Tuesday, December 02, 2008

doll bedding tutorial

This past weekend while we were traveling, I was able to finish up two doll quilts. I thought I would share a few measurements/directions on how to make these. It's not rocket science, by any means, but when you are in a time crunch, it's nice to have someone else do the math for you. (At least I think so.) I'm making a few sets of these for gifts for some special little people for Christmas.

This quilt measures 12" x 16".
The squares are 2.5" cut, and 2" finished.
I stippled it and bound it like all my larger quilts.

This one measures 14" x 18".
For the red, make a piece of patchwork that measures 18" x 2.5"
Cut 2 pieces of aqua fabric:
9.5" x 18" and 4" x 18".
Sew together using a quarter inch seam and quilt as desired.
For the pillows:

cut the fabric 4" x 6", sew on all 4 sides, but leave an opening for turning and stuffing, then sew the end shut. Easy peasy.

For the pillows, I used vintage cotton ticking that came from my grandma's house.
She bought it in 1978, when I wasn't quite 3 years old! It's high time that someone is using it.
I'm so glad that I'm the one who is. :)

For the pillows cases...

cut 2 pieces of fabric:
the one on the left is 3.5" x 9"
the one on the right is 5.25" x 9"

sew together using a 1/4" seam allowance
press the seam toward the smaller piece of fabric (in this case, to the left)
pin 2 sides and sew, again using a 1/4" seam

turn over the raw edge about 1/4", press

fold the end down to just cover the seam line
then press
this part is tricky because it's so small, but after a few, you'll be a pro (hopefully).
stitch around the cuff using a slight seam allowance.

turn the pillow right side out, and you are done.
seriously, how cute is that?

I was squealing with delight while I was making these.
And of course, the more you make, the cuter they are!
I have a feeling that the ones that are staying at my house are going to get a lot of use. :)

118 comments:

tam said...

Very sweet!
~Tam :D

Alissa said...

So cute it hurts!!!

Unknown said...

They are gorgeous! So cute :) I think I can whip some of these up for Christmas - what a great idea!

Amelia said...

Absolutely adorable...plus you had fun in making them...this is a double present - you and the recipient.

Marie' said...

I thought I was finished with my Christmas prep. But I might have to make a few of these cute things.

Anonymous said...

So adorable! I just love the red and aqua and cherries together.

silversmith said...

if only there were some girls in my family to sew for! i've got 4 boys, but a hopeful niece-to-be in the summer...

they're adorable and as soon as i've got a girl to sew for, i'll be making a few.

Emily G. said...

Too cute!

MelissaS said...

Sooooo cute!

amy smart said...

Oh, those little pillows with their own pillow-cases are too adorable.

Lisa @ Life with 4! said...

I love the little pillowcases. That's a great idea to add a special touch to an ordinary thing, especially when given as a gift.

Dandelion Quilts said...

So sweet!

Kathy said...

Very adorable! (As all your designs are!)

rosehippo said...

Those are adorable pillows! After I make a few doll ones, I may up the pattern for some funky pillow cases for myself.

jacquie said...

these are adorable. i'm bookmarking this so when i have little granddaughters i can make them sets of these. i love the ticking...that is so special.

Anonymous said...

oh, how precious!!! Seriously. I absolutely love these. I know a special little one that would love a doll quilt and pillow for her dolly. Thanks for the tutorial.

Anonymous said...

these are adorable! i did a bit of squealing myself when i saw them :-)

audreypawdrey said...

I am definitely making one of these for Christmas! I absolutely love the little pillow and pillowcase. It is almost to cute.

Maria Stahl said...

Lovely.

I like to make doll bedding out of vintage linen and bits of old lace for trim. You can make gorgeous little pillowcases out of a scrap of linen and the old handmade lace taken from a real human-sized pillowcase where the fabric has disintegrated.

isolada. by design said...

Oh my gosh, oh my gosh! I been seeing this thing "doll quilt" on many blogs and thought it was just that, but wasn't REALLY sure because was it too obvious? :) Seeing your tutorials, including the pillows & pillow cases, well, I can't help but fall in love! I may have to make some and when I know of a wee one born, I'll be so happy to give it away with much joy. Thank you so much for this wonderful, happy post! I think I'm feeling the Christmas Spirit now!

Heather said...

Adorable.

Karen said...

How cute these are! I especially like the little pillows and cases. Wouldn't these make a nice sachet? I can see one in Christmas fabrics with a red bow at the edge with a delicate scent inside. Hmmm....

katTMD said...

you are right, those are way too cute! I should probably make one of these as a first quilt project. I just know Davis would love a baby quilt for her bitty baby. Now I just need to get some pretty fabric!

