Scroll down to the third set of bullets for the free PDF sewing patterns.
Today I’m showing you how to make a summer play suit which uses a smock-style A-line top over a pair of shorts with two back pockets.
The shorts pattern has existed on my website for a number of years, so you may already have downloaded this pattern, but the smock style A-line sleeveless top is something I’ve only recently added to my collection of free doll clothes sewing patterns.
Before I go on, I need to make my required disclaimer statement: As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how affiliate marketing works on my website, please go to the Privacy Policy page. Thank you!
To make today’s doll clothing, you will likely need one of the following items:
- cotton fabric (either solids or prints) on Etsy
- OR small-print Valentine’s Day cotton fabrics
- craft felt for the little shoes
- small buttons for a faux button-up front
- 3/4 inch sew-on Velcro for the back closure
- chopsticks (for inverting doll clothes)
- Dritz fabric pencil
- Fiskars Stitchers mini snips (for clipping seams efficiently)
- Gutermann sewing machine thread
This list comes from my “Buyer’s Guide” page, which is easily accessed from the home page.
And if you’re interested in using earth-friendly fabrics, please consider buying your fabric from FabScrap. FabScrap is a fabric recycle and reuse service, where you can buy fabrics that would otherwise go into landfills! Watch my FabScrap unboxing video to see what kinds of fabrics they sent me!
To learn more about FabScrap, this page on their website will tell you what a wonderful resource they offer!
As you know, February is Black History Month, and on ChellyWood.com, we’ve been learning about historical figures and events, but today I want to look into the history of one of the African nations…
Here in the United States (where I live), our history books almost never touch on the kingdoms outside of Europe, and really, our studies in school are relatively nationalistic, focusing on the history of the United States more than other national and continental histories. I was in college before I found out about the early civilizations on the African continent (other than Egypt — of course I’d heard about ancient pharaohs).
In particular, “Nigerian kingdoms and empires [were] formed” in the 1000’s AD, “including the Hausa, Oyo, and Benin kingdoms” (Glokar). The Housa Kingdoms AKA “Hausaland… was a collection of states” that included agriculture and trade networks running throughout what’s now called Nigeria. According to Wikipedia, “The date of the foundation of the Hausa kingdoms is unknown, however urbanisation in northern Nigeria led to the formation of states, with fortified capital cities becoming centres of power and rule.” This culture dates back to the early 1000’s, and its legends include stories of great heroes and kings.
“The Oyo Empire was a Yoruba empire in West Africa” (Wikipedia). Although it had other exports too, its Imperial Period coincides with the growing export of slaves from Africa. At its peak, the Oyo Empire was known for its military prowess. “There was a high degree of professionalism in the army of the Oyo Empire. Its military success was due in large part to its cavalry, its renowned archers, as well as the leadership and courage of Oyo officers and warriors” (Wikipedia). However, when the trading of slaves became illegal in Europe and the Americas, this part of what is now modern-day Nigeria suffered financial losses, and its empire began to crumble.
Dating back to the 11th century AD, “The Benin Kingdom was one of the oldest and most developed states in the coastal hinterland of West Africa” (Wikipedia). But early agricultural settlements can be dated back to the first century BCE, so this is a very ancient part of Nigeria. By the 16th century, “Benin dominated trade along the entire coastline from the Western Niger Delta, through Lagos” (Wikipedia). Today’s it’s best known for the amazing artworks that were left behind by this expansive kingdom.
Modern Nigeria “is home to over 214 million people,” boasting the largest population on the continent of Africa. “Nigerians belong to more than 250 different ethnic groups. The three largest are the Hausa, the Yoruba, and the Igbo” (Golkar). Many Nigerians practice Islam, but some are Catholic or Protestant Christians.
English is the country’s official language, but underscoring that, “over 500 languages are spoken in the country… [including] Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Fulani” (Golkar). You can learn more about Nigeria and it’s history by using the links I’ve provided in today’s blog post, or just visit your public library.
Today’s free printable PDF doll clothes sewing patterns will fit the following dolls:
- 13-inch dolls like the Disney Princess Toddler dolls
- 14-inch dolls like Hearts for Hearts Girls
- 15-inch dolls like Wellie Wishers from American Girl doll company
- 11 or 12-inch baby dolls like Baby Alive
- 11 or 12-inch baby dolls from JC Toys
Here are your free, printable PDF sewing patterns and tutorial videos for making the outfit shown at the top of this page:
- Free American printable PDF sewing pattern for a 12 to 13 inch baby or toddler doll A-line dress
- Free A4 (international) PDF sewing pattern for a 12 to 13 inch baby or toddler doll A-line dress
- Free American printable PDF pattern for making the doll’s shoes
- Free A4 (international) PDF sewing pattern for making the doll’s shoes
- Free American printable PDF pattern for making the doll’s shorts with a pocket
- Free A4 (international) PDF sewing pattern for making the doll’s shorts with a pocket
- Tutorial video showing how to make the dress
- Tutorial video showing how to make the felt shoes
- Tutorial video showing how to make the shorts (follow the directions for a single pocket, but make sure you cut 2 pockets and sew them to opposite sides of the shorts back)
You may also find these tutorial videos helpful:
- How to do a whipstitch
- How to sew snaps on fabric
- How to do a backstitch
- How to gather fabric
- How to do a baste stitch
- How to pull elastic through a casing
- How to use a needle threader
- How to do a basic straight stitch
- How to use bias tape
- How to choose fabric
- How to tie a knot using a needle and thread
- How to measure a doll
- How to press seams open, using a hot iron
- How to sew rickrack
- How to use selvage
- How to attach ribbon to doll clothes
- Tips on sewing with lace
- How to add a ruffle to a skirt
For more of my free tutorials, be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, ChellyWood1.
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References:
Golkar, Golriz. Nigeria. Bellwether Media, Minneapolis, MN, 2021.
Wikipedia contributors. “Hausa Kingdoms.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 19 Nov. 2025. Web. 11 Feb. 2026.
Wikipedia contributors. “Kingdom of Benin.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 8 Feb. 2026. Web. 11 Feb. 2026.
Wikipedia contributors. “Oyo Empire.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 11 Feb. 2026. Web. 11 Feb. 2026.
Disclaimer/Credit/Affiliate Marketing Link:
When you click links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include Amazon, Etsy, and the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more about how my website uses affiliate marketing, please visit the website’s Privacy Policy page.
To honor the trademark rights of the doll companies mentioned in this blog post, I am including links to their websites here. Please feel free to visit their website and consider purchasing one or more of the dolls mentioned.
The Baby Alive dolls are produced and marketed by Hasbro, who owns the trademark rights to them (™). Please visit Hasbro’s Baby Alive page to learn more about the dolls, or visit the Hasbro company website to learn more about the company itself.
The Disney Princess Toddler dolls are products offered by the Disney corporation, which holds the trademark for them (™). Please visit the Disney Toys website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.
The Hearts for Hearts Girls, Dolls and Games , when they were in production, were owned by the Playmates Company International, which (as far as I can tell) still holds the registered trademark for these toys. It should be noted, that when they were available for purchase, for each H4H doll purchased, the Hearts for Hearts company donated a portion of their proceeds to World Vision, a global humanitarian organization. However, these dolls are no longer produced, and therefore, you can only buy them used.
The Wellie Wishers and the 18 inch American Girl dolls mentioned in this blog post are products offered by Mattel, which holds the registered trademark for them (™). Please visit the Mattel Toys website to learn more about their company and its trademarked toys.