How to Make Paper Dolls Using Fabric

Felt angel paper dolls.

Paper dolls are a favorite pastime for little children and adults alike. Make your own special dolls using fabric instead of paper because fabric is more durable and will last longer. Flannel and felt paper dolls are fun activities that can be taken anywhere because they don't tear as easily as paper or cardstock dolls. Creating your own dolls allows you the freedom to customize them to look like the intended recipient for a truly personal and unique gift.

Things You'll Need

• White paper
• Pencil
• Skin tone colored felt or flannel
• Scissors
• Fabric glue
• Thin wood or thick cardboard
• Fabric markers
• Colored and patterned felt or flannel
• Ribbon (optional)
• Rhinestones, sequins, feathers (optional)
• Needle
• Thread
• Adhesive

Instructions

1. Create the shape of your doll by drawing it on plain white paper. Cut out the shape. Place the shape over skin tone colored felt or fleece and trace. Cut out the doll shape from the fabric.

2. Glue the fabric onto a thin piece of wood or thick cardboard to give the doll added support. Cut the doll out of the wood or cardboard. Draw a face on the doll with fabric markers.

3. Take the original paper cut-out of the doll's shape and trace it on more paper to make multiple copies. Cut these out. These will be used as your guide to make clothes for your doll.

4. Place the additional doll-shaped paper cut-outs onto the colored or patterned fabric of your choice and trace. Using the doll shape as your guide, draw clothes onto the felt or flannel for your doll. Design dresses, pants, shorts, shirts, skirts, shoes, hats and accessories. Cut these out of the colored felt or flannel. For added decorations, use fabric markers or glue on ribbons, rhinestones, sequins or feathers.

5. Stick the clothes directly onto the doll when using felt. For flannel dolls and clothes, you'll need to sew a piece of adhesive onto the back of the clothes to hold them in place. When choosing an adhesive, use a material that is easily applied and removed, so that you can change your doll's clothes when desired without difficulty.

References

• Baby Center: Felt Paper Dolls

Resources

• Mud Spice: Mucking About In Art and Motherhood