Sleeveless A-Line Summer Top---Sewing Tutorial with Free PDF Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

Today what I have for you is an A-line top free PDF printable sewing pattern for an 18-inch doll. It's so simple and easy that even a beginner can make it.

Top Front:

Top Back:

Download link to the free PDF pattern is given below.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This top will fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl® Doll and Our Generation® Doll and dolls with similar body measurements.

How to Sew the Top?

Sewing a sleeveless A-line top for an 18-inch doll can be a fun and rewarding project! Here's a step-by-step guide:

Materials Needed:

Cotton or lightweight fabric (scraps work well)

Coordinating thread

Sewing machine or needle for hand sewing

Scissors

Pins or fabric clips

Paper for the pattern

Velcro or snaps for closure

Suggested fabrics and fabric measurements:

A 9 x 15-inch (23 x 38-cm) fabric or a 17.5 x 7-inch (45 x 18-cm) fabric is enough to make this 18-inch doll top. 

You can use any kind of lightweight fabrics to make this top, such as quilting cotton, gingham, linen, seersucker, etc. 

---

Steps:

1. Download the Free PDF Pattern

Pattern link:

18-inch doll free PDF printable A-line top sewing pattern 

How to Print?

This is a two-page PDF file. 

Print the page on an A4 paper. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

Seam allowances:

Seam allowances are included in the pattern, which is 0.25 inch for the neckline, shoulder, and armhole, 0.75 inch for the hemline, and 0.50 inch for the side seams.

2. Cut the Fabric Pieces Using The Pattern Template

Fold your fabric in half, pin your pattern pieces, and cut:

1 front piece on the fold.

2 back pieces.

Cut some 1 inch wide bias fabric strips to finish the raw edges of the armholes and the neckline. I didn't have a long strip of fabric, so I had to cut a few short pieces, which I thought I would sew together later to create a long strip.

If you have bias tape in a similar color and pattern, you can use that too.

3. Sew the Shoulder Seams

Place the front piece and back pieces right sides together.

Sew the shoulder seams using a ¼-inch seam allowance.

Press the seams open and zig-zag or serge the raw edges or you can use pinking shears to trim the edges..

4. Sew the Side Seams

With right sides together, sew the side seams with an1/2-inch seam allowance.

5. Finish the Armholes

Use a small piece of bias tape (about 13 inches long and 1 inch wide) to make a binding for the neckline, which you can sew around the neck opening.

Fold the edges of the back extensions to the wrong side by 1/4 inch and press.

Fold again by 1/2 inch and press.

Trim the folded edges to the shape of the neckline.

Flip the folds to the right side of the top like so.

Pin the bias tape to the right side of the neckline like so, while keeping the back extension folds intact.

Sew the bias tape to the neckline with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Make small slits all over the seam allowance. Make sure you don't cut through the stitch line.

 

Now, fold the bias tape to the wrong side and sew along the neckline to hold the folded bias tape.

This is how it looks on the right side.

Flip the folded button closures to the wrong side and fold down the bias tape again to the wrong side and sew along the folded edge. I hemmed it by hand.

6.  Finish the Neckline

Cut narrow bias strips of fabric.

Pin the bias tape around the armholes and neckline, sew it down, fold to the inside, and stitch in place.

6. Hem the Bottom Edge

Fold the bottom edge under 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch again to create a hem. Sew close to the folded edge.

 

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.

Happy sewing!  

---Flora

How to Draft a Simple and Easy A-Line Top?

Today we will see how to draft a simple A-line top. We have already used this draft when we drafted the summer top pattern. We will see it in detail here so that you will easily understand.

You will need the following measurements to draft this top:

1. Full length of the top

2. Bust round

3. Shoulder width

4. Arm hole depth or scye depth

5. Front neck depth

6. Back neck depth

How to Draft:

A to B = full length of the top, from shoulder point at neck to the desired length (the top's length ends between the waist and hip or at the hip.)

A to C = shoulder width/2

B to D = 1/4 bust + 2 inches for kids (4 inches for ladies) [1/4 chest + 5.08 cms for kids (10.16 cms for ladies). You can add some extra inches if you want more flare at the hemline.]

A to F = C to E = 1/4 bust - 1 (or) scye depth (both the measurements will be more or less the same). (As this is a loose-fitting top worn in summer, you can lower down the armhole depth under the arms by 0.5 inch or 0.75 inch [1.27 cms to 1.905 cms], if you prefer.)

