How to Sew a Raglan Sleeved Top for 18-Inch Dolls

Today, we will learn how to sew the raglan top for an 18-inch doll.

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.

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 

Sewing Supplies Needed to Make this Top:

To make this top, you will need:

1. Fabric

2. Free printable PDF sewing pattern for the raglan top

3. Printer paper

4. Thread

5. Sewing machine

6. Tape measure

7. Sewing pins

8. Sewing needle

9. Scissors

10. Two fabric cords (each 8.5 inches long)

Fabric:

I used cotton fabric to make this top. The top can be slid over the doll's head with little effort. 

If you want to have full opening at the back, then before cutting the back piece on the folded fabric, place the paper pattern piece for the back 3/4 inch from the folded edge of the fabric, pin it, and then cut the back piece. Cut open the fold. Now you will have two back pieces. This extra 3/4 inch serves as the button extension. When you sew the blouse, fold this button extension under 1/4 inch and then again by 1/2 inch, and sew 1/8 inch from the folded edge. Attach Velcro for closure.

You can use stretchy fabrics such as knit or cotton jersey to make it easier to slide the top over your the doll's head. 

Seam and Hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

Seam and hem lines are shown with dashed lines.

Front and back: 0.25 inch for the neckline, raglan armhole, and for the side seams, 0.50 inch for the hemline

Sleeves: 0.25 inch for the neckline, raglan sleeve cap, and for the side seams, and 0.50 inch for the sleeve hemline.

How to Sew?

Step 1:

Glue or tape the pattern pages together.

Step 2:

Cut out the front, back, and sleeve pattern pieces.

Step 3: 

Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric.

Cut out the front, back, and sleeve pieces from the fabric.

Step 4:

Join the sleeves:

With right sides facing each other, pin the sleeves to the front and back pieces. Make sure to match the front of the sleeve to the front piece of the top and the back of the sleeves to the back piece of the top.

Step 5:

Finish sleeve hemline:

Fold the sleeve hemline under 1/4" twice, and sew 1/8" from the folded edge. You can also do this before Step 1.

Serge the raw edges of the sleeve seams.

Step 6:

Join the sides.

Join the sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Serge the raw edges. If you don't have a serger, use the zig-zag stitch in your sewing machine or use pinking shears.

Step 7:

Finish the hemline of the top:

Fold the hemline of the top under 1/4" twice, and sew 1/8" from the folded edge.

Step 8:

Sew the keyhole back neck closure with ties.

Mark the center of the top's back piece.

Cut a 4 inch by 1.5 inch fabric piece. 

I wanted the keyhole depth to be 2 1/2 inches, so that it the top can be easily slid through the doll's head. I wanted to leave an extra 1/2 inch above the back neckline, so that after the fabric piece is attached, we can shape this according to the shape of the back neckline. Also you may have to leave 1/4 to align the fabric piece with the neckline seam, and you need some 3/4 inch extra fabric to leave at the bottom end of the keyhole.

So let's do the math to determine the length of the fabric piece we are going to attach at the center of the blouse's back:

Length: 2 1/2 + 1/2 + 1/4 + 3/4 = 4 inches

Width: 1.5 inches

Serge the sides and bottom of this fabric piece.

Find the center of this fabric piece by folding it in half lengthwise. 

On this center fold, leaving a 3/4-inch space from the top (1/2 inch extra fabric which we will later cut and shape to match the neckline and another 1/4 inch for the neck seam), mark down a 3-inches-long straight line.

At the top of this straight line, mark 1/4 inch on both sides, and at the bottom mark 1/8 inch on both sides. Connect these point as shown in the picture below.

With right sides facing, pin the fabric piece to the back of the blouse matching the center lines. Cut the extra fabric to the shape of the back neckline. Place two fabric cords (each 8.5 long) at the center of the back neckline under the fabric piece as shown in the picture below.

Use a pin to hold the cords in place. 

Sew over the lines you have drawn. I have shown it with dotted lines in the image below. 

I sewed it by hand as it was easier.

Cut through the center line stopping at 1/8 inch above the bottom line.

Fold the fabric piece to the wrong side and press well.

Now, turn the top inside out. And this is how it will look on the outside.

Step 9:

The last step is to finish the neckline of the blouse.

Take bias strip longer than the neckline of the blouse. Width should be 1.25 inches.

Fold it in half and attach it to the neckline on the right side, leaving an 1/2 inch trail at both the ends.

Fold it to the wrong side, and hem by hand. 

This is how it looks on the outside.

And that's it! You have made a simple yet beautiful top for your doll!

Happy Sewing!

---Flora