How to Make Dolls With Stocking Faces
An old pair of panty hose is the main ingredient for a stocking doll's face. The nylon from the panty hose stretches to accommodate stuffing that is manipulated to make the facial features. Add some clothes constructed from fabric scraps and a few accessories to complete your masterpiece. The final product is an original gift that is sure to bring a smile to her face.
Things You'll Need
- Panty hose
- Polyester fiberfill
- Needle and thread
- Popsicle stick
- Glue
- Fabric glue
- Yarn
- Buttons
- String
Instructions
-
-
1
Cut one foot from the pantyhose, about 3 inches above the ankle. It is best to use a foot that doesn't have a run in it. If both feet have runs, use a portion of the leg and tie off one end.
-
2
Stuff the foot with polyester fiberfill until it is the size of a softball. Make a hole in the polyester fiberfill at the opening of the foot. Rub both sides of the Popsicle stick with glue and insert it into the hole. Tie the nylon to the stick by wrapping a string around both the stick and nylon by tying off the string's ends.
-
-
3
Shape the face with the needle and thread. Press the needle through down the top of the head and out through the center of the face. Stitch a circle with a diameter of 1 inch to 3 inches in the center of the face.
-
4
Push the needle back through face and out the top of the head. Pull slightly and the nose will protrude. Use your hands to shape the stuffing inside the nose.
-
5
Stitch two circles above the nose for eyes. The circles can be 1/2 inch to 2 inches in diameter; the larger the circle, the larger the eyes. Pull the last stitch tight; this will make the nylon gather and the eyes bulge.
-
6
Stitch the mouth through the top of the head in the same way you stitched the nose. Stitch a straight line across the face. Press the needle back through the top of the head and pull on the thread to gather the mouth.
-
7
Stuff four more pantyhose feet with polyester fiberfill; these are the limbs. Make two of the hose short for the arms and two longer for legs. Set them aside while you stitch the body.
-
8
Cut two 5-inch by 8-inch squares of scrap fabric for the doll's body. Place the fabric pieces together and sew a seam around three edges. Pull the fabric inside out and stuff, then tuck the raw edge inside the body and sew the open seam together.
-
9
Sew the limbs and head onto the body. Stitch the head onto the body with the extra nylon that is gathered at the end of the Popsicle stick. Sew the limbs to the body at the open end of the panty hose.
-
10
Sew a dress for the doll. Cut a small dress pattern from two pieces of scrap fabric. One piece of fabric is the back of the dress and the other is the front. Measure the dress to be 10 inches long, with sleeves about 4 inches wide. Place the two pieces of the fabric together and sew a horizontal seam for one sleeve that goes in about 1 inch. Start the seam about 2 inches below the top of the fabric. Then turn the fabric clockwise and sew the dress's side seam. Repeat these seams on the other side of the dress. Cut away the extra fabric. Place the dress on the doll and hand stitch the hems around the sleeves, collar and bottom of the dress. Do not stitch the dress directly onto the body of the doll; this will allow you to change the dress later on or remove it for washing.
-
11
Use fabric glue to attach yarn to the top of the doll's head for hair. Use your creativity to style the hair, such as cutting it short or adding ribbons.
-
12
Sew two buttons over the bulges of the eyes to act as pupils. This is the finishing touch for your doll. But adding more accessories, such as a hat or scarf, is a good way to give the doll personality.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit James Woodson/Photodisc/Getty Images
