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. 

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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