For those of us in the USA, have a wonderful 4th of July!

“One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, one nation forevermore!”
-Oliver Wendell Holmes
It’s hard to believe that fall is just around the corner. The mornings are not quite crisp yet, but we know it’s coming soon. It’s time to shift from beaches and boardwalks to back to school, football, and fall colors! What better way to start than some pretty dresses for dolls! Be sure to pin the images so you can find them later! 🙂
I used the Sugar n Spice pattern for both of these dresses. For the 18 inch sized dress, I added the placket for the buttons using this method here. You just have to remember to cut the front bodice differently (lining does not change).
I only made two dresses, one in each size. But I just love how this fabric looks so different depending on what doll wore it. Who do you think wore it best?
Find the sewing pattern HERE for 18 inch dolls and HERE for wellie wishers sized dolls.
Who else is ready for fall???
See more Sugar n Spice dresses here and here.
I’m really enjoying sewing for Julie Albright, the BeForever character from 1974. I think I’m attracted to her collection because I was seven years old in 1974 and I had very similar things- like her purple coat (mine was blue) and the sneaker skates (mine were bright yellow with orange stripes).
When I saw THIS PIN, I just knew that this peasant style outfit would be easy to recreate with Oh Sew Kat! patterns. Be sure to follow my Julie board when you stop by my Pinterest page.
Click here to see other outfits I’ve sewn for Julie.
The top is simply the Playtime Peasant Top, sewn in white with long sleeves. For the skirt, I used the overskirt that comes in the Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice bundle. I cut the gingham fabric skirt longer by 4 1/2 inches, but didn’t make any other changes. Add a little lace at the bottom, and ta da! A perfect, pretty bell skirt! Add a red or gingham ribbon to complete the look. This outfit will be perfect for the Christmas holidays!
Find the patterns HERE. Find more fashions for Julie (all made with Oh Sew Kat! patterns!) here and here.
It’s time to celebrate the red, white and blue here in the USA! Here are a few 4th of July inspired outfits made with Oh Sew Kat! patterns. Click on the photos to go right to the pattern.
Melody looks adorable in Bloomer Buddies!
Kendall shows her pride in Party Time Peasant Dress (photo credit: Amy Violet’s).
Sam is also in a Party Time Peasant Dress.
The Bitty Twins are ready for a picnic in their HalterAlls.
Summer classic: Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.
Emily and Mary keep cool in Popsicle Tops and Sandbox Shorts.
Nina Self made this cute version of Boardwalk Boutique.
Ashley Crawe has Bitty Baby all decked out for the holiday in a Popsicle Top and Sixth Grade Skirt.
Willa and Kendall look cute in their Popsicle Tops and Four Season Skirts.
Try something new today! Do you have lots of scraps or small pieces of fabric? My mother was a big quilter, and she was always buying those cute little 5 inch square packs of fabrics. Here is a great way to turn those small pieces into cute, one of a kind doll clothes.
The fabrics in this tutorial came from a pack of 5″ squares, called a “charm pack”. This one is by Doodlebug Designs- I love the whimsical images. None of the squares are big enough to make 18 inch doll clothes, so I picked a few of my favorites and patched them together, quilt style, to make my own fabric!
I used the Boardwalk Boutique pattern for this cute, halter top, but really any pattern will work to give the same effect.
Once you have your pieces cut out, simply assemble the pattern as usual.
Ta da!! You’ve made a one of a kind top for your doll!
Click on the Photos below to find more fun pattern hacks!
Find more tutorials for the Boardwalk Boutique pattern here and here.
I posted the following question on my facebook page:
Oh Sew Kat! patterns are designed with the beginning sewist in mind. What is one tip you would give to a young or new sewist who is just starting out in making doll clothes?
Readers from all over posted their tips if you are new to sewing- whether it’s doll clothes or other sewing projects, these few things will help get you off to a great start!
You probably see a few themes emerging here … read all the directions before you start and to press every seam. But the themes of “you don’t have to be perfect” and “have fun” are obvious too! If you are just starting out learning to sew, doll clothes give you such a low cost way to jump in the pool and start to swim. Enjoy the process and know your skills will build with every stitch!
Join the conversation on Facebook!
What tips would you add to this list?
Sewing for dolls? Find an assortment of over 50 digital patterns to print on your home computer in my Etsy Shop and start sewing today!
BeForever character, Maryellen Larkin, is a ten year old girl living in Florida in 1953. Fifties fashions were all about fun prints, gingham, and full skirts!
With just a few modifications, you can make a cute 50s style dress and scarf for your Maryellen doll (or her friends) using the Bloomer Buddies pattern from Oh Sew Kat! I used THIS PIN from my Maryellen Pinterest board as my inspiration. Make the scarf from matching fabric from THIS tutorial.
First, you need the pattern. Find it here.
The pattern has a little slimmer silhouette than the pinned image. I made two modifications when I cut out my dress.
Make the dress according to the pattern instructions.
To make a matching head scarf, click HERE for the tutorial.
Click here to see the Sunshine Dress made for 60s character, Melody Ellison and HERE to find the headscarf tutorial. See more ideas for Maryellen HERE.
Easy to sew without any pattern pieces, the Four Season Skirt is the only one you need all year long! This pattern is FREE when you sign up for my email list in 3 sizes (WellieWishers, American Girl, and Disney Animators). Add tulle, make it longer, try some lace… it’s perfect for every occasion!!
You can find the snowflake tee shirt tutorial HERE.
Get your copy of this FREE easy pattern in 3 sizes and see even more ideas to make it HERE. How will you make your Four Season Skirt?
Be inspired by these adorable Party Time dresses that Mireille Leurs, an Oh Sew Kat! tester made! These are just adorable!!
Find the new Animators pattern HERE. Mulan is ready for spring!
Merida is so pretty in bright colors!!
And I just swoon over this “Little Mermaid” inspired version below modeled by Rapunzel. This one was stitched up by the talented Chris Lambrechts. Stop by and see her on Facebook to see more of her darling creations.
What will you make with this adorable pattern for your princess doll?
See more Party Time Peasant Dress ideas here and here, and visit the Inspiration Gallery here. This pattern is now available in 5 sizes: 18 inch doll, 16 inch Animator, 16 inch Slim, 14.5 inch Wellie Wishers, and 15 inch Bitty Baby.
Now available on Etsy!!
The very popular Party Time Peasant Dress is now available for your 16 inch Disney Animators’ dolls. These princesses love their twirl skirts! This easy pattern is great for beginners and the open back makes it easy for little hands to dress their dolls. Download and stitch one up for your princess today!
Party Time Peasant Dress for Animators
This cute dress offers lots of options to mix and match fabrics and add laces and trims. Each one will look unique! Directions included to make the 3 tiered skirt too! Be sure to visit and follow my Party Time Peasant Dress Pinterest Board.
The Party Time Peasant Dress is available only in my Etsy Shop. Find it sized for other dolls there too (18 inch, WellieWishers, Bitty Baby and A Girl for All Time).
Click here and here to see more Party Time dress ideas!