This apron has been designed for 18-inch dolls. It has ties at the shoulders that could be fastened at the back neck, and also ties at the waistline that could be fastened at the center back of the waistline.
I have designed two styles of pockets for this apron---a pocket with square corners and a pocket with round corners. You can choose either one for this project.
I have included the link to the free pattern for the apron below.
Materials Needed:
- Fabric (cotton, lightweight linen, or knit)
- Matching thread
- Scissors
- Pins or clips
- Sewing machine (or hand-sewing needle)
- Contrast fabric for the cross-grain fabric strips
- Measuring tape
- Iron
Steps to Sew the Doll Top:
1. Download the Free PDF Pattern:
How to print and assemble the pattern pages?
Click here to learn how to print and assemble the PDF pattern pages.
2. Cut the Pattern Pieces from the Fabric
- Cut the apron piece on fold.
- Cut two pocket pieces. I wanted to do small embroidered flower on the pocket. So I traced the pocket pieces on a fabric. I cut the pocket pieces out after I finished the embroidery.
- Cut two 1 1/4-inch-wide 24-inch-long cross-grain (bias) strips for the shoulder and waist ties.
- Cut one 1 1/4-inch-wide 5-inch-long cross-grain strip for finishing the neckline edge (top edge) of the apron.
3. Finish the Top Neckline Edge of the Apron
- Fold the long edges of the 5-inch long cross-grain piece 1/4 inch down the wrong side and press with the iron.
- Fold the cross-grain piece into half lengthwise and press.
- Sandwich the raw top edge of the apron into this fold.
- Sew close to the folded edge.
4. Fold and Sew the Side Edges
- Fold both the side edges 1/4 inch down the wrong side, press, and fold again 1/4 inch.
- Sew along the folded edge.
5. Add the Shoulder Ties
- Fold the short edge of the cross-grain strip 1/4 inch down the wrong side and press.
- Fold the long edges of the two 24-inch long cross-grain pieces 1/4 inch down the wrong side. Then, fold the strip in half, lengthwise and press.
- Sandwich the armhole into this folded strip (leaving the remaining trail of the strip at the shoulders and at the waistline), pin to keep them together, and then stitch along the folded edge.
6. Hem the Bottom Edge
- Fold the bottom edge 1/4 inch up, press, and fold again 1/4 inch.
- Sew along the folded edge.
- With right sides facing, join the two pocket pieces with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, leaving a small gap on any of the sides to turn it inside out.
- Pin the pocket to the apron using the pocket placement provided and top stitch all around, making sure to close the gap you left for the turn-over.
Finishing Touches:
- Trim any loose threads.
- Embellish the hem with laces, if you prefer.
- Try the apron on your doll.
Now your 18-inch doll has a cute apron! You can try making this apron from novelty fabrics such as these and these.
I have posted lots of free PDF printable sewing patterns on this page on my blog. Browse through this page to find the patterns you are looking for. You can download and use them to make your own clothes.
