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Christmas or Festive Short Sleeve Dress Pattern
to Fit American Girl Type 18 Inch Dolls

 

The link takes you to another Precious Day doll available at Amazon.com
18 inch Gotz Precious Day doll, Emily

American Girl doll
18 inch American Girl doll, Gwen


Clothes Patterns for 18 Inch Dolls and Bitty Baby

Dolls & Costumes Website
Susan Kramer
susan@susankramer.com

Here are instructions for making short sleeve Christmas or festive dresses to fit 18inch (45cm) American Girl, other American historical dolls, Corolle dolls, Gotz Precious Day Girl Dolls, and dolls with similar body types. The model above on the left is my 18 inch Gotz Precious Day doll, Emily. And the model on the right is my American Girl doll, Gwen.

You’ll need one quarter yard (one quarter meter) of material for the skirt.

For the front and back bodice, you'll need one quarter yard contrasting material.

Also, for neckline facing, you'll need a 10 inch (25cm) long by one inch (2.5cm) wide bias strip, and as much pre gathered lace, and embroidered ribbon.
 
Pattern pieces for short sleeve bodice:
The grid is 1 inch (2.5cm) squares. Pattern pieces include one quarter inch seam allowance. You may use the pattern for yourself or gifts but not commercially.

Try printing out the pattern pieces to see if they stay 1 inch square:

dress pattern for 18 inch dolls

dress pattern for 18 inch dolls

Skirt Pattern
 
Cut fabric 32 inches (80cm) wide and 8 inches (20cm) long for skirt to just below knee or 9.5 inches (24cm) long to just above ankle length. You'll need 32 inches of pre gathered lace to sew on at hemline.

General Sewing Instructions

Here are instructions for making dresses to fit 18-inch (45cm) American Girl Dolls and other American heritage dolls.

You’ll need one half yard (one half meter) of material for the dress, and one-fourth yard (one-fourth meter) white or contrasting material for skirt front pleat.

For the front and back bodice you'll need one-fourth yard contrasting material. Also, to finish, you'll need 10 inches (25cm) of half inch (1.25cm) gathered lace for the neckline, and 1 yard of one-fourth inch (6mm) satin or cross-grain ribbon for the waistline and front tie.
 
Pattern pieces include one-fourth inch seam allowance.

Cut a 10” (25cm) long by 1” (2.5cm) wide strip on the bias of dress material to finish neckline.

Bodice Sewing Instructions

neckline construction

With right sides of back and front bodice facing, sew together at shoulders. Press seam open.

Baste right side of lace to right side of neck opening.

Using the bias strip sew one long edge to right side of neckline. Clip curves. Fold bias strip to inside of neckline, turning in once and blind stitch to wrong side of neckline. Follow photo to sew ribbon on finished neck edge.

To finish back seam of bodice, turn in twice on each center edge and hand or machine stitch to make a ¼” hem. Overlap waist edge ¼” and tack together.

Sleeves

sleeve and bodice of Christmas, festive dress

Roll in lower edge and hem by hand or machine. (I sew sleeve and skirt hems by hand.)

Gather along lower finished edge of sleeve, (I use quilting thread for strength) just loose enough to slide over doll’s hand and lower arm; about 5 inches (12.5cm).

Along armpit edge gather sleeve with basting stitch just inside the one-quarter inch line to fit armhole and with right side of sleeve facing right side of front and back bodice (which are just joined at shoulders and now lay out flat) stitch together with one-fourth inch seam. Clip curve. Repeat for other sleeve.

With right sides of sleeves and bodice facing, sew together sides of bodice and underside of sleeves at the same time. Repeat on other side.

Skirt construction

How to sew bodice to skirt


Sew back seam leaving 2 inches (5cm) open at top of seam to match back seam of bodice. Roll in raw edges and blind stitch hem. (This is for ease of dressing doll.)

Gather the waist seam to match the bodice lower edge and sew skirt to bodice. I make this a half inch seam for both skirt and bodice, because of gathered top edge of skirt at waist, and so bodice and skirt do not pull apart with use.

When dress is completed sew a sticky dot just above waistline and at neckline to overlap bodice back one quarter inch.

Turn right side out. On outside topstitch just above waistline on bodice all the way around.

