Doll clothes patterns are so much more interesting when they include accessories. So, don’t miss out on one of the hottest fashion trends this season, …the headband.
It’s easy to make a headband for your doll. Our headband features a giant silk flower. But you can use lots of different odds and ends like feathers, beads or buttons to make yours unique.
Recently, my mother brought this silk Hawaiian lei home from a party. (shown in the photo below) I decided to recycle it. I used 5 layers of the silk flower petals to make the big flower on each doll’s headband. There are 2 medium-colored layers on top, 2 dark-colored layers in the middle and one light-color on the bottom. I gathered them up in the center with a hand-basting stitch and sewed them on to an elastic band.
It takes about 12 inches of elastic to go around an American Girl dolls head. I used white elastic for the blonde and black elastic for the brunette, but you could also match the band to your doll’s outfit.
The secret to planning great looking accessories is to look at the doll clothes patterns you’re about to make, and find items that compliment the fabrics and colors you’re using.
The headband has lots of popular variations. This year, with the anniversary of Woodstock in the news, the forehead band is back in style too. Maybe you should celebrate Woodstock with retro-styled doll clothes patterns in updated tie-dye looks.
Shown above: The forehead band, a retro-look inspired by Woodstock.
Whatever you do, have fun and use your imagination. If you have an idea for a cute headband, leave a comment below, and share it with the other Doll Clothes Patterns readers.
August 25th, 2009 at 9:53 am
love your ead band so cute. my question is who is the dark hair doll, she doesn’t look familiar to me?
thank you
August 25th, 2009 at 11:26 am
What a great idea! I have one of those exact leis laying around the house too – now I know what to do with it
Thanks for helping me jump start my creative juices.
August 25th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing. I’d like to include this in my Tuesday round up around the doll world. Please let me know if that’s ok.
Margaret
August 25th, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Margaret,
Feel free to share. Just be sure you include a direct link to the blog at http://DollClothesPatterns.net/ on your site.
Peggy
August 25th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Maryann,
The brunette doll in the photo is a Madame Alexander Girlz doll. I don’t know her name and it’s not on the box. Maybe one of the other readers can answer this question. I bought her at Costco last Christmas for about $25.
Peggy
September 10th, 2009 at 3:47 pm
I love your site. I’m having so much fun sewing the styling cape and the hobo bag, Of course, with hobo money
)
Now i’m going to make headbands.
Thank You.
Cindy
November 19th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
I don’t know who is having more fun with the American Girl doll, me or my granddaughter–I think me, making all the cute things!! I loved the paper money to go in the hobo bag! Thanks for your ideas and website!!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Do you know where I can find small elastic for doll underpants etc.
I liked your head band idea.
November 30th, 2009 at 11:08 am
This is so cute!! My daughter will love it. We got a bunch of leis from my husbands Intel party and we were about to throw it out when we read this!
December 9th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
HomeSew.com has small elastic and small doll trims.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:44 am
Just found your website from you following me on Twitter-LOVE IT! I’m in the middle of making a bunch of AG outfits, and have been looking everywhere for the hard plastic headbands like this to decorate to go with but I can’t find them. Help!
February 18th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
thanks so much for the bag and money patterns. our granddaughter just loved them:)
February 19th, 2010 at 9:26 am
I’ve noticed that the dolls hair in the picture with your headbands is very smooth and shiny. Do you do something special? I just purchases a used Mdm. Alexander Girlz doll like your brunette and the hair looks dry. Any suggestions?
February 20th, 2010 at 2:39 am
Where can I find the headbands that fit these dolls. I would like to decorate them for my granddaughter.
Jane
February 21st, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Linda,
I spray a very small amount of Armour All (the stuff men spray on their car tires to make them shine)on the doll’s hair and comb it through. Make sure you’ve covered the doll in plastic wrap to avoid getting the spray on other parts of her body. Blot off any excess with a cotton t-shirt. Then, wait a day or two to let it soak in before you play with the doll.
