Evie Summers
Sewing a sleeping bag for an American Girl doll is a fun project that can be completed by novice and experienced sewers alike. The process involves creating a sleeping bag with a zipper and a matching pillowcase, which can be rolled up and tied with a ribbon for easy storage and transport. This DIY sleeping bag is a perfect gift idea for children who own 18-inch dolls, such as the American Girl doll, and encourages imaginative playtime and sleepovers. The sewing pattern can be adjusted to fit dolls of various sizes, and the fabric choices can be personalized to make it extra special.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fabric | 3 pieces of fabric 8" x 36" for the outside, 2 pieces of fabric 18.5" x 23" for the lining, 3/8" seam allowance |
| Zipper | 36" separating zipper (e.g. parka zipper), zipper foot for sewing machine |
| Batting | Quilt batting, fluffy or cotton |
| Pillow | Optional, reversible, with PolyFil stuffing |
| Size | 18" doll, e.g. American Girl, Our Generation, Build-a-Bear |
| Pouch | Yes |
| Pattern | Diamond quilting pattern |
| Difficulty | Beginner-friendly, easy to follow |
| Time | 30 minutes for no-sew option |
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What You'll Learn
Cutting the fabric
To make a sleeping bag for an 18" doll, such as an American Girl doll, you will need three pieces of fabric measuring 8" x 36" for the outside of the sleeping bag, and two pieces of fabric measuring 18.5" x 23" for the bag lining. You can choose any fabric you like, but a fluffy fabric is recommended for a sleeping bag-like feel.
For the cutting process, start by laying out your fabric. Using an erasable fabric marker, mark the middle of the bottom edge of the main fabric. This will be the bottom of the sleeping bag, so start with the bottom of the zipper. You can also use a small notch or cut to mark the centre.
Next, cut two pieces of fabric to create a 21" x 27" rectangle. One piece will be for the inside lining of the sleeping bag, and the other for the outside. You can use the same fabric for both or choose different fabrics to create a unique design.
After cutting the fabric to size, lay out the sleeping bag fabric with the right side facing up. Place the lining fabric on top, with the wrong side facing up. Pin the two pieces together to secure them in place for sewing.
Using your fabric marker, mark the centre of each short side of the fabric. This will be the top half of the sleeping bag once it is folded and sewn. You can now proceed to the sewing stage.
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Sewing the zipper
Prepare the Zipper and Fabric:
Use a 36" separating zipper, commonly found on parkas. The ability to separate the zipper is crucial for this project. Mark the middle of the bottom edge of your main fabric piece with an erasable fabric marker. Place the zipper with the right sides together (RST) around the bottom and right side of the main fabric, starting 1" to the right of the middle. This bottom edge will be the sleeping bag's bottom, so you'll begin with the zipper's bottom.
Sew the Zipper:
Using a zipper foot, sew the zipper in place. Start by sewing along the bottom edge, then go around the corner and up most of the right side. When you reach the corner, carefully cut small notches in the zipper tape to allow it to smoothly round the corner. It's helpful to "move" the zipper pull as you sew to keep it out of the way of your zipper foot.
Test the Zipper:
Before proceeding to the next step, ensure your zipper is functioning correctly by testing it. Check that it glides smoothly and that you can separate and join the zipper as intended.
Sew the Bag Lining:
Sew the two 18.5" x 23" pieces of fabric together along the 23" seams to create the bag lining. Press the seam open. Place the sewn bag lining piece with the right sides together with the bag's outside piece, forming a "sandwich" with the batting at the top, followed by the bag lining and bag front. Remember to keep the bag lining and bag front right sides together.
Stitch the Sleeping Bag:
Start stitching at one top corner of the sleeping bag, and sew all the way around, leaving a 3-4" opening on the top to turn it right side out. Now, place the lining on top of the main piece, RST, and sew around all four sides with the zipper foot, leaving a 4" opening at the top for turning. Turn the sleeping bag right side out, then press and use a ladder stitch or fusible hem tape to close the opening.
And there you have it! You've successfully sewn a zipper for your American Girl Doll's sleeping bag. Now your doll is ready for some cozy sleepovers and imaginative playtime adventures.
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Joining the lining and main fabric
Firstly, cut your fabric pieces. For the outside of the sleeping bag, cut three pieces of fabric, each measuring 8" x 36". For the bag lining, cut two pieces of fabric, each measuring 18.5" x 23". These measurements ensure a snug fit for the doll.
