How to Sew a Raglan Sleeve Top with Back Closure for 18-Inch Dolls (with Free PDF Pattern)

Today, we will learn how to sew a Raglan sleeve top with back closure for 18-inch dolls.

A Raglan-sleeve top is a great sewing project for 18-inch dolls, and the distinctive sleeves make it stylish and easy to wear. 

You can adjust the pattern to add different embellishments, like cuffs, or play with fabric colors to create a contrast between the bodice and sleeves for a sporty look.

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.

Here’s a simple guide for sewing a Raglan top for an 18-inch doll.

Materials You’ll Need

Woven or knit fabric (like jersey or any stretchable fabric). You can use different colored fabrics for bodices and sleeves to create contrast.

Sewing thread

Velcro or small snaps (for back closure)

Scissors

Sewing pins or clips

A sewing machine (preferably with a stretch stitch or zigzag) or hand needle for sewing.

Sewing pattern (Link for the free PDF pattern is given below.)

Paper and pencil 

Steps:

1. Print the Pattern

Click here to download the free Raglan top pattern.

The top consists of three main pieces: the front bodice, back bodice, and sleeves.

2. Cut Out the Fabric

Fold your fabric in half and place the pattern pieces on top.

Cut two sleeve pieces.

Cut one front bodice piece on the fold.

Cut two back bodice pieces (as there will be a back opening for the closure).

Let's arrange the pattern pieces.

Front:

Back:

3. Attach the Sleeves to the Bodice Pieces and Hem the Sleeve Edges

With right sides together, pin the sleeves to the front and back pieces, aligning the sleeve's diagonal edge to the bodice’s armhole edge. 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.

Fold each sleeve edge down the wrong side by about 1/4 inch twice and sew along the folded edges.

Serge the raw edges of the sleeve seams. 

4. Sew the Side Seams

Pin and sew the side seams from the ends of the sleeves down to the bottom hem of the bodice with a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Serge the raw edges of the side seams.

5. Finish the Neckline

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 1/4 inch and press.

Trim the folded edges to the shape of the neckline.

Turn over the folds to the right side 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.

The top is almost ready.

6. Hem the Bottom Edge of the Top

Fold the bottom hem of the top down by 1/4 inch.

Fold again by 1/4 inch and sew to finish the edge neatly.

6. Finish the Back Closure

Fold over the center back closure edges and sew to create a clean edge.

Attach Velcro strips (of length equivalent to the center back length and width equivalent to 1/2 inch to 1 inch) or small snaps along the back edges, so the top can open and close.

 

And that's it! You now have a Raglan top for your 18-inch 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 links below to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

Pattern drafting tutorials 

Sewing tutorials 

Happy Sewing!

---Flora

Cap Sleeve Free PDF Sewing Pattern---Kids' Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

A cap sleeve is a very short sleeve style that just covers the top of the shoulder without extending far down the arm. Unlike longer sleeves, cap sleeves offer minimal arm coverage and often form a slight curve over the shoulder, creating a subtle cap-like shape. This sleeve style is often used in dresses, blouses, and tops for a feminine, airy look, and it adds a touch of coverage while maintaining a sleek, almost sleeveless appearance. Cap sleeves are popular in warm-weather clothing for their breezy feel and flattering silhouette.

I have created a cap sleeve PDF pattern for kids' sizes 1 year to 12 years. 

The link for the free cap sleeve pattern is given below. You can use this sleeve pattern to add sleeves to the basic sleeveless gathered dress (with free PDF pattern) and the sailor collar dress (with free PDF pattern).

You can also use this sleeve pattern to add sleeves to the sleeveless reversible bolero vest (with free PDF pattern) and the reversible bolero vest with curved front (with free PDF pattern).

Seam Allowance

Seam allowance is included in the pattern.

Seam allowance for the sleeve cap curve is 3/8 inch.

Pattern Download Link:

Kids' Cap Sleeve Free PDF Sewing Pattern---Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

This is a one-page PDF.

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 

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Kids' Full Sleeve Free PDF Sewing Pattern for Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

A full sleeve in a dress refers to a sleeve that extends from the shoulder all the way down to the wrist, covering the entire length of the arm. These sleeves can come in various styles, such as fitted, loose, puffed, or bell-shaped, and they provide more coverage than shorter sleeve options like half or three-quarter sleeves. Full sleeves are often used for formal or elegant dress designs but can also be seen in casual wear.

