Sew a Disney Princess Salon Apron

Left, our little Wellie Wisher, Ashlyn, is ready for a trim. Center, she models our Disney Princess
apron from the salon chair. Right, the apron neatly fits both 14" and 18" dolls because it is
made from a knit fabric.

       Sew or no-sew, this simple little apron can be made for any size doll, even if you're sewing skills are minimal! Cut it from a no fray fabric or a soft knit or even a plastic table cloth from the dollar store if you prefer. You will also need some ribbon and a needle and thread or hot glue alternatively for a no-sew version.

Left, the apron on top of the ironing board. Center, up-close look at the Disney Princess print in
pinks and pastel colors. Right, detail of ribbon collar. 

       I used a large serving plate to draft a pattern for our doll salon aprons. You will only need half a plate's size for the apron pattern. Fold the cut fabric in half and cut a small 'moon' shaped collar next. If you are making a no-sew version of this salon apron type, you will not need to finish the edges of the doll's apron. I made the sewn version so the edges were turned under and stitched down with pink embroidery floss on the sides. I then turned the hem and whip stitched this to finish the bottom of my salon doll's aprons. Attach ribbons on the collar and also in two places on the back with sewing or hot glue.

Left, see the ribbons tied on the back of the apron to secure it to the doll. Right, here is a
My Generation Doll wearing the exact same apron that fits both 14" and 18" dolls.

 More Salon Aprons for Dolls:

• Chelly Wood demonstrates how to sew a hairdresser salon apron...
• How to make a no-sew kitchen apron from americangirlfan

No-Sew Owlloween Hoot Sock Pillow

       Our Owlloween Hoot pillow is made from a novelty sock, using the festive colors of the season. He has adorable big eyes and will look so cute inside of the doll house this Halloween. You can make one too if you have an adult or teenage sibling near by to help you with the hot glue gun!

Craft Supply List:

• a stripped sock
• two black beads (for eyes)
• felt scraps: pale yellow, tan, white, gold, and black
• cotton batting 
• hot glue and hot glue gun

Step-by-Step Directions:

1.  Trim off the top half of a child's Halloween sock (see pictures below) leaving the 'heal' part fo the sock intact.
   
2. Stuff the lower end of the sock with cotton batting. Do not overstuff, this will cause the knit pillow to loose it's rectangular shape.
3. Pull the heal part of the sock over the front half of your pillow and hot glue it in place. This should make a V shape for the owl's head.
4. Cut long narrow strips of pale yellow felt and then fringe the felt with the scissors.
5. Glue pieces of this fringe on either side of the heal, tucking just behind the knit opening as seen in photos below. Now make sure that the opening is glued down firmly before proceeding to the next step.
6. Cut two identical circles of white felt for the owl's eyes.
7. Then cut two identical half circles of gold felt for the owl's eye lids.
8. Cut a black fringe of felt for the owl's eye lashes.
9. Collect black beads for the owl's eye pupils.
10. Glue a fringe of pale yellow felt around the edge of the owl's white felt eyes and then hot glue these to the owl's head. 
11. Glue on the eye lids and then the eye lashes. 
12. Glue or sew on the black pupils. (beads)
13. Cut a small triangle from tan felt for it's beak and glue this into place.

Left, choose a Halloween novelty sock for the owl pillow. Center, cut apart the sock
 just above the heal. Right, stuff the sock lightly, being careful not to over stuff it.

Left, pull the heal over the top of the sock opening to make the triangular shaped head of the owl.
 Center, glue the fringed felt just beneath the stockings heal. Right, how the fringe will look
on the back side of the sock pillow.

Left, the cut pieces needed for the owl's eyes. Right, the finished Owlloween hoot pillow

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Craft a Blanket Poncho for 18" Dolls

Finished fleece, blanket ponchos may also be cut without trimmings and crafted as no sew
projects if you prefer. These Southwestern fashions look great with boots!

        I made two versions of this fun fleece, poncho craft; each one having a different collar and trim work. I use fleece printed with Southwestern indigenous motifs, which was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s.   These warm wraps are so easy to make, you may choose to sew a poncho for each one of your dolls before the day has ended!
       Blanket ponchos are worn on chilly evenings around campfires or sometimes people keep them in their cars for that extra added warmth they may need on a cold night's car ride. In either case, your doll will appreciate the added comfort of a blanket poncho, so why not make one for both your doll and yourself? 

