Sew a DIY quilt for baby dolls with this easy ruffled tutorial that makes cozy, custom bedding kids will love.
I'm officially hooked on making quilts, and I fully blame Ashley from Mommy by Day Crafter by Night and her quilt along for starting it all.
My first real project was a zig-zag quilt, and once I finished it, I couldn't stop thinking about what to make next.
This baby doll quilt felt like the perfect next step. It's small, manageable, and a great way for a beginner to practice working with layers, stitches, and straight lines without feeling overwhelmed.
I adjusted the size and steps from my original quilt so it would work just right for dolls, and I'm sharing exactly how I made it so you can make one too.
This is such an amazing way to practice quilting skills while creating something playful and useful.
Skill Level: Beginner
Total Time: 1 hour
Supply List
Cut List
- Backing Fabric - 20x26 inches
- Top Fabric - 3, 6x48 inches
- Ruffle Lining 3, 6x24 inches
- Binding - 5.5x90 inches
Choosing the best fabric is mostly a matter of personal preference, but quilting cotton is easy to sew, presses well, and holds stitches well.
Doll Quilt Instructions
Step 1: Ruffle the Fabric Strips
Start with the three quilt top strips. You'll be ruffling both long sides of each strip.
You can use a ruffle foot on your sewing machine if you have one, or use the classic gathering method:
- Sew a long straight stitch along each long edge
- Use a longer stitch length and slightly loosen the tension
- Gently pull the bottom thread to gather the fabric
If you haven't done this before, a quick gathering tutorial can be really helpful and will show the process better than words alone.
Keep gathering until each strip measures 24 inches long.
Once ruffled, place each strip on top of its matching lining piece with right sides facing up.
Topstitch them together, keeping your seam allowance consistent.
When finished, you should have three completed strips, each with the ruffled fabric on top and the lining fabric underneath.
Step 2: Arrange the Quilt Top
Lay out the three ruffled strips and decide the order you like best.
To sew them together, place two strips right sides together and align the long edges.
Use the thread seams from attaching the ruffles as a guide and sew straight lines down the length of the strip.
Repeat with the final strip. When finished, your quilt top should be fully assembled, with the ruffles running vertically.
Step 3: Create the Quilt Sandwich
Lay your quilt backing flat, right side down. If needed, use a flat sheet or floor space to spread it out smoothly.
Place the batting on top and smooth out any wrinkles. Then place the quilt top on top, right side up. This layered stack is called a quilt sandwich.
Step 4: Pin the Layers
Use safety pins to pin through all the layers, spacing them evenly across the quilt.
This helps keep everything from shifting while you sew.
Step 5: Quilt the Layers
Now it's time to quilt. I used the stitching-in-the-ditch method, which is very beginner-friendly.
Sew directly over the seams between each strip. The stitches blend into the seams, making them less noticeable on the quilt top.
Try to keep your lines straight since they will show more clearly on the quilt backing.
Step 6: Trim the Quilt
Square up the quilt by trimming the edges. A cutting mat and rotary cutter make this easier, but scissors work too.
Since this quilt is for a baby doll, I didn't stress too much about perfection.
Step 7: Add the Binding
Finish the quilt by adding the binding using the 5½ x 90-inch strip. You'll need to piece shorter strips together to reach the full length.
Follow a quilt binding tutorial to attach it neatly and securely.
I'm so happy with how this baby doll quilt turned out. It's soft, playful, and the perfect size for little hands. My daughter is going to love it!
More Beginner Sewing Projects
Don't put that sewing machine away just yet. I've got more easy sewing and craft projects lined up to keep you creating.
Hi, I'm Katie!
I'm so glad you're here. Want to make something fabulous? I'm here to help!
Rachel @ Family Ever After
This is beyond cute. It is so sweet and perfect. What a great job!!! I feel like a total dumbo that mine isn't quite finished, but the finished quilt will be on my blog this coming week, for sure! 🙂
Katie
Thanks so much Rachel! : ) I totally want to make a big one for Addison's big girl bed! : )
maria l rios
This doll bed is simply adorable. I love the fabrics you choose. Lovely... Thanks for sharing.
Katie
Thanks so much Maria!
Megan Cornwell
that is absolutely ADORABLE! i have two daughters, so this is right up my alley. thanks for the tutorial; pinning this for later use!
Katie
Thanks Megan! Have a great week!
Carol ( Answer Is Chocolate)
So adorable and what a labor of love.
becca
that is so cute
Katie
Thanks Becca!
