sewing: the chloe cardi and tee {free 18″ doll shirt pattern}

I’ve been doing some sewing for my girls’ dolls, and I have a collection of free doll sewing patterns to share!! first up is this free 18″ doll shirt pattern, the chloe cardi and tee.

for Kahlin’s birthday, she wanted some clothing for her doll, Chloe, and when I looked around at different options for patterns, I was generally disappointed with either fit or construction, so I did what any insane sewist/pattern drafter would do… spent a weekend drafting my own patterns for 18″ dolls. with very little fabric, I was able to whip up some cute birthday gifts and the girls are totally in love with their new doll clothes.

my goal for these patterns was to simplify some steps (like cutting out the bodice in one piece, which I could do because the pattern pieces are so small) while also making garments that fit a little better, despite these dolls being somewhat silly non-human-shaped.

materials:

• exterior fabric: 1/4 yard or 1 fat quarter (directional prints may require additional fabric)
• lining fabric: 1/4 yard or fat quarter
• click here to download the chloe cardi and tee patterns

pattern pieces:

• bodice: cut one exterior on fold, cut one lining on fold
• sleeve: cut two exterior facing (cut one reverse)

notes:

• all seam allowances are 1/4” unless otherwise noted.
• this pattern is available in two sizes. the larger size fits dolls with a chest measurement of 11-1/2″ and upper arms of over 4-1/2″ (including american girl dolls) and the smaller size fits dolls with a chest measurement of 10-11″ and upper arms of 4″ (both dolls we have fit into this category, our generation dolls and journey girls dolls).
• the cardigan is sized a bit larger than the tee so it will fit over a shirt.
• I recommend back-stitching at the beginning and end of all seams.

instructions:

1. finish hem edge of sleeve with zig-zag stitch or trim with pinking shears.

2. turn under sleeve hem 1/4“ and press. top-stitch close to folded edge.

3. match sleeves with exterior bodice RST, aligning markings, and stitch. (note: sewing these tiny curved seams is no joke. I had the most success when I pinned the sleeve at the center marking and stitched from there to one edge, and then began again at the center and stitched to the other edge, both times with the bodice pattern piece on top. you also could use a running back-stitch to sew this seam by hand.)

4. clip curve and press seam towards bodice.

5. match up exterior bodice side seams and under-arm seams RST and stitch in one seam. trim or finish seam as desired.

6. optional (not shown): finish raw edges of lining arm openings.

7. match up lining bodice side seams RST and stitch. trim or finish seam as desired.

8. place exterior and lining bodices RST, and stitch around neckline, bottom edge, and back(for tee)/front(for cardi) leaving opening to turn.

9. clip curves and trim corners.

10. turn right-side-out and press.

11. optional: tack lining to exterior by hand at shoulders.

12. hand-stitch or top-stitch opening closed.

13. stitch or apply snaps to back(for tee)/front(for cardi). alternatively, stitch buttons and button holes or leave open.

and there you go. I hope your doll enjoys her new cardi or tee! also check out the eva pants pattern (including leggings and shorts options as well) and the chloe dress (a reversible dress with four sleeve options)… all the basics you need to whip up a whole wardrobe. fabrics shown in this post are: black & white double cloth cotton, interweave chambray in cobalt, and broken plaid double gauze in teal, all from the imagine gnats shop.

the chloe cardi and tee is a free pattern, and you may sell handmade goods made from this pattern (see limited license terms here). should you be interested in donating to help fund this and future free patterns, you can do so here via paypal:

if you make any of these patterns, I’d love to see pics! share on social media with #chloecardi or #chloetee, share on my facebook page, or shoot me an email with your creations!

happy stitching!
xo, rachael

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