18" Doll Swimsuit Cover-up Free Tutorial

Today's tutorial is a super cute swimsuit cover-up! It features fun racer-back styling, a single tie at the front, and two tiny pockets. And the best part? All you need is an old t-shirt and the (free!) Liberty Jane Trendy T-Shirt pattern.

    

Cut a 2 1/2" wide strip off the bottom of your t-shirt, including the original hem, then cut out the fronts and backs as the pattern directs (you don't need the sleeves). The finished cover-up will open in the front, so for our purposes, we'll pretend the back is the front, and the front is the back. Got it? Let's go!

Next, we'll do some fancy trimming. Open up the shirt, and then refold it along the original front's foldline. Lay the two 'backs' (what will become our fronts) on top of each other, being careful to line everything up. You'll make three sets of cuts; refer to the picture below to see how big and where to make them.

Then, re-open the top, and hem both armholes and the neckline. Once that's done, sew the side seams!

 

Next, take the 2 1/2" strip you cut off the bottom of the shirt. If you used the shirt's hemline, you can save yourself a step, like I did here; otherwise, take a minute and run a narrow hem along one long edge. Cut the strip so that it's 25" long -- or as close to that as you can get with your tee.

Finally, hem the front edges and add the ties and pockets.

Then, put it on your doll and let her have a blast!

                                          

Happy summer!

Melinda, for Pixie Faire

PS: Does your doll need a new swimsuit to go with her cover-up? Liberty Jane has a free swimsuit pattern too!

 

ENTER TO WIN A $50 Pixie Faire Gift Card!

 

 

To enter this week's contest, simply click the link below and then enter through the giveaway widget at the bottom of the blog post, there are many things you can do to earn multiple entry points!

Contest Details: You enter through the entry form that is embedded on this page and appears just below this paragraph, if you don't see it, be sure to visit the page from your desktop or an alternate browser such as Google Chrome. It may not appear on all mobile devices. The complete rules and entry details appear on the entry form. This is not a comment contest - in other words, leaving a comment on the bottom of this page is not an official entry method. The only required entry method is to leave a comment under this post and then confirm that you did it in the contest widget. One person will receive the Pixie Faire Gift Card. You can enter once, or gain multiple entries by completing the other entry methods and increase your chances of winning. Please review all Terms and Conditions on the giveaway page before entering. While we wish we could run this contest everywhere, for legal reasons it is only open to eligible residents of the U.S. and Canada, not including Rhode Island. This contest is exclusively endorsed by Liberty Jane Clothing and Pixie Faire. 

Not affiliated or endorsed by Mattel® or American Girl®

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Commenting below and confirming your entry in the widget above gives you one entry method, the other methods are listed in the widget above, be sure to enter in as many ways as you can to receive the maximum amount of entries to win the gift card!

 (This post and giveaway are not endorsed or affiliated with American Girl®, no endorsement implied.) 

We’d love to hear from you. Please leave a comment and tell us,  What is you favorite thing about summer?

 

 


100 Comments

Vada Weinman
Vada Weinman

January 09, 2023

Actually superior site, thanks a great deal of for that put up

Bonny
Bonny

December 26, 2022

I’m so excited to get started making doll clothes for my granddaughters new AGdolls

G Cqtarh af
G Cqtarh af

August 31, 2022

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Cheryl R.
Cheryl R.

June 26, 2022

My favorite thing about Summer is the warmth and sunshine!

Shirley
Shirley

June 26, 2022

My children are all grown with families. I enjoy it when they come and we get to spend time with the grandchildren. Summer is a time I can get outside and work in my flower beds. The flowers are all blooming and the trees are filled out. I like sitting outside on the bench and enjoying the beauty God has created.

Niki Henderson
Niki Henderson

June 25, 2022

I love the warmth and getting out of those winter clothes. Not to mention watermelon.

Betty
Betty

June 25, 2022

I love sitting out on the deck with a nice cold glass of lemonade listening to and watching the birds and other animals that come to our property.

