Nightgown for 18" Doll {EASY} | Mini Van Dreams #dollclothes #crafts #americangirl #patterns

Nightgown for 18″ Doll {EASY}

If you daughter is crazy about her dolls like mine is, you understand the continuous search for free and easy clothes patterns on the Internet.  They are out there, but are really hard to find.  Recently, I had made Mo bunk beds for her dolls and wanted to make her nightgowns to go with them.  Do you know how hard it is to find FREE doll nightgown patterns?  I couldn’t find any that were free and I refuse to pay for something that should be free because it is so simple.

Never fear, I have created my own nightgown pattern for 18″ dolls and I am sharing it with you today!  For free!  It is so easy, all you need is basic sewing machine skills!  Ready?  Let’s get started!

Nightgown for 18" Doll {EASY} | Mini Van Dreams #dollclothes #crafts #americangirl #patterns

Supplies:

  • Fabric, approximately 1/2 yard
  • Matching thread
  • 5-1/2″ narrow hook and eye tape
  • Pattern
  • Sewing machine, pins, scissors, etc

Instructions:

1.  Cut out pattern pieces.

2.  With right sides together, sew top armhole seam together.  Note:  all seams are 1/4″.  Repeat on second armhole.

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

3.  Next, turn under the neck 1/8″ and baste, then turn under again 1/8″ and finish.  Another option – which is easier- is to create a seam binding.  Take a 1/4″ strip of fabric, fold in half and iron.  Pin the raw edges to the neck opening toward the front of the gown.    (See photo below.)

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

4.  Turn under the armholes 1/8″ and baste, then turn under again 1/8″ and finish.  You can also finish the armholes using the seam binding method in step 3.

5.  With right sides together, sew side seams with a 1/4″ allowance.

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

6.  Turn under raw edges on hem and baste.  Turn hem again and stitch to finish.

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

7.  Sew back center seam up to closure notch.

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

8.  Fold raw edges of notch over 1/8″ and baste.  Turn closure back remainder of the notch length and pin hook and eye tape to gown.  Stitch hook and eye tape to gown.

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

Nightgown for 18" Doll | Mini Van Dreams

And, now your doll is ready for bed!

Nightgown for 18" Doll {EASY} | Mini Van Dreams #dollclothes #crafts #americangirl #patterns

This pattern will also make a cute, easy sundress if made out of cotton or some other light fabric.

For printable instructions, click here.  To access the pattern, click here.

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7 Comments

  1. hey I am submitting your name to appear on the tv show for ITs Sew Easy…..what do you think?

  2. super cute!! thanks for sharing! and thanks for sharing at the Create Link Inspire party. You’ve been featured today and I’ve spread the word around ;o)Pinned!

  3. My girls realized yesterday they don’t have PJs for their dolls. Thanks!

  4. Judy Grace says:

    Great, easy to follow instructions, thank you!

  5. I did not see a step for finishing the arm holes? Did I miss it?

  6. I sure didn’t have it on there! I added instructions for the arm holes. Thanks for letting me know.

  7. Thanks! Thought you’d like to know JoAnn’s got in Harry Potter cotton fabrics now, actually one in a knit for my GD’s Christmas sweatshirt. Walmart also has HP fat quarters for doll clothes.

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