How to Sew a Doll Quilt: Bedding Pattern (YouTube Tutorial)

Learn how to make a doll quilt with this free tutorial!

Making a quilt for an 18-inch doll bed is a simple and fun project. You can customize it with various fabrics, patterns, and colors. This doll bed quilt can be made in any size by adjusting the measurements.

This simple bed quilt is not a patchwork quilt but what quilters refer to as a "cheater quilt," meaning it is one piece of fabric for the quilt top instead of pieces of fabric sewn together, making it quick and easy to construct.

Fabric and quilt shops sell Cheater Quilt Fabric.  This pre-printed fabric is specifically designed to mimic the appearance of a traditional patchwork quilt without requiring patchwork piecing.

The tutorial on this page provides a simple pattern for a lovely bed cover that will fit the bed of 18" size doll like American Girl, Our Generation, Journey, Playtime by Emmie, My Life As, or New Adventures Styles dolls.

This quilt is quick to sew and would be a great project for a beginner or tween/teen sewist. It can be whipped up quickly if you buy two fat quarters, eyelet trim, and use some scrap batting.

Making accessories for 18-inch dolls is a fun and creative way for little girls to personalize their dolls with their interests, hobbies, or unique styles using novelty fabrics. This personalization is not available in a store-bought accessory. 

Choose special fabrics and embellishments to make a charming, one-of-a-kind bed cover for your child's favorite doll or as a gift. Watch our video to learn more about making a cute blanket for the bed of an 18-inch doll, or keep reading the directions below for a step-by-step photo tutorial.

WHAT YOU NEED to make a doll bed quilt

• Cheater quilt fabrics from Joann or Missouri Star Quilt Company
• Batting
• Eyelet Lace 1 1/2" wide
• Rotary cutter and mat or scissors and ruler
• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Iron and ironing board

INSTRUCTIONS to make a quilt for an 18" doll's bed

STEP 1: Measure and cut the fabric

Start by measuring the doll bed to determine the quilt size needed. Since we're using a 1/2" seam allowance, and the trim is 1-1/2", the trim will add 1" to each side and end of the doll bed covering. 

If your trim is a different width, subtract 1" from the trim width and multiply by 2. Use that number instead of the 2" in the calculation below.

To determine what size fabric to cut, measure the width and length of the bed. Subtract two inches for the trim from the quilt's width, then add one inch for the seam allowance.

Calculated Trim Width = ((Trim Width - 1/2") * 2) 
Fabric Cut Width = Quilt Width - Calculated Trim Width + 1" Seam allowance

Do the same calculation to determine the length of the doll bedding using the bed length.

For example, if the bed size is 15" x 20" and you use 1-1/2" trim.

Calculated Trim Width = ((1-1/2" - 1/2") * 2) = 2"
Fabric Cut Width = 15" - 2" + 1" = 14"
Fabric Cut Height = 20" - 2"  + 1" = 19"

So, cut the piece of fabric 14" x 19".

Cut two pieces of the main fabric, one for the top and one for the back of the quilt. Also, cut the batting the same size as the fabric. Only one piece of batting is needed.

Lay the pieces on top of each other, and using the plate or bowl as a template, trace around it to round the corners. Cut away the excess fabric on the tracing line. The rounded corners will make sewing on the trim easier.

Step 2: Sew the trim on the fabric

Next, take one piece of the main fabric and pin the raw edge of the trim around the edges of the right side of the fabric. Sew the trim to the fabric using a sewing machine, making sure to backtrack at the beginning and end and not sew over any of the pins.

Step 3: sew the main fabric and batting together

On a flat surface, place the ruffled fabric with the right side up. On top, put the other main fabric with the right side down. The two main fabrics have the right sides together.

Next, place the batting on top of those pieces. Pin the three layers together around the outer edge of the quilt to prevent the layers from shifting while sewing.

Take the pinned layers to the sewing machine so you can begin sewing around the outside of the quilt. Begin sewing on one of the long sides using a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave a 4" opening unstitched to turn the quilt right side out.

Remember to backtack when you begin stitching and remove the pins as you sew. Continue sewing until you approach the corner.

Be sure to sew slowly around the corners of the quilt. Continue stitching around the quilt. Remember to leave a 4" opening. Backstitch at the end of the seam.

Step 4: turn and press the doll quilt

Pull the fabric through the 4" opening, left unstitched, until the quilt is right side out. Push the corners out until they look nice, flat and curved. Press the quilt with an iron until the corners and edges lay flat and neat.

Step 5: Sew the seam closed

The 4" area in the seam left open for turning needs to be stitched closed. Fold the raw edges of the opening inside 1/2 inch and press them well. Pin the opening, and either hand-stitch or machine-stitch sew it closed.

Step 6: quilt the layers together

After closing the opening, quilt the bed covering to hold the fabric layers together. Since this quilt is small, there is no need to be an experienced quilter. You can add as much or as little as desired.

We will stitch straight lines across the quilt along the edges of the blocks in the fabric. You can also stitch straight lines diagonally across the quilt.

Set your machine to a straight stitch. The stitch length should be slightly longer than the regular stitch length. 

When starting each line of quilting, set your machine to a very short stitch length. Stitch three or four times to make a tacking stitch and secure the thread. Then, set the sewing machine slightly longer than the regular stitch length.

Stitch the quilting line. At the end of the stitching, shorten the stitches and stitch three to four stitches to keep the thread from unraveling.

Stitch all of the desired quilting lines. Straight lines are usually stitched at a specific interval across the quilt or by following lines on the fabric. The photos below show a couple of options for quilting patterns.  For some more ideas on how to quilt or other straight line quilting ideas, visit our Sewing Machine Quilting page.

Once the doll bed covering is quilted as desired, it is complete!

The bed cover is the perfect size for the bed!

Tuck the doll in her bed and cover her with her new cozy quilt.

You can also sew some doll pillows for the bed to complement the quilt.

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make a quilted doll bed covering. It's time for some slumber parties!

Other 18" doll accessories

• Doll mug
• Poncho
• Doll Crayon Box and Coloring Book
• Doll Apron
• Doll Backpack