Making American Girl Doll Clothes is easy with this free sewing pattern. It is an easy doll dress to sew and can be made in less than an hour, really even less than that. Making doll clothes can be a great beginner sewing project! If you are looking for more easy ways to learn to sew be sure to check out my practice sewing sheets. They are a great way to become familiar with the sewing machine. Then you are ready to sew this doll dress.
18 inch Doll Clothes
This dress is perfect for an 18″ American Girl doll, or any 18 inch doll. Doll dress patterns don’t use much fabric, so they are a great way to use up leftover fabric. If you have a baby doll you might also like this doll diaper pattern. It too is a free printable sewing pattern.
American Girl Doll Clothes Dress Supplies
- Free American Girl Style Doll Dress Pattern Download and print pattern
- 2 – 8 1/2″ X 11″ pieces of fabric (make sure to pre-wash the fabric before cutting)
- 24 inches of 1/4″ ribbon
- safety pin
- marking pen
How to make American Doll Clothes
We are ready to get started on our easy doll dress! You won’t believe how quickly this dress goes together. It is just like a pillowcase dress.
Do not cut pattern, use the complete outside of the edge of the 8 1/2″ X 11″ piece of paper to cut out the fabric. Mark dots onto fabric.
With right sides together sew together side seams, from dot to bottom on each side. The open area creates the armhole.
Press open seams. Next sew close to the edge of the top side opening. Start at the top, go down around bottom (just below where side seam started at the dot) and back up. Repeat this on the other side of the dress.
Turn top down 3/4″ and press. Do this on each side of the top of the dress.
Sew across the top on each side 1/2″ in from the fold, creating a pocket for the ribbon to slip through. Repeat on the other side.
Place a small safety pin on a ribbon and slide it through the pocket.
Start on the far right front then through the back. If the pin gets stuck in the side seams open up the pocket with a pencil and try again.
Turn the bottom of the dress under a 1/4″ to 1/2″, press and edge stitch all the way around. Put the dress on and tie a bow.
Tips on how to make a dress:
- If you prefer finished seams, serge or zig-zag around the outside edge of pattern pieces before beginning.
- If you feel this dress will be washed at some point be sure to prewash the fabric.
- I am a fan of the disappearing marker to make markings on the fabric.
There you go, a simple doll dress pattern that you or your child can easily make!
Hope this sewing pattern helps you whip up a bunch of American Girl Doll clothes! I am always on the hunt for easy doll clothes patterns–so much cheaper than the real thing! If you crochet, try this doll scarf.
Jenny says
Thank you so much for this pattern and instructions! My 10 year old daughter was able to sew it (with minimal help from me) and she’s so excited that she can make clothes for her dolls!
Tracy says
This was perfect for a first time seeing 9 year old granddaughter. With breaks it took a couple hours and wasn’t too frustrating. Thank you!
Wish I could post a picture.
Diane says
Thanks so much for this pattern! Last year I made this exact dress for my 3 year old granddaughter. This past Christmas she got her first American Girl doll and of course I wanted to make her a matching outfit with the leftover fabric I had. Low and behold I run across this dress pattern today just mad for her doll! She will be so excited that she and her “Dolly” will have matching outfits!
Dianna says
How do you keep the ribbon from slipping out why they undress and redress the doll?
Laura Reese says
Dianna, you can tie a bead or larger knot at each end of the ribbon to keep it slipping through the casing. Hope this helps.
Gail says
Another idea is to stitch it down with a few stitches in the center of the front and back necklines.
Ellie says
Ellie is my 6 yr old granddaughter. We are going to sew together. But I only see girl doll patterns. She has a brother and a boy American doll?? We need boy patterns too!! Don’t leave the budding boy tailors out! Lol. Thanks for listening and all that you do!
Carol
Diane Young Decker says
Do you know the name of the doll you use as a model in this tutorial? I’ve always thought she looked a lot like my granddaughter will look in a year or two and would love to find one. I would appreciate an email answer if possible. Thanks! Love your work.
PCooper-skiptomylou says
love this American Girl easy sew dress
Anne Nowlin says
This is so darling! I just want to thank you for your encouragement to teach my 8 year old granddaughter to sew! She is a creative girl and loves projects, sewing is perfect for girls like her!
Cindy says
I love this so much, this is why I do this! Thank you.
DAdra Leonard says
My granddaughter is into American Girl Dolls. I am looking for simple patterns she can do by herself.
Jana says
Hey! was looking to make this dress for my niece, she has a 14inch American Girl Doll Wellie Wisher doll.
would you know what I should adjust to make it fit for 14inch doll?
thanks
Newbie says
Just ruined my fabric because I could not understand these instructions. 🙁 I didn’t realize I was sewing each individual piece. Please remember some of us are newbies. I’m ready to throw in the sewing towel. 🙁 🙁 🙁
Cindy says
Oh no! Please tell me where in the instructions I need to add more details. I am sorry about your fabric.