Depending on the size of your doll you can make a front or back opening waistband for doll jeans. For smaller miniature dolls it is often easier and less obvious if the waistband closes at the back. To make the waistband for your doll jeans, cut a narrow piece of fabric with the grain line running along the length of the fabric. The fabric should be cut to the width you want for the waistband, plus at least 1/4 inch (seam allowance for two seams). For larger dolls, you can cut the waistband twice the width you want plus two seam allowances. On larger dolls the waistband can be made from a single piece of folded fabric. For smaller dolls, use fine ribbon for one side of the waistband to reduce the amount of heavy fabric at the doll's waist.
With the unfinished jeans in place on the doll, fold your waistband fabric in half or along one seamline, and fit it around your doll's waist, leaving an overlap of at least 1/4 inch for the end seams, plus any overlap you want for closing the waistband with hook and eye closures, hook and loop closures or snaps. Cut the waistband to length, making sure you have allowed enough fabric for end seams plus an overlap.
Use the length you cut to create a waistband pattern from paper or underlining for future pants for your doll.
For dolls 1:6 scale (playscale, fashion doll scale) and smaller, cut a piece of fine ribbon the same length as your waistband fabric.
Lay the waistband fabric and the ribbon with the fabric and ribbon right sides together, and sew a fine seam along the length of one edge of the waistband. Sew the ribbon to the waistband on both ends. (See photo above)