F to G = 1/4 bust + 0.5 to 0.75 inch ease [1/4 chest + 1.27 cms to 1.905 cms ease] (Note: You can increase ease according to the type of fabric and the fit you prefer---loose-fit, medium-fit, or close-fit. For this top, I prefer to have 0.5 to 0.75 inch ease. Remember that ease defines the fit of your clothing.) 

C to H is 0.5 inch to 0.75 inch for kids and 1 inch for ladies [1.27 cms to 1.905 cms kids and 2.54 cms for ladies].

A to I is 1/12 chest or as per your preference.

Join I with H.  IH is the shoulder slope.

Measure H to E. Mark a point L on HE which is half of the H to E measurement.

L to M = 0.5 inch [1.27 cms] for kids and 0.75 inch for ladies [1.905 cms].

Draw the front arm curve and back arm curve as shown in the picture.

A to J is back neck depth (usually 1 inch [2.54 cms]).

A to K is front neck depth (usually 1/12 chest + 0.5 inch [1/12 bust + 1.27 cms]).

Square down from C. Mark O where the squared line meets B to D. 

N to D is 0.5 inch for kids (0.75 inch for women).

Shape front and back necklines.

Join NOB with a curved line. This is the hemline.

We are done with the drafting.

This is how the front and back patterns will look like:

Seam allowances:

Now, we need to add the seam allowances.

For the neckline, shoulder, and armhole let's keep 0.375 inch (0.95 cm)

For the side seams 0.5 inch (1.27 cm). You can increase this if you prefer. 

For the hemline, it is 1 inch (2.54 cm). 

This is how top's front and back pieces will look like after you cut them out from the fabric:

While sewing the top, make a slit at the back and add a loop and button at the top of the back neck for closure, as the neckline in this pattern draft will be lesser than the person's head circumference. Or you can increase the front and back neck depth in the pattern itself. Or you can add button and buttonhole plackets at the back. 

For example, I drafted this pattern for a 1-year-old baby. The head circumference of a 1-year-old baby is 18 inches. The neckline of this draft measures 10 inches. So, I will make a 4.25-inch slit at the back so that the top can be easily pulled over the head. Or I will attach a continuous bound placket as I have explained in the summer top sewing tutorial. 

 

I will soon post the sewing tutorial for this top.

If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section.

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

Free printable sewing patterns 

Pattern drafting tutorials

Sewing tutorials

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

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Elastic Waist 8-Gore Skirt Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

I'm happy to share this new free PDF printable sewing pattern today---Elastic waist 8-gore skirt for 18-inch doll.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl® Doll and Our Generation® Doll and dolls with similar body measurements.

Click here to download the link.

Seam allowances are included in the pattern, 3/4 inch at the hemline and 3/4 inch at the waistline and 1/4 inch at the side seams of each gore. Seam lines are marked in the pattern with dashed lines.

Please note that the hem allowance is 1/2 inch not 3/4 inch as shown in the pattern.

This is a one-page pdf. 

Print the pattern page on an A4 paper. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

This is how you will arrange the pattern pieces (8 gores) on the fabric to use the fabric efficiently.

You will need a 38 cm by 40 cm (15.75 inches by 15 inches) fabric to make this skirt. 

You can make it easy by folding the fabric twice (so you get 4 layers) and place the pattern pieces like in the picture below, and cut the pieces all at the same time.

I have shown here how to join the 8 gore pieces to make the skirt.

There is no separate waist band in this pattern. You have to fold the waistline by 0.25 inch and then again by 0.50 inch, and sew over the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in. Insert a 3/8-inch-wide, 9-inch-long elastic through the casing, and overlap the ends of the elastic by 1/2 inch and sew them together. Sew the gap in the casing closed.

Then, fold the hemline by 0.25 inch, press, and then fold again by 0.5 inch, and sew along the folded edge.

And that's it! You have made a beautiful skirt to add to your doll's wardrobe!

A detailed step-by-step tutorial with pictures is given at this link. 

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.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.

Click the below links to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

Pattern drafting tutorials

Sewing tutorials

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

Happy sewing!  

