How to Sew a Reversible Bolero Vest for an 18-Inch Doll?

Today we will see how to sew a reversible bolero vest for an 18- inch doll.

Free pattern link is here.

Step 1:

First, print the pattern pieces using the free printable PDF pattern posted here, and cut them out. 

Step 2:

Cut two front pieces and one back piece from the main fabric, and cut two front pieces and one back piece from the lining fabric. I have chosen a green polka dot fabric as the main fabric and a green checked fabric as the lining fabric.

Step 3:

Place the main fabric back piece with right side up. Then place the main fabric front pieces right side down over the back piece, matching up the shoulder seams. Repeat this for the front and back pieces of the lining fabric.

Now join the shoulder seams of the front and back pieces of the main fabric together. And repeat the step for the front and back pieces of the lining fabric.

Press open the shoulder seams.

Step 4:

Lay out the joined front and back pieces of the main fabric with right side facing up. Lay out the joined front and back pieces of the lining fabric (with the right side facing down) over the main fabric pieces. 

Step 5.

Pin the necklines, armholes, hemlines, and the center front of both the main and lining fabric pieces together. Sew together leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance.

 

Step 6.

Make small slits in the seam allowances around all the curves, such as the neckline, armholes, and the front hemline, so that they get a nice shape. Make sure you don't slit through the stitches. 

Step 7:

Turn the vest inside out by pulling the front pieces through the openings on the sides and the shoulder openings.

Step 8:

Neaten the edges and press on both sides.

Step 9:

Let's join the sides now. Slide your index finger through the side seam opening of the back pieces and bring in the front piece by tightly holding together the underarm point of the front piece's side seam notch and the underarm point of the back piece's side seam notch . 

And then turn them inside out and match the side seams of the front and back pieces. Make sure you have marked the underarm notch before this step, so that it would be easy to align the back and front side seams properly.

Once the side seams of the front and back pieces are aligned sew them all together.

Once you turn it outside, you will get a nice, clean finish of the side seam.

 

Step 10:

For the other side, turn in the side seam of the back piece by 1/4 inch. 

Insert the side seam allowance of 1/4 inch of the front piece into the side seam opening of the back piece.

Step 11:

Now we will pin these together and sew either by machine or by hand. 

Step 12:

Here is the finished vest! 

Main fabric front:

Main fabric back:

Lining fabric front:

Lining fabric back:

Happy Sewing!

---Flora 

 

  

A-Line Dress with Peter Pan Collar for 12-Inch Dolls

Here's a new free PDF printable sewing pattern for 12-inch dolls: A-Line Dress with Peter Pan Collar.

I have posted loads of free PDF printable sewing patterns for kids, women, and 18-inch and 12-inch dolls 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 

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

A scant 1/4 inch seam allowance for the shoulders, neckline, armhole, side seams and hem.

Download link:

Click here to download the pattern.

How to print?

Print the pages on A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

How to sew the empire waist dress?

Step 1: Join the shoulder seams of the front and back bodice pieces.

Step 2: Join the sides.

Step 3: On the back bodice, fold the button and button flaps inside by a scant 1/4 inch, finish the neckline using bias tape, and attach Velcro for closure on the button and button flaps.

Step 4: Use bias tape to finish the armholes.

Step 5: Finish the hemline of the dress.

That's it! You have made a beautiful dress for your doll!

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Basic Dress with Gathered Skirt for 18-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern

 

 

I would like to share with you another free PDF printable sewing pattern for 18-inch dolls---Basic dress with gathered skirt with two sleeve variations: cap sleeves and short sleeves.

Pattern Assembly

I have posted loads of free PDF printable sewing patterns for kids, women, and 18-inch and 12-inch dolls 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 

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

1/4 inch seam allowance for the shoulders, neckline, armhole, sleeve cap, sleeve bottom edge, bodice bottom edge, skirt top edge, and sleeve band top and bottom edges.

1/2 inch seam allowance for the sides of the bodice, sleeves, and the skirt.

3/4 inch for skirt hem allowance.

Download link:

Click here to download the pattern.

How to print?

Print the pages on A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

How to sew the empire waist dress?

Step 1: Join the shoulder seams of the front and back bodice pieces.

Step 2: Join the sleeves if you prefer to add in the sleeves. Or you use bias tape to finish the armholes.

Step 3: Finish the neckline and button extensions on the back bodice.

