Learn how to make simple cotton pants for your pretty Paola Reina doll with this step-by-step sewing tutorial and free printable PDF pattern. This pair of relaxed fitting woven pants will fit any 12 to 13-inch doll.
This doll pants pattern is one of those easy sewing projects that will take 10 minutes or less, and it’s perfect for beginner sewers.
And please notice the clean, finished seams – see the pictures below. I always try to have beautifully finished seams on anything I make, otherwise, I can’t get no satisfaction from that project. Is it just me, or does this annoy you too?
My daughters love to pretend play with their dolls, and I love to sew cute mini clothes to help them change their dolls’ looks.
RELATED: Learn how to make an easy doll shirt, doll skirt or a simple doll dress – free patterns and tutorials!
Doll pants can be intimidating for some because of their smaller size, but here’s the truth. It’s actually super easy and quick to make doll pants from scratch.
Follow the directions in this sewing tutorial to make a comfortable pair of pants with an elastic waistband for your 12 to 13-inch doll in no time.
You can easily modify this simple pattern to make capri pants or shorts for your doll – just shorten the leg length before you cut the fabric.
Sewing supplies
- 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 (seam allowance is included)
How to make basic pants for a 12 to 13-inch doll
Step 1
Cut out two pattern pieces for the doll pants.
Step 2
Place the fabric pieces with right sides together and sew the crotch seam with a 1/4″ seam allowance (the side seams indicated by the side arrows).
After that, finish the leg seam allowance with pinking shears, and, while you’re at it, also trim the top and bottom edges of the pants.
Step 3
Turn the bottom edge up a 1/4″ and hem the doll pants.
Step 4
Now you have to fold the pants in half, so that the crotch seam is in the middle.
Take the hem of each pant leg and fold it in half, with the right sides touching, then line up the front and back crotch seam. Now your doll pants already look like real pants. Notice how these pants do not have a side seam.
Stitch the inner leg seam, starting from one leg opening to the other leg opening.
Step 5
Turn the pants right-side out. Fold the top edge over about 1/2 inch and stitch to make the waistband casing.
Leave a small opening to insert approximately 6 inches of ¼ inch-wide elastic. Overlap the elastic ends and stitch them together. Now sew the small opening shut and you’re done!
Making basic elastic-waist doll pants is such a quick and rewarding sew, isn’t it? I hope you enjoyed this tutorial.
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Dear Violet,
Thank you for showing and explaining how to make doll pants. I’ve sewed for myself with patterns yet for my dolls the few items I have sewed were with no pattern and so glad they turned out well 🙂
Sadly your wonderfully free download won’t display itself i\on an ipad pro as the format is not supported on my device. Good news is, all your images with explanation will prove to be most helpful.
Thank you, from Canada,
Ange 🍁
Hi Violet! Thank you for the free pattern and the clear instructions – bring a clumsy beginner, both are priceless! Quick question, though – is the seam allowance already included in the pattern, or should I take it into consideration while cutting my fabric?
Hi Juu,
Thank you for the kind words! Everyone starts as a beginner – never ever forget that! 🙂
My patterns always have seam allowance included – I think it’s faster to cut the fabric that way. I will add the information in the post, thank you for bringing this to my attention.
Awww thank you!!!
Please explain step 4 in more detail. How do you “open” the pants? And also, where is the crotch seam. Please note that I am only nine and not very experienced in sewing.
Hi Harmony,
You are nine and you are awesome! I’m so proud of you, and I’ll do my best to be of help.
So, you sew the crotch seam at Step 2 (the side seams indicated by the side arrows).
At Step 3 you hem the pants (and nothing more than that).
At Step 4 you have to fold the pants in half, so that the crotch seam is in the middle. Take the hem of each pant leg and fold it in half, with the right sides touching, then line up the front and back crotch seam. That’s all. Now your doll pants already look like real pants. These pants do not have a side seam, only an inner leg seam.
Also, I will edit the instructions in the post to make things clearer for future readers. Your comment made my heart melt!
Lots of love from Romania, and I’m always here if you have more questions.
Violet
Thank you for this step by step example. I needed it……lol. Very simple❤️
Thanks so much for this pattern! Your instructions were very clear and this pattern adapted well to a “Peter” doll from the book series, Snowy Day, Whistle for Willie…
I did it and it was so easy. Thank you!
Do you have approximate measurements for the pants and tops? I’m making some for my niece and I don’t have her doll to go by. But it is an 18” doll.
Hi Megan,
Sorry I can’t help you – this doll is 12 inches tall.
Thank you will try these in different guises for the ethnic dolls at my daughter’s Preschool used for teaching aids
Thanks for sharing. Can’t wait to try this.