Sew cute cotton pants for your 12″ doll in 10 minutes (free pattern)

If you’re looking for a quick and easy sewing project, these simple cotton pants for dolls are a total win. I made them for our Paola Reina doll, but they’ll fit most 12 to 13-inch dolls like a glove – think Minikane, Les Cheries, even some Baby Alive dolls!

This is one of those fast, feel-good projects – just grab the free printable PDF pattern, follow the step-by-step instructions, and boom, you’ve got a cute pair of doll pants in under 10 minutes. It’s perfect if you’re a beginner and want to sew doll clothes without stress or fuss.

Simple Elastic Waist Doll Pants Tutorial

I used a soft woven cotton fabric for these doll pants, but you could also try lightweight linen or even flannel for cozy doll pajamas. The relaxed fit and elastic waistband make them super easy to pull on and off, which is perfect for little hands during pretend play.

Want to sew matching clothes for your child and their doll? This is a great starting point. These DIY doll pants are quick to whip up, and once you’ve made one pair, you’ll probably want to make more in every fabric scrap you have. (Ask me how I know!)

You can also easily turn this free doll pants sewing pattern into capris or doll shorts – just trim the legs to the desired length before cutting your fabric. The clean-finished seams are a small touch that make a big difference – I don’t know about you, but messy seams kind of drive me nuts. So yes, I always take the extra minute to make sure they look nice, even on tiny doll clothes.

Sewing pants for dolls might seem a bit tricky because of the small size, but honestly? It’s way easier than it looks. You don’t need a fancy sewing machine or any special tools – just a straight stitch, some cotton fabric, and a bit of elastic.

These simple elastic waist doll pants are perfect for beginners learning how to sew doll clothes, and they make a cute handmade gift for kids who love dolls. My daughters love changing their dolls’ outfits, and I love that I can sew up a new look during nap time or while dinner’s in the oven.

RELATED: Want to sew more cute outfits for your doll?

Check out my free sewing patterns for a simple doll shirt, a basic doll skirt, or an easy doll dress – perfect for beginners and designed to fit 12 to 13-inch dolls like Paola Reina and Minikane.

For more inspiration, be sure to explore this collection of free patterns and tutorials. It’s packed with creative and useful sewing projects for every occasion!

Sewing supplies – DIY cotton pants for dolls

• Cotton fabric scraps
• Matching thread
• Fabric scissors
• Pinking shears
• Approx. 6 inches of ¼ inch wide elastic
• 12 / 13-inch doll pants – free PDF sewing pattern below (seam allowance is included)

How to make basic doll pants for a 12 to 13-inch doll – step-by-step

Ready to sew some adorable doll clothes? These basic elastic waist pants are perfect for 12 to 13-inch dolls like Paola Reina, Minikane, and others in that size range. This is a great beginner-friendly sewing project that uses just two fabric pieces and a few simple steps.

Let’s get started!

Step 1 – Cut out your fabric pieces

Start by printing and cutting out the free doll pants sewing pattern (you’ll find the download link in the pink box above). Use the pattern to cut two mirrored pieces from your cotton fabric. Woven fabric like cotton or lightweight linen works best for this project.

Make sure your fabric is ironed and smooth before cutting—your doll pants will turn out neater that way!

Step 2 – Sew the crotch seam

Place your two fabric pieces right sides together, lining up all the edges. Now stitch the curved crotch seams using a 1/4″ seam allowance—these are the seams marked by the arrows on the pattern.

Next, grab your pinking shears (or use a zigzag stitch) to finish the seam and prevent fraying. While you’re at it, go ahead and trim the top edge (waistline) and bottom edge (legs) of the pants too. Clean edges now will save time later!

Step 3 – Hem the pant legs

To hem the doll pants, simply fold the bottom edge of each leg up by 1/4″, press with an iron if you’d like, and sew a straight line close to the fold. This makes a nice, clean finish and helps the pants look like tiny real clothes—so cute!

Step 4 – Sew the inseam

Now it’s time to shape the pants. Fold your fabric so the crotch seam is centered—you’re basically folding the pants in half, right sides together, with the legs stacked on top of each other.

Take each pant leg and fold it lengthwise, lining up the front and back at the crotch. You’ll notice this doll pants pattern doesn’t have side seams, which makes the whole process even quicker!

Once everything’s lined up neatly, sew the inseam in one continuous line, starting at one leg opening and going all the way across to the other. This creates the full pant legs in just one go.

Step 5 – Make the waistband and insert elastic

Turn the pants right-side out. You’re almost there!

Now fold the top edge down about ½ inch to create a casing for the waistband. Sew around the folded edge, close to the raw edge, but make sure to leave a small gap—this is where you’ll insert the elastic.

Grab a piece of 1/4-inch wide elastic, about 6 inches long (adjust depending on your doll’s waist). Use a safety pin to feed it through the waistband casing. Once both ends are through, overlap them slightly and stitch them together to form a loop.

Finally, sew the small opening closed, and that’s it—your basic elastic waist doll pants are done!

Sewing a pair of miniature doll pants with an elastic waistband might seem fiddly at first, but once you try it, you’ll see how fast and fun it is.

Whether you’re sewing for Paola Reina dolls, Minikane dolls, or any other 12 to 13-inch dolls, this free doll pants sewing pattern is a great go-to for any mini wardrobe!

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