Want to make a coat for a doll? Let me show you how we made these quick and easy ones. This works well for any mid-sized dolls like Barbie, Rainbow High, Monster High, Bratz, LOL OMG dolls and more. You make your own pattern so you can adapt it to the size of your favourite doll friend. It’s a really easy project that’s quick to sew by hand, so it makes for a perfect way to spend an afternoon stitching up a storm with any young budding fashionistas!
What We Used:
- Scrap Fabric – Fleece or felt works best
- A mini popper or snap
- A little decorative bow
- A pencil, paper and scissors
- Needle and thread
How We Made It:
You can watch and sew along with us as we give you the highlights here, or scroll past the video to see step-by-step instructions with a bit more detail.
Making The Pattern
We folded a piece of paper in half, then lined it up with the fold running down the centre of the doll’s body with their arms stretched out to the sides. Starting at the top of the shoulder, we drew around the doll arms, adding about 1/2 inch (1.2cm) all around, then down the body, adding a little extra flare out as we went down so it gives more of a floaty, twirly, finished shape. If you’re drawing your own pattern, it’s up to you how long you make it, but I like anywhere from hip to knee length.
We moved the doll out of the way and added a line at the end of the sleeve, then half a curve towards the fold for the neckline. We cut around the shape then unfolded it, and that’s the main coat shape done.
Making The Coat
We cut out 2 identical coat shapes from the pattern we made, then placed them right sides together, so the pretty pattern sides were facing each other in the centre. Then stitched from the top of the shoulder down the top of the arm to the end of the sleeve staying near the edge. I used a backstitch because I find it easier in chunky fabric, and my daughter used a running stitch. If you’re sewing along, just use the stitch that you prefer. It made no difference to the finished coat.
Next, sew the number “7” shape from the end of the sleeve under the arm to the armpit and all the way down the side of the coat body.
Turn the coat inside out so that the pretty pattern is now on the outside. If the sleeves get stuck, something like a chopstick works great for quickly poking them out.
Grab some scissors and carefully cut up the centre of the front of the coat.
We added pockets next. We went for a traditional coat pocket shape, so we drew a little rectangle shape on the paper and angled the base of it into a wide upside-down triangle. You can make your pockets any shape you want though. We cut 2 of these in the same fabric.
We stitched it in place on the coat leaving the top of the pocket open. To make it look well positioned, we checked where the sleeves ended, and stitched them on about level with them. That way our doll can pop her hands in her pockets.
Next up, we added a little popper to the top of the coat so it does up.
Then we added a little bow to accessorise it. I chose to put mine over the popper, but my daughter put hers off to the side, so if you’re sewing along, feel free to get creative. You could even add some lace trim or sequins all around the base!
Then it’s done, and ready for the dolls to try on!
