Free Ruffle Shirt Doll Pattern That Fits 18″ Dolls

American Girl Dolls are so popular these days, aren’t they? American Girl has so many doll options

available to choose from: pick one of the featured dolls (like Samantha, Kit, Julie, etc.) or choose

the Truly Me Dolls and match eye colors, hair styles, and skin tones. One thing is for

sure: you can never have enough clothes for your doll, right?!

This shirt is a favorite in our shop, and it’s now available to download as a free pattern.

Who doesn’t like a free, printable pattern?! What’s nice about this doll ruffle shirt pattern is that

it’s so easy to make. . . nothing complicated. Whether you’re a beginner sewer or a pro,

you’ll be able to knock this project out in no time! ????

So, if you have a doll lover in your life, grab some fabric and let’s make this!

Free Ruffle Shirt Doll Pattern for 18″ Dolls

Here’s what you’ll need:

1/4 yd. knit fabric (I used a solid color, but a print fabric would work, too)
matching thread
Velcro fastener (a piece about 3 1/2″ long)
your printed out pattern pieces (download them here) *be sure to print 100%*

With right sides of fabric together, cut out these pieces:

One shirt front on fold
Two shirt backs
Two sleeves
Ruffle pieces: One piece–6″long x 3/4″ wide / Two pieces– 4 1/2″ long x 3/4″ wide

****All seams are 1/4″ unless otherwise noted****

Step 1:

With right sides together, pin sleeve front edge to shirt front edge. Sew using a 1/4″ seam allowance.

Do the same thing with the other sleeve.

(Your shirt should now look like the 3rd picture.)

Step 2:

With right sides together, pin the shirt back pieces to the remaining sleeve back edges. Sew using 1/4″ seam allowance.

(Your shirt should now look like the 2nd picture below.)

I usually just give the seams a quick steam to take away the bulk.

Step 3:

Turn under 1/2″ on sleeve hem and stitch close to raw edge.

Step 4:

Take your 6″ ruffle piece and using a long gathering stitch, sew a line right down the middle of the ruffle. Gather it until it is about 3 1/4″ long. Do the same thing to your shorter ruffle pieces, gathering them until they are 2 1/2″ long.

Place your longer ruffle on the right side of the center of the shirt front matching the top raw edges. (I usually just eye it to center place it.) Because you’re working with knit fabric that won’t fray, there’s no need to turn under the fabric on the other short end of the ruffle.

Pin in place. Now sew, sewing right over that gathering stitching line.

Take your other 2 shorter ruffle pieces and place evenly next to the center ruffle. Pin in place. Just as you did with the first ruffle, sew in place going right over that gathering stitching line.

Step 5:

Turn under 3/8″ on neck edge (wrong sides together) and pin in place.

Stitch close to the raw edge.

Step 6:

With right sides together, pin sleeves and shirt together being sure to match seams of sleeves and sleeve hems. Sew. Turn right side out. It should now look like the picture below. So far so good?

Step 7:

Hem lower edge of shirt turning under 3/4″ and stitching 1/2″ from the folded edge.

Step 8:

Turn under about 3/8″ on edges of shirt back and stitch in place.

Step 9:

Place the stiffer side of your Velcro piece to the left shirt back, placing it on the right side of the shirt and lining it up to the edge as shown in the picture below. Stitch around the Velcro.

Take your remaining Velcro piece and place it on the wrong side of the right shirt piece placing it close to the edge. Stitch around the Velcro.