Amy said...

how sweet. If I had a doll, she would have nice bedding and a quilt also.. thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

oh.
my.
goodness.

these are the cutest pillows ever, and each of big B's four favorite 'friends' will be receiving one. THANK YOU!

Anina said...

OMG those little pillows and pillow cases are killing me! Sooooo cute!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh - these are sooo adorable! I am making the girls dolls for Christmas and these would be perfect to go with them!

Jessica said...

If I was an 8 year old girl...I would so be asking for one of these!

Vicki W said...

I'm loving those adorable little pillows and pillowcases!

Andi said...

Absolutely gorgeous.

lera said...

Oh, cute, cute, CUTE!!!!! This is on my list. Maybe my after-Christmas list ...

Di~ said...

Does the cuteness ever end at your house??? I love it all! I wish I had a little girl again, it's been 15 years since my girls played dolls. You are so very giving to share this all. I will do....

Thimbleanna said...

Holy Cow Amandajean! Do you ever take a break???

You've done at least THREE beautiful quilts since I've been gone. I LOVE them all. The Christmas charm quilt is fantastic. (And doesn't it drive you nuts when those colors run???) I love the little doll quilts and pillows too -- what a perfect gift for a little doll lover!

CJ said...

So sweet! I especially LOVE when someone does the math for me! Thanks! I want to make some of these - at some point. Gee, I need someone that plays with dolls. Hmmmmmm.

Amy said...

oh my word, those are the cutest itty bitty pillows ever! Why have I not made this for Zoe yet?! OK no later than next Christmas I must make this!

Louise said...

Absolutely adorable!! We have an old dolls crib that I'm going to do up for my nearly 3 yr old. These will be just perfect!

Tasha Horsley said...

these are so so so darling...i just kept saying "oh!" as i scrolled down through the page!

I have been using your tutorial on the pink ragged squares quilt for a christmas quilt. The top is done and looks so great! I am excited to get it finished in the next week. thanks for all your inspiration!

Leslie said...

those pillows and pillowcases are painfully adorable...i love them

Emily Herrick said...

I am so in love with your blog! What great ideas. Since we're going "green" (pc for "we're broke") this year I'm going to make my daughter a cute little doll blankies and pillow for Christmas! Woo Hoo!

I gotta know, do you have a long-arm, or do you quilt on your machine?

Dawn said...

Darling!

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love your blog!! You have taught me so much! Your binding tutorial saved the day a month ago! I am here freezing in Minnesota and now I read we are about the same age. :) Fun. I started quilting just this year and I am hooked. I just love everything you put together and so appreciate the detail you give us! Thank you!
Alyson in Minneapolis

Puglette said...

the little pillows and pillow cases are so sweet! makes me want to get some dollys to sleep on them!
hugs,
puglette
:o)

Cathi said...

These are fabulous! Thank you so much for the great tutorials!! I think some of these have to be made for some small teddy bears!!

Stacy said...

seriously cute, that's what. those pillows are over-the-top with cuteness. SO dear.

bili said...

А как вы так простегиваете одеяло?

DIDI said...

OH thanks so much! Thanks for the idea, thanks for the measurements, thanks for the pillow explanations and thanks for the previous tutorials on your blog which will allow me to be capable of doing this project in time for Santa.
Bye,

Dorothee said...

Ever so lovely! I think I will be making a few of those over the holidays!

Anonymous said...

So very cute! Darling! Do you remember the name of that aqua fabric? It looks so sweet with your reds! Thanks, Libby

Sherry said...

Those are just adorable! Thanks for doing the math for us.

Audrey said...

Come to my blog please to receive your award!!

Amanda Jean said...

libby,

the aqua fabric is some no name solid stuff I picked up at my local mill end outlet sometime last spring or before. now they are out of business. :( I wish I could help you with this!

aj

Amanda Jean said...

crazyoldladies@gmail.com,

I quilt all my quilts on my regular sewing machine. I have a JUKI TL-98Q. and it's fabulous.

aj

Christine said...

I'm stopping tonight to get a bed for the AG doll that I'm pretty sure Santa is leaving this year for her. I was going to make her a quilt and pillow and now I don't have do any of the math - YIPPEE!!!

Liana said...

I'm seriously crying that the only little girl in my family is not in to dolls right now...

Anonymous said...

Adorable! Thank you so much for this. I'm finishing up my first quilt thanks to your tutorials and plan on making my dd her first dolly for Xmas. Now I think I'll be able to do this as well for her in time for Xmas. Thanks a million!

Sheri said...

These are adorable. I will have to add it to my list of things to do.

Anonymous said...

