Some of the simplest dolls to make can be found in kits found in craft shops and online. The kits typically include the front and back pieces of a cloth doll, along with hair, clothes, and accessories. You just need to cut the pieces out, stitch the pieces together, keep an opening for filling and then fill them with your choice of stuffing. The pre-assembled packet are a very good pick as a "Mommy, what can I do?" day craft for a little girl.
For any who have a little experience, there are lots of other kits to pick from. One can make a china or porcelain dolly by purchasing a mold for the head and then crafting the torso. There are also groups online where you are able to visit with other hand crafters and receive tips about how to complete your projects.
For Halloween and folk holidays, apple-headed dolls are a popular pick. The heads and at times the hands are carved apples that were dried in a dehydrator or at low temperature in the oven. The process is somewhat time-consuming, but the finished result could be spectacular appearing. The drying step makes the illusion of wrinkles and other facial features. Not every apple will come out the way you had pictured, with some practice a little one will get the hang of it. Making rag dolls is possibly the earliest tradition passed down from mother to daughter.
During Colonial times and earlier, many families couldn't afford to buy toys for their children. By using remnants from around the home was the one choice. In keeping with the idea of "recycle, reduce and reuse," one can save scraps of fabric from every garment that you sew. Eventually, those scraps could be put together to make a remembrance quilt or various separate dollies.
However, you do not have to utilize remnants for sewing cloth dollies. One can begin by purchasing a pattern or creating one yourself if you have some ability. Plain white or beige sheets are a good choice for the body, although the bed sheets are sometimes a bit sheer. If you use poly-fill filling, the thickness of the sheet may not be important, but other types of filling would show through the sheer fabric.
The rag dolly can have clothes sewn on or one could sew the legs, arms and body in the same material the head was made from. That will require you to sew the clothing individually, but then it will be possible to change the clothing from time to time. There are many other types of dolls to make at home. One can make 1 type or try all of them. Doll-creating is a very fun hobby.
JoAnn developed her love for sewing as a child. 40 years later she is a sewing enthusiast who enjoys sharing her passion for sewing with all ages. Author of seven books and multiple e-books that explore many sewing applications, JoAnn seeks to encourage you on your sewing journey and instill in you a love for sewing. Visit her at http://www.sewingfordolls.net
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