How to make an 18-inch Doll Handkerchief Skirt (No Sewing Required)

18" dolls are so popular and making clothes for these dolls is half the fun of playing with them!  This doll skirt pattern is very simple and involves no sewing, so it is easy enough for kids to make themselves.

The 18" doll clothes are very expensive to purchase, and making the clothing is both economical and enjoyable.

This 18" doll clothes pattern is for a handkerchief skirt, which is a type of skirt that is popular in kids' clothing as well as doll clothing.  This is a quick and easy doll skirt that does not require any sewing!

Learn more about this 18 inch doll clothes pattern by watching our video or keep reading this post.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a doll skirt

• Four 8" squares of fabric
• 12" piece of 1/4 inch elastic
• 32" inch long piece of narrow ribbon
• Scissors

INSTRUCTIONS to make a handkerchief doll skirt

STEP 1: start with four 8" squares of fabric

In order to make this skirt colorful and eye-catching, the four squares of fabric were made with two different types of fabric.  Two squares are one fabric and the other two squares are from a coordinating fabric.

It looks very nice to use a solid colored fabric for two pieces and a coordinating print fabric for other two.

However, this is not necessary, and the doll skirt pattern can be made using all of the same fabrics for all four squares.

Cutting the squares with pinking shears will keep the fabric from fraying. However, if pinking shears are not available, the fabric can be cut with fabric scissors.

STEP 2: Tie the elastic for the doll skirt

Set the fabric aside for now. Take the 1/4" elastic piece and tie it around the doll's waist using a strong knot so the elastic doesn't come undone. 

This will be used to keep the fabric of the skirt attached to the doll, so be sure it is pulled tightly.

Clip the ends of the elastic if necessary.

step 3: attach the first fabric piece

To make the skirt neat, finger press two adjacent sides of one of the squares of fabric.  These pressed sides will be showing on the front of the skirt. 

Beginning on the back of the doll, take the corner of the finger pressed sides and push it down and under the elastic to make the first piece of the handkerchief skirt.

The fabric behind the elastic should come down about 1 1/2 inches to hold it firmly in place.

Make sure the pressed sides of the square lay nicely on the back.

step 4: attach the remaining three squares to the 18" doll skirt

Take a square that is the coordinating fabric and finger press two adjacent sides as in step two. Slightly overlapping this fabric piece with the first attached piece, push the corner of the pressed sides down and over the piece of elastic.

Pull the piece 1 1/2 inches down past the elastic, leaving the rest in the front to form the handkerchief skirt. Gently arrange the two pieces of fabric around the front of the doll.

Turn the doll over and alternating the two fabric colors, finger press and slide the fabric under the piece of elastic as in step two.  

All four of the squares should now be finger pressed and slid over the elastic 1 1/2 inches. Adjust the fabric squares so the skirt is full and covers all of the doll's waist and upper legs.

step 5: Finish the doll skirt with ribbon

To finish the skirt, take the narrow ribbon and wrap it around the doll's waist to add a decorative element.

A bow can be tied in the front or the back of the skirt.  For this tutorial, the bow was tied in the front of the skirt.

Other 18" doll clothes patterns

• 18" doll party dress
• No-sew T-shirt for 18" doll
• 18" doll skirt
• Sleeveless Doll Shirt

Do you need storage for your doll clothes?  Check out this DIY Doll Clothes Closet and DIY Hangers and make one!