Frills and Flares: 2025

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Japanese Style Reversible Cross-Back Apron for 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Sewing Pattern and Sewing Tutorial

This reversible Japanese-style apron is designed specifically for 18-inch dolls. It features overlapping back pieces that criss-cross at the center, creating a stylish and functional design.

The apron is designed to slip easily over the doll’s head, so the front neckline has been lowered to accommodate the doll's head circumference. Additionally, the criss-cross back pieces can be widened to ensure a comfortable fit while allowing flexibility when putting the apron on.

As it is reversible, your doll will have two aprons in one.

You can use two contrasting fabrics for the outer and inner sides of the apron to highlight its reversible design.

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

This pattern will fit dolls like Our Generation dolls and American Girl dolls and dolls with similar measurements.

Check out my other free 18-inch doll cloth PDF sewing patterns and tutorials:

1. Gathered Skirt with Elastic Waist

2. Raglan Sleeve Top with Back Closure for 18-Inch Dolls

3. Simple Top with Short Sleeves Using French Seams

4. Panel Skirt with Elasticated Waist

5. Basic Dress with Gathered Skirt for 18-Inch Dolls

6. Night Pants (Pajama Pants) with Elasticated Waist
7. Simple Top with Short Sleeves

8. Swirl Skirt with Elasticated Waist

9. Spiral Skirt with Elasticated Waist

10. Full Circle Skirt

11. Easy Sleeveless A-Line Summer Top

12. Elastic Waist 8-Gore Skirt

13. Tiered Dress

14. Reversible Bolero Vest

15. Bermuda Shorts

16. Elastic Waist A-Line Skirt

17. Playsuit

18. Jumpsuit
19. Reversible A-Line Dress
20. Tie-Front Peplum Top
21. Peplum Top with Back Closure
22. Surplice Peplum Top
23. V-Neck Button-Down Peplum Top
24. Tie-Front Sleeveless A-Line Top
25. Tie-Front Top with Sleeves
26. Summer Top with Shoulder Ties
27. Summer Top with Bunny Ears Shoulder Ties
28. Empire Waist Dress

Click this link for a complete list of 18-Inch Doll Clothes Free PDF Sewing Patterns and Sewing Tutorials

Let's jump in to the tutorial.

Materials Needed:

Fabric (cotton, lightweight linen, or knit)
Matching thread
Scissors
Pins or clips
Sewing machine (or hand-sewing needle)
Measuring tape
Iron

Steps to Sew the Doll Cross-Back Apron:

1. Download the Free PDF Pattern:

Pattern download link:

Japenese Style Reversible Cross-Backfor 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Sewing Pattern

*This pattern is for non-commercial use only.

How to print and assemble the pattern pages?

Click here to learn how to print and assemble the PDF pattern pages.

Use the below diagram as a guide to assemble the pattern pages:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

For both the outer fabric (that is, fabric 1) and the inner fabric (that is, fabric 2):

1/4 inch all around

2. Cut the Fabric

Cut one piece on fold from fabric 1.
Cut one piece on fold from fabric 2.

3. Finish the neckline, armhole curve, and the cross-back curve

With right sides facing, place fabric 2 over fabric 1, and sew the neckline, armhole, and cross-back curve of fabric 1 and fabric 1, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, as shown in the image below. Leave the shoulder seams and the hemline open.

4. Join the shoulders

Turn the apron inside out.
Now, slide your fingers through the hemline opening and grab one side of the back shoulders and place it over the the opposite front shoulder and bring the front shoulder through the back shoulder opening, match them together on the wrong side and sew. This will be not be possible to sew with a sewing machine. So you need to hand stitch them together.
Repeat this step for the other shoulder seams as well.

5. Hem the Bottom Edge

Close the hemline opening using machine stitch or hand stitch.

6. Press the apron for a neat finish

Final Touches

Trim any loose threads.
Sew along all the edges (optional)

Now your 18-inch doll has a cute reversible Japanese-style cross-back apron!

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

Happy Sewing

---Flora

Sunday, March 23, 2025

18-Inch Doll Apron---Free PDF Sewing Pattern and Sewing Tutorial

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.

Check out this page for a complete list of 18-Inch Doll Clothes Free PDF Sewing Patterns and Sewing Tutorials

I have included the link to the free pattern for the apron below.

