Free Kimono Sleeve Top PDF Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

I recently drafted this Kimono Sleeve Top pattern for 18‑inch dolls, and today I’m delighted to share it with you. It’s a perfect project for beginners or for anyone who enjoys quick, satisfying projects.This top features cut‑on kimono sleeves, meaning the sleeve is part of the bodice itself. You won’t need to attach sleeves separately — just join the shoulders in one straight seam.

I have included the link to the free pattern below.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

You’re welcome to use this pattern for personal sewing and gifts.

Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for women:

Free PDF Sewing Patterns for Women

Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for kids:

Free PDF Sewing Patterns for Kids

Click the link below to see the complete list of Free PDF Sewing Patterns for 18-Inch Dolls:

18-Inch Doll Clothes Free PDF Sewing Patterns

Fabric Requirements

• Main fabric:

  • 1 fat quarter (18" × 22") is enough for most 18‑inch doll sizes

  • If using yardage: ¼ yard of 44/45" wide woven fabric

• Interfacing:

  • Small scrap of lightweight fusible interfacing for the neckline facings

Fabric Suggestions

Choose lightweight woven fabrics that press well and hold their shape:

• Quilting cotton

• Cotton poplin

• Lightweight linen

• Chambray

• Cotton lawn

Avoid knits or very drapey fabrics — the kimono sleeve looks best with a crisp, stable weave.

Notions Needed

• Matching thread

• Pins or clips

• Fabric scissors or rotary cutter

• Iron and ironing board

• Sewing machine

• Fusible interfacing

• 3–4 small snaps or Velcro strips for the back closure

• Optional: serger for finishing raw edges

Pattern Download Link:

Free Kimono Sleeve Top PDF Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

This Kimono Sleeve Top pattern includes:

1 front piece cut on fold

2 back pieces

1 front neck facing cut on fold 

2 back neck facings 

Step‑by‑Step Sewing Tutorial

This top is very easy to make:

Step 1: Prepare the raw edges

Serge or zig-zag the raw edges of the shoulder seams and the short edges and outer edges of the front and back neck facings. 

Step 2: Join the shoulders

Place the front and back bodice pieces right sides together. Sew the shoulder seams using a ¼" seam allowance. Press the seams open.

Step 3: Fold the edges of the sleeves

Fold the raw edges of the sleeves toward the wrong side 1/4 inch twice and sew along the folded edge.

Step 4: Finish the neckline

Fuse lightweight interfacing to the front and back facing pieces. With right sides together, sew the facing pieces together at the shoulders. Pin the facing to the neckline on the right side of the top, matching shoulder seams. Sew around the neckline with a ¼" seam allowance. Clip curves, turn the facing to the inside, and press for a crisp finish. Topstitch if desired. (You can finish the neckline using bias tape as well, instead of using facings.)

Step 5: Finish the hemline

Turn the bottom edge up ¼", press, then turn up another ¼". Sew along the folded edge to create a clean hem.

Step 6: Finish the back closure

You may choose:

• Snaps (easy and secure)

• Velcro strips that are cut 1/2 inch wide (beginner‑friendly)

Place closures evenly along the back opening.

Give the finished top a final press, paying special attention to the neckline and sleeve hems.

Your 18-inch doll kimono sleeve top is now complete and ready to wear!

This simple pattern is a great way to use small fabric scraps and create a cute new outfit for your doll.

I hope you enjoyed making this quick and easy project.

Happy Sewing!

--Flora

18‑Inch Doll A-Line Dress with an Inverted Box Pleat at the Center Front--Free PDF Sewing Pattern + Sewing Tutorial

 

There’s something timeless about an A‑line dress with a crisp inverted pleat—clean lines, a little swing, and just enough structure to feel “special.” This tutorial walks you through sewing a simple, sleeveless A‑line dress with an inverted front pleat for 18‑inch dolls (such as American Girl®), including fabric requirements, free PDF sewing pattern, and step‑by‑step instructions.

I have included the link to the free pattern below.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

You’re welcome to use this pattern for personal sewing and gifts.

Fabric requirements for the sleeveless A‑line dress (18‑inch doll): ⅓ yard (30 cm) of 44/45" wide woven

• Notions & tools:

• • Thread: All‑purpose polyester or cotton

  • Marking tools: Fabric pen/chalk

  • Pins or clips

  • Iron & pressing surface

  • Paper & printer (to print the PDF pattern once you lay it out)

  • • Closure:

      • Option 1: 4–5 small sew‑on snaps

      • Option 2: 4–5" strip of hook‑and‑loop tape

Fabric suggestions

For a neat inverted pleat and crisp A‑line shape, choose light to medium‑weight woven fabrics:

• Best choices:

  • Quilting cotton

  • Cotton poplin

  • Cotton lawn or voile (for a softer drape)

• Also suitable:

  • Lightweight linen or linen‑blend

  • Cotton sateen (for a slightly dressier look)

• Avoid:

  • Stretch knits, jersey, heavy denim, thick canvas—these will distort the pleat or feel bulky on a small doll.

