Here are instructions for either nightgowns or short sleeves dresses to fit 14-inch to 16.5-inch Bitty Baby in the American Girl Dolls series, Baby Born, Gotz Maxi Muffin, or similar baby dolls. For clothes to fit 18-inch American Girl and other historical dolls click here.
For pattern pieces to use for dresses or nightgowns click here.
In the first photo you'll see 16 inch (42cm) Gotz Maxi Muffin on the left and her little sister, 13 inch (32.5cm) Muffin on the right who is in the small baby doll category. Of course, where would the dolls be without 'Floppy' who is always in the pictures.
You’ll need one half yard (one half meter) of material for the dress.
To finish the neckline, you'll need 10 inches (25cm) of half inch (1.25cm) gathered lace, and the same amount of one quarter inch wide satin ribbon for finishing neck edge as in photo. You'll also need one half yard of one quarter inch (6mm) satin or cross-grain ribbon for the dress front trim.
Sewing directions
Dress
With right sides of back and front dress facing, sew together at shoulders. Press seam open.
Baste right side of lace to right side of neck opening, with top of lace pointing down. Instructions are here.
To finish back seam of dress, sew together along seam line of center back leaving about 4 inches open at top as marked on pattern piece. For these two open edges turn in one fourth inch twice and blind stitch seam. Overlap edges and sew on a velcro dot for closure. I do not use button closures on doll clothes that are used by children, to avoid swallowing and choking.
Next is a view of Maxi Muffin standing in her dress.
Sleeves
Cut out sleeves from the pattern. To make short sleeves cut off 2 inches (5cm) from lower sleeve edge. Roll in lower edge and hem by hand or machine. (I sew sleeve and skirt hems by hand.) For instructions to attach lace to lower sleeve edge click here.
Along armpit edge gather sleeve with basting stitch just inside the one-quarter inch line to fit armhole and with right side of sleeve facing right side of front and back dress (which are just joined at shoulders and now lay out flat) stitch together with one fourth inch seam. Clip curve. Repeat for other sleeve.
With right sides of sleeves and dress facing, sew together sides of dress and underside of sleeves at the same time. Repeat on other side.
Hem at lower edge of dress
When cutting out your material add or subtract hem length according to length of your doll. For the dress in this photo which fits Bitty Baby, Baby Born and Maxi Muffin, I added 2 inches to the pattern length.
Turn in lower edge one quarter inch twice and blind stitch. To attach lace to lower edge follow instructions here.
Now decorate the dress as you wish
Top stitch cross grain or satin ribbon in pattern as in photos or anyway you wish. (A hint to sew ribbon in a straight line is to iron a crease in the dress material to act as a guideline!)
Have fun making baby doll clothes!
14 to 16 inch Medium Baby Dolls
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Baby Doll Dress Pattern Pieces
American Girl and Similar Dolls
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12 to 13 inch Small Baby Dolls
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Doll Making Tutorials
Article and photos by Susan Kramer