---Flora

Reversible Bolero Vest Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

Today I have uploaded a free DF printable sewing pattern for the reversible bolero vest for 18-inch dolls.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl® Doll and Our Generation® Doll and dolls with similar body measurements.

Click here to download the pattern.

Seam allowances are included in the pattern, which is 0.25 inch all around.

This is a one-page pdf. 

Print the page on an A4 paper. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

Click here to find the step-by-step sewing tutorial for making this vest.

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.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.

Click the links below to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

Pattern drafting tutorials

Sewing tutorials

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

Happy sewing!  

---Flora

Bermuda Shorts Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern- for 18-Inch Dolls

I'm happy to share another free PDF printable sewing pattern today---Bermuda shorts for an 18-inch doll. You can alter the length as per your preference.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit 18-inch dolls such as the American Girl® Doll and Our Generation® Doll and dolls with similar body measurements.

Click this link to download the pattern.

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern: 

0.75 inch at the waistline and hemline

0.25 inch at the side seams, center seam (crotch seam), and inseam (leg seam)

How to print?

It's a two-page pdf.

Print the page on a A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

How to sew?

1. Join the sides.

2. Join the crotch seams.

3. Join the leg seams.

4. Finish the hemline of each leg.

5. Create the casing at the waistline and feed in the elastic.

You have to fold the waistline by 0.25 inch and then again by 0.50 inch, and sew over the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in. Insert a 3/8-inch-wide, 10-inch-long elastic through the casing, and overlap the ends of the elastic by 0.25 inch and sew them together. Sew the gap in the casing closed.

Then, fold the hemline of each leg by 0.25 inch and then again by 0.50 inch, and sew along the folded edge. And you are done!

Check this page for the step-by-step sewing tutorial with pictures.

If you want to create a special wardrobe for your daughter's 18-inch doll, here are some free PDF printable sewing patterns for you.

Reversible bolero vest

Full circle skirt

A-line skirt

Empire waist dress

Spiral skirt

Night pants (pajama pants)

I have posted loads 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.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.

Click the below links to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

Pattern drafting tutorials

Sewing tutorials

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

Happy sewing!  

---Flora

How to Draft Bermuda Shorts for an 18-Inch Doll---Pattern Draft

Today, we will see how to draft a pair of Bermuda shorts for an 18-inch doll.

You need the following measurements to draft this pattern:

1. Full length of the shorts (from waist to the desired length) (This is usually about 5 inches for an 18-inch doll.)

2. Hip round (This is 11.75 inches for an 18-inch doll.)

3. Crotch depth (This is 3 inches for an 18-inch doll.)

Shorts front pattern draft:

A to B = full length of the shorts from the waist.

A to C is the crotch depth measurement. 

Draw horizontal lines from A, B, and C.

C to E = hip round/4 + 0.25 inch (which is 3.19 inches) (C to E is the crotch line)

A to D is same as C to E.

E to F = hip round/12 (which is 0.98 inch)

E to H = hip round/8 (which is 1.47 inches)

E to I = half of E to F + 0.10 inch (which is 0.98/2 + 0.10 = 0.59 inch)

Shape H-I-F as shown.

B to G = C to F minus 0.25 inch (which is 3.92 inches) (B to G is the hemline)

Shape inside seam F-G.

Shorts back pattern draft:

Back pattern can be drafted by using the front pattern and then adding these extra measurements: 

F to J = half of E to F = 0.49 inch

F to K = 0.25 inches

Join K and D.

K to M is same as E to H which is hip round/8 (that is, 1.47 inches).

Shape J-M  as shown.

D to L = 0.25 inch

Join A and L.

G to N = F to J = 0.49 inch

Shape inside seam N-J.

Seam allowances to be added:

Add 0.75 inch at the waistline for casing for the elastic.

Add 0.75 inch at the bottom edge of the legs for hem.

Add 0.25 inches at the side seams (if you prefer to have side seams).

Add 0.25 at the crotch curves and inseam (i.e., leg seam).

I have also posted a free PDF printable shorts sewing pattern for kids' sizes 6 to 12 years on this page on my blog and for kids' sizes 1 to 5 years  on this page on my blog. Hope it's useful for you.

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.

You can also click the Free Sewing Patterns Page at the top of this blog page (under the blog title) to find more free sewing patterns.

Click the below links to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

pattern drafting tutorials 

sewing tutorials 

.