Foster Creativity with Doll Costumes
Dress up day is fun for all ages. Sewing costumes for 18″ dolls is a wonderful way to nurture imaginative play. Doll Costume Dress Up is this week’s featured Sewing With Nancy online TV show, with author Joan Hinds. Watch Doll Costume Dress Up online!
Here’s a preview of the doll clothes patterns and sewing tips.
Cowgirl Doll Pattern
Sewing for dolls gives us permission to try a variety of techniques and to work with unique fabrics. The Cowgirl outfit is the case in point! Adding fringe to a cow print is not the norm for sewing. Yet, with this costume, your little girl and her doll will win first prize in the imaginative rodeo.
Witch Doll Pattern
Witches don’t have to be scary! This doll is donned in a mod-style Halloween outfit ready to give a little girl pleasant dreams. You too will have enjoyment with this costume, learning clever ways of adding trim and quickly finishing edges.
Super Hero Doll Pattern
Leap tall building in a single bound—well, not really. But that’s an option for play! Joan’s super hero pattern can create those playful thoughts, after you spend just a small amount of time doing the stitching!
Poodle Skirt Doll Pattern
It’s all about accessories! The sewing is streamlined, but the accents make the outfit.
Ladybug Doll Pattern
Next, a “cute as a bug” costume! It’s amazing what a little polka dot fabric, pompoms, and sheer fabric can turn into! This costume makes me wish I were a little girl again!
Pumpkin Doll Pattern
The ladybug and pumpkin costumes share the same basic pattern. Watch Doll Costume Dress Up to see how both costumes are made.
Watch Doll Costume Dress Up (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
For a chance to win a copy of the Doll Costume Dress Up DVD from Nancy’s Notions, simply leave a comment sharing your favorite handmade costume idea.
The randomly selected winner a copy of Hot and Handy Projects from Nancy’s Notions is Barbie Gearin.
Her comment was, “My daughter and I take a Christmas cookie class, so each year we learn new recipes. It gives us an evening together, which is so nice around the holidays.”
Bye for now,
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Debbie Hayes
A few years ago I made Dragon costumes for my nieces. We started with black leggings and a long sweatshirt. We found a nice sheer sparkly fabric in my stash. A beautiful black ,blue and silver print. I sewed large wing shapes of the sheer fabric, down the length of the underside of the sleeve and down the sides of the shirt. When the girls raised their arms, out came the wings. We sewed a long tail shape with spikes, then stuffed it with newspaper tacked to the waist and back of their pants. A tie under the chin cap with spikes on top and running down the back. The costumes were a big hit. They were used for dress up long after Halloween was over.
Jeanette Hasseman
I am downsizing while awaiting my first granddaughter. This would help me to decide which fabrics to hold onto so I can plan doll outfits for her on the doll I have kept from my childhood for her!
Carol
How adorable! I know my granddaughter would love matching costumes for herself and her favorite doll. That’s what I’m thinking to sew.
Lori korpela
I just love the poodle skirt costume the best, but they are all awesome. I wish we had these as kids.
Tanya Cassup
We are giving my niece her first doll for her birthday in a few weeks. Wouldn’t she just love to have costumes to dress her new doll in?! These are so adorable!
Jeri Rohl
They’re all really cute but I love the cowgirl outfit! What great ideas. Thank you for sharing with us.
Cyndi Duffin
I love the cute poodle skirt!! Thank you for the give away.
Bertha Goggin
Our family has a clown costume that my mother made in the 1950’s. Three generations have worn that costume. I think it is time to get it out for the next generation!
Thunder
I would love to make a witch costume for a teddy bear. Thanks for the chance.
Max
Making a fancy bride dress.
Rosemary
I have made most of my kids costumes and some for their friends. I loved the cow girl costume for my daughter and the toy soldiers for my sons.
Brenda Requarth
We made mummy girl & boy costumes by tearing an old sheet into strips. We had a great time doing it.
Sheri obenland
I live each of the outfits. It would like to make outfits for my granddaughter and her dolls; so they can both match. I think I like the cowgirl outfit the most.
Jule
I like the cowgirl outfit the best, partly because I have a daughter that is horse crazy! The fringe idea and contrast to the cow print was really nice. All of the costumes were very cute. Thank you for the give away.
Kathleen Sergas
Love these clothes for the doll…I would definitely make these..thanks for the giveaway
Marcia
All I’ve made for my granddaughter’s doll is pajamas. I think it is time for something more interesting— like a cowgirl outfit!
Cindy Fraher
I think the cowgirl costume would be great for my Colorado granddaughter.
Ennis A
These are so cute!!! I do some sewing for dolls and this makes me want to get busy on costumes. My granddaughter is using a Minnie Mouse costume. She has a doll I gave her; the two would be twins!!!! Love this!!
Nancy Battersby
Thanks Nancy, I already have 30 Minute Doll Clothes, so this will make a great addition.
