Since I have been making a bunch of cloth dolls lately I
thought I would show you the beginnings, the basics.
As you see in the photo at right there are a variety of body
shapes and sizes you can create. Your imagination can run wild with the
possibilities. Three of the dolls have been dyed using Jacquard fabric dyes.
The fourth doll was created with a fun printed fabric. The
design was cool starbursts so I used some embroidery thread to accent them.
Yarn was separated and braided to create an interesting hairdo. Then metallic
blue beads were sewn through the hair and onto the body. I’m not sure she is
completely done yet. More beads or embroidery may be called for.
The green doll is a fairy design and the one I will use
today. I started with a sketch. I usually sit and watch the tv and sketch out
ideas for new dolls. Right now I am designing some fun small stump dolls for
Mother’s Day that I will put into my Etsy shop.
After the sketch is satisfactory I use it to create my
pattern pieces. I usually lay lightweight paper or tracing paper over the
sketch and transfer the drawing to a bunch of smaller pieces, separating the
arms, legs and head from the main body.
I keep in mind that the finished doll will actually be smaller in size
than the sketch. This is because of the stuffing, it pulls the seams in toward
each other. The body takes shape but reduces its size. To allow for this I draw
my pattern just a tiny bit bigger than the sketch.
After I am happy with the pattern I cut out the pieces and
lay them on the fabric. It is important to lay them far enough apart to allow
for seam allowances. (at least ½” between each piece so you have a ¼” seam
allowance outside the stitching) Pins are put in specific places to remind me
where to leave openings for stuffing and to be out of the way when I stitch.
Though sometimes I have to remove them during the stitching process because
they get in the way of the foot.
The stitching is done around each pattern piece. This is a
slow process because you want to keep everything as precise as you can. Setting
the stitch length to 1.5 or 2 slows down the machine and makes it easier. Small
stitching is also important because you are dealing with small doll bodies. You
want them to hold close together when you fill the body parts with stuffing.
Gaps in stitching look bad and cannot be easily hidden if you want the ‘skin’
to show without clothing.
Once all the pieces are sewn they are cut apart using
pinking shears. This makes your work when turning a little easier. Curves have
to be cut close to the stitching if you don’t use pinking shears. And even then
you may have to snip some spots around fingers, wrists, necklines and around
the feet. 
There are two options for leaving a hole for stuffing the
arms and legs. You can leave the hips and shoulders open or you can stitch
around them to shape them and leave a side seam open about an inch. Either way
you will hand sew the seam once the piece is stuffed. Some patterns call for
sewing all the way around and then cutting a slit in the upper arm and thigh
but for me this weakens the fabric and also has to be hidden somehow later on.
I like to do the side seam, or shoulder and hip because they are not as hard to
disguise.
For me the head is an important piece and gets extra work.
On the back piece I stitch a rectangle around where I will slit it for
stuffing. This keeps the slit from unraveling and stabilizes it. It stretches
and can rip when trying to put stuffing in. Then I put the pieces together and
stitch all the way around. I start at the top of the head and end there,
overlapping the stitching. I will cover the top of the head with hair so I know
the double stitching will be hidden. This gives the chin a nice smooth stitch.
Then cut it out with the pinking shears. Use some small scissors to snip the
slit in the back (fold the fabric to get a good spot). To accomplish this I use
a washout pencil to draw around the pattern and then draw the rectangle. After
sewing the rectangle I lay the pattern over the pencil marks and sew it
together.
I turn the head, stuff it and then do the face (before
sewing it to the body). I do the face early because I want to make sure I like
the face for the doll. Plus, if I mess up the face I can make a new head and
try again. If I sew it on before I do the face I might have to spend more time
removing it from the body and possibly damage the body in the process.
Sometimes you can create a cool face but it might be wrong for the doll you are
trying to make. I have a bunch of heads waiting for bodies. I also like to
experiment with different styles and ages.
When you are satisfied with the face you can attach the head
to the body. Stuff all the body parts and then attach them to the body. I
recommend sewing the legs first, then the arms and lastly the head. The neck is
fragile and you want to keep the face as perfect as possible.
Turning the small hands and feet or fingers, is sometimes
difficult. Take your time. There are turning rods that help with the process.
But I also use a pin to work the tips out. You have to be careful not to pull
the threads or poke holes in the fabric. Again, take your time when turning. It
will be worth it.
The arms and legs can be sewn rigid so they don’t move, or they
can be stitched through to allow them to move. The blue doll’s body is all one
in one. The arms are not separate from the body. You can also do this with
legs. The drawback is that the doll has less real dimension. It is all
dependent on what type of doll you want to create. I am never satisfied with
just one style. I think I get bored easily and like to try new things.
After the doll is stuffed and sewn together it is time to
dye it, stamp on it, paint it, sew on it. Or whatever you want to create a
unique and beautiful creature. Dye and fabric paints require heat setting after
they dry, so I throw the dolls into the clothes dryer on medium heat for about
a half hour.
Then it’s time to put on hair and clothes and
embellishments. Next time I’ll show how I sew on the hair and start dressing
the dolls.
You don’t have to make your own patterns. Check out the
books at your local book seller. There are dozens of great patterns. You can
also find some great sites on the web that offer free patterns. If you type
cloth dolls in Google you will find a bunch of patterns for sale. Most of the
doll artists sell patterns for some of their dolls.
Doll making is fun. It allows your imagination to go totally
wild and create whatever clothing and hairstyles you want. I get to combine my
sewing, painting, drawing, collage, and so much more to make just one doll.
Til next time. J
Terri
Stop by my Etsy shop for new arrivals
www.etsy.com/shop/1krazyrtist
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