I have created a basic full sleeve free PDF sewing pattern for kids' sizes 1 year to 12 years.

The link for the free full sleeve pattern is given below. You can use this sleeve pattern to add sleeves to the basic sleeveless gathered dress (with free PDF pattern) and the sailor collar dress (with free PDF pattern).

You can also use this sleeve pattern to add sleeves to the sleeveless reversible bolero vest (with free PDF pattern) and the reversible bolero vest with curved front (with free PDF pattern).

Seam and Hem Allowances

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

Seam allowance for the sleeve cap curve is 3/8 inch and for the sleeve sides is 3/4 inch.

Hem allowance for the sleeve hemline at the wrist is 3/4 inch

Pattern Download Link:

Kids' Full Sleeve Free PDF Sewing Pattern---Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

Pattern Assembly:

There are 4 pages in the pattern, and they are assembled as in the diagram below:

How to Print and Assemble the PDF Pattern Pages:

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

This pattern can be modified for different sleeve styles like puff sleeves or bell sleeves.

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 

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Kids' Sailor Collar Dress---Free PDF Sewing Pattern for Girls' Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

 

I am so excited to share this new free PDF printable sewing pattern for kids' sailor collar dress with gathered skirt for sizes 1 to 12 years.  

There's no opening at the center front or center back of this dress. Instead I have drafted a deep neck at the front so that there is enough room to pull the dress over the head. The deep neckline can be concealed by attaching an inset to the collar on one side and leaving it open on the other side (so that the dress can be easily pulled over the head). The inset can be fastened by adding press studs on the open side. 

Pattern Assembly:

This is how you will assemble the pattern. 

If you are new to making a sailor collar, please check the sewing tutorial at this link to know what these pattern pieces are used for. 

Pattern Download Link:

Kids' Sailor Collar Dress Free PDF Sewing Pattern---Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

If you want to sew sleeves to this dress check this link to download the free full sleeve PDF sewing pattern for kids' sizes 1 year to 12 years. 

How to Print and Assemble the PDF Pattern Pages:

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

How to Sew?

A detailed tutorial on how to sew and attach the sailor collar to the dress is provided at this link. 

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 

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Kids' Reversible Bolero Vest with Curved Front--- Free PDF Sewing Pattern for Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years

 

While making the free PDF sewing pattern for Kids' Reversible Bolero Vest for Sizes 1 Year to 12 Years, I thought of making the same pattern with a curved front as in the reversible bolero vest for 18-inch dolls. So here I have recreated the reversible bolero vest with a curved front for sizes 1 year to 12 years.

This is a sleeveless vest. You can use the same fabric for both the main and lining of the front and back pieces, or you can use fabrics of different colors or patterns for the main and lining.

*This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Sewing Supplies Needed:

1. Fabric 

2. Free printable PDF sewing pattern (pattern link is given below)

3. Printer paper

4. Sewing machine (Both Janome and Bernina work well for me. Brother is equally good too. I will soon post the sewing tutorial.)

5. Sewing machine thread (I prefer using Gütermann and Coats, which are of great quality.)

6. Tape measure

7. Sewing pins

8. Serger (I am using Brother M343D, which works great.)

Size Chart:

This is the size chart I used. Please take your kid's bust round measurement and compare it with the measurement in the size chart to find the right size for them.

Pattern download link:

Here is the pattern download link:

Kids' Reversible Bolero Vest with Curved Front Free PDF Sewing Pattern

Pattern Assembly:

The diagram below shows how to assemble the pattern pages. There are 4 pages in the pattern PDF. And these pages are arranged as shown in the diagram.

How to Print and Assemble the PDF Pattern Pages:

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

Seam Allowance:

Seam allowance is included in the pattern, which is 3/8 inch all around.

I have provided a reversible bolero vest sewing tutorial for 18 inch dolls here with free PDF sewing pattern. Please do check it out.

If you are looking for more free sewing patterns,

click on this link Free Sewing Patterns Page. 

Click the links below to browse through all the pattern drafting and sewing tutorials on my blog.

pattern drafting tutorials 

sewing tutorials 

You will find these link also at the top of this blog page (under the blog title).

Happy sewing!

---Flora