How To: Cloth Dolls

This is another one of those projects I’ve been wanting to make for quite awhile – cloth dolls.

moremusedollsWhat a great way to use up some of my fabric stash!

I came upon a video from Barb Owen and it was time for me to play! Barb reminds me of  Carole Duvall. Do you remember Carole? She could do anything craft related. I absolutely loved her, her books, and her TV show. I believe Barb has stepped into her shoes. Here is the link to that video where she shows how to make these dolls and includes a pattern. If you want to dig even deeper into making art dolls, Barb has a new online class here.

Here is the process:

After printing out her pattern, (I printed it out on heavier paper so I could use it multiple times) trace around it on a piece of your fabric with disappearing ink pen. This will be the front of your doll.

clothdoll1Set that cutout piece on top of the wrong side of the fabric that will be the back of your doll, and just loosely cut around it.

clothdoll2Now to the machine – or you could hand sew – and sew these two pieces of fabric together, about 1/8 inch from the edge of the top piece. Be sure and leave an opening to stuff the doll.

clothdoll3Below you can see where I left the hole to stuff.

clothdoll4Now cut the back fabric even with your front piece.

clothdoll5clothdoll6Now stuff. She recommends using a hemostat. This is a slow process – great while  watching TV.

clothdoll7Now he’s all stuffed. Sew up the opening and you’re done.

clothdoll8And the whole crew again.

moremusedollsBarb also gives directions in her video for faces. I’m not sure whether my dolls will ever get faces. For now I will just imagine how they are feeling.

I do want to make more of these. However, I have some other projects I want to work on right now. Have a good week.