Did you know September is national sewing month? I pretty much sew all the time, all year long, so having a whole month dedicated to the craft is wonderful. I teamed up with Joann Fabric and Craft Stores for the #sewyourstyle campaign. It’s a month long contest sponsored by Joann Fabric and Crafts and Pellon. The challenge? Use quilters cotton fabric in a non-quilting project. You can enter to win all month long. For my project I decided to make a baby doll top for Abbey, but I wanted to give it a bit of a modern twist.
I did a hi-low hem because, well I love them, and especially for Abbey who often has a problem keeping her bum in her pants the low hem hides her plumbers crack. I also added an exposed zipper to the back.
Quite possibly my favorite element is the leather shoulder patches, because… well why not. I love leather, it gives it a nice fall element.
I have a free pattern for you in a size 5/6 (24″ chest)
You will need:
Modern Baby Doll Top || PDF Pattern (sewn with 3/8″ seam allowance)
1 yard of fabric
1 7″ zipper
small scraps of leather or accent material (optional)
Small scraps of interfacing (optional)
With right sides together sew the front and back together at the shoulders. Finish seams as desired.
Press shoulder seams flat. Then place the shoulder accents in place matching up the necklines. Sew along the angled edges to secure in place.
Sew the zipper facing to the back by matching up the center of the facing to the center of the back. Sew a rectangle shaped opening by sewing down, across, and then up. The stitched lines should be spaced by 1/2″. Cut a slit down the center and then angle into the corners. Careful not to cut your stitches.
Turn the facing around to the inside and then fold the sides and bottom under and press.
Place the zipper behind the opening. It will be too long for the space, that’s fine. Match up the top of the zipper so it is 3/8″ from the top edge. Then sew along the opening securing the zipper in place.
For the neck facing sew the front and back together at the shoulder line much like you did for the bodice. Then finish the outside edge.
Place the facing right sides together with the neckline. Match up the shoulder seams and then fold the center back edge inward. Sew the facing to the neckline. Clip notches into the curve.
Turn the facing in toward the inside and top stitch into place.
With right sides together sew the sleeve into the arm opening. Finish seam as desired. Repeat with other sleeve.
Press the edge of the sleeve under by 1/4″. With the bodice right sides together sew from the sleeve edge down. (It’s a small amount) Repeat with other side.
Press the sleeve edge under again by 1/4″ and sew along the fold to secure. Repeat with other sleeve.
For the skirt. I didn’t include a skirt pattern piece. Instead I cut 2 rectangles 24″ across and 15″ down. Then I cut a curve up in the front and curve down for the back. More details on doing a hi-low hem skirt can be found HERE
Then with the front and back skirt pieces right sides together sew along the the sides and finish the seams as desired. Then run a basting stitch along the top and pull to gather.
With the skirt and bodice right sides together sew along the waist line. Be sure to match up the side seams of the skirt to the side seams of the bodice, then spread the gather evenly.
Lastly hem the bottom by turning the edge under twice and sewing it in place.
Then you are done with a lovely modern baby doll top. I really love the exposed zipper and shoulder accents.
And that hi-low hem is just my favorite addition to the baby doll silhouette.
Fabric || Cotton || Joann Fabric
Leather || MOOD
Jeans || Old Navy
Shoes || Old Navy
Oh, I’d love to make this for my 3 year old. I’m trying to think how I could adapt another one of your patterns to make this for her… Maybe the glass onion if I used the front for both the front and the back, since the zipper would add ease?
Yeah the glass onion would work well, if you used the front top bodice for the front and back since the zipper will help with dressing. The only other change, although you don’t have to do it is that the bodice line is shortened on this to give it a baby doll look. You will have to share if you make it I would love to see!
This is so beautiful!!! Love the fabrics you’ve chosen and that ZIPPER…..perfect! Just perfect!!!
Thanks! I am usually a button girl but oh man the right zipper makes me swoon 🙂
So cute, and I love all the leather I am seeing you use. Where do v
You get your leather and what kinds are the best? Can’t wait to make one of these for my girl.
I got this leather from mood fabrics, it comes in a pelt (so not a yard or great measurement) It’s great for use on projects like this or other smaller projects, and the quality is amazing SO soft! When ever I use a faux leather I get it at Joann Fabric.
you are amazing! Thanks so much for the free pattern ;o) Pinned it. Love it, Want to make it ;o)
Oh I hope you do! I want to see it!
Shauna – you’re killing me! How have you had time to make all of these things and all the free patterns? One lovely and amazing thing after another – this is beautiful!
Thanks! Most of them are things I have been sitting on for awhile just finally got around to taking pictures of the kids wearing them 🙂
Love your generousity in sharing all the beautiful patterns, will certainly make this for my little girl and share!
Great! I hope to see it when you are done!
this is sooo cute!!! I am so thankful for your generosity, offering all these free patterns!! Im definitely going to make this!! 🙂
absolutely completely adorable!! how fun to have a pattern designer for a momma!!
Call me silly, but I saw this and gushed over it until I thought about how much of a mess my girlie is. How do those of you who sew with leather clean the kid clothes you make? I wouldn’t want to wash it if it had leather on it, but the leather makes it pop so awesomely I’d love to add something like that to the kid clothes I make.
