern I used. Visit my Etsy Shop to find a full selection of patterns for dolls from 14-18 inches tall.
Make your 18 inch doll a new holiday outfit this year.
Four Season Skirts ^^ Find this free pattern HERE. This pattern is free when you join my email list. It has no pattern pieces and is very quick and easy. It’s the perfect skirt in a holiday plaid, but also works well for the rest of the year too. See more skirt ideas HERE and HERE.
Use the Jumping Jack Jumper Set to make a cute snowman outfit. See more ideas in THIS POST and the Inspiration Gallery. The Jumping Jack pattern has three pieces- long sleeve shirt, shorts, and a reversible open sided jumper. Mix and match the pieces for lots of variety.
Make an 18 inch holiday doll outfit with PDF sewing patterns you print at home.
Emily shows off a cute Doodlebug reindeer print in her School Dance Dress. This patter has three different variations to make the front of the dress for lots of value. See more ideas with this pattern HERE.
Pretty party dresses are easy to make with beginner sewing patterns from Oh Sew Kat!
The Party Time Peasant Dress is so quick and easy and is a great pattern to show off your fun holiday prints. I made a covered button to accent Willa’s dress. See more Party Time dresses HERE and HERE.
Make holiday outfits for 18 inch dolls with easy Sewing Patterns by Oh Sew Kat!
Lanie is keeping festive in her Playground Pants and a Jumping Jack knit shirt. Her scarf is the belt shown on the snowman outfit above. Use the Playground Pants pattern to make fun pajama pants too like in THIS POST.
Here is another Jumping Jack outfit. What I love about this pattern is that the pieces can be used to mix and match with other outfits. The turtleneck is perfect under the Backyard Bibs like in THIS POST and also the Easy Up Jumper like THIS ONE. It is available for both 18 and 14.5 inch dolls.
Make your doll a Nutcracker Inspired Nightgown with the Sugar n Spice Sewing Pattern
Melody is ready for dancing sugar plums in this pretty nightgown. See THIS POST to see the adjustments I made to the basic dress pattern to make it into a nightgown. The Sugar n Spice Pattern has lots of options on its own. Add the Everything Nice accessories for even more playtime fun. See the full photo gallery HERE.
Oh Sew Kat! 