The Abundant Ground Foundation - Haiti Orphanage - Active Dolly Drive

Thursday, January 28, 2010


The Abundant Ground Foundation is a wonderful organization that has an orphanage in Haiti housing 181 children between the ages of birth to 12. They also provide food and necessary items to displaced families through their Abundant Ground in Haiti program.

They would love to be able to give Dolly Donation Dollies to all of their orphans and will ship them to Haiti on the 14 March  Update: 31 March 2010.

Congratulations this Doll Drive is Completed see the photos HERE!

If we are lucky enough to make more than the 181 goal, Stephanie Victor, the President of The Abundant Ground Foundation, has assured me that they will be gratefully appreciated, shipped and distributed to the children of the surrounding area that have nothing to call their own.

Please send your Dollies to:


Congratulations this Doll Drive is Completed!


By March 31 st 2010….. remember the shipment leaves the US bond for Haiti ON the 31st of March 2010!!!

Don't forget to pop a piece of paper in with your Dollies stating they are from the Dolly Donations Drive so we can get a tally of how many Dolls are turning up. It would be fabulous if you could tell me many you have sent also ;)

Please let me know if you would like to take part in this Dolly Drive by leaving a comment or e-mailing me, and don't forget to send me your finished Dolly photos, or join the Dolly Donations Flickr Group and share them with everyone!

Link to: Dolly Donations Pattern (Please use a brown fabric skin tone).

Have a Question? Please check my FAQ page., leave a comment and/or Click to Email Me

Thank you so much for your help, and Happy Sewing!



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How to Paint a Dolly Face – Free Tutorial



So you only paint by numbers, or at least, you did back in high school! Well don’t worry, I have broken down how to paint a Dolly Face in to 3 easy steps. … but there are 4 videos you cry ….. yes, that’s because my naughty little doggies decided to start barking very loudly right in the middle of the last tutorial video!!!

How to sketch your Dolly Face.


Now ….. Let’s start painting! Loooook into my eyes!


Time for the cheeks!


And now for the mouth….



Now wait for your New Dolly Face to dry and gently rub off the pencil & admire your fabuluse work!!!

Thanks for Watching, and Happy Painting!

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How to Sew a Bow – Free Tutorial

This is a very quick and easy way to embellish a Dolly! If you are recycling material as I often do, you can use the seam in the fabric. You can also use ribbon or yarn.


If the video doesn’t load, please click her to view it via You Tube,

Thanks for Watching, and Happy Sewing!

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Dolly Donations Rag Dolly Tutorial – Free Pattern



I made this very simple pattern to use as much scrap material as possible whilst providing a fun Dolly for a child in need. I have no qualms about you using this pattern for your own kiddy winks, but I really would appreciate it if you would consider making one for a child in need also. For more info, please check my FAQ page. Thanks & Happy Sewing!

My other doll patterns can be found at my: Etsy Shop ♥

This Dolly is a huggable 16 inches when finished :)
Click to Download PDF Pattern
Click to Download PDF Instructional Tutorial

Materials
Paper/card for pattern
Scissors
Pins
Thread
Sewing machine (or by hand!)
Poly-fill (or other stuffing material you use!)
Scrap fabric
Brown fabric for face (arms and legs if you wish too!)
Felt (or fleece) for the hair
Water color pencils, pen or chalk

(You can Click on the photos to enlarge them)



(1) Down load the PDF and print out the pattern. Please note a ¼ inch sewing/cut seem has already been added!
(2) I then transferred it onto card (old pasta boxes etc) as I knew I was going to be using it a lot!!! Just glue the print out directly onto the card and cut around it.

(3) Take a piece of prewashed ironed fabric and draw around your template. I love using water color pencils. If you make a mistake it washes right off in seconds. If you are using patterned fabric, always mark on the WRONG side.


Cut out the pieces:  1 head in brown fabric, 1 head in felt, 1 hair in felt, 4 arms, 4 legs, 1 body and (4) pin the arms and legs together.

(5)Sew the felt hair onto the face/ head, and then (6) pin it (RIGHT way to RIGHT way) to the body. Pin the back felt head to the other body and sew them together (7).


Sew the arms, and leg seems, tie a knot (8) in the ends so that the fabric doesn’t loosen when you turn it the RIGHT way ……. Once both sides are knotted turn the legs/arms the RIGHT way (9). And stuff with poly-fill (10). A blunt pencil helps push out the corners of the foot and push the poly-fill all the way in (11).


