How to Make a Pajama Doll

Pajama dolls are the perfect hideaway for a little girl's pajamas, and they look beautiful sitting on a bed. The pajamas are neatly tucked into the pillowcase skirt, creating its fullness. These dolls are easy to make using a real pillow and an inexpensive fashion doll. Each pajama doll can be embellished as lavishly as you like. Let your child help pick out the pillow, lace and ribbon that will match her room's decor and personal style.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10-inch round throw pillow (any color)
• Seam ripper
• 3-inch piece 1/2-inch-wide Velcro
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Fashion doll
• Plastic shopping bags
• 4 yards 1-inch-wide white gathered lace
• Craft glue
• 3 yards 1/4-inch-wide satin ribbon (same color as throw pillow)
• Pajamas

1. Measure the throw pillow's diameter, and find the center of the pillow top. Poke scissor blades through the center, and twist to widen the hole. Open 4 inches of the outer seam of the pillow using a seam ripper. Remove all the stuffing.

2. Pull the 3-inch length of Velcro apart, and pin one half along the inside opening of the bottom of the pillow and the other half along the inside opening of the top of the pillow. Sew around the edges of each Velcro piece to secure them. This opening provides access to the inside of the pillow for inserting the pajamas. Push the doll's feet into the hole on the top center of the pillow. Work the doll into the hole until it is waist deep. Position the doll's legs so it is sitting. Stuff the pillow with plastic shopping bags to give it some shape while decorating it and transforming it into a skirt.

3. Position the Velcro opening on the pillow behind the doll. Apply glue around the doll's waist, and press the edges of the pillow's center hole around the doll's waist to secure the fabric. Place the beginning of the lace at the back top of the pillow, along the outer edge. The ruffled edge should face outward on the pillow. Apply glue to the hemmed edge of the lace, and attach it around the outer edge of the pillow. Move the lace up when you reach the beginning edge, and continue to glue the lace around the top of the pillow and around the waist of the doll. Do not cut the lace. The lace should not overlap while wrapping.

4. Apply glue to the hemmed edge of the lace, and wrap it around the torso of the doll. The lace should overlap by at least half its width on the torso. End with a wrap just under the armpits. Cut the lace in the back, and glue the loose end to the middle of the doll's back.

5. Cut a 24-inch piece of the ribbon. Wrap it around the waist, and tie it in a bow in the back. Cut seven 12-inch lengths of the ribbon. Tie each ribbon in a bow. Glue one to the top middle front of the dress bodice. Glue the remaining six bows at evenly spaced intervals on the first round of lace. Allow the glue to dry. Remove the plastic bags, and insert the pajamas, fluffing them to fill out the skirt.

References

• Cyndee Kromminga, Craft and Interior Designer; Kro Crafts; Winfield, Kan.