Kathy Almquist
I love the cowgirl! So different from the “usual” costume!
Janice
Halloween is my favorite holiday. The costumes are so adorable . I’d like to make them all.
Eve Braun
I love making the 18″ doll clothes! I was especially proud of a “fur” cape and hat I made for the American Doll Samantha for my granddaughter many years ago! And the shoes too! All to go with a taffeta party dress for Christmas!
Love these costume patterns too. Thanks! – A LONG-Time admirer. Eve
Dorothy Herberg
What cute outfits! I have a new granddaughter, age 11, who wants to sew doll clothes with me for her AG doll. These are WAY cuter than what I was planning!
Nancy Von Arx
I haven’t done any costumes, but my hobby/business is making adult & child aprons. A few years back, a friend bought an apron for her granddaughter, and asked if I would make a matching apron for her granddaughter’s doll – the rest is history! They are fun.
kathy
One of my favorite costumes is when I made an adult Kermit the Frog costume. Fond memories of wearing this
Cheryl Newbanks
As a member of the Okanogan Valley Doll Club in Omak, Washington I have made many costumes for my kids and for dolls but my favorite was a bicentenial outfit for my daughter in 1976. It was fun and so easy.
BevM
I have made many costumes for my children, granddaughter, and dolls. One of my favorites was for a 4-H cat costume class, The cat was a “goldfish” in lame, and my daughter was a mermaid.
Rhonda D in KY
I’m a country girl so both of the cowgirl outfits are my favs and I’m sure my granddaughters would love them for their dolls.
Gail K
When my son was a toddler I sewed a bumblebee costume. The ladybug pattern shown above would easily make a bumblebee with a simple change of fabric. I have three granddaughters now & would love to sew & gift 18” dolls with all sorts of delightful outfits & costumes! So much fun!
Elizabeth
My favorite doll costume is a mermaid pattern, I also love the ‘around he world’ culture costumes.
Barb Jansen
I love making doll clothes! Back when Disney’s Aladdin came out, I made a Jasmine costume for one of my daughters–shoes and all. I had to make a flesh-colored shirt to go under the skimpy top so that she’d be warm enough.
Shannon Parsons
I would love to win this prize. I have been saving scraps of cute material to make doll clothes for charity and I need some ideas and patterns. Your clothes are so cute, I’m sure they would brighten the day for any little girl or boy. Thank you, Nancy.
Judi C
I have 3 18″ dolls just screaming for costumes, one is a boy angel doll… I would love to make a devil costume for the boy doll & Stitch for the girl dolls. I did make an entire 18″doll wardrobe for my niece for Christmas 2 years ago but I did not think to make & include a Halloween costume.
Chrislin
I am making a nurse costume. Today I finished the apron and worked on the hat . It goes over a pink gingham dress and looks like a candy stripper. It’s for Christmas for my granddaughter so don’t tell.
Thank you
Joy Kaiser
One yr for Christmas I made costumes for my youngest grandchild. It was a solder costume, fireman and a cowboy. I enjoyed this so much. They still have them and now his younger sister plays with them.
judy
About 6 years ago I made my grand daughter’s first communion dress and vail. She had picked the fabric and pattern but I surprised her that day with a matching outfit for her doll – from the vail down to the shoes. She was so delighted and speachless. I was planning a tea party for the 4 great granddaughters over the holidays. It would be so cute if each of them had a fancy dress for their dolls to wear too.
Myra
My grand-daughter was dressing up for Hallowe’en as Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, and I made a matching outfit for her doll. She loved it.
Jeanette withrow
They are all so cute. My favorite is the cowgirl. Thanks nancy
Diana
Over the years, I have made costumes for myself, my children, and now my grandchildren. Most recently I made a spider web cape for myself and a matching one for my grandson. Now I have 2 little granddaughters and can’t wait to make costumes for them. They love their dolls and I would like to start making costumes and clothes for their dolls. These patterns are so very cute.
mary johnson
my great granddaughter has a couple American girl dolls. She received one when she was in the hospital. She was born with 6 toes on each foot and they had wait until she was 6 to remove one. They had to see which one was the best to remove. She did great and is now 7 and finally getting to learn how to skate as there were no shoes or skates that fit correctly with the extra toe. so I would love to receive this to sew some clothes for her dolls
Judyth
Last year I made an Angel outfit for my granddaughter for a Halloween parade and she loved it. She also used it at Christmas time in a play at church with Mary and the Baby Jesus. I would love to surprise her with one for her AG doll…she has several. I love the Cinderella outfit as I believe all little girls like to be a Cinderella and they love to be play brides. The mermaid is adorable. Would love to win the patterns so I can be more creative with them for her dolls and help inspire my granddaughter to sew. Thanks for showing these ideas.
L Watson
The poodle skirt pattern looks great, my daughter wants a skirt like that so she can wear one too.
Susan Spiers
These are all just too cute – my favorite is the poodle skirt doll pattern!