(12) Pin arms to body making sure they are tucked into the center and out of the way. I find it helps if you don’t over stuff the arms all the way to the end (see how flat they look on one side of the pin vs. the other side).

(13) Make a sandwich with the other body part, RIGHT sides facing in, and pin (careful not to pin the ‘hand’ on the opposite side of the body as you’ll send up sewing over it!!!).

(14) Sew around the edges, taking care around where the arms are and the neck (it can be a bit fiddly at first! But by Dolly number 3 you’ll be a pro!).


(15) Take out the pins and turn your Dolly the right way (watch out for the two pins used for the arms!!) (16) Stuff with Poly-fill. Don’t over stuff the head so that it looks like a ball, keep it a little squishy, so you can flatten it down with your hand (17), I find it keeps the shape better this way and allows a good surface for when you apply the face….

(18 - 19) Now for the bottom of the dress (or shirt if it's a boy).  Pinch in the corners and tuck approximately 1/4 inch fabric inside and pin to create a seam.


(20) For the girl Dolly leave the center open and pin in the legs next to each other. For the Boy Dolly, pin the legs at each end. (21) Then sew straight across, tie off and use a needle to hide the threads inside seam or the body.


Ta da!!!! You Have Made Your First Dolly!!!


Ok, now for the embellishments! If it’s a girl Dolly add a bow or a flower to her hair if you like. Use fabric paint, or acrylic artist paint for a face. Felt work well for eyes, and you can’t go wrong with embroidery thread. :)

Please check out the Tutorials for:

Faces


My other doll patterns can be found here: Etsy Shop ♥


Please send me your Dolly photos, or join the Dolly Donations Flickr Group and share them with everyone!

Have a Question? Please check my FAQ page., leave a comment and/or Click to Email Me

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FAQ's



Can I sell these dolls?

Nope, sorry. I made this very simple pattern to use as much scrap material as possible whilst providing a fun Dolly for a child in need.

Do you sell the dolls?

No, every dolly made ends up in the hands of a child in need.

Can I auction off or sell the dolls in our charity gift shop to raise money for our organization?

No sorry. Every doll made with this pattern must be given directly to a child in need.

Can I change the pattern?

Yes, feel free to. If you come up with an easier way or cute idea, please share it, so we can all use it!

Can I make this for my little boy/girl?

Yes, please do! However, I would appreciate it if you would consider making one for a child in need also.

Do you mind if I use my own pattern?

Not at all, it’s wonderful that you want to help! If the doll is intended for an orphanage I would prefer it if you made more than one, that way a child doesn’t feel as if they have been singled out or is different in anyway.

Can I Crochet or Knit Dollies?

That would be fabulous! I have some simple patterns on here, and would love to see your wonderful work. I also know from personal experience that a knit/crochet dolly is VERY cuddly ;)

(link to knit patterns)

(link to crochet patterns)

I can’t sew THAT WELL but I want to help!

Why not ask a friend who does sew, you'll be amazed at how easy it is and cute your dolly will turn out!

Wow, I can’t sew at all but I want to help!

You’re a sweet heart! Please check out my post …… Want to Help But Can't Sew.

Where do I send the finished Dollies?

Each ACTIVE Dolly Drive will have the address of where to send the finished Dollies to in their details page.

What are your current Active Dolly Drives?

Go Here for a list of the current Doll Drives going on around the world.
Want to send your dolls somewhere else?   Feel free to use my Free Doll Patterns and start your own doll drive ... make a child in need smile today!   Let me know about it and i'll add you to our list!

What if you get more Dolls than the drive needs?

All extra dolls will be handed out to the local children who have nothing to call their own.

How do I start my own Dolly Donations Drive?
  • First off, talk to your friends, you never know what connections are out there until you ask.
  • Contact your local church group or organization that might be supporting children in need abroad.
  • Know of an orphanage, why not contact them?
  • See if dolls would be a good gift to give to missionaries traveling overseas to distribute.
  • Are you or do you know somebody who is adopting a little one from overseas? Why not see if you can send some dollies along with them?
  • Why not drop some dolls off at a homeless, or battered women’s shelter?
  • Are your relatives in the armed forces? Some of the smaller patterns are idea to give to them to hand out to local children to build trust and friendship in areas devastated by war and hardship.

