DIY Button Eyed Doll

Add a button eyed doll to a toy collection.

Making a button eyed doll is a creative way to introduce a child to the world of sewing crafts. A standard dolls requires only a handful of household materials -- many of which are available through recycled materials. Use an odd sock to craft the doll's head, for example, or an old sheet to create the material out of which you will make the body. Give the child her doll as a bedside companion to cuddle up with at night.

Things You'll Need

• 1/4- inch plastic buttons (6)
• Cotton ankle sock
• Needle
• Thread
• Cotton
• Standard chalk
• 12-by-12 inch cotton fabric body pieces (2)
• Ruler
• Fabric scissors

Instructions

1. Sew three 1/4-inch plastic buttons into the underside of a cotton ankle sock to act as doll eyes and mouth, respectively. Fill the sock with cotton to fill out the doll's face. Sew the sock closed using a cross stitch pattern.

2. Draw a chalk an 12-by-12 inch outline of the doll's body onto a piece of cotton fabric. Make the neck wide enough to accept the width of the ankle sock neck. Cut out the shape of the body with a pair of fabric scissors.

3. Place the body shape from the previous step atop a second piece of fabric. Trace and remove the body shape. Cut an additional body shape from the second piece of fabric.

4. Adjust the first fabric piece so the bright side is facing up. Position the three remaining buttons in a vertical line on the midsection of the fabric. Sew the buttons into the fabric.

5. Position the two body fabric pieces one atop the other so the dull sides are facing inward. Sew the perimeter of the fabric pieces together, 1/8 inch removed from the edge, using a cross stitch pattern. Sew all edges until only the neck remains open.

6. Stuff the doll's body with cotton. Insert the neck of the doll's head into the open pocket. Sew the neck into the pocket opening using a cross stitch pattern.

References

• Martha Stewart: Handmade Dolls