Raglan peasant tops are classic. They are also simple to make. The main skill involved is knowing how to thread elastic through a casing.
And I explained that in an earlier post here.
Cut out two sleeve pieces and two body pieces.
Sew the two sleeves to either side of one of the body pieces.
Sew the remaining body piece to one of the raw sleeve edges.
Sew a narrow machine hem along the neckline and bottoms of the two sleeves. By narrow turn over no more than a 1/4 inch.
Make elastic casings for threading your elastic. These should be about 3/8 inch if your elastic is 1/4 inch. The casing are made by folding your fabric towards the wrong side (sorry i used fabric that does not have two distinct sides for this tutorial).
Sewing the casing.
Cut elastic for neckline and sleeves.
For Phoebe: Sleeves two 5" pieces and for the neckline one 12" piece
For American Girl dolls and Waldorf: Two 6 inch pieces for sleeves and one 14 inch piece for neckline..
Thread elastic through casings, as described in my puffy sleeve tutorial.
Elastic threaded through neck.
I suggest draping the shirt on your doll to determine how "gathered" you want the neck. Remember it stretches, but you also don't want it too tight. Too tight looks awkward and is hard to get over the dolls feet or her head.
Sew remaining "shoulder" seam.
Sew side seam from bottom of top to the bottom of the sleeve, on each side.
Hem or trim bottom of the blouse. I think this style is perfect for all sorts of trim. Form for the pattern below. Phoebe's is ready. AG and Waldorf should be ready by Saturday.
If you want the pattern: