Sew Hot Pink Summer Jumpers for Dolls

This jumper will fit both American Girl
Dolls and My Generation Dolls. In the 
U.S. a pinafore is often called a jumper.

       These doll sized jumpers may be worn over a cotton tee or alone and you may sew them any length you like.  

       To make your doll a jumper, you don't need a pattern either! All you need to know is her body measurements. The jumper is made from three rectangles, a bit of ribbon and a three narrow bibs that connect everything together. (See photos below.)

Supply List:

• snaps for closure in the back of the dress
• trims: ribbon, rick-rack etc...
• needle and thread to match
• fabric for the jumper with front and back panels (approximately 1/2 yard)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. For an 18" doll, you will need to cut one large rectangle 12 1/2" x 6 1/2" from fabric measuring  in length and  wide.
2. Then cut two identical rectangles measuring 7" x 6 1/2"  from the same fabric.
3. Cut straps from ribbon or fabric
4. Cut three bibs. One long 3 1/2" x 1 1/2"  Two short 2" x 1 1/2".
5. Sew the side seams of the jumper by attaching the shorter rectangles to either side of the longest rectangle. The longest rectangle is the front part of the jumper skirt; the two shorter rectangles are the back sides of the jumper skirt. Do not sew them the whole length of the side seams. You will need to leave approximately one and a half inches of the fabric loose at the top under the arms of the doll so that the jumper will fit loosely over a tee shirt if you want your doll to wear that type of layered look.
6. When sewing up the back seam of the jumper you will also need to leave approximately two inches of fabric out of that back seam. This will be closed later with snaps or buttons, or velcro, if you prefer. (see photos just below)
7. Next, you will need to use a threaded needle to gather the skirt at the top into the bib pieces. The longest front skirt will be gathered and pined to the longest front bib, the two remaining side panels of the jumper should be gathered and pinned in place on both the left and right bib pieces sewn to th back side of the jumper.
8. Roll and tuck the edges of the bibs and under arms in order to finish these neatly. You may choose to line the bib pieces with fabric  in order to disguise the gathered material on the inside of your doll's jumper. You can see from the photos below that I choose to line the bibs only in order to keep the jumpers neat and tidy on the inside of the garments. But this is optional. I also tucked the end of my ribbon 'sleeves' inside the lining as well.
9. Tack on the ribbon last while fitting the jumper to your doll. This will enable you to change your mind about how much space you need to include between the shoulder and the armpit openings of your doll's jumper. You can make this tighter or looser by lengthening or cutting back the ribbon connections. It may take time for you to make a doll's first jumper, but be patient and persevere. Learning to sew by fitting garments to your doll between steps will train you to be a better sewer in the long run and the next time you make a jumper, it will be faster and easier for you to do. 
10. Roll, tuck and sew unfinished edges where you will attach a snap to hold the jumper together in the back. 
11. Iron the seam in place before whip stitching the hem on the bottom edge of the garment.
12. Trim your doll's jumper with lace, rick-rack and ribbon.

Left, is the backside of our doll's jumper, there is a snap holding it together.
Right, you can see how loose the arm opening is here, this is made wide
on purpose so that the doll may wear a blouse or tee shirt beneath the
jumper if the weather gets chilly. 

More Links to Sewing a Doll's Jumper:

• How to sew a jumper dress without a pattern - Here the seamstress shows you how to make a similar jumper for a person. 
• How to sew 18" doll pinafore dress - This version has one bib in front and also a waistband.
• DIY American Girl Doll Pinafore! - This version has straps and a waistband and no bib.

  

Left, details on Our Generation Doll, Emma, are of ribbon, fabric ruffle and black rick-rack.
Right, our dolls wear coordinating hot pink sandals with their summer jumpers.

Our American Girl Doll shows off the detailed front of her jumper. It has a rosette and the
straps are sewn from fabric instead of the ribbon used in the alternative version. Right the
backside of her jumper has two panels the snap together.
She wears her hair in a French braid.