Step 4: Gather the skirt and join it to the bodice.

Step 5: Join the sides.

Step 6: Finish the hemline of the sleeves.

Step 7: Finish the hemline of the dress.

That's it! You have made a beautiful dress for your doll!

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Night Pants (Pajama Pants) with Elasticated Waist---Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

Today I would like to share with you another new free PDF sewing pattern for 18-inch dolls--Night pants (pajama pants) with elasticated waist.

I have posted loads 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 

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern 

0.75 inch for the waistline and hemline

0.25 inch for the side seams, center seam (crotch seam), and inseam (inner leg seam)

How to Print?

It's a two-page pdf.

Print the page on a A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

Download link:

Click this link to download the pattern.

How to sew?

1. Join the sides.

2. Join the crotch seams.

3. Join the leg seams.

4. Finish the hemline of each leg.

5. Create the casing at the waistline and feed in the elastic.

You have to fold the waistline by 0.25 inch and then again by 0.50 inch, and sew over the folded edge leaving a small gap to feed the elastic in. Insert a 3/8-inch-wide, 10-inch-long elastic through the casing, and overlap the ends of the elastic by 0.25 inch and sew them together. Sew the gap in the casing closed.

Then, fold the hemline of each leg by 0.25 inch and then again by 0.50 inch, and sew along the folded edge. And you are done!

Check this page for the step-by-step sewing tutorial for Bermuda shorts, with pictures. The same steps can be followed for making these night pants.

Happy Sewing!

---Flora

Empire Waist Dress for 18-inch dolls--Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern

 

 

Here's another free PDF printable sewing pattern for 18-inch dolls---Empire waist dress with two sleeve variations: short sleeves and puff sleeves with fullness at the hemline.

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 

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern.

1/4 inch seam allowance for the shoulders, neckline, armhole, sleeve cap, sleeve bottom edge, bodice bottom edge, skirt top edge, and sleeve band top and bottom edges.

1/2 inch seam allowance for the sides of the bodice, sleeves, and the skirt.

3/4 inch for skirt hem allowance.

Download link:

Click here to download the pattern.

How to print?

Print the page on A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

How to sew the empire waist dress?

Step 1: Join the shoulders of both the main and lining bodice pieces.

Step 2: Join the sleeves.

Step 3: Finish the neckline and button extensions on the back bodice.

Step 4: Join the skirt to the bodice.

Step 5: Join the sides.

Step 6: Join the sleeve band and finish the hemline of the sleeves.

Step 7: Finish the hemline of the dress.

That's it! You have made a beautiful dress for your doll!

Happy sewing!

---Flora

A Simple Top with Short Sleeves---Free PDF Printable Pattern for 18-Inch Dolls

 

 

I am happy to share with you another free PDF printable sewing pattern for 18-inch dolls---A simple top with short sleeves.

*Note: The back piece is not cut on fold. Please cut 2 separate pieces for the back, as we will sew buttons and buttonholes or press studs at the back. I have marked "Cut 1 on fold" on the back pattern piece. Please ignore that.

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 

Seam and hem allowances:

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern and have been mentioned in the pattern page.

Download link:

Click here to download the pattern.

*Note: The back piece is not cut on fold. Please cut 2 separate pieces for the back, as we will sew buttons and buttonholes or press studs at the back. I have marked "Cut 1 on fold" on the back pattern piece. Please ignore that.

How to print?

Print the page on A4-size papers. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

How to sew the top?

Step 1: Join the shoulders.

Step 2: Join the sleeves.

Step 2: Join the sides.

Step 3: Finish the hemline of the sleeves.

Step 4: Finish the button extensions.

Step 5: Finish the neckline.

Step 6: Finish the hemline of the top.

That's it! You have made a beautiful top for your doll!

Happy sewing!

---Flora

Simple Sleeveless A-Line Top for 12-Inch Dolls---Free PDF Printable Sewing Pattern

Here's another free PDF printable sewing pattern---Simple sleeveless A-line top for 12-inch dolls.

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 

Seam and hem allowances: 

Seam and hem allowances are included in the pattern itself and have been mentioned in the pattern page.

Download link:

Click here to download the pattern.

How to print?

Print the page on an A4 paper. Make sure you have set page sizing to "Actual size" before you print the pattern. 

You can measure the 1 inch x 1 inch square in the pattern page to check whether the page has printed correctly.

Happy sewing!

---Flora