Peggy
February 21st, 2010 at 6:22 pm
Jane,
I just used narrow elastic and made a band the size of the doll’s head. Then your ‘decorations’ can be sewn on to the elastic by hand.
For a certain color, you can cover the elastic with a fabric casing to match your doll’s outfit, or use a ribbon band. (with the elastic hidden under the doll’s hair.)
I would not use any kind of hard material for a headband. You want to avoid tangling or damaging the doll’s wig.
Peggy
April 23rd, 2010 at 7:43 am
The headband project is AWESOME and inexpensive! I used this as a project for girls ranging in age from 6 to 10 and they loved their finished project. All the headbands looked like they were made professionally! All the girls were very proud of their finished products. Thanks for the great idea!
May 4th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
What a lovely idea for girls everywhere to add some color to their doll’s look.
July 7th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
those are so cute! i am so excited to make some!
September 4th, 2010 at 4:47 pm
That headband is SOO cute!! I love it!
September 10th, 2010 at 7:28 am
I am new to the “designing” of American Girl Doll Clothes and love this great idea!!! THANKS!!
September 29th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
A beautiful idea For the American Girl doll hair and the headband is just precious! Thanks, Ruth
November 26th, 2010 at 9:11 am
Those headbands are so cute.And they fit perfectly.You are a very good designer.I’ve collected American Girl dolls since I was a kid, and I still love to take care of them.
December 25th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
I have the hard plastic 18″ headbands now at my web site if anyone is interested.
Thanks,
Jamie
http://www.punchplaceplus.com
December 27th, 2010 at 3:24 am
My daughter’s girl scout troop sewed fun buttons on to elastic head bands that you can find in the hair accessories section. They turned out really cute. You could do the same with the doll head band and make a matching one for your daughter to wear. I’ve seen really cute button packets that have a variety of coordinating buttons in different sizes.
January 10th, 2011 at 11:30 am
love this idea…adorable!
May 20th, 2011 at 4:56 pm
I am really enjoying all your cute things! This is adorable. Never knew anything to do with my girls’ leis and now I do! Can’t wait to see what’s next!
September 14th, 2011 at 10:17 pm
You website is absolutely great!! I have already learned a lot. I want to make some easy doll things for my granddaughters’ dolls. Today you sent me the money pattern, and then I went on Facebook and ‘Liked’ you for the wallet. Now I finished reading about the headband for the doll. You are right, the accessories make the outfits. You said if we went on your blog you would send other ideas and patterns to us. I’ll look forward to them, but I would have thanked you on the blog anyway. Now I’m going to start looking through your patterns for a really easy one for my first project, times four grand kids.
October 21st, 2011 at 11:26 am
Beautiful idea ! I love it.
November 2nd, 2011 at 6:10 pm
The forehead band is absolutely adorable!! But, what in the world did you cover the elastic with? I’ve hunted everywhere for something similar. I’ve even looked at the yarns. Can’t find anything that would give that look. Hope you can help me out. Thanks so much for this wonderful site.
November 8th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Kris,
The ‘forehead’ band shown is not on elastic. It is knit. The instructions are included in the Flared Party Dress with Fuzzy Knit Trim pattern on this site.
Peggy
December 26th, 2011 at 4:22 pm
Just found your site….it’s awesome! I have been sewing doll clothes for years now, but my daughter is past that stage. But now my friend’s daughter is at right age. With my friend being out of work on disability, she doesn’t have the money for expensive doll clothes. So I got her daughter her first 18 inch doll for Christmas (a Madame Alexander) and made a small wardrobe of clothing already. I am working on more, and the hobo bag and money will be a great addition!
An idea for clothes is to get premie size baby clothes from thrift stores. They’re hard to find, but easier to alter to fit your “girl” than larger sized infant clothing… great for PJ’s at least! Some items you may not even have to really alter!
I’m off to make a few hobo bags and the rag scarf too… and will be making the bed soon! So glad to find an easy bed idea!!! Doll beds are too expensive and just not that great…especially the plastic ones….now I can give my friend’s daughter a classy, personalized bed…complete with sheets and comforter and pillows! Thanks so much!!!!