This PDF sewing pattern features an ruffled collar popular in the mid to late 30's. Based on the Ruthie costuming in Kit Kitteredge: An American Girl Mystery, it was designed specifically with Ruthie in mind, but would look equally lovely on Kit or any other 18" doll.  

During the Great Depression frugal housewives used feedsack cloth to sew everything from womens' and girls' dresses to aprons and curtains. Their finer woven cousins, flour sacks, were used to sew underwear, diapers and pillowcases. By 1942 printed feed sack garments has so grown in popularity that they transcended the classes and were worn by women and children of all income levels.