CHERYL
CHERYL

June 24, 2022

Forgot to add I love the butterflies and flowers during the summer.

CHERYL
CHERYL

June 24, 2022

This is so cute. Can’t wait to try it.

Dorothy
Dorothy

June 24, 2022

I love the chance to see my grand-kids more because they aren’t in school. We have so much fun together!

Carol
Carol

June 23, 2022

I love the relaxed pace and getting to spend more time outdoors.

Vickie McK
Vickie McK

June 23, 2022

I like going to the Celtic festivals and watching the dance competitions. We are also representing my husband’s Scottish clan. I’m having fun demonstrating bobbin lacemaking and talking about some of the history as it relates to the Renaissance period.

jacki
jacki

June 23, 2022

strawberries and watermelon….

Lore
Lore

June 23, 2022

Key lime pie!!

Bonny
Bonny

June 23, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is swimming with my grandchildren in the lake, pool and water parks.

Sharon
Sharon

June 23, 2022

love the produce, the swimming

Joanne
Joanne

June 23, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is babysitting my 3 local grandsons a couple days a week and tending to my vegetable garden!

Sparkle
Sparkle

June 23, 2022

The lengthened daylight we wait all year to enjoy, wearing a t-shirt and shorts rather than layers, the warmth and sunlight and ability to enjoy the outdoors.

Angela
Angela

June 23, 2022

Swimming is my favorite part about summer! I don’t like the heat, but I love meeting up with friends and getting in the pool.

Lunda
Lunda

June 23, 2022

Love the garden produce from my own garden.

Dotti G
Dotti G

June 23, 2022

Summer is my least favorite time of year. With that said there are things to love – like the lighting bugs in June lighting up our entire yard like an enchanted forest.

Cherie
Cherie

June 23, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is NOTHING! I sincerely dislike the heat, the bugs, the humidity, etc. However, I do love to sew!

Mae Lynn Beck
Mae Lynn Beck

June 23, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is watermelon! And other fresh fruits and veggies. Also the relaxed schedule (most of the time).

Marilyn
Marilyn

June 23, 2022

The thing I love most about Summer is all of the green in East Tennessee and next is that Fall and cooler weather is not far off!

Alita Shaver
Alita Shaver

June 22, 2022

I love the way the breeze catches long flowing garments in handkerchief linen and cotton batiste.

Amy
Amy

June 22, 2022

Thanks for the giveaway!!!

Fran R.
Fran R.

June 22, 2022

I like summer clothing-light and breezy with lots of colors. Summer clothes seem so much more playful. I have always like that about summer. My winter wardrobe was always much more classic in style.

Vickie
Vickie

June 22, 2022

You always have the cutest projects! The T-shirt and swimsuit will be so fun for this summer! Not sure I want to cover them up!

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is not having to stay in the house and getting to see faces that do not come out because of winter. Everything is beautiful and warm.

Cathy
Cathy

June 22, 2022

I love summer with the long warm days. Our summers are so short you have to embrace every special day before it so quickly turns to fall.

Dorothy
Dorothy

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is that my far away loved ones can come visit because school is out.

Heather
Heather

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is growing a garden and canning all of the produce!

Adele Pavan
Adele Pavan

June 22, 2022

Love making bouquets with my garden flowers.

Debra
Debra

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is that my grandchildren are out of school and come and stay with us. We get to go to the beach, play games and just have lots of fun activities and outings.

Annlee
Annlee

June 22, 2022

I love the colors of Nature in the summer the shade of green and the flower. The pattern is cute, Thank you

Denise A
Denise A

June 22, 2022

In the summertime, the grass is warm and my little dog loves to roll in it. It makes him so happy. This is the thing I love most about summer.

Leah
Leah

June 22, 2022

I love summer to read, sew and garden without worrying about children’s schoolwork!

karyn wollmann
karyn wollmann

June 22, 2022

I love how u get to see folks u do to get to see all winter long..and then like the first blooms of spring flowers you get to see them all summer long

Roben
Roben

June 22, 2022

I my favorite things is taking the kids in nanny to the pool every day. I love the water.

