The 18" Doll Comfy Cardy for a must have outer layer

Easy to sew knit design

If you think you would like to have a go at making a knit garment for your doll then this loose fitting cardigan is perfect for you.

The easy fit means you don't have to worry about getting your seams perfect.

Using double knit T-shirt knit makes finishing seams unnecessary.

The option of using fleecy track suit knit make sewing even easier than T-shirt knit.

The thicker knit needs a wider neck band to keep the proportions looking good. The regular and wider versions of the neck band are included on the neck band pattern piece.

Available now on Etsy

Once you get your confidence you can try this more fitted design. You can read more about this one in this blog post.

Buttonholes

I probably would try to do button holes on the T-shirt knit but the thicker knit was sturdy enough to handle the button holes. I did these ones after sewing on the band but I think it might also work doing them before sewing on the band. This section of the band is not stretched very much so you can pin it in place to work out where your button holes will go then take the band off and do the button holes. I'm thinking of trying this method because the neck band seam is quite bulky and affects the button hole foot.

Forgiving design for more challenging knits

If you want to try some more challenging knits (the ones that unravel when stretched) this is the perfect pattern to use. You can stitch generous 1/4" seams to catch all the knit stitches and the cardigan will still fit and look great.

I made this cream cardigan with a soft single knit. Because it runs easily and is quite soft and stretchy I decided not to attempt buttonholes but I do have some nice brown buttons that I will add one day. I will sew them to the doll's left side for a girl closure.

Part of a Summer doll clothes capsule

This loose cardy is part of my Summer doll clothes capsule for 2021. The dress is also part of the capsule.

You can read more about the dress in this blog post

You will find both the dress and the cardigan in my Etsy shop.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

Classic garments are a must for any doll clothes collection - 18" doll cardigan ideas to get that cute knit look

Now don't block me out when I mention sewing knits!

T-shirt knit is easy to use and it can also be used to make the bands so you don't have to worry about ribbing.

I have added a module to the 1801 Classic knits collection.

This Classic Cardigan is such a fabulous addition to any doll clothes collection.

You can make it from t-shirt knit but I like to use pieces from people cardigans to get a beautiful rib affect on the sleeves and of course the knit from a people cardigan gives the doll cardigan a more miniature cardigan feel rather than just being doll clothes.

Here are a few examples done in different knits.

This first one is made from an old cardigan of mine

The sleeve bands are strips I cut from the bottom band so I could use the hem edge and sewed it in place for the ribbing on the sleeves and around the bottom edge and the neck of my doll cardigan.

This next one I made from regular ribbing. The body, the sleeve bands and the front band are all made from the same ribbing. The bottom edge is hemmed.

This one was made from the largest size of a child's cardigan.

The neck band is made from lengthwise strip of the knit sewn to the inside then folded around the seam allowance and stitch1/4" from the fold. I then carefully trimmed close to the stitching to give a neat band.

The back, front and sleeves fit on one sleeve of the child's cardigan. I used the ribbing on the sleeve as the end of my sleeves.

This one I made from a striped T-shirt if mine. I used navy ribbing folded in half and stitched

right sides together. Then I folded the seam allowance to the inside and top stitched on the outside. It has hemmed sleeves.

The cardigan is one of those perfect pieces for any season. I like to use it as my jacket option when creating seasonal doll clothes capsules.

If you have several dolls with different colouring I suggest 2 cardigans in light colours and you can pair them with other light colours for the blonde pale dolls and with stronger contrasting colours for the dolls with darker hair.

You can read more about making doll clothes capsules in this blog post.

I like to offer those on my mailing list some pattern discounts and free patterns.

Last month I added the free tank top to the Newsletter pattern folder. With the tank top and the Classic Cardigan you are well on the way to building a Summer doll clothes capsule. The one above is comprised of the free infinity scarf, the free chiffon skirt and the free tank top.

You can get the cardigan from my Etsy shop as 1801 Module 3 Cardigan

Join my mailing list for the monthly newsletter and immediate access to the Free Newsletter Pattern Folder on Dropbox.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

Start your new creative endeavour with some of my free patterns for 18" dolls

So why do I publish free patterns?

Mainly because I like to give something to you that has been made with passion and creativity.

Other reasons are:

That some designs are just so simple for me to put together that I don't think it is right to charge for them, or

Some of my wonderful customers have been buying from me for many years and I just like to give them patterns.

Way back when I started designing and selling my patterns I wrote a bit of a manifesto in my About Page on my blog. The doll clothes concept was all about using lots of nice fabrics and satisfying my passion for design. The Sales concept was all about creating the sorts of patterns that I would like to buy and make them great value.

Over the years my prices have increased a little and I have also added some higher priced items to my shop but I still keep a wide range of classic and fun patterns around $5AUD and less because I haven't lost site of why I started designing and sharing them in the first place.

My free patterns are just the same as my paid patterns. They have some photos, step by step instructions with diagrams, full sized computer drawn pattern pieces and usually a file folder page and an envelope.

Just because they are free doesn't mean they have zero value. I create them with the same care for formatting and fit that I approach the paid patterns.

1804 Dress $10.25AUD

Free Hobo Bag

There are lots of ways to use the free patterns. I love making doll clothes capsules with several garments.

This little outfit is made from the free infinity scarf, the free tank top and the free chiffon skirt.

Nos 2, 12 and 15 in the Newsletter folder

If you would like to get instant access to the free Newsletter patterns folder then just click here to add your email to the list.

If you are not into mailing lists then I have been publishing the free patterns on Etsy for just $1.25AUD

There are several up there and I am adding more.

Happy Doll Dressmaking,

Val

Start with a summer dress for your 18" doll

You can start with a summer dress but no doll is going to look her best unless she has a perfectly curated series of outfits.

Mix and match just 5 pieces to create 5 different outfits. Add the cardigan and you get 5 more new looks.

Let's Start with the dress.

You are going to love how easy this design is to put together.

No buttons or closures to fiddle with. Just simple 1/4" elastic in the straps and the back.

No need to worry about the fit if your doll is a bit pudgy. The elastic in the back and the high waist skim right over the doll's tummy.

It will look great on your Our Generation 18' doll, also your 17" baby doll and if you have a 20" girl doll like my Australian Girl Doll you will be pleased to know it looks great on her too.

One pattern, 3 different dolls.

Don't get hung up with this being a summer dress. You can add the cardigan and voila, you have a perfect into Fall outfit.

What about that t-shirt under a strappy dress look? I wish I could get away with that. It looks great on the dolls though.

(Little doll owners may need a bit of help getting the elastic back up over the t-shirt)

You can get this pattern from my Etsy Shop

Happy Doll Dressmaking

Val