Although our blog discussions will usually focus on sewing unique fashion-forward outfits from doll clothes patterns, sometimes a creative, money-saving idea is just too good to overlook.
If you can find a package of Saran brand Quick Covers hidden away in your kitchen or pantry, you’ll have a cute shower cap for your 18-inch doll. These plastic covers were manufactured to fit assorted sizes of food-storage containers. The medium size fits Julie, our American Girl doll, perfectly.
You won’t find Quick Covers in the stores now, because Saran doesn’t make them any more. However, they’re still available on eBay. There are also similar products sold online that are made by other manufacturers. Just do a search for “Quick Covers” on Google or eBay.
It’s quick and easy to sew a ‘doll-sized’ terrycloth bath towel to complete this outfit. You won’t even need doll clothes patterns. Just cut a rectangle (18 inches X 9 inches) from one of your old bath or hand towels and hem it on four sides. If you can’t find any old towels buried in the back of your linen closet, it’s fairly easy to find nice quality used towels at your local ‘odds and ends’ or thrift store. You could also recycle an old terry cloth robe instead of throwing it away.
Sewing notes:
The towel measurements (18 X 9) allow ½ inch on all sides to turn back for a rolled hem. To make a rolled hem turn the fabric down ¼ inch, then turn it down another ¼ inch to create a roll, so no raw edges show. Your finished doll’s towel will measure about 17 inches long by 8 inches wide.
April 13th, 2009 at 10:44 am
you are so cute…this is such a nifty idea and your website is set up very nicely too. thanks for the great idea!
May 2nd, 2009 at 3:15 pm
I used my hobo bag pattern for my niece’s doll and she is delighted. Your instructions were detailed just enought to give me the guidance I needed, just like a GREAT recipe! The bag looks like a pro made it!!! Thanks for the expert advice and patterns for my niece’s doll! I am going to get all your patterns now and start sewing for her birthday and Christmas!
April 23rd, 2010 at 3:20 am
Hey this is an awesome idea!!!!!!!
Thanks
April 23rd, 2010 at 12:46 pm
My local Dollar Tree has boxes of elastic covers like this, so if you don’t have any squirreled away, you can check there.
August 31st, 2010 at 11:49 am
Thanks for the hobo bag and play money! My girls love both!
September 17th, 2010 at 8:55 am
What a wonderful extra for the purse. Made a wallet to fit the money and the bag. The girls will be thrilled for Christmas. These type of extras make playing with the dolls even more fun! Thanks
October 13th, 2010 at 3:13 pm
The shower cap is great for getting the dolls with long hair dressed, doesn’t get mixed in with the velcro, great idea, if you just tell the little girls.
January 29th, 2011 at 4:37 am
Thanks for your wonderful blog. I printed the play money, and my daughter will love it. We also made the rag scarf. It is darling. We will help all of her friends make rag scarfs for their dolls at my daughter’s American Girl birthday party. I look forward to diving into more complicated projects in the future. Your website was just what I was looking for in helping my daughter and I have some good bonding time as we make things for her new doll.
February 26th, 2011 at 11:44 am
I just loved this idea!
I will say that I found newly made food covers by CoverMate at the grocery store recently.
For about $3.00 you get 20 covers. Four of them are medium for the shower cap. Green band, they are clear.
So not a bad deal! and, a few to share!
Thank you for the marvelous idea!
April 7th, 2011 at 8:54 am
How lovely !!! Love everything I see on this site. Thank you
April 25th, 2011 at 7:53 am
I went to a dollar store and got a food cover for 1.00.
May 14th, 2011 at 10:25 pm
Can anyone tell me where I can purchase short zippers both open at the top and seperating ones that are about 4 to 5 inches long? Also would like to know where i can purchase jumper buckles to fit 1/2 inch straps or any other kind of notions for making doll clothes. I do not like velcro as it sticks to everything.
May 15th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
Tiny zippers and buckles…
http://tinyzippers.com/
May 24th, 2011 at 2:01 pm
I found 20 covers at Dollar Tree for yep, just a buck!
Thanks for the 411….Making this idea with girls at slumber party.
Linda
December 15th, 2011 at 12:44 pm
That’s awesome! I don’t even have to ask Mom to take me to the store! Thanks again!
April 14th, 2012 at 11:41 am
I think this is cute!
But I have been looking all over for a pattern to make a robe. Do you know where I can find one?
April 14th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Becca,
The long hoodie pattern on the home page would work great as a robe. Just make it out of light-weight terrycloth and add a tie belt around the waist. You can also make the tunic and pants (in the same hoodie pattern) out of cotton knit and make cute pajamas.
April 16th, 2012 at 1:06 pm
Thank you, I will deffinitly try that.