Britni
This is gorgeous! I want one for my bed! I'm definitely pinning this because my daughter WILL have one of these for her doll when she is a bit older. Or maybe I'll just make her one! If my lack of sewing abilities don't stop me 😉
Katie
Thank you so much Britni! Have a great week!
kristi@ishouldbemoppingthefloor
This is precious...LOVE that it matches her bedding!
{HUGS},
kristi
Katie
Thanks so much Kristi!
Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon
Absolutely precious!!! 🙂
Katie
Thanks ladies! : ) Have a great week!
jenny
That is a the sweetest little blanket! I love your fabric choices too. I have always wondered how to do that ruffle technique and your tutorial is so clear! Thanks!
Katie
Thanks Jenny! So glad to hear it's easy to follow. I always wonder if people understand what the heck I'm talking about, lol! Have a great week!
Nicole@Show Off Friday
This is so pretty and feminine! Thanks for sharing!
Katie
Thanks Nicole! Hope you have a great weekend!
ChrissieD
Love this so much just had to pinterest it, hope you don't mind 🙂
Katie
Your so sweet! Thanks so much, I absolutely don't mind! : ) Have a great weekend!
Rachel
This is absolutely beautiful, and I love your fabric choices. I can't wait to try making one. I see some girly Christmas gifts in the works! Thanks for the inspiration.
Katie
Thanks so much Rachel! So glad you like it! I'd love to see how yours turn out if you make one! : )
Adrianne at Happy Hour
So glad you shared at Happy Hour Friday, I'll be featuring your tiny little quilt at this week's party!
In case you haven't seen it already, there's a quilt block challenge going on right now at my blog for any 12x12 quilt block creation. Here's the details, I'd love to see you join in the fun!
Adrianne
MJ @ 517 Creations
Love this! We are expecting a little girl in November and I can't wait to make girly, pink, ruffly things. 🙂
Katie
Oh you are going to have so much fun with your little girl!! They are so fun to make things for! So glad you stopped by! Have a great weekend.
Angie
so very sweet!!
Katie
Thanks so much Angie!
Katie
Thanks again for the feature Adrianne! I did see your contest, I plan on entering it if I can get it done before we move... its a race against the clock : ) I have plans for a superhero quilt for my son! Have a great weekend!
Angie
AAAH i'm in love. Have you done one in toddler size?
I can't wait to make one!
XO
Katie
Thanks Angie... I haven't made one bigger than that yet... I want to do one for her new twin size bed, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to ruffle that much fabric, lol! Thanks again for the feature!
amie @ Pinkapotamus
Oh my gosh this is sooo sweet! Wish it came in queen size cause I would totally Rock this on my own bed! So cute!
Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo Party!
xoxo
Amie @ Pinkapotamus
Katie
Thanks Amie! I want to make one for her new twin bed... but we'll see. I don't know if I can ruffle that much, haha!
Tauni
What a sweet little baby doll bed. These are the moments I wish I had a little girl around 🙂 Thanks for sharing on Show & Tell at SNAP!
xoxo, Tauni
Katie
Thanks Tauni! I have to admit... I have been playing with it a little ; ) Thanks for stopping by!
Ashley @ MommyByDayCrafterByNight
I LOVE IT! Sorry I got you hooked on quilting! It's addicting!! 😉 xoxo
Katie
Thanks Ashley! I am totally addicted! I have had fabric sitting around forever to do a superhero quilt for me son, but the fabric is blocks of comics so I am going to have to kind of make my own patter, so I was a little intimidated to start there. I can't wait to make it for him. Thanks for stopping by!
Shari @For the Little Doll In Your Life
Love that shabby chic look. I don't think I've ever seen ruffling like that done on a quilt. Perfect for this project.
Katie
Thank you so much Shari! Have a great week!
Fun Family Crafts
Just stopping by to let you know that we have featured your project on Fun Family Crafts!
Karen
This is SO adorable! Did you also make the bed? I would love a tutorial on how to make the bed!!
Katie
Thanks so much Karen! I didn't make the bed, I wish I could say I did though. I bought mine at Joanns. I believe Ana White has a tutorial on making a baby doll bed though. : )
Shawna
Did I miss the instructions on how you made that bed? I would love to see those too!!
Katie
No, I didn't make that bed, I wish I had... but I just bought it on clearance at Joann's : )
Gail
What is the finished size suppose to be? Also I have not seen a binding that is 5 1/2 inches for a doll quilt. Looking at the picture where is the binding that is that wide?
Katie
The finished size is approx 25" x 14". I made my own binding. I cut a piece of fabric 5 1/2" x 90" (I had to piece it together) and folded it in half following the directions on the tutorial I linked to. Most binding is 2.5 or 2.25", but I just wanted I nice thick binding. Totally just my preference, you could use whatever size binding works best for you : ) Let me know if you have any other questions.