Oh my, how cute are the pillow cases and the pillows! The doll quilt is awesome too!

nettie said...

I love those little pillows! I also love that there is a date on your grandmother's ticking. did she label it herself?

Team Sax said...

Um...this is probably the CUTEST thing I have ever seen!!!!!!!

Bonnie said...

So cute! I love them. I can't wait until my daughter is a little older so I have an excuse to make sweet doll quilts like these!

Jane said...

Yes! Always great to have someone "do the math", especially if it is a tutorial by you!
Just.So.Darling.!
~jane

PunkiePie (Jen) said...

Thank you! I started a doll quilt but it's more square than rectangle. Oh well. I wanted to do a matching pillow too so thanks for those directions!

Jen :)

Rachel@oneprettything.com said...

AWW! I love this, I'll be linking.

Unknown said...

too cute! I should make a few of those :)

Carrie P. said...

Those little pillowcases are just too cute.

Anonymous said...

AWESOME! Thanks for sharing. I'm glad I have a daughter to make this for. But she's not even a year yet so...
-Kathy

princess pudge said...

yay, thank you! i've been looking for exactly this kind of thing for ages, you're a gem to do all the thinking for me :D

Robin (RsIslandCrafts) said...

What perfect timing! I was just doing a search to see what size to make doll quilts...and then I read yours. Go figure, I had the answer in my bloglines waiting for me :)

Pat at Bell Creek Quilts said...

That is so cute! any dolly would be happy to get a quilt for the Holidays :)

a friend to knit with said...

i've got to find a little girl to make that for!
that is SO cute!!!

woolcat said...

those are super cute!

I wish my daughter played with her dolls. Perhaps I should make one of these for her favourite T-rex!

Denise Felton said...

Fabulous! I've scheduled a link to this post to go live on my blog tomorrow morning (Central USA time). I hope it brings you a few extra clicks.

Denise
http://needlework.craftgossip.com

Anonymous said...

Your timing is amazing! I was just going to start some doll bedding for my daughter and my niece. This makes it so much easier! Thanks!

Rebekah said...

this is such a cute set...but then again tiny things for dolls and little girls are always adorable :)

Amanda Jean said...

nettie,

the label was the original one from JCPenney back in 1978. isn't that great?

aj

Liz said...

THANK YOU! My mother-in-law is getting my daughter a doll bed for Christmas but the bedding is up to me. Thank you...

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much. You are an angle.

Jill said...

Ohh, I love these! I am making doll quilts for my girls for Christmas, and now I must make the pillows with the pillowcases. They are sooo precious! What a fabulous use of the ticking.

Amber said...

Oh my goodness those are so FREAKING CUTE!!! I am bookmarking this post I must try that. Brilliant.

Dotty said...

They are super cute.
x

Anonymous said...

Cutest.
Pillows.
Evah.

Anonymous said...

How adorable! I just love that you have a little girl around the same age as my little girl! She just got some dolls and a doll bed for her birthday and I've been planning on making some bedding to go with them - now I don't need to figure it all out! Thank you so much for all your great tutorials and instructions!

Trina said...

So stinkin' cute! Thanks for doing all the math. I wish I had the nerve to try stippling!

Anonymous said...

I agree... one pillow was cute. But a whole bunch of little pillows? *Squeee!*
This just might get me back to my doll quilt that needs a pillow and pillow case and a mattress for the little cradle.
Cute stuff!rei

Alana Jo said...

So creative ans cute!

Anonymous said...

This is great! My daughter turns two this year and will be getting her first doll. I anticipate needing these directions soon. You're right -- not rocket science, but you saved me some time in providing the measurements. What great ideas.

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

Thanks for this tutorial! I crocheted a scarf and hat for my niece's American Girl doll and I think a quilt and pillow would be a nice gift to add to it. Those pillows are really cute!

Anonymous said...

Perfect! Just what I needed to get me moving on the quilts for the bunk beds that just arrived.

I hope you don't mind if I link to this tutorial on my blog.
:) Diane

Peppermint Lane said...

Thanks for the tutorial. I'm planning on starting one this week.

Bee said...

Oh my those pillows are so adorable!

Susan J Barker said...

Your project inspired me! I spent a couple of very early morning hours making up a doll quilt and pillow case for a little girl I know. Pictures on my blog.

Unknown said...

those are just darling!
I've been cheering myself on in the direction of trying quilting for a while now. These would be an adorable start... and then I could up the sizing a little for a toddler bed and work my way up maybe ;)
This is possibly a stupid question, but bear in mind, I'm not a quilter... how do you do the stippling? I like the effect, but don't have a hot clue how to do it.

