Monday, February 15, 2016

Ruffled Skirt for 18 Inch Doll ~ Free Pattern

      Here is a quick ruffled skirt to make for an 18 inch doll.  It only has 2 simple pattern pieces. Layer fabric to cut out pieces so you can make several skirts in very little time.  Using scraps would make some beautiful multi-colored skirts.
      This tutorial includes my tip on my favorite way to gather fabric making this project a good beginner sewing lesson to practice gathering.
       You can actually adjust the measurements for a larger person.
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 The 2 pattern pieces
16 x 3 inches and 28 x 3 inches
Remember to add seam allowance. These do include seam allowance.
Hem the bottom of the ruffle with a double roll top stitched hem.
Press under 1/4 inch of the top edge of skirt.
Here is my gathering tip.  It came from the Sewing with Nancy program years, years ago.
Pull up the bobbin thread to the length of the ruffled piece.  Do not cut the bobbin thread.
Within the 1/4 inch seam, zig-zag over the thread.  
The smaller the zig-zag the smaller the gather.
Pull bobbin thread & distribute gathers.
Pin the ruffle piece right sides to the skirt piece.
No this is not a good picture to demo right sides together.  
The raw edge of the skirt piece was placed along the gathered edge.
Use 1/4 inch wide or less elastic.  DO NOT cut yet.
I used good elastic from old clothing for doll clothes.
Instead of making a tube and threading the elastic through that channel,
I like to just fold the fabric over the elastic.
I put needle in right position so the pressure foot rides along the top of the elastic.
After stitching is finished, pull elastic to desired length (fit around doll),
stitch ends in place, THEN CUT elastic.

For wear and tear, I serged over the gathering stitch.
Placing around doll to measure one more time, mark where you need to sew back seam.
Stitch and serge for wear and tear.
It's been about a year since I made this outfit. I had not posted it because I'd designed the top as well, but didn't have the pattern ready to post.  Maybe I'll get around to making the post for the top later.
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11 comments:

  1. Aw this is so cute. My daughter is older now but still has her doll! Stopping by from Katherine's party and hope you are having a great week!

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  2. So pretty, Joy! I enjoy making doll's clothes! Thanks for sharing ptutorial.
    Enjoy the rest of your week.
    Hugs and love from Portugal,
    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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  3. So cute! I used to make these kind of things for my daughter. Thanks for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. Your post has been pinned.
    Cheers,
    Jennifer

    Http://awellstyledlife.com

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  4. I've never seen this gathering tip before. Interesting! It seems to work very well. I will keep it in mind. Thank you!

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  5. love it, and am just now looking for patterns for 18" doll clothes, so thanks for sharing on craft schooling sunday!

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  6. I saw that episode of Sewing with Nancy too, I think I was still in high school at time. Anyway, I've been gathering that way ever since.

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  7. This is great for a cowgirl skirt too! I needed that for my granddaughters visiting the farm.

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  8. WOW! I like your elastic idea. is it still in a casing per say or sewn into the waist band? Thank you. live and learn in sewing.

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  9. The elastic is encased. The stitching didn't go through the elastic. Note the needle position was set to the right to keep it away from elastic. Thank you for your comment.

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