I bought this XXL skirt at Wal-mart for $1 with every intention of making it into an Easter dress for my daughter this year, but…life happened and this skirt just sat in my sewing closet. Until now! I used it to make a super simple dress for my daughter’s 18” doll {American Girl style}. This skirt has a side zipper which I made the back zipper of the doll’s dress. It also has a wide waistband which I made into the yoke of this sleeveless dress. Seriously, buying the “fabric” already done like that {and for dirt cheap} made sewing this dress so easy!
Supply List:
Woman’s Skirt
Doll for measuring
(2) 2” strips 1/2 ribbon
Fabric flower embellishment
1. Lay the zipper (or whatever closure is on your skirt) right in the middle of the back of the doll.
2. Wrap the waist of the skirt around the chest of the doll.
3. Leaving room for 1/4” seam allowance, cut straight down to the hem of the skirt. You just created the base of the doll dress.
4. Even though the dress is sleeveless, you will need to cut arm holes. It’s easiest to mark where you need to cut with a pencil…don’t eyeball like me (trust me on this one).
5. Cut the arm holes.
6. Fold the raw edge in 1/8” and press with hot iron.
7. Sew it down creating a beautiful finished edge on the arm holes.
8. Fold the dress wrong side out and pin the raw edges down the side together. Sew 1/4” seam. It’s looking like a dress now.
9. Time to add the straps.
10. Cut two 2 inch strips of 1/2” ribbon.
11. Pin the ribbon to the back of the front panel. Sew into place making sure to back stitch. Repeat the same for the back panel.
12. Hem the bottom of the dress by folding the raw edge under 1/4” and press with hot iron. Sew into place and you’re done.
13. Add a fabric flower embellishment to the center. {I used Basic Grey Bloomers per my daughter’s request.}
14. Dress the doll and enjoy the reaction of your little one.
I LOVE this.
Thank you so much!