How to Sew a Simple Skirt using our Free 18-Inch Doll Clothes Pattern

Buying doll clothes can be pricey. But with a little sewing experience, sewing doll clothing yourself can save lots of money. 

With this in mind, today, Needlepointers.com has a free doll clothes pattern tutorial on an easy doll skirt for an 18-inch doll. Actually making this skirt doesn't require a physical pattern.  That's right, no paper or drawn pattern.

It's, also, a great first sewing project to use to teach kids to sew since only a few straight seams need to be sewn.

DIY Doll Skirt Pattern

The skirt uses one fabric and is perfect for using up fabric scraps.  Again, saving money.

Pick out some pretty fabric for this quick and easy skirt pattern for an 18-inch doll. The skirt has an elastic waistband. 

Learn how to sew our simple 18-inch Doll skirt (18" doll) by watching our video tutorial or continue reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step instructions. 

Do you want other ideas for free crafts and free DIY clothes patterns for an 18-inch doll? Look to the right for a link to all of our "Doll Craft Videos". If you want more doll project ideas, make sure to check this list of DIY Doll Crafts.

18-inch doll skirt sewing pattern

This 18-inch doll skirt can be made with scrap fabric, scrap elastic and a few basic sewing supplies.  It's also suitable and fits other 18" dolls.

Want a no-sew skirt for the doll?  We have a few skirt ideas that require absolutely no sewing.  You can see the no-sew doll skirt tutorials at the end of this article.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED

• Cotton Fabric 
• 1/2" Elastic 
• Scissors
• Pins
• Thread
• Sewing Machine
• Safety Pin or Bodkin
• Doll

INSTRUCTIONS for the doll skirt

STEP 1: Fabric cutting

Grab your fabric scraps and pick out a pretty fabric to use for the doll skirt. Kids will love rummaging through the fabric to find just the right material.

After choosing a fabric, cut a piece 16 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches high.

Right away, also cut a piece of 1/2" wide elastic that measures 11 inches long.

STEP 2: Making the Elastic Casing

To form the casing for the elastic waistband, press one of the long edges of the fabric piece to the wrong side 1/4 inch. Then, turn it under again 7/8 inches and press.

STEP 3: Sew Casing

To sew the casing, stitch close to the edge of the inside fold with the sewing machine. This is called edge stitching. Not sure what to do, we have an edgestitch tutorial.

STEP 4: Insert Elastic

Use a bodkin or safety pin to insert one end of the elastic through the casing; gathering the fabric as needed. 

IMPORTANT: When the other end of the elastic gets close to the opening of the casing, pin the end of the elastic to keep it from going inside the casing.

Remove the safety pin and pin elastic ends so they are aligned with the edges of the casing.

Stitch the elastic at both ends of the casing to hold the elastic in place.

STEP 5: Stitching Skirt Back

Fold the skirt, with right sides together and align raw edges of the center back seam.   Sew along the back seam using a ¼” seam to sew the back closed.

STEP 6: Zig-zag Seam

To help prevent the seam from fraying, zigzag stitch along the edge of the seam.

STEP 7: Hem skirt

To hem the skirt, press the bottom edge of the skirt to the wrong side 1/4 inch and then turn it under again but this time 1/2 inch.  Press flat. 

With a straight sewing stitch, sew the hem close to the inside fold using an edge stitch, back stitching at the end.  Turn the skirt right side out.

Viola! The skirt is finished and ready for the doll to wear.  Make multiple skirts for the doll lover in your family.

Here are our dolls wearing their skirts. Have fun sewing some skirts for your 18-inch doll with this easy, free doll clothing pattern and tutorial.  

We hope you enjoyed this tutorial.  Pin and bookmark this page so you can find it again when you want to make more doll skirts.  

MORE TUTORIALS FOR 18-INCH DOLL CLOTHES

• Doll Skirt with Fabric Border Tutorial
• 18-inch Doll Tights
• Denim Doll Skirt Tutorial (No Sewing Required)
• Doll Skirt from T-shirt Sleeve Tutorial  (No Sewing Required)

Do you need storage for your doll clothes?  Check out this DIY Doll Clothes Closet tutorial and make one!