Buying 18" doll clothes can be pricey but if you have a little sewing experience, it's not difficult to make some 18-inch doll clothes yourself. It's very fast and easy and costs next to nothing.
At the end of this blog are some popular sew and no-sew 18 inch doll clothes patterns and tutorials - a skirt, poncho, fleece hat and shirt. So check them out.
In this tutorial, you will learn how simple it is to make doll tights from a sock. The best part is, these 18" doll tights come together in about 15 minutes from cut to completion and are easy enough for even the most beginner sewer.![18 inch Doll Simple Tights from Socks - fb]()
Free 18 Inch Doll Clothes Pattern - Doll Tights
Did I mention how inexpensive these DIY 18" doll tights are to make? For this project, I purchased trouser socks at Dollar Tree. The package contained two pairs of trouser socks. That's four socks. So for $1, I made four tights costing 50 cents each.
Whether your child has an 18" doll or a fashion doll, they will need clothes to fill their doll's wardrobe. The Internet is full of simple patterns for doll clothes. Browse through our collection of free doll clothes and accessories patterns.
Let's get started with today's tutorial. Watch this video or keep reading this post for a photo tutorial with step-by-step written instructions on how to sew tights for an 18-inch doll.
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watch the whole video tutorial, click the link DIY 18 Inch Doll Tights from a Sock to watch in Youtube.
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DIY 18" doll tights pattern![How to Make Doll Clothes - 18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial]()
to make the doll tights you will NEED
![DIY 18-inch Doll Clothes - Supplies]()
What is the best sock for making 18-inch doll tights?
The best socks to use are woman size knee-high socks or trouser socks (size 9 - 11) that are very stretchy. Men's socks can also be used. Any material is okay. If the sock doesn’t seem stretchy it won’t work.
Besides new socks, tights can be made with mismatched socks.
doll tight pattern and INSTRUCTIONS
STEP 1: Gather the supplies
To start, gather the supplies you will need.
Turn the sock inside out and slip the sock onto the doll so the top of the sock reaches the doll’s waist. If the socks have an obvious seam, place the seam in the middle of the doll's back and between the doll's legs. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Sock on Doll]()
Don’t stretch the sock a lot as you put it on the doll. But you also don't want any folds or wrinkles in the sock.
STEP 2: pinning
After the sock is on the doll, use pins to mark the bottom of the feet and mark also the crotch level.![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Place pins]()
Carefully take the sock off the doll making sure to keep the pins in place.
STEP 3: cut sock
Lay the sock on a flat surface. The pin closest to the top of the sock marks the crotch and the bottom pin marks the doll’s feet.
With a scissor, cut the sock straight across about ½ inch below the pin placed at the doll’s feet. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Cut Off at Feet]()
STEP 4: mark the center lengthwise
Use a ruler to measure the width of the sock. Divide this measurement in half.![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Mark Line In Center]()
Use this measurement to mark the center of the sock lengthwise with a fabric marker from the crotch pin to the bottom. When sewing the tights, this line will help as you sew the leg seams, making sure you are sewing straight.
To mark the fabric, I used a Clover Chaco Liner Pen. It's a nice convenient method for marking cutting and sewing lines. The tapered fine point permits accurate drawing of both straight lines and freehand curves. Clover Chaco Liner Pen Style Markers are available in several colors.
STEP 5: select stitch and needle
Thread the sewing machine with thread to match the sock.
Select a small zigzag stitch and use a jersey or stretch needle. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Set Machine]()
On my Bernina machine, I set the zigzag stitch to 1.5 wide and 1.5 length.
Note: For this demonstration, in order for you to see how to sew the tights, I am using white thread instead of black thread. Please use matching thread when sewing the tights.
STEP 6: sewing the tights
To form the first leg of the tights, begin sewing the first foot on one side of the sock curving the bottom of the foot slightly. Then sew up one leg close to the center mark. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Sew Around Foot]()
Sew almost to the crotch pin. With the needle down, lift the presser foot, turn the sock and sew 6 - 8 stitches at the crotch level. Next, reinforce the crotch stitching by backstitching 6 - 8 stitches and then stitch forward again over the original stitching.
To sew the second tight leg, with the needle down, turn the sock again and sew down toward the bottom making sure you leave space between the two seams so you can cut between the legs. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Sew along marked line]()
Before you reach the bottom, sew a half circle for the other foot.
The tights should look similar to this. As mentioned before, I used white thread so you could see the stitching. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Sewn Tights]()
STEP 7: trimming and cutting
Carefully cut straight up the center between the two leg seams; stop ¼” from the crotch seam. Please be careful that you don’t cut the crotch stitches. Trim the feet sections. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Cut Seam Open]()
Turn the tights right side out.
The tights are finished. Try them on your doll. The toe seam will be right across the end of the doll's toes and the leg seam should run straight up the inside of the doll’s legs. ![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Try On Your Doll]()
Easy-peasy! Enjoy making cute and fast tights for your favorite 18-inch dolls.
These tights are a fun accessory to so many outfits. So, have fun making tights using different colors and patterns of socks.
I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and keep visiting us for more great doll stuff. Needlepointers.com has more than clothing DIYs for dolls! To see all the wonderful Fashion Doll and 18-inch Doll DIY items head over to this page.
![18-inch Doll Simple Tights Tutorial Finished Tights On Sitting Doll]()
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Do you need storage for your doll clothes? Check out this DIY Doll Clothes Closet tutorial and make one!
Happy Sewing!
Annette
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Do you need storage for your doll clothes? Check out this DIY Doll Clothes Closet and DIY Hangers and make one!
popular DIY 18 Inch doll clothes tutorials