In the Southwest of the United States, fashions are often influenced by Native American
design motifs, similar to those printed on this fleece. I also trimmed this blanket poncho
 with a thick, soft, variegated yarn and buttons at the collar.

Supply List:

• 12"x12" or a 13"x13" square of fleece fabric
• matching needle and thread
• scissors
• ruler
• decorative yarn, buttons, embroidery floss for trim

Step-by-Step Directions for a Doll's Blanket Poncho:

1. Ponchos may be made as no-sew activities if your little ones do not yet know how to sew. However, there's no time or occasion like the present to practice using a needle and thread for a sewing lesson as simple as this one. Cut the fleece in either 12"x12" or a 13"x13" squares, one per poncho.
2. Fold the square of fleece in half, matching tip to tip at corners in the shape of a triangle. 
3. Measure the length of this triangle shape and divide it by half. 
4. Take a ruler and mark the halfway point with a piece of white chalk. Now cut at least a four inch opening alongside this fold, two inches on either side of the chalk mark, for the opening at the neck of the poncho.
5. As you can see by the photos there are two versions of neck openings for the poncho. One of these has a simple band the serves as the collar. For this version you will need to sew a half inch band across the neck opening. This design helps to keep the poncho from stretching with play.
6. The second collar version is made by cutting a "T" shape at the neck line; then folding over the tips of the collar and embroidering all of the edges of the opening with a blanket stitch. (see photos) I also trimmed out this collar version with two tiny buttons. These do not actually attach anything; they are just for decoration.
7. Either trim the lower edges of your dolls poncho or turn these under to finish. I used a thick yarn edging on one of the ponchos and chose to leave my second design version unadorned. 
8. For the simpler version, I made a fleece hat by cutting out a long rectangular shape, sewing a straight seam to attach the end sides together. 
9. Then I turned this inside out, gathered the top edge leaving a wide seam allowance, so that I could cut a simple fringe at the top from it. This replaces a pom-pom.
10. I also turned a cuff up from the bottom edge of the hat and embroidered it to the hat for both decorative purposes and to make the fleece hat durable with play.

A blanket poncho with a straight cut opening around the collar. The fleece hat to match is
made from one rectangular strip of fleece. Measure the dimension of your doll's head
and add a 1/4" seam allowance to make this type of fleece hat.

How to Sew a Blanket Style Poncho for A Child:

• DIY: No-Sew Poncho Blankets
• Car Seat Poncho sewing tutorial
• No-Sew Car Seat Poncho (reversible) 

No Sew Scout Vests for Slender 18" Dolls

Two of our Magic Attic dolls, Megan and Keisha,  plus Addison, a Best Friends Club doll,
 wear little "no sew" scout vests to their doll summer camp.

        You will need the following supplies for this vest: permanent ink marker, hot glue gun/hot glue, scrap felt, a variety of buttons, beads and tiny patches. 

       The original pattern size included below is for slender 18" dolls, like Magic Attic and Best Friends Club dolls. 

       After downloading, adjust the pattern to fit a doll accurately by comparing the ruler measurement on the pattern with the ruler in a Word Document. The pattern should be one inch to one inch. This is why the ruler is photographed along with the pattern, so you can make the adjustment.

       Print and cut the pattern out. Tape the paper pieces together at the shoulders where indicated. Trace around the paper pattern with chalk onto the dark green felt. Cut out the felt vest and lay it over your doll to see if the vest fits. There should be enough room under the the arm holes for a 1/4'' seam allowance. If this is not enough fabric for your child to manipulate while gluing, re-cut the vest adding a bit more fabric on the sides only. You can always cut away seams that are messy but you can not add fabric to them after the fact.

       Because you are using solid colored felt for this project, there will be no right or wrong sides to the fabric. Simply hot glue the edges of the vest together using your glue gun. Then finger press the seams together firmly. Turn the vest inside out and iron.

       Glue or sew beads, buttons, or patches to your doll's scout vest. Include a troop number on a lighter shade of green felt. Use permanent ink markers for the numbers and hot glue this small rectangle to the vest.