S.C.
S.C.

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer, besides the bright hot days, is being able to enjoy the outdoors by playing tennis, hiking, and just hanging out in the warm sun.

Lisa Crow
Lisa Crow

June 22, 2022

Summer is when my daughter is home from school every day — which is a little bittersweet now because she just graduated high school — but the best part of my day is the part I get to spend with her, so not having her gone all day was always my favorite part of summer.

Maryann
Maryann

June 22, 2022

Summer is the time for family get togethers at the backyard swimming pool.

Saraquill
Saraquill

June 22, 2022

I’m a grown woman, but I still think school vacation is the best part of summer.

Christine Miloslavic
Christine Miloslavic

June 22, 2022

I live in Florida and love the warm summer months. So much to do and so many things to enjoy. 😊

Catherine Ann Hickson
Catherine Ann Hickson

June 22, 2022

I love the trees. Green and lush, hiding the nests and protecting the birds from the rain.

Teresa
Teresa

June 22, 2022

My favorite about summer is longer days

Rebecca
Rebecca

June 22, 2022

I am a teacher, so my favorite thing about summer is getting some time to relax and refresh.

Lisa
Lisa

June 22, 2022

I love the cover up. Looks like a great idea.

Casey
Casey

June 22, 2022

When it ends. I love Fall and Winter!! Thanks for the giveaway!

Anne Marie
Anne Marie

June 22, 2022

I love the extra hours of sunlight!

Christie
Christie

June 22, 2022

My favourite thing about summer is my daughter being out of school so we can spend time together, especially at the pool!

Melissa
Melissa

June 22, 2022

i love it when the weather is nice and being able to be outside.

Piroska
Piroska

June 22, 2022

I love the slower pace. Reading in the gazebo. Gardening. Barbecue. Don’t need a clock—my days are free.

Rosemary H
Rosemary H

June 22, 2022

I love being able to see outside in the sun.

Marion
Marion

June 22, 2022

I am not a summer and hot weather person Air condition is the bet thing about summer.
Marion

Bridgette
Bridgette

June 22, 2022

Warm weather and fresh vegetables from the garden! Thank you so very much for all the giveaways,I really like that they are done on this blog through rafflecopter, because not everyone has all the social media platforms and this way gives everyone a chance to enter! So thanks again!

Wanda
Wanda

June 22, 2022

I love using all my cute prints to make summer clothes for my AG doll

Glenda
Glenda

June 22, 2022

Such a cute adaptation. I am looking forward to sewing for a new generation of girls who are discovering the 18 inch doll world. I love the late evening sunlight, and air conditioning. 103 here today!

Lois
Lois

June 22, 2022

Not having to bundle up to go outside!! :)

Darlene
Darlene

June 22, 2022

my flower garden blooming never ending colors

Maureen A
Maureen A

June 22, 2022

Fireworks on the 4th!

Maurine
Maurine

June 22, 2022

I love summertime as all the flowers are blooming, the beaches and mountains are so inviting. Southern California is at its finest during the summer.

Laura
Laura

June 22, 2022

Love this site. So many choices I have a difficult time choosing just 1 pattern

Cathy
Cathy

June 22, 2022

love the sunshine and warmer temps.

S.K.
S.K.

June 22, 2022

That’s really hard! The sun, the rain, the butterflies, no jackets, and that you can wear slide on shoes! :) Thanks for the giveaway!

Lori Neilson
Lori Neilson

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is the beautiful flowers and the fresh vegetables from our garden.

Barbara
Barbara

June 22, 2022

I love all the beautiful flowers and the warm sunshine.

Jackie
Jackie

June 22, 2022

Going on vacation to the beach.

Elizabeth
Elizabeth

June 22, 2022

I love the fresh vegetables.

Ann
Ann

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is gardening!

