Doll Making Instructions

Dolls have been with us since antiquity. Whether representing deity or playthings, dolls have been fashioned around the world. According to the Cloth Doll Creations website, "The British Museum has a Roman rag doll, found in a child's grave, dating back to 300 B.C." Stuffed with papyrus and rags, the doll is in remarkably good condition. The motivations for creating dolls are as varied as the dolls, but one thing is clear, dolls are a hobby that is here to stay.

Determine Doll Desired

Before you begin creating a doll, first determine what type of doll you want to make. Are you more interested in a representation of a child at a certain age or a baby doll? Do you want a toddler or a newborn? There are many types of dolls, and not all are realistic portrayals of babies or children. The longevity of Raggedy Ann is one such example of a doll with exaggerated features, but recognized for her mop of red hair and beloved by many.

Fabrics

The modern fabric industry has a wide array of fabrics available for doll creation. Stretchy knits in a vast assortment of flesh tones are easily sculpted with needle and thread. Muslin and cotton, traditional rag-doll fabrics, are readily available and provide washable, sturdy bodies. Pre-made doll bodies in jointed or stiff cuts are also ready for purchase.

Face and Hair

Faces can be achieved in many ways. If you're using a china or composition head, the face is already constructed. For cloth dolls, embroidery with floss or crewel is traditional. Iron-on face transfers are available in a wide selection of expressions for ease of face construction. Hair is available in ready-made wigs or fibers such as polyester, or sew yarn to the doll's head and style as desired.

Doll Construction

A very easy doll to create is a baby doll crafted from a girl's lace-trimmed cuff sock. Stuff the sock with polyester or cotton stuffing and tie with yarn at the bottom of the ribbed cuff. Pull the cuff over the sock the way you would fix the cuff on an ankle. The lace edged cuff forms a bonnet. Tie a piece of yarn around the stuffed sock 3 inches down from the "bonnet" edge, forming a head. Apply an iron-on face, embroider eyes and mouth, or use permanent markers to draw two inverted C's for sleep eyes and a small "O" for a mouth. Wrap the baby doll in a small blanket or tea towel, and you have a charming, sleeping cloth baby doll.

Dressing the Doll

The sleeping sock doll can be dressed in an easy baby gown. Measure the length of the doll from neck to 2 inches longer than "body." Cut a rectangle of fabric 18 inches wide by the length, and gather the top edge. Sew the sides together and hem the bottom, adding lace to the hem if desired. Slip the sock doll inside, and secure the gathered neckline around the baby's neck. Add a bow at the neck.

References

• Cloth Doll Creations
• History of Dolls
• Doll History