Pattern experience ratings

If you're new to sewing or doll-making, choosing the right pattern can feel a little overwhelming. To help you, we've added an experience rating to each sewing pattern, making it easier to select one that matches your skills and experience

Beginner: Our beginner patterns are designed for people who are completely new to sewing. You don't need any specific doll-making experience, but you should have a basic understanding of how to use a sewing machine

Confident Beginner: Our confident beginner patterns are still beginner-friendly, but they include slightly trickier elements like sewing curves or gathering a skirt. If you're new to sewing, we suggest trying out our beginner patterns first before giving these a go

Intermediate: While none of our patterns require advanced sewing techniques, our intermediate sewing patterns involve more precise sewing, which becomes easier with more sewing experience. If you've mastered our beginner and confident beginner patterns, you'll be ready to try these patterns

The tables below display the experience rating for each sewing pattern. In some cases, the dolls and their accompanying clothes may have different ratings. These tables provide insights into why certain patterns are rated higher than beginner level, helping you determine if you're ready to give them a try!

Whilst some patterns have been rated higher in skill level, they are still written with beginners in mind, offering step-by-step guidance and detailed instructions. Our patterns come with tips from our vast experience in making dolls, pointing out common mistakes to help you avoid them.

The most beginner-friendly pattern is the bunny, closely followed by the bear. Check out our guide for beginners to find all our beginner sewing patterns and helpful tips to make sewing your first doll an easy and enjoyable experience

Doll patterns

 Pattern Rating Details

Bird - chick, duck and chicken

(mini-size)

Confident beginner Mini-size dolls are trickier to sew than our original-size patterns because of their smaller size. This pattern includes some intermediate-level elements, but there are easier alternatives too 
Bird Confident beginner The body is a bit trickier to sew than our original-size patterns because of its smaller size. You have two leg options: the standard leg is great for confident beginners, while the bird leg is intermediate level as it's small and tricky to sew. The chicken's comb and wattle are small and fiddly to sew, so we suggest starting with the chick or duck first
Dresses Beginner
Shorts Beginner
Bow Beginner

Bunny

(original size)

Beginner This is the easiest of all our patterns. The clothes have been designed to be simple and easy to sew to help you build your confidence
Bunny Beginner
Shorts Beginner
Skirt Beginner
Bow Beginner

Bunny

(baby size)

Confident beginner The small scale of this doll and it's clothes makes it a little more tricky to make than our original size bunnies. The instructions include tips for sewing small size dolls to help you, but if you are an absolute beginner or have arthritis in your hands we recommend making our original-size bunny instead 
Bunny Confident beginner The doll features small curves 
Overalls Confident beginner The overall feature small curves 
Headband Beginner

Bear

(original size)

Beginner The bear is a great pattern for absolute beginners. The overalls are a slightly more complex than the bunny clothes, but still perfect for beginners

Bear

Beginner

Overalls

Beginner

Headband

Beginner

Bow

Beginner

Bear

(baby size)

Confident beginner The small scale of this doll and it's clothes makes it a little more tricky to make than our original size bears. The instructions include tips for sewing small size dolls to help you, but if you are an absolute beginner or have arthritis in your hands we recommend making our original-size bear instead 
Bear Confident beginner
Nappy Beginner
Bib Beginner
Bottle Beginner
Sleeping bag Beginner

Cat

(original-size)

Confident beginner The cat is the perfect next step once you've mastered our beginner patterns! The dress features gathers and sewing curves
Cat Beginner
Dress Confident beginner Attaching the ruffles to the sleeves may be tricky for absolute beginners 
Bow Beginner

Deer

(original size)

Intermediate The Y seam on the deer's face requires precise sewing which is easier when you have gained experience making some of our confident beginner dolls
Deer Intermediate You will need to be able to control the speed that you sew for the Y seam on the deer's face. The pattern includes a demonstration video and tips to make this easier for you
Waistcoat / vest Beginner Features curves
Turn up trousers Beginner
Ruffle trousers Confident beginner Attaching the ruffle to the straps may be tricky for absolute beginners 
Bow Beginner

Dog 

(original size)

Confident beginner The dog is the perfect next step once you've mastered our beginner patterns! The clothing features gathers and sewing curves
Dog Beginner
Dress Beginner
Romper Confident beginner Attaching the bodice to the shorts may be a little tricky for absolute beginners
Bow Beginner

Elephant

(original size)

Confident beginner The elephant involves sewing with jersey fabrics and the trunk is a little tricky to sew. It is a great next step if you've made some of our other confident beginner patterns 

Elephant

Confident beginner You need to be careful sewing and stuffing the trunk to ensure it is free from wrinkles. The pattern includes a video showing how to stuff the head to make this easier 
Shirt Confident beginner Sewing with jersey and attaching the neck to the shirt may be tricky if you are new to sewing. The pattern includes a guide to sewing jersey fabrics 
Skirt Beginner
Shorts Beginner
Socks Beginner
Shoes Beginner

 Fox and wolf 

(original size)

Confident beginner The fox is the perfect next step for beginners looking to expand their skills and experience once they've made a few of our patterns 
Fox and wolf Confident beginner  You will need to match up the seams on the face
Dress Beginner Features curves and gathers

Romper

Confident beginner Features curves and gathers. Attaching the waistband to the shorts may be tricky for absolute beginners 
Bow Beginner

Mouse

(original-size)

