Today, we will see how to make a full circle skirt for 18-inch dolls.
I have posted the free PDF printable sewing pattern for this skirt here. Instructions on how to print the pattern pages are given in that post.
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.
Check the tutorial at the link below to learn how to print and assemble PDF pattern pages.
Once you have have downloaded the pattern pages, cut out the margins and tape the pages together. Now carefully cut the skirt pattern out from these taped pages.
Now, as we have our pattern ready, let's move on to the next step.
How to Cut the Pattern Pieces from Fabric?
This is how you will cut the skirt and waist band from the fabric. Cut the waist band separately.
Place the pattern piece on the fabric folded twice.
Trace around the pattern.
Cut through the traced outline.
This is how the circle skirt will look like after it's cut out from the fabric and opened up---like a donut. :-)
Cut the waistband 20 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Suggested fabrics and fabric measurements:
You can use lightweight fabrics such as cotton lawn, gingham, linen, seersucker, crepe, silk, etc. to make this skirt.
An 18 x 18-inch (45 x 45-cm) fabric is needed to make this circle skirt.
Now, let's start sewing the skirt.
How to Sew?
Step 1:
Hem the skirt. Fold the hemline down the wrong side by 0.25 inch and press.
Then fold again by 0.25 inch and pin.
Sew along the folded edge.
Step 2:
Sew the waistband to the skirt.
Start by pinning the bottom edge of the waistband to the top edge of the skirt right sides together. Start from the center back of the skirt. Leave a trail of 1 inch of the waistband and start pinning all around the skirt.
And once you are back at the starting point, match both the ends of the waistband and pin them together.
Cut the trails of fabric from both ends of the waistband leaving only 1/2 inch for seam allowance on both ends.
Now sew the ends together, with the 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Now trim the seam allowance to 1/4 inch. This is how it should look now.
Sew the waist band's lower edge and the skirt's top edge together.
This is how it looks on the right side.
Turn it to the wrong side
Step 3:
Create the casing for elastic:
Next, fold down the top edge of the waist band by 1/4 inch.
And then fold the waistband in half.
Sew 1/8 inch from the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in.
Take a 0.5-inch-wide elastic. Mark 10 inches from the end. See the yellow line in the picture below.
Grab a safety pin and attach it to one end of your elastic.
Insert the safety pin end of the elastic through the opening in the casing. Scrunch the casing and bring the safety pin through the other end of the opening.
When both the ends of the elastic meet, cut the elastic at the marking we made, and overlap the ends of the elastic by 0.5 inch and sew them together. Sew the gap in the casing closed.
Now you have made a beautiful swirly circle skirt for your adorable little doll.
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
A-line skirt
Empire waist dress
Spiral skirt
For your easy reference, I have organized my blog posts under the following sections. Hope it's useful to you:
These links appear at the top of my blog on the navigation bar as well.
Happy sewing!
---Flora