Locket Pocket said...

They are lovely! Thanks for showing us how to do them! Lucy x

Ginger said...

Just so adorable nothing like seeing a child putting her baby to bed thank you so much for the tutorial.
Wonderful job!

A Colorful World said...

Great tutorial! Thanks!

Casey said...

so adorable! I was just thinking yesterday I needed to make a quilt for my daughter's babies, now I have the measurements, thank you!

Amanda Jean said...

lorchick,

there is a stippling tutorial (complete with video-but no sound) on my sidebar under "free motion quilting"...let me know if you have any more questions.

aj

sulu-design said...

The mini pillows are killing me - so cute!

Ruth said...

I LOVE your little pillow cases. I wish I had some ticking like that. I made several doll pillows out of muslin and pillow cases out of plain white fabric and trimmed with lace. They were quite cute too! I love making doll quilts too. My quilters guild is having a doll quilt challenge for 2009, so I need to dream up something for that. Enjoy your blog very much.

Anonymous said...

What a cute project!

angharad handmade said...

So sweet - especially those tiny pillows in the ticking! I'm adding this to my 'must make if I don't run out of time' list!

paige said...

Thanks so much for sharing this great tutorial--My little miss is receiving a doll bed for Christmas, and this tutorial will GREATLY help me finish the bedding.

Can you source the cherry fabric for me. It looks like a favorite dress of my daughter's but we haven't been able to find the fabric anywhere.

Amanda Jean said...

paige,

the cherry fabric is Dainties by Robert Kaufman. But it's old now (not sure how old), so it's hard to get ahold of...a fact I'm very sad about.

aj

Maddie Dean Photography said...

So very cute! My dd is getting an American doll bed for Christmas and I'm so bummed that I didn't see this tutorial sooner. Maybe I'll get her some bedding done for her birthday instead!

-Sarah-

Liane said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial!!! I made a set for my girls for Christmas here: http://spacestitch.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/doll-quilts/ and linked to your blog. You have the greatest blog ever. :)

liz said...

thanks so much for this tutorial!

i made a set for my kids for christmas, and it came out super-cute.
blogged here:
http://cozyblue.typepad.com/cozy_blue/2008/12/giftmaking.html

thanks again :)

Serena said...

Perfect silent auction item for my sons' school fundraiser that I can use my leftover fabric for. Yea! Thank you for such a cute idea!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this tutorial! I've got a couple quilts and 5 pillows done for my children already, and there's still at least 2 more doll quilts to make up!

Liz Jimenez said...

Hi there! I was google-ing doll bed quilts and stumbled here, and I'm so glad I did! My friend's husband is building some doll beds for their kids, and is going to make one for me in exchange for me sewing up some bedding. I'm so excited, and even more so now that I have some explicit instructions. As you say, it's not rocket science, but it's still nice to have it written out. :-)

Anyways, I've happily added you to my Google Reader and look forward to coming back again and again! I'm a relative newbie on the quilting front, but I really enjoy it.

Best,
Liz (aka "Goddess in Progress")

Vivayne said...

I would love to see your version of a kids backpack to hold these items and the dolly :)Christmas is coming up...

Bonnie said...

WOW! I accidently found your wonderful blog by looking for measurements for a doll quilt. I am so glad that I found your blog. I love everything you make and I think you have a very good eye for detail and color. Amazing! Wonderful instructions but I made my doll quilt a tab bigger with the pillow being one more inch bigger because I made a windmill quilt using my own measurements from a baby quilt. Thanks again!

snappy said...

I love your blog. I am a novice sewer and need all the help I can get... so thank you for posting such great tutorials and ideas! It is much appreciated.

Anonymous said...

So very cute!!! I plan to make some when I get home. Thanks!
Angela

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Old post but my how cute. I just finished your scrappy doll quilt but this one with the pillows are just toooooo cute too. Perfect for abeginner like me. I like it!Thanks for ALL your sharing.

Kelly O. said...

great tutorial! thank you for your help in pointing me to it!!!

Lori said...

Blogged here: http://tutorialsunraveled.blogspot.com/2010/12/doll-pillowcase-tutorial.html

Chris {frecklemama} said...

OMG I just made this doll bedding set as a last minute gift for a 5 yr old's birthday. So freaking adorable! I made the entire set in an hour. I strip-pieced alternating pattern strips, chopped into strips of 2" squares and sewed the rows together forming off-set blocks. Then I backed with white minky. The pillow case cuff was made with a leftover strip of patchwork. A-DORABLE. Thank you as always for providing use-able, easy, and divine tutorials!

Everyday Evangelism said...

Adorable. Thanks for posting the tutorial.