I just wash it in my regular wash cycle and then I let it air dry. SO far it has worked fine for me. Some leathers get a little stiff but others seem to be just fine. On the pieces that get a lot of wash or have more leather accent I use a faux leather suede cloth. Looks like leather feels like fabric and washes and dries like fabric so it’s very kid friendly. Hope that helps!
I was just wondering the same thing, thanks for asking this question.
Your design is gorgeous! You´re such a trendsetter! I wish I could just copy your style but I end up with my old style anyway. But you are sure a source of inspiration for me 😀
This is beautiful shauna! I have a few years but will be making this!
Cute!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow evening that links to your pattern:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/free-pattern-modern-baby-doll-top-for-little-girls/2014/09/22/
–Anne
It’s so cute! I love the tiny sleeves and the high-low hem!
Thank you very very much an d with the photo, it looks like easy ! Sorry for my english 🙂 Love from France !!!
This is so beautiful. I’m about to make it for my daughter – do I add any seam allowance to the pattern? If so how much?
Many thanks for sharing this beautiful pattern with the world!
The pattern does include a 3/8″ seam allowance. I would love to see it when you are done!
Can you please tell me if the pattern includes seam allowances or if I need to add them in? Also, should it be printed on regular 8×11″ paper or blown up? Seems a tad small to me.
Can’t wait to make this for my daughter!
Hi! Yes it is designed to print on 8.5″X11″ paper. Just be sure to print it at 100%. The seam allowance is included 3/8″ was used.
Thanks!
Ah thank you! I made it assuming that you had allowed for seams and it’s beautiful!! I couldn’t be happier. Such easy instructions and you’re a big inspiration. Many thanks!
Como encuentro los patrones gracias….
What fabric did you use for this? I am in love with the color and pattern! Thank you for the beautiful pattern!
This is such a sweet pattern. Any tips for sizing up? You should definitely draft and sell the full pattern I loved it and took and sewed it for my tiny love but it was too small 🙁 I would definitely buy it if you sold it 🙂
I meant to write took a chance in sewing it for my little.
The leather is cute but I made one with a contrast fabric and just folded it over anywhere that there would not be a seam and topstitched and it came out super cute! Hope this helps!
Sorry I meant to write folded the fabric under before top stitching.
Beautiful items, I’m have a 17 month old grandson and I’m think he is going to get a lot of things from Granny
I love this fabric and the top of course! What is the name of the fabric??
What size is the pattern?
it’s a 5/6 the chest measurement and info is also listed above 🙂
it really superb. excellent and easy steps. i’m crazy about stitching my daughter’s frocks. thanks for sharing.
Love love love this top! Will be making it for my 3 year old for Christmas! How would I go about making the pattern smaller so that it’s not overwhelmingly large on her?
Merci 1000 fois ! C’est superbe et ma fille va être ravie !
Bonne journée à vous deux
Céline
Do you use 5/8 seam allowance on girl’s dresses or less? 3/8?
I use 3/8″ seam allowance
Hi ! Here my Babydoll :
http://lundi27.canalblog.com/archives/2014/11/05/30841504.html
Thanks a lot, it’s a cute pattern 🙂
Céline
Thanks for the beautiful pattern! I’m looking forward to doing it very soon for my oldest daughter!! Love the fabric!
Kisses from Portugal 🙂
Hi – I’ve just found your blog via craftsy – what a joy – i’m going to be busy 😉
I’m just unsecure about the size – does 5/6 means 5-6 years or?
Sorry, i’m from Denmark and we use another scale, either years or heights measured in cm.
Hope you can help 🙂
Thanks in advance!
It is 5/6 years 🙂
Thank you for this pattern and tutorial! It fits my 5 year old perfectly and she is very excited to wear her new shirt/dress for Easter! 🙂
Thanks, Shauna it’s most inspiring, pinned for later for my granddaughters. You are so generous, much appreciated!
I still have no idea how you made the high-low skirt hem. I followed the link you mentioned to the “high-low racer dress” and that too didn’t have any information on how to make one without a pattern.
I reduced the pattern pieces down (using a dress that fits her a rough guide) and after a few trials, made one the perfect fit for my 1 year old!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/131995877@N02/17932350478/in/datetaken/
Do you have this pattern available in a smaller size? I would like it in a 2T. I am willing to purchase if you have it available.
Thank you so much!
Here is mine, slightly modified with long sleeves and regular hem 🙂
https://instagram.com/p/9zGvjZxUjV/
Can I get the pattern?
Please tell me the name of this fabric ?
Thanks for sharing. I made a dress for my daughter and it fits her beautifully! Thank you!
Thanks for sharing. My daughter will love it. Greetings from Germany.
I haven’t made this, although I love it, as my granddaughter is only a few weeks old! However I wanted to comment on how well presented your tutorial is. Highlighting the stitch lines with black dots is such a great idea and so much easier to follow!
Hello! love the pattern and fabrics! Making it now, but in a different print.
Question: when cutting out the back facing it says cut two, was I supposed to flip one?