I have this plan to release a free 18″ doll patterns to match all of my patterns and today is the first of those! The first free doll pattern matches my Moo Skirt pattern. It’s a super easy pattern that is perfect for beginners. You can seriously whip one of these up in no time flat. It also doesn’t require a lot of fabric so it works great as a scrap busting project. I had planned on sewing up a matching skirt for one of my girls so you could see the cuteness, but life happened and I haven’t gotten the girl sized Moo Skirt sewn up yet. I’ll have to come back and add in the pic when I get it finished. You can use just about any kind of fabric you can think of for this skirt. I used a quilting cotton and I have to say that I love this cute little flowered print so much I might have to go get some more to make myself one. Then all three of us could match!
You can sew a skirt with or without the trim. I provide measurements for both. All seam allowances are 1/2″ (1.3 cm) unless otherwise noted. Let’s get started shall we?
You will need:
- A fat quarter of fabric for the main skirt
- Fabric for the trim if you are sewing a skirt with trim (less than a fat quarter – a piece of fabric 12″ by 6″ is perfect)
- Matching or coordinating thread
- 10″ (25.4 cm) of 1/4″ (0.6 cm) elastic
I have pattern pieces you can download or since it’s just a pattern made of simple rectangles, you can use the chart below to cut out your pattern pieces. One thing to note is that the pattern pieces are to be cut on the fold and the measurements in the table are whole pattern piece measurements so don’t cut those on the fold.
Free Moo Skirt Doll Pattern – The Sewing Geek
Using either the pattern pieces or the chart above, cut out two skirt panels (cut on the fold if you are using the pattern). If you are sewing a skirt with a trim, cut out two trim pieces as well (cut on the fold if you are using the pattern).
Lay one skirt panel on top of the other, right sides together. Pin the sides together and sew using a 1/2” (1.3 cm) seam allowance.
Finish and press the seams to one side. I use a serger to finish my seams so I trim the seam allwance down as I finish. If you are finishing your seams with a zig zag stitch you may want to trim them a bit first. Now you should have a tube of fabric.
Sewing the hem: If you are attaching a trim to the skirt skip ahead to the instructions for assembling and attaching the trim in the next section. Press under the raw edge of the hem ¼” (0.6 cm).
Then press it under 1/2” (1.3 cm) more.
From the right side, sew the hem 3/8” (1 cm) in from the edge all the way around the skirt. Don’t forget to back stitch when starting and stopping. Now skip ahead to sewing the elastic casing.
Assembling and attaching the trim: Fold the trim pieces in half lengthwise like a hot dog) with the wrong sides together and right sides facing out. Press the fold.
Unfold the trim pieces and lay them on top of each other, right sides together. Sew them together at the short ends just like you did for the skirt.
Press the seams open.
Refold the trim tube along the first line you pressed so the wrong sides are together and the seams are sandwiched inside.
Turn the skirt right side out. Insert the skirt inside the trim tube so all of the raw edges are aligned. Make sure to line up the side seams and pin in place. Make sure you are only pinning three layers of fabric at once. Using a 1/2” (1.3 cm) seam allowance, sew the trim tube to the main skirt tube.
Press the seam up towards the main skirt panel. Turn the skirt right side out and top stitch 1/8” (0.3 cm) above the seam all the way around the skirt.
Creating the elastic casing and inserting the elastic: Turn the skirt inside out again and press the top edge 1/4″ (0.6 cm) to the wrong side.
Then fold it down 5/8″ (1.6 cm) and press again.
On the right side of the skirt, sew 1/2″ (1.3 cm) in from the edge. Leave a gap wide enough for the elastic to fit through (my gap was about 1.5″ (3.8 cm) wide). Don’t forget to back stitch!
Feed the elastic through the casing using an elastic threader or a safety pin. You can pin the end of the elastic as well so that if it accidentally slips into the casing you don’t have to start over.
Overlap the ends of the elastic about 1/2” (1.3 cm) and sew over it a few times using a zigzag stitch. Double check to make sure your elastic is not rolled BEFORE you stitch the ends together! Sew closed the gap you left for the elastic. Make sure to stretch the elastic out while you sew so the fabric isn’t gathered. Be very careful to not catch the elastic with your needle! Now you’re all done! Try it on your doll and admire!
Dixie, the neighborhood cat, had decided my front porch was a good place for a nap. I tried to get her to move out of the way for the shot, but she was having none of it.
She does look excited about the new skirt though doesn’t she?
Daryl says
Thank you so much for this cute skirt pattern!
Meghan Welch says
Your Welcome! I’m glad you like it!
barbara says
do you have a pattern to make a crinoline, can-can-petticoat, whatever you want to call it….??!! –thanks!!