Peg
Peg

June 22, 2022

Summers are hot in Arizona. I love watching it from my sewing studio and early morning walks

Kathleen
Kathleen

June 22, 2022

The long Alaskan days when the sun sets (kind of) around 1130 pm and you don’t really see darkness for months!

Kate El
Kate El

June 22, 2022

I really enjoy finding ideas to use a pattern in other ways that we may not have thought of. I’m a big fan of upcycling and reusing fabric and clothing. This pattern makes a fun coverup for a doll to wear! Thanks.

Sandy
Sandy

June 22, 2022

Home grown tomatoes! Need I say more.

Liana
Liana

June 22, 2022

Sunshine and warm temperatures!

Jacque
Jacque

June 22, 2022

I love all the bright colors of summer. Also all the extra time to sew.

Diane
Diane

June 22, 2022

I love summer – all of it. Quiet reading time, children chasing fireflies, fireworks and picnics.

Patti Z
Patti Z

June 22, 2022

I love summer because the flavors of the variety of fruits you get. Most fruits you can get all year long but when summer is here those same fruits have a more juicy and flavorful taste to them then any other time during the year. I also love the breezy summer clothing you can get or make to wear throughout the warm summer weather.

Jennifer
Jennifer

June 22, 2022

Teaching Neighborhood Bible Clubs out in people’s yards throughout town. (Basically taking VBS out to where the kids are.)

Martha
Martha

June 22, 2022

What I love about summer is the lighter fabrics to sew with.

Lori G
Lori G

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is being outside! I love watching the birds, and enjoy seeing all my flowers boom!!! I enjoy just being outside and enjoying the great warm weather!!!

Thresea
Thresea

June 22, 2022

Grandchildren can visit more often. Gardening—vegetables and flowers. No brutal below zero temps, summer colors, baseball games.

Denise Darby
Denise Darby

June 22, 2022

Love to watch the butterflies.

Lisa
Lisa

June 22, 2022

I love the warm weather and getting outside as much as possible!

Cathy H
Cathy H

June 22, 2022

Love the longer, sunny days of summer and the warm air. Cover up is super cute and I’m going to make a few of those

Betty Jean Adams
Betty Jean Adams

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is watching the birds, and just being able to enjoy the outdoors.

Lauralyn
Lauralyn

June 22, 2022

I love summer mornings when the bird’s singing wakes me up.

NANCY
NANCY

June 22, 2022

I love summer and wearing Sandals!

Tatum
Tatum

June 22, 2022

I love the long days and warmth! Cute cover-up!!

Jo
Jo

June 22, 2022

I love summer for it’s long days filled with bright sunshine. Green is my favorite color so I love all of the green beauty of nature.

Linda K
Linda K

June 22, 2022

What I love the most about summer is Camping and my swimming pool

Kathleen A
Kathleen A

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing about summer is that both of my daughters are off! They are both teachers and I am retired from working in the school system. We get to spend much more time together! I love being with them and my grandchildren!

sheila
sheila

June 22, 2022

love summer activities! this is sooo cute! thanks for all your patterns

Al
Al

June 22, 2022

I love having light airy clothing.

June
June

June 22, 2022

I’m not a big fan of summer but I do love the fresh produce from the garden. I do love the July 4th activities in our small town. I’ve made this cover up for years and it looks so cute on the dolls.

Karen
Karen

June 22, 2022

I love summer for all the fresh fruits and veggies, for sunshine, for the new baby deer, for warm days and nights.

Rita
Rita

June 22, 2022

My favorite thing is produce from the garden!

Marty C.
Marty C.

June 22, 2022

I love the warmer weather and enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables from our garden.

Cindy
Cindy

June 22, 2022

I love making doll clothes for my granddaughters and always come to PixieFaire to get them. I haven’t been disappointed yet in the patterns and service. This coverup will be a great addition to the swimsuits I’m currently making for them.

Judy
Judy

June 22, 2022

I love going to the cabin and relaxing.

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