Make a simple summer top for your 18 inch Doll with the Picnic Play PDF Sewing Pattern
The Picnic Play pattern is the perfect beginner pattern to create an 18 inch doll outfit. The pattern includes the pull on capri pants, a reversible, one piece top, and a cute little backpack. Mix and match for endless options. The pattern includes full sized, computer drawn pattern pieces that you print on your home computer. It’s the perfect project for anyone just learning to sew. You can see many more photos of the Picnic Play outfit HERE.
Above, Emily’s Picnic Play top was made using two layers of fabric- the white cotton and a white lace. See how I did it HERE. Her cute striped skirt was made by adding fun buttons to the Everything Nice overskirt and using it backwards. Read more in THIS POST. The Everything Nice skirt is bundled with the Sugar n Spice pattern.
I love that the Picnic Play top is reversible. It’s so quick to sew and can be worn frontwards and backwards. I added a bit to the sides to make Courtney a less fitted top. See more about this 80s version HERE.
The Picnic Play Reversible Doll Top is Quick and Simple to Sew!
When you learn to sew for your dolls, you now have the power to make your doll clothes in any style you like. Oh Sew Kat! offers basic patterns with simple instructions and few pattern details for this very reason. You can change up the colors, or add a collar or embroidery to make your doll clothes fit your latest inspiration or follow the latest trends. Find easy PDF patterns in 5 popular doll sizes from 14-18 inches in my ETSY SHOP and download and sew today!
Maryellen looks perfect in her Gabby Gabby inspired doll dress from the Toy Story 4 movie.
Make your doll a Gabby Gabby dress with bright yellow fabric and the Sugar n Spice sewing pattern. I trimmed off some of the bodice to add the white band, and added the collar and placket to create this Gabby inspired dress for 18 inch dolls.
The Backyard Bibs offers the perfect spot to showcase your favorite superhero’s logo, like this Captain America Dress.
The Backyard Bibs and Playtime Peasant Top are a quick pair of patterns to create a unique and fun outfit in no time at all. With four options for the bibs (shorts, capris, a line skirt, gathered skirt), you will have time and fabric to make more than one set! Find the pattern in 5 sizes HERE. This pattern is also available in a value bundle with the Playtime Peasant Top pattern too. Find it here.
This Alice in Wonderland inspired dress was created with the Sugar n Spice Sewing Pattern.
The apron pattern is included in the Sugar N Spice sewing pattern. Find more accessories (like a corset and cape) in the Everything Nice bundle.
What doll doesn’t want to be Wonder Woman? This cute outfit was made using the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice pattern.
This Wonder Woman inspired doll dress was made with the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle. With one white dress, I can add accessories like the reversible corset and a starry overskirt to create the look I want. Mix and match the white dress with other pieces for even more dress up fun. See the Inspiration Gallery for more ways to sew the Sugar N Spice doll dress sewing pattern. See THIS POST for six different ways to sew this versatile pattern.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Make a holiday apron for your 18 inch doll.
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.
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!
Make a dress for your 18 inch American Girl® doll with easy to sew patterns from Oh Sew Kat! The Sunshine Dress is a versatile pattern. Read on to see how to make it without the sleeves!
Make a sleeveless shift dress for your 18 inch doll with this easy pattern hack.
With a few simple adjustments, and the right fabric, even a beginner can create this same look! Here’s my version using Vera Bradley fabric. Read on to see how easy it is to step up my simple SUNSHINE DRESS pattern to a super trendy look!
Make a Sunshine Dress without the Sleeves Tutorial
1. Choose your fabric and cut out the following pattern pieces: 1, 2, 3, 4. (back, front, lining back and lining front. If you want to use princess seams, use the pieces the pattern specifies for that view instead of piece 2 (front).)
2. To make my dress, I used luncheon sized napkins I bought at the Vera Bradley outlet. (Yes, Virginia, there is a such a thing, and yes, it is truly amazing!) The napkins have a bound edge, and I decided to use that as my dress hem. The pieces just barely fit! I used two of my four napkins to make this one dress. It’s a little shorter than the pattern piece by about an inch, which okay, as I want a shorter sundress.
3. Follow the pattern instructions and sew the shoulder seams of both the dress and the lining. Finish the bottom edges of your lining before you attach it. Line the pieces up with right sides together, pin, and sew the neck and sleeve edges.
4. Carefully pull the back pieces through the shoulders to the front, flipping the pieces inside out. If you’ve never done this before, see my TUTORIAL. To make it easier, use a FASTURN set (*affiliate link – Tutorial here). Press for nice smooth edges. With RST, line up your side seams, opening out the bodice pieces as well, and sew one long seam from the hem of the dress to the hem of the bodice lining. Fold the insides together and press if needed. Finish the back edges and hem according to the pattern directions. I skipped the hem part, as mine was already finished! That made this quick project even quicker!
Ta da!! I used a dress pattern I already had on hand, to create a trendy look by leaving off the sleeves and shortening the length a little bit. With a little imagination, a simple little pattern can go a long way!
Oh Sew Kat! 