These are measurements of the doll I made this pattern for:

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit dolls like Our Generation dolls and American Girl dolls and dolls with similar measurements.

Here's is the sewing tutorial.

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:

Pattern download link:

18-Inch Doll Apron---Free PDF Sewing Pattern

How to print and assemble the pattern pages?

Click here to learn how to print and assemble the PDF pattern pages.

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

Apron:

Neckline and armholes: 1/4 inch
For the side hem: 1/2 inch
Bottom hem: 1/2 inch

Pockets:

1/4 inch on all the sides

I have marked the placement of the pocket on the fold line of the apron pattern. This shows where the top edge and bottom edge of the pocket should be placed.

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 ties.
Cut one 1 1/4-inch-wide 5.5-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 5.5-inch long cross-grain piece 1/4 inch down the wrong side and press with the iron.
Then 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 same length of the remaining trail of the strip both at the shoulders and at the waistline), pin to keep them together, and then stitch along the folded edges.

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.

7. Sew the Pocket in Place

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.

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

Happy Sewing

---Flora

Thursday, March 13, 2025

Elastic Waist A-Line Maxi Skirt with Frills at the Hemline for 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Sewing Pattern and Sewing Tutorial

This Elastic Waist A-Line Maxi Skirt (Full Length Skirt/Long Skirt) with Frills (Ruffles) at the Hemline for 18-Inch Dolls designed for 18-inch dolls has an A-line shape, elasticated waist, and has frills (ruffles) at the hemline.

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 for a complete list of 18-Inch Doll Clothes Free PDF Sewing Patterns and Sewing Tutorials

Here's the step-by-step sewing tutorial. The link to the free PDF pattern is given below.

Materials Needed:

Fabric (cotton, lightweight linen, satin, or knit)
Matching thread
Scissors
Pins or clips
Sewing machine (or hand-sewing needle)
Measuring tape
Iron
1/4-inch-wide, 10-inch-long elastic

Steps to Sew the Skirt:

1. Download the Free PDF Pattern:

Pattern download link:

Elastic Waist A-Line Maxi Skirt with Frills at the Hemline---Free PDF Sewing Pattern

How to print and assemble the pattern pages?

Click here to learn how to print and assemble the PDF pattern pages.

This is a two-page PDF document.

Use the below diagram as a guide to assemble the pages.

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

Skirt:
Top edge: 3/4 inch
Side seam: 1/4 inch
Bottom edge: 1/4 inch

Fabric strip for making the frills (ruffles):
Side seam: 1/4 inch
Top edge: 1/4 inch
Bottom edge: 1/2 inch

Seam and hem allowances are marked with dashed lines.

Print the page on A4 or US letter sized 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.

2. Cut the Fabric

Cut one front piece and one back piece on fold.
Cut the fabric strip on fold for creating the frills (ruffles) at the hemline.

3. Sew the Side Seams

Place the front and back pieces right sides together.
Pin and sew 1/4-inch seams along both sides.
Finish the edges with a zigzag stitch or pinking shears to prevent fraying.

4. Gather the Fabric Strip to Create the Frills

Join the short ends of the fabric up with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Fold up the long edge (the bottom edge) of the fabric strip by 1/4 inch and then again by 1/4 inch, and sew along the folded edge. This will be your skirt's hemline.

Set your machine to the longest stitch and sew along the top edge of the fabric strip leaving a trail of thread at both the ends. Pull the ends of the thread, to gather the top edge until it's length is equal to the length of the skirt's bottom edge.

5. Attach the Frills (Ruffles) to the Skirt

Join the top edge of the fabric strip to the skirt's bottom edge, right sides together, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Serge the raw edges.

6. Create the Elastic Casing on the Top Edge and Feed through the Elastic

There is no separate waist band in this pattern. You need to fold the waistline by 1/4 inch and then again by 1/2 inch, and sew over the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in. Insert a 1/4-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.

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

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Reversible Top with Bunny Ears Shoulder Ties for 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Sewing Pattern and Tutorial

This reversible summer top I have designed for 18-inch dolls has an A-line shape and has shoulder ties that resemble bunny ears, which could be fastened at the shoulders. You can use two contrast fabrics for the outer and inner sides of the top.

With this reversible top you get two tops in one.

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

This pattern will fit dolls like Our Generation dolls and American Girl dolls and dolls with similar measurements.