Just below knee finished skirt length is 7.25 inches (18cm).

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To make your 1-inch square (2.5cm) grid graph paper

First, take an 8.5x11 inch piece of plain paper and draw 1 inch squares - I do this by drawing horizontal lines 1 inch apart down the page, and then vertical lines 1 inch apart across the page.

Next, looking at the .jpg image you want to enlarge, copy what is in each of my squares into your larger squares.

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Article and photo credits Susan Kramer

 

DOLLS – Ebook  and Book Patterns List

Designed by Susan Kramer


 

1. Medium Doll Clothes with Full Size Patterns

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Medium Doll Clothes with Full Size Patterns by Susan Kramer

Full size patterns for clothes to fit 18 inch American Girl, Corolle, Gotz, Precious Day Dolls; 14-17 inch baby dolls like Bitty Baby, Gotz Maxi Muffin and Zapf Baby Born; and 16-18 inch dolls like Sasha, Kathe Kruse play dolls, and Magic Attic. Directions throughout the text are given in both centimeters and inches. Full size patterns ready to cut out and use in ebook, or trace in paperback, sewing instructions, and photos of finished outfits. Copyright Susan Kramer. Table of Contents

46 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch ebook; 48 pages paperback 8.5 by 11 inch.
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Copyright 2009-2015 Susan Kramer
Language: English
Paperback | PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 

 

2. How to Sew Cloth Dolls and Costumes

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Sew Cloth Dolls and Costumes and 12 Inch Anneke Doll
More than 20 cloth doll and costume sewing tutorials, including embroidering facial features on cloth dolls and knotting on yarn wigs. The 2nd part of the book includes traceable patterns for the 12 inch Anneke fabric doll, and choice of 4 views of dresses, a pantaloons pattern and apron instructions. For beginning to advanced sewers. Email included for sewing questions. Fully illustrated in 80 pages. Table of Contents  

Sew Cloth Dolls & Costumes by Susan Kramer
80 pages; perfect bound; 8.5 by 11 inch paperback, or PDF ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Copyright 2009 Susan Kramer
Language: English
Links to Buy: Paperback or PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 3. Christening Gown Pattern

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Christening Gown Pattern by Susan Kramer

E-pattern: Full size pattern pieces to make a baby Christening gown or baptismal dress in size 9 months to 1 year. Complete list of supplies and directions for sewing included. Directions throughout the text are given in both centimeters and inches. Many photos included. Copyright by Susan Kramer, designed by Susan Kramer. Page of sewing process.

20 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Copyright 2010 Susan Kramer
Language: English
PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 4. Royal Bridesmaid 18 Inch Doll Dress Pattern

Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Description: Royal Bridesmaid 18 Inch Doll Dress Pattern  by Susan Kramer

EbookThis e-pattern design with full size dress pieces is inspired by the bridesmaid dresses in the wedding of Prince William and Princess Catherine. The pattern is similar to the bridesmaid dresses from Harry and Meghan’s wedding, also. The dress will fit your 18 inch full body dolls like American Girl, Gotz, Corolle and other similar dolls. Also included are directions to sew a petticoat and crinoline to give fullness to the skirt. Fully illustrated with photos. Copyright Susan Kramer. Info page.

15 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 5. Charlotte Doll and Dress Patterns

Description: Description: image045EbookFull size patterns and instructions to make a copy of the 14 inch Charlotte doll and dress owned by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Link to a photo of a copy of original doll in the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library included. Intermediate sewing project. Email me with questions: susan at susankramer.com - PDF Ebook format. 17 pages Copyright Susan Kramer. Info page.

17 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Raggedy Andy Type Doll Clothes Pattern for 15 to 18 Inch Dolls by Susan Kramer


Description: Description: image047PDF Ebook: Here are pattern pieces to make a one-piece shirt and pants outfit. Ready for you to cut out and use to dress your 15 to 18 inch Raggedy Andy doll or similar rag doll. Step by step instructions are detailed and photos are included of completed outfit as well as cut out pieces. Top stitching details included. 11 pages.