Confident beginner The mouse is the perfect next step once you've mastered our beginner patterns! Most of the clothes are beginner-friendly. The only thing which is slightly tricky is the neckline of the dresses/shirts, but a video demonstration makes this easier 
Mouse Beginner  
Dresses/shirts Confident beginner Sewing the casing to the neckline may be tricky for absolute beginners. The pattern includes a video demonstration to make this easier 
Bloomers/underwear Beginner
Headband Beginner

Lamb 

(original size)

Confident beginner The lamb involves sewing with fur fabrics and the clothes include thin straps which are a little tricky to sew. It is a great next step if you've made some of our other confident beginner patterns 
Lamb Confident beginner Sewing with furry fabrics may be a little tricky if you are new to sewing
Dress Confident beginner The straps are thin and may be a little tricky if you are new to sewing  
Romper Confident beginner The straps are thin and may be a little tricky if you are new to sewing 
Jumpsuit Confident beginner The straps are thin and may be a little tricky if you are new to sewing 
Bow Beginner

Pig

(original size)

Confident beginner The pig is the perfect next step once you've mastered our beginner patterns! The clothes are beginner-friendly. The only thing which is slightly tricky is sewing the snout, but there is an easier felt option available 
Pig Confident beginner Sewing the small round snout might be tricky, but there is a felt option available 
Bubble romper Beginner
Bubble 3/4 length jumpsuit Beginner
Bubble full length jumpsuit Beginner
Neck tie Beginner
Bandana Beginner
Unicorn and horse Confident beginner This pattern will level up your skills and techniques. We suggest trying out a few of our other confident beginner patterns before giving this one a go
Unicorn / horse Confident beginner Involves sewing smooth curves and small shapes and attaching hair which absolute beginners may find tricky
Swing dress Confident beginner Attaching the collar involves sewing gathers and precise stitching to attach it, which can be a bit tricky for absolute beginners
Romper Confident beginner Attaching the collar involves sewing gathers and precise stitching to attach it, which can be a bit tricky for absolute beginners
Ruffle dress Intermediate The ruffle dress involves sewing multiple gathers and layers, which could be tricky for beginners. The tulle version uses lightweight fabrics, including tulle, which might pose a challenge if you haven't worked with them before

 

Clothes patterns

 Pattern Rating Description
Backpack Confident beginner The backpack is a fantastic project for beginners to enhance their skills after mastering our beginner sewing patterns. It will help teach you to sew multiple layers at once 

Ballerina outfit

(original size)

Confident beginner The ballerina outfit is a fantastic project for beginners to enhance their skills after mastering our beginner sewing patterns. Some parts might be a little tricky, but don't worry - the pattern also offers simpler alternatives  
Leotard Confident beginner Sewing with four-way stretch fabrics is likely to be tricky for absolute beginners. The instructions include two pages of tips to make it easier 
Sewn-in leotard Beginner
Scrunchie sleeves Confident beginner

They are small, so a little fiddly to make

Circular tutu Beginner
Knotted tutu Beginner
Leg warmers Beginner
Ballet shoes Confident beginner They feature small curves which make them tricky to make 

 

Painted shoes Beginner
Headband Beginner

Bella cardigan

(original size)

Confident beginner Absolute beginners might find this pattern a bit challenging. You should know how to knit, purl, cast on and off, and do simple increases and decreases. A few extra stitches are picked up and created in each underarm. You will need to have experience reading knitting patterns

Daisy dress

(original size)

Beginner This is a perfect project for beginners. The dress is made up of simple shapes that are easy to sew 
Daisy dress Beginner The dress features gathers 

Fairy outfit

(original size)

Beginner This is a great beginner project to level-up your skills
Cotton dress Beginner
Tulle dress Confident beginner Sewing the tulle itself isn't difficult, but cutting the fabric and pinning it in place can be tricky. If you are new to sewing we recommend making the cotton dress first 
Crown Beginner
Wings Beginner
Boots Beginner

Pattern hack guide

(original size)

Confident beginner To make the pattern hacks you should already have made the patterns needed to make them and be comfortable sewing them. A full list of patterns used for the hacks is included in the description

Pyjamas

(original size)

Intermediate

The pyjama shirt has fitted sleeves that might pose a challenge for absolute beginners. If you've tried some of our confident beginner patterns and are ready to level up your skills, this project is perfect for you and definitely worth the effort!

Shirt Intermediate Includes fitted sleeves which can be a little tricky to sew, especially if you are new to sewing. The instructions include lots of tips to make it as easy as possible  
Trousers Beginner
Sleep mask Beginner

Spring outfit

(original size)

Beginner This is a great pattern for absolute beginners. Its quick and easy to make! 
Dress Beginner
Scrunchie collar Beginner
Flower headband Beginner

Winter essentials

(original size)

Confident beginner This pattern is the perfect project once you've mastered a few of our confident beginner patterns. You'll gain experience sewing curves and using jersey 
Beanie hat Confident beginner You might find sewing with jersey tricky if you have never used it before, but the instructions include lots of tips to teach you how to sew with it
Scarf Confident beginner You might find sewing with jersey tricky if you have never used it before, but the instructions include lots of tips to teach you how to sew with it
Boots Confident beginner Sewing the plush fabric to the boots may be tricky, depending on your machine
Bolero jacket Confident beginner Sewing around the curves may be tricky for absolute beginners
Bolero waistcoat Confident beginner  Sewing around the curves may be tricky for absolute beginners