 The sky’s the limit! Go on give it a shot, you’ll be amazed how easy it is, how many wonderful people you meet along the way and remember for every doll made you’ll be making one child very happy!

Dolly Donations would love to help spread the word for local sewing groups and drives around the world so that others in your area can join in the fun. And I would love to be able to share your stories with everyone in the Dolly Donations community!

I’ve started a Dolly Donations Drive what information do you need to post about it on your blog?

Please send as much of the following information as you can to me at DollyDonations at gmail dot com
Click to Email Me


  • Your name and location.
  • The name of the organization, foundation, church, shelter, charity, orphanage etc you are working with and their location. (A link to their website whenever possible so I can support them on the DD blog).
  • Number of dolls you have collected/made…. Or intend to collect.
  • If you wish for help from others in your area who sew, knit, crochet please provide me with a contact e-mail address to post on the DD blog.
  • A photo of the finished dolls. A group photo would be fantastic!
  • Any photos of the doll distribution to the children….. this can be in a follow-up post…. As these will make everyone in the DD communities day!
Dolly Donations: Sending Love, 1 Dolly at a Time! 


If you have any additional questions, please feel free to leave me a comment or e-mail:
DollyDonations at gmail dot com
Click to Email Me



Thanks everyone! And Happy Sewing!

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Haiti Dolly Pattern Almost Here!

Wednesday, January 27, 2010



My Dolly pattern is finally done, and so is the tutorial! Hoorrhhaa!!!  Just need to sort out the PDF and I’ll have it up online by the end of the week, fingers crossed!!!

I’m very excited to announce that the New Jersey based charity The Abundant Ground Foundation really needs 181 Dollies by March 15 for their orphanage in Haiti.  I'll post more details soon!  

So I am going to need all the help I can get!!

Please Spread the word!


Thank you to all my wonderful friends and family for your support in my crazy Dream!




And a big thank you to the love of my life, my inspiration ....... and of course my top quality control manager, my daughter xxx

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Big Blue Eyes - Free Crochet Dolly Pattern



Soph, the author of the fabulous blog ‘Stitch’ made this darling of a Dolly! I adore her big blue button eyes and amazing locks! Her Amigurumi FREE Dolly Pattern can be found here. How could any little girl resist such a cute Dolly! If anyone gets stuck following the pattern please e-mail Soph as she has kindly offered her help.



If you know of any other free online Dolly patterns or have one you’d like to share with Dolly Donations, please let me know!!

Thanks, and happy Crocheting!

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Victor..... Victoria Dolly - Free Pattern


I stumbled across Victor on the Berroco site the other day. Doesn't he look soft and oh so squidgy! A very easy pattern to follow (so I am told!) … depending on the color you use, Victor could easily become Victoria! If you wish to use this for a Dolly Donation Doll, please please please add a face ;)  it makes all the difference to a child.




If you know of any other free online Crochet or Knit Dolly patterns or have one you’d like to share with Dolly Donations, please let me know!!

Thanks, and Happy Knitting!

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Haiti: My thoughts on a Little Miracle!

Monday, January 25, 2010



This little girl, thought to be around 18 months old, was pulled from the rubble 6 days after the earthquake, amazingly with no injuries!

She is the not the first baby to be found alive, Jean-Louis Brahms, eight months old, was rescued after 5 days trapped under his house, his poor parents had given up hope that he was alive.

What breaks my heart is that this little girl’s name is not known, and her parents are ‘believed’ to be dead. With over 150,000 dead (BBC reported), mass graves filled with unidentified bodies, will she ever find her parents….

It’s pictures like these that make me determined to help. Seeing children lying in makeshift hospital beds, alone, kills me, as I’m sure it does other parents around the world. These children need to be able to feel hope, comfort and love.

I will do my best to make as many dolls as I possibly can, and appreciate everyone who is willing to work alongside me in trying to make this simple dream a reality…………………….. and get the dolls into the hands of the children of Haiti.

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Little Lily Crochet Dolly - Free Pattern



Pretty in pink, is what I thought when I first saw this little cutie made by Miss Maggie. Her free pattern can be found Here (and a lot of other fabulous crochet patterns and information!)



If you know of any other free online Dolly patterns or have one you’d like to share with Dolly Donations, please let me know!!

Thanks, and happy Crocheting!

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