1. Get a piece of fabric larger than your doll. I folded down the top of the fabric 1/2" because that is how much I will need for my elastic casing that will go around the waist.
2. Wrap the fabric around the dolls waist and hip. Leave an inch or 2 for ease and movement and another 1/2" for your seam allowance.
3. Once you have determined the width you want your skirt then cut the piece lengthwise as shown in the photo above.
4. Decide how long you want the skirt on your doll. Add 1/2" for the hem and cut crosswise on the fabric. You will need a ruler to measure where you cut the fabric on the one side. Then cut from the other side the same distance down from the top. Now you should have a rectangle that will fit your doll when made into a skirt.
5. In the picture above is my skirt piece. It is a rectangle. Once you have this cut out and sized to your doll then measure the width and length of this piece and write it down. Now you will forever have the skirt measurement for this doll so you won't have to repeat steps 1 through 4. Now take the fabric to your sewing machine. I changed fabrics for my skirt because I already had a shirt that matched it made up. So the rest of the directions will be with the peach fabric.
6. You will sew the hem first on the skirt. Turn the bottom under 1/4" and then turn it again 1/4" and sew the width of the piece.
7. Once the hem is sewn then turn the fabric to the opposite side of the width. Cut a piece of 1/4" elastic the waist measurement of your doll that you are making the skirt for. Remember when we cut the skirt and turned the top down 1/2"? That was to make the casing and that is just what you are doing in this step. Turn the top of the skirt down 1/2". After you have stitched your casing then use a bodkin or a safety pin and insert your elastic. Be sure to stitch the ends of the elastic on each side of the casing or it will pull right out.
8. In the photo shown above I added some lace trim to the bottom of my skirt. If you want to add trims, decorative stitches or lace then do it now.
9. Fold the skirt and with ride sides together stitch along the center back seam. Turn your skirt right side out.
Here is my skirt on my Lalaloopsy doll. You can make all kinds of skirts using this easy method for any doll or little girl. If you want the skirt fuller then make your rectangle wider. If you are wanting a t-shirt pattern then check my webstore at: http://www.dudsfordolls.com/Patterns/pattern.htm
I have lots of patterns for several kinds of dolls for sale.
