How to Make a Dolly
Making a dolly for your own collection or for a gift for a special person is an easy task. With some simple materials, you can follow these easy instructions to make an adorable dolly.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Buttons
- Yarn
- Scissors
- Needle and thread
- Pen
- Cloth filling
- Cloth
- Straight pins
Instructions
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1
Make some decisions about the dimensions of your dolly and what it will look like. Find doll-making patterns at the All Crafts website (see Resources).
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2
Choose the type of cloth your dolly will be made from and the type of clothes it will wear. Use a soft cloth like cotton or a brushed silk to have a dolly you can hold and cuddle. Gather your materials in one spot before you begin.
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3
Draw the shape of your dolly onto a piece of paper. It should only be the basic shape or outline. Draw it as if you had laid a doll down on the paper with arms and legs to the side casually. This makes it much easier to sew. Make the outline about 1 inch larger than you would like the doll to be when finished. This will serve as your pattern for the dolly.
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4
Place the paper pattern onto the section of fabric you have chosen to be the body of your dolly. Pin the pattern to the cloth using straight pins to secure it so it doesn't slip when cutting. Cut two patterns from the cloth. You can cut them one at a time or fold the material in half and cut two at the same time.
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5
Place the two pieces of fabric together with the right sides facing each other. This will make the doll inside out. Line up the edges perfectly so that that it looks like one pattern. No edges should overlap. Sew the entire outer edges together except for a 1- to 2-inch area between the legs. Stitch around the entire doll once again for strength, remembering to leave the opening.
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6
Pull the entire doll through the opening you have left, making it right side out. Use the eraser end of a long pencil to get the arms and legs through. The eraser will adhere to the fabric and help push it through. Check that the stitching is tight. There should be no gaps or holes in the stitching. Gaps in the stitching will cause the stuffing to fall out.
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7
Fill the dolly with the cloth filling you have chosen. There are many types at craft stores; use the type that feels best to you. Stuff the dolly as full as possible without making it so tight that it strains the seams. Use your pencil again to stuff the filling into arms and legs.
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8
Fold the edges of the hole in and tuck in any protruding filling. Sew the hole together with small stitches. Draw small dots on the face where you want to sew your buttons on for eyes. Sew the buttons into place by making a cross stitch through the holes of the button. Draw on the remainder of the face with your pen. Dress your dolly in doll clothes or draw them on.
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9
Use yarn and other embellishments for the hair by sewing on a few strands at a time and then carefully unraveling the yarn after it is sewn on.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a thimble to protect yourself from sticking your finger with the pins and needle.