Gail
I think the cowgirl is the cutest, but I also like the ladybug. My mom made me a Puritan outfit when I was about 6, and my daughter wore it when she was 6. I also let my students wear it when I taught elementary school. I still have it! (I’m 69.)
Deb Delcorio
The costumes are adorable. With a rather large family of 6 grand babies and 13 nieces and nephews Halloween is a very busy time in my house because I am the only person who sews,so when they want that special costumes i’m the go to person. Over the years I have made a few of these for kids.
Lorna
I am a sucker for any costume Wizard of Oz related. Dorothy’s blue gingham dress, a scarecrow.
Emma L
I’ve always favored the “hobo” from days past. Sew a few patches onto a shirt or t-shirt and a pair of pants and there you go. Although, these days we can get really creative with the technology we have. Love all the doll costumes!
Melanie H.
Both of my young daughters have 18″ dolls that they love! Making outfits for their dolls would be a great way to shrink my scrap mountain while also creating matchng mini outfits for the dolls. This book would be a great inspiration!
Jeannine Westervelt
I’ve started sewing doll clothes for my grand niece ho just turned 2. I am trying to amass a great collection for when she is older and I found the best way is the slow way. When the time comes to give her this gift, I won’t be scrambling last minute. I would so love this book. My favorite costume is the lady bug. It was a great prank to her mother growing up, because she was afraid of ladybugs when she was small. Lots of lady bug gifts.
Gail Beam
I love the cowgirl outfit, but they are all adorable! I have two granddaughters who both have the American girl dolls and I would love to have this book . thanks for the chance to win this awesome costume doll DVD
Michelle Hall
I love the little Halloween witch costmer
janice schultz
my granddaughter is a wonderwoman gal and would like the outfit for our doll
Cathy
Years ago I made a renaissance dress for my daughter’s doll.
Deb Atkins
I made a Belle costume for a friend’s daughter. Found a dress costume with poofy sleeves, yellow fabric in the stash, added a tulle underskirt. Little gold shoes (Amazon) and a rose (Dollar General). Result? Lovely dress and VERY happy doll. 😉
Vicki
Mom let us help make wedding dresses for our dress up dolls. We used gifted scraps from real wedding dresses and veils, bits of lace, learned to ruffle our lace and gather our waistbands or A-line style if we were sewing. (Yes, we made the undergarments, too.) Beautiful dresses and beautiful childhood memories!
Clare Cooper
What is it about making these outfits so addictive? They make me happy!
Pam Murphy
When I was 7 my mother made over 50 costumes for my Barbie doll as my Christmas present. There were fancy dresses, a fur coat with muffs, sequens, long gloves, hats of all kinds, shirts and shorts sets, capes, and on and on. Sadly, I don’t have any of those to share with my grandchildren. Mom was so cteative, she had no patterns or pictures. Wish I had learned more from her!
Betty Soderberg
We are blessed to have 6 grand daughters 3 1/2 and younger. The doll costumes are just starting and will be in the future for some time. Thanks for sharing all the great hints and ideas.
Barbara Zabel
I have made doll clothes for my three daughters 56 years ago, then doll clothes for my 5 granddaughters and now I am making them for 2 great granddaughters. I would love to surprise all my girls with the costumes for their dolls. Thank you.
Jan Nelson
I absolutely LOVE the cowgirl outfit and would love to make this for my granddaughters 18″ doll. Thanks for sharing.
Praying for you, Nancy.
Lovingly,
Jan
Sharon L
My mom used to make most of my Barbie clothes and I thought they were better than store bought. We just welcomed 2 granddaughters into our family – newborn and and an 8 year old. I hope the clothes I make for them will be treasured as mine were.
diane willard
Each year my grandchildren decide what they want to be for Halloween. Then Nana gets to figure out how to make it. I think the cutest thing they decided on was to be the mice from Cinderella. One was pink and one was blue. They had little skirts and matching hair scarfs. So cute and so much fun to make.
Sandi Corlett
My oldest granddaughter’s first Halloween costume was a ladybug that I made her, so I’m especially fond of the ladybug.
I also love the little 50’s outfit with the poodle skirt. All the costumes were super cute.
Pamela
A few years ago I made costumes for my nephew and nieces. My nephew was Peter Pan, and the girls were Elsa and Anna from “Frozen.”
Pamela
Added: the Witch costume would make a cute Mother Goose outfit with change of fabrics and accessories.
Doreen Linehan
My granddaughter is a big fan of Wonder Woman. I would have to try a super hero costume.
Matching Doll Pajamas
Thank you for the cute patterns.I am familiar with the dolls.Great finds! They all look so cute and cozy
Matching Doll Pajamas
I do enjoy your posts!These outfits are so colorful and fun! Love the doll dresses too.
Joyce Broome
I really love them all and with 2 granddaughters it would be so much fun to see their reaction to the costumes for their dolls, but I have to say the cowgirl outfit is the one I like best being a county girl