       I also hand stitched a tiny rainbow with clouds onto my doll vests. You can make up the meanings for each bead "patch" if you like, so that your doll may earn her own rewards at doll summer camp!
       If you want to make this vest for a doll dressed like a Campfire Girl, use red or navy colored felt and omit the beads or "patches." 

Left, the vest is cut from felt in one piece. Right, you must fold the front sides forward 
to make the shoulders of the vest.

Left, the vest is folded properly in place and ready to have it's sides hot glued together. Center,
 the doll wears the felt vest. Right, the vest completed with troop number, embroidered rainbow 
and beads to signify "patches" for the doll scout.

Free Felt Vest Pattern. Seam allowance only under the arms of the vest pattern.
After printing out the pattern tape the shoulders of the arms together to look like the photo above.
 To make the vest using other fabrics, you must include seam allowances on all sides.
Click directly on the image to download the largest available size of the pattern.

How to Assemble a No-Sew Couch for Barbie

A Barbie and a Fashionista relax around their sectional sofa/couch with their pet Dalmatian mix.

       I took a sectional design one step further and created a faux wooden structure to wrap around the cushions from cardboard. This will give the doll couch extra durability as little ones move it in and around the dollhouse. 

       The project was made entirely from recycled materials that I had on hand. The couch is very light weight because of the foam seating and it is versatile because of the neutral color palette.

       Make a variety of simple stuffed pillows in order to change it's appearance inside a dollhouse. I cut my pillows from a grey wool tweed and a bright fire engine red velvet. Sew a straight seam around the edges with right sides together, leaving a one inch opening to turn the pillow inside out. Stuff it with cotton batting and sew the opening shut with an invisible stitch and matching thread. My larger pillows measure 4" x 3 3/4" across and the small pillows measure 2 1/4" x 2 1/4".

A Fashionista props up her feet on
 the matching ottoman.

 Supply List:

• foam squares
• faux wood finish shelf paper
• grey felt or any color of felt 
• wool felt or any fabric scraps for the couch pillows
• hot glue and hot glue gun
• cotton batting
• contrasting fabric for smaller pillows
• cardboard
• tacky white glue
• brown paper bag
• needle and thread to clean up the corners (optional)
• masking tape

Step-by-Step Instructions: Assemble A No-Sew Sectional Couch for Barbie:

1. My foam squares measure 4"x4" and are exactly 1" tall. I recycled these from packing I found in a box.
2. Wrap the foam edges and sides where hot glue will be used. Hot glue may melt the foam so you need to create a point of contact where the foam is protected from the heat while the glue cools.
3. I decided to stack two squares together for the seat cushions and use only one square per back cushion on my doll's couch.
4. Cut the felt to wrap around the foam squares neatly. Cut out the bulk of felt at the corners; this is unnecessary fabric. see photo below.
5. Fold the felt around the foam square neatly, tacking down the material with hot glue as you proceed. The neater your corners are wrapped, the nicer the sectional sofa will be in the end.
6. After wrapping all of the pieces, hot glue the wrapped, felt cushions together. Hide the glue by applying it only to the sides where each cushion butts up against another.
7. I then cut cardboard sides 5 1/2" by 4" and hot glued these to each end of the couch. I left the sides unwrapped so that I could cut and smooth faux wood grain shelf paper to the couch later.
8. Then I cut four pieces of cardboard 12 1/2" long, and 5 1/2" wide. After wrapping these in much the same way as the foam cushions with grey felt, I hot glued the entire couch on top of this piece.
9. I also cut a long piece of cardboard measuring 12 1/2" x 1" to brace the backside of the sectional couch. I attached it with hot glue.
10. Wrap both the inside and outside cardboard trim of the couch with self paper. Use extra tacky white glue to do this with. The adhesive that comes with the shelf paper is not strong enough to attach it to the cardboard alone. Do not wrap the corners of the cardboard with shelf paper; it will not adhere well enough.
11. The edges of the cardboard must be wrapped separately using thin clippings of brown paper bag and white tacky glue. This is the final step before finishing the couch.
12. I also cut two identical arm rests for my couch. This step is optional for a sectional design. I covered the arm rests with shelf paper as well and gave them a bit of extra support by gluing wooden coffee stirrers to the underside corners where the arm rests and sides of the couch meet.
13. I made a ottoman using the same techniques. Most sectional couches come with an ottoman to rest the feet upon.