Now, lay out the sleeping bag fabric with the right side facing up. Place the lining fabric on top, but with the wrong side facing up. Pin these two pieces together to secure them in place. You can use an erasable fabric marker to mark the centre of each short side of the fabric. This will act as a guide for your stitching.
Starting at one of the marks you made, carefully sew along the edge, going down the centre of the fabric. Sew along one short side, then continue along the long side, and finally, sew up the middle of the other short side until you reach the other mark. This will create the top half of the sleeping bag, which will be folded and sewn later.
Next, clip the corners of the fabric and cut a small slit next to the dots or marks. Turn the bag inside out, using a pair of scissors to gently push out the corners to ensure they are nice and crisp.
Finally, fold the fabric in half to form the sleeping bag shape, with the right sides of the fabric touching. Pin the pieces together to secure them in place. Sew along the remaining open side and across the bottom of the bag. Turn the bag right side out, and once again, use your scissors to gently push out the corners.
And there you have it! You have successfully joined the lining and main fabric to create a cosy sleeping bag for your American Girl doll.
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Quilting the sleeping bag
Quilting your doll's sleeping bag will give it a more professional finish, and it's a great skill to learn. Even if you're a beginner, you can create a cute, quilted sleeping bag for your American Girl doll.
First, cut your fabric. You'll need two pieces of fabric for the sleeping bag, one for the inside lining and one for the outside. Cut these to size, following your chosen pattern. You can choose from a variety of sizes, depending on the doll you're making the sleeping bag for. For an 18" doll, like an American Girl, cut your fabric to 21"x27". Smaller sizes are 10"-12" and 14"-16".
Next, place the lining fabric on top of the main fabric, with the lining fabric facing down and the main fabric facing up. Pin the two pieces together. Use a fabric marker to mark the centre of each short side. Starting at one mark, sew along the edge, down the centre of the short side, along the long side, and then halfway up the other short side to the other mark. This will be the top half of the sleeping bag.
Now, clip the corners and cut a small slit next to the dots. Turn the bag right side out. Fold the material in half to form the sleeping bag, with the right sides touching, and pin together. Sew along the unsewn side and across the bottom of the bag. Turn the bag right side out and use your scissors to push out the corners.
To create a diamond quilting pattern, sew diagonal lines in one direction and then sew them in the opposite direction. You can also stitch down the centre of the rick rack or use fusible seam tape to secure it.
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Adding finishing touches
Once you have the basic structure of the sleeping bag in place, it's time to add some finishing touches to make it unique and personalised. Here are some ideas to consider:
Fabric and Colour Choices: Choose fabrics and colours that complement each other and reflect your child's personality or the doll's theme. You can opt for cute and playful patterns or solid colours that create a harmonious look.
Embellishments: Consider adding embellishments such as ribbons, bows, lace, or other decorative elements to the sleeping bag. These can be sewn or glued on to add texture, sparkle, or a unique touch.
Personalisation: You can personalise the sleeping bag by embroidering your child's name or initials on it. You could also add a small pocket to hold tiny doll accessories or a special message inside.
Matching Accessories: Create matching accessories like a pillow, a small blanket, or a sleeping eye mask to go with the sleeping bag. These additions will enhance the overall presentation and provide a complete set for your child's doll.
Storage and Transport: As mentioned in the previous steps, adding a ribbon or a fabric tie can help keep the sleeping bag neatly rolled up for easy storage and transport. This adds a functional and decorative element to the final product.
Remember, these finishing touches are all about customisation and making the sleeping bag special for your child and their doll. Get creative and have fun with these final steps!
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Frequently asked questions
The sleeping bag should be 18" for an American Girl doll.
You will need fabric for the outside and inside lining of the sleeping bag, a zipper, quilt batting, and a fabric marker.
First, mark the middle of the bottom edge of the main fabric with a fabric marker. Place the zipper around the bottom and right side of the main fabric, starting 1" to the right of the middle. Sew the zipper in place using a zipper foot, sewing along the bottom edge and up the right side.
Place the lining fabric on top of the main fabric, wrong side up. Pin the two pieces together and mark the centre of each short side with a fabric marker. Sew along the edges, starting at one mark and sewing halfway down the short side, along the long side, and then halfway up the other short side to the other mark. Clip the corners and cut a small slit next to the dots, then turn the bag right side out.
Fold the material in half to form the sleeping bag, with the right sides touching, and pin together. Sew along the unsewn side and across the bottom of the bag, then turn the bag right side out.