11 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 

 

7. Child's Jumper Pattern


Description: Description: image049
E-pattern: This jumper, for size 3 to 4, has a lined bodice and is reversible front to back. By using details so the same finished jumper will fit both size 3 and 4 you are getting 2 winters of wear, and that makes it a worthwhile sewing project. Detailed instructions. Online preview.

 

14 pages. 8.5 by 11 inch PDF ebook

Full size pattern pieces in ebook

SusanKramer.com Publishing

PDF Ebook:

 

 

 

8. Shirley Temple 12 Inch Doll Bodysuit Pattern

 

A doll bodysuit pattern

Description automatically generated

PDF Ebook: Here is a very easy to make full-size bodysuit pattern for a 12 inch Shirley Temple doll, or other doll with a similar body type. The Shirley Temple doll measurements are included. Have fun making several of these outfits to layer with a skirt, pants, or jumper. Uses a small amount of material so it can cost next to nothing. Online information.
9 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook  

 

  

 

 

 

 9. Elsa and Anna Dress Patterns for 18 Inch Dolls

A couple of dolls in dresses

Description automatically generatedInspired by the Disney movie Frozen, 2 different dress costume patterns for 18 inch dolls like American Girl and Gotz. Patterns and instructions for bodices and skirts, a petticoat and crinoline, plus Anna bodice embroidery pattern. More than 20 images included with step-by-step instructions. PDF ebook. 24 pages.

24 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch PDF Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 

 10. Boy Doll Clothes With Full Size Patterns

Description: Description: image055

Full size patterns for clothes to fit popular brands of 18-18.5 inch (45-46.5cm) boy dolls like AG Logan and Gotz Parker; 14 inch (35cm-40cm) medium baby boy dolls like AG Bitty Baby, and Gotz; 12-13 inch (30-32.5cm) small baby boy dolls like Corolle Calin and Kathe Kruse baby dolls; 8 inch (20cm) boy mini baby dolls like Gotz Mini-Muffin; and my fabric 12 inch (30cm) bunny doll body and vest pattern. Instructions are given in inches and centimeters. Patterns are ready to use. Photos of finished outfits and an appendix of doll body characteristics and measurements are included, plus instructions to make a fabric doll belt, and a doll bow tie. Information page.

57 pages. 8.5 by 11 inch PDF Ebook, or 92 page Paperback 8.5 by 11 inches

Publisher: Lulu Enterprises, Inc.

PDF Ebook | Paperback |

 

 

 

 

 11. Clothes Patterns for Preemies - Premature Babies

Description: Description: image057Five full size E-patterns for premature babies. My 16 inch (40cm) and 17 inch (42.5cm) baby dolls are modeling the outfits. I recommend sewing with soft cotton fabrics and not placing scratchy seams against baby's skin. (Seams can be enclosed with seam binding.) This is an opportunity to recycle items of clothing that have been softened by many washings. Instructions are given in inches and centimeters. Patterns are ready to use. 32 page PDF ebookTable of Contents

 Link to Buy: PDF ebook

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. Barbie Doll Culottes by Susan Kramer

A picture containing text, child, grass

Description automatically generated

 

Two Bodysuits or Culottes Patterns Designed to Fit 10.5 and 12 Inch Barbie Dolls, plus both size doll measurements included.

The 10.5 inch size is new by Mattel in the Fashionista line.

She represents Down Syndrome. 16 pages is PDF. Info page.

Links to Buy: PDF

 

 

 

13. International 15 Inch Amanda Cloth Doll and Costumes




 

Text

Description automatically generated with low confidence

 

International 15 Inch Amanda Cloth Doll ebook includes

full-size patterns for doll body, dress, leggings, and dance tutu.

30 pages in PDF format. Fun the sew the whole wardrobe. Info page.

My daughter loves hers! PDF Ebook

 

 

 

 

14. Cloth Bunny Pattern, Baby’s First Doll

A book cover of a book

Description automatically generatedSew baby's first grab stuffed toy and outfit it with these patterns.

Very easy to sew in about 4 hours by hand. Stuff with washable polyester fiberfill.

No buttons for eyes, please. PDF format.
14 pages; 8.5 by 11 inch Ebook
SusanKramer.com Publishing
Language: English
PDF Ebook  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dolls sitemap with many patterns
page created August 12, 2009; updated September 25, 2020

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