Friday, December 12, 2014

$1.00 Doll Night Gown - FREE PATTERN & TUTORIAL


I've saved my favorite dollar store purchase transformation for today.  To make this project you'll need a fleece baby blanket from your local dollar store.  I transformed this purchase into a doll night gown. This post features a free pattern which I created to fit an American Girl doll. 

(If you're just joining me, we had fun last week and this week turning cheap finds from dollar items into cute doll clothes (you can find links to my other tutorials at the bottom of this post).

(When you print this pattern, don't forget it needs to be printed at full size. First download the free pattern HERE.) If you download this pattern, would you be kind and leave me a comment below and let me know how you found my blog?  Thank you in advance.


Supplies needed:
  • Thread
  • 30" of contrasting ribbon - 1/8 - 1/4" wide
  • Small safety pin
  • 18" of single fold bias seam tape
  • One dollar store fleece baby blanket

Side note:  The fabric used to make this baby blanket has to be the cheapest fleece I've ever used!  But do not be fooled, it  worked great for making a doll night gown which is the important thing, right?

Cut out the fabric using the pattern pieces as directed on the patterns.  When sewing, use 1/4" seams unless otherwise stated.

Follow the pictorial steps below and in 30 - 40 minutes you should have a doll night gown:



Sew the sleeve seams together.



Slit the buttonhole open.  
From the right side of the project, do the following:




Sew both side seams together using an overlocking stitch.
Sew the sleeves into the armholes with an overlocking stitch.




Turn night gown right side out and thread the ribbon through the casing. 
Sew through all layers of fabric and the ribbon at the back center casing.  
(This will prevent the ribbon from being accidentally pulled out of the night gown while playing.)

As a child, night gowns were my personal favorite sleep wear.  In the chilly mornings, I loved to sit on the heater and have the warm air shoot up my body billowing my night gown out. Awww, the memories!  My sister and I use to laugh at how fat we looked.  (We stopped laughing and joking about our weight years ago!)



Thanks for joining me...don't forget if you download the pattern a comment is required!



  • Little Miss Santa Outfit from Santa hats go HERE 
  • Sweater Dress from thermal socks go HERE 
  • Leggings from knee hights go HERE
  • Elf Outfit from Christmas Stocking go HERE 
  • Doll sleeping bag from a chair cushion & tea towel go HERE 
  • Shorts from shirt sleeves go HERE 
  • Skirt & scarf from a scarf go HERE 
  • Party dress using a sequin headband go HERE 
  • Night Gown from a baby fleece blanket go HERE 
  • Zebra Jacket from a fleece scarf go HERE 


  • xoxo Grandma  

    23 comments:

    the best fan said...

    thank you for a free and very easy to follow pattern and instructions
    for me the fabric will be free too as i am going to use an outgrown dressing gown

    Unknown said...

    Thank you for this pattern! I found your blog through pinterest - searching for doll night gown patterns. I may use it for my girls sewing group.

    Unknown said...

    Thank you for this pattern! I found your blog through pinterest - searching for doll night gown patterns. I may use it for my girls sewing group.

    Penny said...

    I've just printed your pattern, and will try it for my granddaughter's doll,I think it looks easy enough for me to manage...I'm really not a great sewer at all!

    Man of the Cloth said...

    Thank you for sharing this. I had a play day with my granddaughter today and we made two of these - one for her doll and one for mine. We had jolly good fun teaching and learning the fine art of sewing.

    Man of the Cloth said...

    Thank you for sharing this. I had a play day with my granddaughter today and we made two of these - one for her doll and one for mine. We had jolly good fun teaching and learning the fine art of sewing.

    Unknown said...

    Thank you for sharing the pattern. I have been looking for an easy pattern.

    Bonita said...

    Thank you so much for sharing these patterns and also doing the tutorial.
    it is so nice of you to do this for all of us. I am looking forward to your next tutorial

    Stacey Phillips said...

    Thank you for sharing this pattern. Just started sewing to make things for my granddaughters. Thank you for the step by step instructions.

    SewGrandma said...

    I reached your blog through Pinterest. Thank you for sharing the pattern and helping this grandma make her granddaughter's dreams come true!
    August 18, 2019

    AJH said...

    Hi there, just found you with google search. Am going to print at 35% to try to make one for my daughter's 6" doll... Thanks for the tutorial!

    Unknown said...

    Thanks you for sharing this pattern! I'm using it to make doll clothes to give to Don't Cry... I'm Here, an organization which gives refugee children dolls and teddy bears.

    Unknown said...

    Thank you! My daughter will love her matching PJ's!

    Baby T Grows said...

    Thank you! I found you through Pinterest. I'm making matching Christmas pajamas for my little family, and thought it would be a fun surprise to make a nightgown for my daughter's favorite stuffed animal, who is similar dimensions to an AG doll. It's a good use of my scraps!

    Gabrielle said...

    Hello, I found you through Pinterest, as well. I;m looking forward to making this for a 16 inch doll, but I think that will work just fine. I live in Michigan and my feet are always cold, so maybe hers do too. Thanks for the pattern...XOXO

    Gabrielle

    Unknown said...

    thank you for this wonderful pattern and tutorial.

    Heidi Gail said...

    I found you through Pinterest. Thank you for this pattern.

    Unknown said...

    Thank you for the pattern. My granddaughters want me to make matching night gowns for them and their dolls. I googled American Doll patterns and selected YOU.

    Unknown said...

    Can't wait to get started on the little nightgown for my granddaughter. Love the pattern and your story.
    Nana in Oklahoma

    Lawtalkingal said...

    Thank you! My daughter is now 14 but we are Swedish-American and I am making a St. Lucia gown for her doll to set out with our Christmas decorations next year. The original AG St. Lucia outfit is long discontinued and I couldn't find a nightgown pattern anywhere. Found yours on Pinterest and for sure will follow your blog. Thanks.

    Inspire said...

    Thanks for sharing, so happy to have come across your blog. Happy 2020

    Inspire said...

    Thanks for sharing your creative work, happy 2020!

    gab from Gael said...

    Thanks you for letting us with your delightful designs. Gael