Download Link for the Free PDF Sewing Pattern

A-Line Dress with an Inverted Box Pleat at the Center Front for 18‑Inch Dolls

Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for women:

Free PDF Sewing Patterns for Women

Click the link below to browse all the free PDF sewing patterns for kids:

Free PDF Sewing Patterns for Kids

Click the link below to see the complete list of Free PDF Sewing Patterns for 18-Inch Dolls:

18-Inch Doll Clothes Free PDF Sewing Patterns

Step‑by‑step sewing tutorial

Step 1: Cut the paper pattern pieces out from the pattern pdf pages

Step 2: Cut out the pattern pieces from the fabric.

Using the paper pattern template, cut out the pattern pieces from the fabric. 

You need to cut:

1 front piece on fold

2 back pieces

And a few strips of fabric (1 inch wide) for making the bias tape to finish the raw edges of the neckline and armhole. 

Step 3: Prepare the inverted front pleat

Mark the pleat lines

Transfer the markings for center front and lines A1 and A2 from the pattern for the left and right sides.

1. If you are a beginner sewist, you can use a fabric marker to draw lines along the pleats to make them easier to see. If you are an experienced sewist, you can press the pleats immediately after tracing them.
   • 
     
     
     
     
     On the frontpiece, mark the center front. Fold and press the A1 pleat lines on the right (or good) side of the fabric.
   • 
     
   • 
2. • 
     
   
   
   
   
   
   Fold and press the A2 pleat lines on the wrong side of the fabric.

   • 
     
     

   • 
     
     With all the pleats folded and pressed, it should look like this:

   • 
     
     
     

   • Now, bring the outer pleat line (A1 pleat line) toward the center front line so the fabric folds under itself. Pin the fold in place.

     
     
     
     
     Repeat this for A1 pleat on the other side as well.
     
     
     
     
     

   • Press the folds sharply with an iron.

3. Secure the pleat at the top

   • Stitch across the top of the pleat within the seam allowance (about ¼" from the raw edge) to hold it in place.

   • 
     
     
     

   • 
     
     
     

   • Optionally, baste down the pleat for 1–1½" from the waist to keep it crisp while you sew.

Step 4: Serge the raw shoulder seams and side seams

Serge the raw shoulder seams and side seams of the front and back pattern pieces.

Step 5: Join the shoulder seams

• Place front bodice and back bodice pieces right sides together.

• 
  
  
  

• Sew the shoulder seams using a ¼" seam allowance.

• 
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Open the seams and press.

• 
  
  
  

• 
  

Step 7: Armholes

Measure the armhole curve. Take a bias strip that is a few inches longer than the armhole curve. Fold the bias tape in half.

With right sides together, pin the bias tape to the armhole curve, leaving a little extra tape extending beyond each end of the armhole.

Sew the bias strip to the armhole using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.
 

Trim the extra fabric from the bias strip. Don't fold the bias strip down the wrong side yet.

Step 6: Side seams

• With right sides together, sew the side seams of the bodice using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.

• 

• 
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  
  Now fold the bias tape to the wrong side and hem it in place. I hemmed it by hand for a neat finish. Also, it is easier to sew by hand than by using the sewing machine, as the armhole round is small.
• 
  
• 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Step 8: Fold the button plackets at the back

Turn under ¼" along each center back edge; press.

Turn under another ¼" and stitch to create a neat placket. Press well.

Now turn the folds to the right side and press well.

Step 9: Sew the neckline

Measure around the neckline. Take a bias strip that is equal to the this measurement. Fold the bias tape in half.

With right sides together, sew the bias tape to the neckline using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Clip the neckline seam allowance to help it lie flat and form a smooth curve.

Turn the bias strip to the wrong side and hem it in place. As you turn the strip, fold the placket ends at both sides of the neckline. Use a blunt tool to gently push out the corners for a crisp finish.

Sew along the folded edges of the button blacket folds that are now turned down the wrong side.

Step 10: Hem the dress

Turn up hem

Fold ¼" at the bottom edge of the skirt to the wrong side; press. Make sure to keep the side seams open.

Fold another ¼" and stitch closer to the folded edge.

Step 11: Add closure

You can either sew hook-and-loop tapes or snaps onto the back plackets.

Hook‑and‑loop:

Sew one side to the inside of the left back, the other side to the outside of the right back.

Snaps:

Sew 4–5 small snaps evenly spaced from neckline to the hemline.

Step 12: Final press

Press the inverted pleat so it lies flat and crisp.

Give the whole dress a gentle press for a polished finish.

Optional design variations

• Add Collars

• Sew decorative buttons

• Decorative topstitching:

  • Add a line of stitching down each pleat fold for a tailored look.

• Trim at hem or neckline:

• Add lace, rickrack, or piping for a vintage feel.

I sewed on three silver-colored buttons to give the dress a polished look. 

Now the dress is ready!

  

For your easy reference, I have organized my blog posts under the following sections. Hope it's useful to you:

Free printable PDF sewing patterns 

Pattern drafting tutorials

Sewing tutorials

These links appear at the top of my blog as well.

If you’re an embroidery enthusiast, be sure to check out my embroidery blog Flora's Colors. 

And if you’re an art lover, I invite you to explore my art blog Flora's Palette.

Happy sewing!

--Flora