How to Sew Night Pants (Pajama Pants) with Elasticated Waist for 18-Inch Dolls + Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern

Earlier, I had posted the free PDF printable sewing pattern for doll night pants. 

Here's how to sew night pants for an 18-inch doll. It's very easy to make. This can be an easy beginner-friendly sewing project.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit most of the18-inch dolls like Our Generation dolls and American Girl© dolls.

Materials needed:

1. Free 18-inch doll night pants PDF sewing pattern

2. Fabric

3. Elastic (width 3/8 inch, length 10 inches)

4. Scissors

5. Sewing machine

6. Matching thread

7. Measuring tape

8. Serger (optional) or pinking shears

How to cut the pattern pieces?

Print out the pattern on A4 papers. There is a step-by-tutorial on how to print and assemble the pattern pages at this link:

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

Trim the left edge of Page 2 of the pattern. 

Glue or tape the pages together aligning the pattern lines, and then cut out your pattern pieces.

Here's how you cut out the pattern pieces from the fabric.

Place the front pattern piece of the pants on a folded fabric.

Trace around the pattern on the fabric. 

Cut out the traced pattern. Make sure you keep the fabrics together by pinning them together or placing a weight over the traced pattern. 

This how it looks once you cut it out.

Once you are done, cut through the center fold (the white line in the above picture), so you get two pattern pieces for the front left and right.

Repeat this step for the back of the pants as well.

Now we are ready with the pattern pieces to make the night pants:

Front pieces

Back pieces

How to sew the pants?

Let's start sewing. 

Step 1: Join the sides.

Usually we finish the hemline as the last step as the hemline fold conceals the side seam from peeking out . But if you think you have to sew around a narrow round of hemline, you can finish Step 4 now and then proceed with Step 1. I didn't find any difficulty sewing the hemline in Step 4. 

Place the back pieces right side up. Place the front pieces (right side down) over the back pieces, as shown in the picture below. 

Now, join the sides of the pants (with a 0.25-inch seam allowance). 

Finish the seam edges with a serger or using zig-zag stitches, or clip the seam edges with pinking shears.

Step 2: Join the crotch seams.

After joining the side seams, this is how it looks like on the wrong side. 

With right sides together align both the pieces, such that back aligns with back and front aligns with front, so we can sew the front and back crotch curve seams. 

Sew the crotch seams with 0.25 inch seam allowance.

Serge the raw edges or use your preferred method to finish the raw edges.

Bring the crotch curve seam to the center. The leg seam is open now. 

This is how the pants will look like now:

Step 3: Join the leg seams.

Pin the the leg seams together and sew (with a 0.25-inch seam allowance) as shown in the image below.

Serge the raw edges of the leg seam.

Step 4: Hem the bottom edge of each leg of the pants.

Fold the right leg hemline 0.25 inch to the wrong side and press.

Then fold again 0.5 inch inward and press. 

Sew along the folded edge. Repeat the same steps for the left leg.

Step 5: Create casing at the waistline and insert the elastic.

Fold the waistline down by 0.25 inch and again by 0.50 inch. Sew along the folded edge leaving a 2-inch gap to insert the elastic.

Take a 3/8-inch-wide, 10-inch-long elastic.

Insert the elastic through the casing using a safety pin, Overlap the edges of the elastic by 0.5 inch, and secure the ends of the elastic by running zig-zag stitches back and forth on the overlap a few times. Then, sew the 2-inch gap closed.

Turn the pants inside out. Done!

You have made a beautiful pair of pants for your little girl's doll.

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.

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

Happy sewing!  

---Flora

Paneled A-Line Skirt with Elastic Waist for 18-Inch Doll---Free Printable PDF Pattern

A new free printable PDF pattern for 18-inch dolls---Paneled A-line skirt with elastic waist.

The measurements of the doll I used are

Chest 11.5 inches

Waist 11 inches

Hip 11.75 inches

This pattern will fit most of the18-inch dolls like Our Generation dolls and American Girl© dolls.

Seam Allowances:

Seam allowances are included in the pattern, 0.5 inch for the hemline and 0.25 inch for the side seams and waistline. Seam lines are marked in the pattern with dashed lines.

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.

Click here to download the pattern.

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

You can also use scrap fabrics in different colors and prints.

I have shown here how to join the panels to make the skirt.

Once you have joined all the panels sew the side seams of the skirt.

Finish the hemline.

Attach the waist band and feed in the elastic.

That's it!

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

Raglan Sleeved Top with Button Closure at the Back for 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern

 

Here is another free PDF printable sewing pattern---Raglan top for 18-inch dolls with a open back. There are button extensions at the back where you can attach Velcro, snap fasteners, or small buttons.

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 loads of free PDF printable sewing patterns for kids, women, and for 18-inch and 12-inch dolls 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 

Download Link for the Raglan Top Free PDF Pattern for 18-Inch Doll:

How to Print and Assemble the PDF Pattern Pages:

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

Print the pages on 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.

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: Fold the sleeve hemline under the wrong side 1/4" twice, and sew along from the folded edge.

Step 2: Join the sleeves with the front and back pieces.

Step 3: Join the sides with a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

Step 4: Fold the hemline of the top under the wrong side 1/4" twice, and sew along the folded edge.

Step 5: Fold a 1-inch-wide bias tape in half and attach it to the neckline, fold it under the wrong side of the blouse, and hem by hand. 

Step 6: Fold the edge of the button extension by 1/4 inch. Fold it again by 1/2 inch, and sew along the folded edge. Attach Velcro or small snap fasteners (press studs) onto the button extensions.

Done! You can now try this Raglan top on your cute little doll!

Happy Sewing!

---Flora

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