Left, My foam squares measure 4"x4" and are exactly 1" tall. I recycled these from packing I found
in a box. Center, I experimented with the arrangement of these foam squares to see what kind of
 furniture I could arrange the squares into. Right, the foam shapes would make a nice loveseat
 arrangement as well.

Left, wrap the foam with masking tape to create a temporary place where hot glue will not melt
the foam. Center, cut the felt to wrap the foam squares neatly. Cut out the bulk of felt at the corners;
 this is unnecessary fabric. Right, above you can see that I wrapped my corners very snug.

Left, I decided to stack two squares together for the seat cushions and use only one square per
 back cushion on my doll's couch. Center, I cut a long piece of cardboard measuring 12 1/2" x 1"
to brace the backside of the sectional couch. Right, I  cut cardboard sides 5 1/2" by 4" and hot
 glued these to each end of the couch.

I wrapped both the inside and outside cardboard trim of the couch
with shelf paper and finished the edges of the cardboard with brown paper
 bag strips and tacky white glue.

The finished Barbie sized couch from three angles.

Arranging squarish pillows to change the appearance of the sectional couch.

More Sectional Sofas For Barbie From The Web:

• DIY an Upholstered Tweed Armchair
• How to make a faux leather club chair...
• MyFroggyStuff makes a sectional sofa from recycled doll boxes
• The Square to Spare makes a Mid-Century Modern sectional using poster board and fabric

No-Sew Frankenstein's Monster Pillow

Monster pillow wonders, 'What is that scary creature!'

       Even though this project is a no-sew project, you may still need an adult to help you with it, depending upon your age and experience.

       Read all of the instructions and look closely before beginning. Ask mom or dad to help you with your first attempt. Soon you will get the hang of it. 

       When working with an iron or hot glue, have adults present and helping.

Supply List:

• green fabric scraps
• double sided adhesive tape
• fabric glue
• stuffing of some kind: pellets, cotton etc...
• small amounts of felt: blue, black and white
• fingernail scissors or tiny Fiskars scissors
• black thread and needle for scares (optional)

 Step-by-Step Directions:

1. Cut a 3 1/2" x 10" rectangle from green scrap fabric that you have for this no-sew pillow project.
2. Apply a double sided adhesive tape or fabric glue to the right sides of your green rectangle. (Remember the right sides are the front parts of a fabric.)
3. Fold the rectangle in half with the adhesive strips facing together and iron the pillow case shut. You may use the glue adhesive and omit the ironing, but wait for the glue to dry overnight before turning the pillow inside out.
4. Take a sharp small set of scissors and cut a small 1" opening on the front of your pillow's face. 
5. Turn the pillow inside out. Now the right sides of the pillow are on the outside and the edges are turned neatly inside. 
6. Push cotton balls or plastic pellets through this opening to stuff your small pillow.
7. Cut a strip of your fabric to insert into this open hole and glue it shut with a glue gun. I used the back side of the fabric facing out through the hole to make the surface where my monster's face looks scared more obvious. (see photos below)
8. Cut small stripes of the green fabric and roll these up with a bit of fabric glue or hot glue to make the bolts for the monsters neck/head. These are the electrodes that Dr. Frankenstein plugged in electricity to bring his monster to life.
9. Glue these hardened fabric bolts to the side of your monster pillow's head.
10. Cut blue felt fabric hair and eyebrow to glue to the monster's face. (for front and back, See photo below to copy if you'd like.)
11. Cut out eyeballs, mouth and buck teeth from the black and white felt. Glue these down using fabric glue.
12. Now you can add some black scare seams with a needle and thread if you want.

Left, Apply a double sided adhesive tape or fabric glue to the right sides of your green rectangle.
 I've ironed this down and now will peal it away before folding it in half and ironing it shut. Right,
 Take a sharp small set of scissors and cut a small 1" opening on the front of your pillow's face.

Left, Push cotton balls or plastic pellets through this opening to stuff your small pillow.
 Right, Cut a strip of your fabric to insert into this open hole and glue it shut with a glue gun.

Front and backside of my no-sew Frankenstien's monster pillow. Wow what a mouthful. 
I think he needs a few black scare stitches before he's done.

What is this Frankenpillow's story? It looks like these two are up to no good! 
Is the spider taking him for a ride or taking his seat?