Easy 18-inch Doll Gift You Can Make

Life has been a lot slower for the last six months, as I have taken time for myself. All the projects I wanted to do have started happening. For example, during December, I rounded up enough different patterns to make aprons for my granddaughter, her American Doll and her mother. I have never tackled that big of a project, but they loved them.

A new year requires some new activities. and, as January rolled around, I knew I needed a new project. With birthdays and such, useful ideas for easy gifts is my cup of tea. A great idea was born from a conversation with my sister, a fabulous, creative individual. She was sharing with me how she makes doll clothes for American Girl boy dolls. She often uses little boy tee-shirts and she incorporates the hem that is already there whenever she can. During that conversation, I remembered something.

While thrift-store shopping, I found a little quilted item that I thought would work for a doll blanket, but the back had markings on it and they would not come out. I used a simple oven mitt pattern that would fit an American Girl doll. I laid it out along the edge of the material and cut out the pattern. The sides sewed together easily and before I knew it, I created not one, but several hot mitts from one twenty-five cent purchase. 

Here is Kit, wearing hers. It was made from the quilted item. I wish I knew what it was called!

 

Feeling more comfortable, I cut out more from fat squares and even used left over material to make one to make the American Girl dolls apron. I made hot mitts for my best-friend-forever (since fourth-grade) for her to give to her granddaughter, for the daughter of my niece, for my sister's new doll, Blaire Wilson. (According to her bio, Blaire loves cooking, so this is the perfect gift.)

Making the mitts was easy. It goes from this...

To this...

in a few short steps. I used a thin foam with interfacing that was ironed on to the foam. The inside edges, by the little fingers, were sewn together and a band was sewn on across the bottom edge.  A tab for hanging was added and the rest of the mitt was sewn together. It fits the hands of the dolls perfectly.

Ari and Kit are getting ready to do some serious cooking:

If you need a quick gift for the 18" doll lover in your life, or you just want a little side hustle for the holidays, consider making a few of these adorable hot mitts. They are quick, easy and bound to be loved by anyone who receives one...or two...or... Adding an apron is easy, too! The one above is not quite finished, but came out really cute. Let me know if you would like either of the aprons.

I am amending this to share the cooking outfit I made for a gift.  

Now I am off to try and make a picnic blanket from a pattern my sister told me about. Two fat squares, binding and a mason jar. What could be more fun?