How to Make a Plain Indian Doll
An American Indian doll makes a great gift for a child, no matter her heritage. The project is quick and the result gratifying. The plain nature of this doll encourages the imaginations of those playing with it to run wild, allowing them to conjure up details and facial expressions in their minds.
Things You'll Need
- Paper
- Pencil
- Fabrics, skin-colored and for the costume
- Scissors
- Sewing pins
- Needle
- Thread
- Doll hair
- Fiberfill
Instructions
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1
Draw a doll pattern on a thin piece of paper, such as tracing paper. Sketch a body with arms, legs and head. Keep the hands a simple soft triangle shape and the feet a rectangle shape. Draw it an inch larger than the size you want the doll to be--once it is filled with stuffing, it will "puff up" and appear narrower.
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2
Lay the pattern on the skin-colored fabric, pin and cut out. Repeat to cut out fabric for the backside of the doll.
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3
Sew the two pieces together, leaving an inch unsewn to allow for stuffing. Turn inside out so the stitching is on the inside of the doll.
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4
Stuff the doll with fiberfill or another soft filling of your choice. Use a pencil to aid in stuffing the doll. Sew the opening back up by hand.
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5
Sew doll hair to its head by hand by placing the hair across the back of the head in the arrangement you want and sewing a seam where you want the doll's hair "part" to be. Trim the hair if necessary. Finish by sewing around the entire "hairline" from front to back to secure the hairstyle.
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6
Cut a piece of fabric wide enough to fashion a dress or pull-over tunic and wrap around the doll. Cut a thinner piece of fabric for a belt and tie the costume in place. Use felt for a no-hem costume, or spend a little more time and hem the costume for a more finished look.
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Tips & Warnings
Try embroidering two eyes and a mouth using embroidery floss in colors of your choosing.
Don't over-stuff the doll. Let it have some flexibility so a child can bend its arms and legs.
