Today, we will learn how to sew a spiral skirt for 18-inch dolls. This project is one of the best ways to use your scrap fabrics.
I have made a free PDF printable sewing pattern of this skirt. The download link is provided below.
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.
Download link:
Click here to download the free PDF pattern.
The instructions for printing this pattern are provided here.
How to Cut the Spiral Pieces?
Place the pattern piece on 8 layers of fabric (if you want to use the same color for all the pieces) or on 4 layers of fabric (if you want to use 2 different colors---4 layers for each color), and trace around the pattern piece using a pencil or fabric marker. Cut out the traced pattern.
I have used contrast colored fabrics: 4 pieces from a cream colored fabric, and 4 pieces from a pink colored fabric.
How to Sew?
Step 1: With right sides together, pin the inner edge of the first spiral piece with the outer edge of the second spiral piece.
Sew them together, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
Next, pin the inner edge of the second spiral piece with the outer edge of the third spiral piece and sew them together, leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.
This is how it looks on the wrong side.
And this is how it looks on the right side.
Continue this with the other pieces, until you finish attaching the outer edge of the eighth spiral piece.
Lastly, join the outer edge of the eighth spiral piece with the inner edge of the seventh spiral piece and join the inner edge of the eighth spiral piece with the outer edge of first spiral piece.
Step 3: Finish the hemline by attaching bias tape or by serging.
Step 4:
Sew the waistband:
With right sides facing, pin the bottom edge of the waistband to the skirt's top edge (leave 1/4 inch seam allowance). Start by leaving a trail of 1 inch of the waistband at one end and pin around the skirt.
And once you are back at the starting point, match the ends and pin them together.
Start sewing around the top of the skirt. Stop when you are about to reach the starting point. After making sure the top round of the skirt and the bottom round of the waist band fit together exactly, cut the trail of fabric from both ends of the waistband leaving only 1/4 inch for seam allowance on both ends, and now join the ends together. Then sew the rest of the waistband with the skirt.
Step 5:
Create casing for the elastic:
Fold down the top edge of the waist band by 1/4 inch, and then fold the waistband in half, and sew 1/8 inch from the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in. Insert a 0.5-inch-wide, 10-inch-long elastic through the casing, and overlap the ends of the elastic by 0.5 inch and sew them together. Sew the gap in the casing closed.
That's it! You have just made a beautiful spiral skirt for your doll!
For more of my doll clothes patterns, click on the links or the pictures below:
Reversible bolero vest
A-line skirt
Empire waist dress
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.
Happy sewing!
---Flora