Sewing Dolls: How to Make Curves Pop!

If you snip around your curves, e.g. arms, head and feet, either just a few spaced out cuts or some mini triangles, it helps ‘pop’ out the curve when you turn the fabric the right way for stuffing! Be careful though …… don’t snip through your stitches ;)

Give it a try next time!

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How to Sew Yarn Hair onto Your Doll

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By popular request!!! So you want a change from the simple quick and easy felt hair for your next doll…..

No problem! I found these two very informative tutorials which show you how to add yarn hair to your rag doll. Wool hair would be great for both boy and girl dolls. Remember to make sure the hair is securely attached especially when using the first method as we have no way of knowing how old the dolly’s new owner will be ;)

The fist method is used for making Waldorf doll hair by Mieke on their fab blog Crafty Sheep.

She uses a CD case for the length of ‘hair’ needed, you will need less for our little doll heads …. But then again, if it’s a girl dolly you can always braid them, and for a boy … well that’s what scissors are for ;)

A Waldorf Doll Hair Tutorial

The second tutorial is for knotting yarn directly on to your dolls head, your typical Raggedy Ann and Andy doll’s hair styles by Susan Kramer.

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How to Knot on Yarn Doll Wigs Tutorial

Have fun experimenting! And Happy Sewing!

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Make Yourself the Best Doll Stuffing Tool Ever!

There are a lot of very informative tutorials and tips online when it comes to doll and toy making. Some work for me, some … not so much! Here’s one that does.

I have always used a pencil or a chop stick to stuff my dolly limbs with. But Melly and Me, a fabulous blog about soft toy making, with lots of links to free pattern rescores suggested cutting up a paintbrush.

I have a ton of old paintbrushes, their bristles splayed all over the place, so I had no need to cut up a perfectly good one! 

I gave it a go last night and...... wow! 

This is one fab stuffing tool that really works!
I suggest you try it on your next dolly!

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Speed Up Doll Hair Sewing!

I do like the hand stitched look of felt, but I was in a pinch for time yesterday and decided to wiz a few through the machine, and they turned out wonderfully.

Here are 3 tips I found worked well:

1. Pin it well!! Make sure the felt is securely in place.
2. Use a contrasting thread.
3. Sew close to the edge, 1/8 inch.

Happy Sewing!

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Doll Faces: Get Inspired!

I thought I’d make a little inspiration board up of some of the fabulous faces you have made (all of your hard work can be seen here!) to help inspire others who are daunted by the task.

You don’t have to be able to paint, you can use felt, fabric pens, applique or embroidery (buttons are best used for older children).  Doll faces can be as simple or as complex as you like. In general all dolls have eyes and lips, not everyone adds a nose. You can’t go wrong though, because it’s up to you! That’s what’s so fun about faces!

…and with a face, the dolls come alive!

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How to solve the ‘girly fabric’ dilemma when making boy dolls.

So you have a lot of ‘girly fabric’ scraps left over from past projects and you can’t bring yourself to make a boy dolly out of them……

Think Hawaii! Think Don Johnson, Elvis, and Magnum!

Pair them with a neutral color set of trousers/pants and you’ll be surprised at how masculine they will look.

(Source: Don Elvis Magnum)

If these men can pull off pastels and flowers, your dolls can too!

Happy Sewing!

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Dolly Face Felt Ideas

Inspired by Jeanie from California's fabulous dollie faces, I thought I’d put a few photos of some simple shapes cut out of felt for those of you that don’t like to paint.

These simple faces can be quickly stitched securely into place to make fun faces for your Dollies!

For when you are feeling brave, I promise painting is much easier than you think, especially when you follow my free video tutorials!! I break it all down …… have a go, I dare you! You’ll be surprised at how well you’ll do!!

Easy Free Face Painting Ttutorial

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How to make a Bad Hair Day…. Good!

Double up your felt, don’t draw out the design just use your card template and wiz through the felt with a rotary cutter!!!

2 for the effort of 1!!!

You have to agree, I had a very Good Hair day today ;)

Watch this Space!! I will be posting a tutorial on how to turn your scrap felt into a cute flower for your Dolly’s hair :)

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Sod the Scissors, the Rotary Cutter is a Crafting Delight!

Oh how this rotary cutter brings me such joy! No longer am I fumbling with the scissors, no longer do I even need to draw the pattern onto the fabric……. It glides through the material like butter, fast, accurate, layers and layers of it!!

Look how my pattern pieces stack up!!

Thank you quiet quilting lady who whispered the secret joys of the rotary cutter to me in the aisle of Joan’s yesterday morning! THANK YOU!!!

I can’t recommend this tool enough!! Ahhhhh a good day’s work! Now I have the fun of picking and choosing the fabric to use in each Dolly!

Happy Sewing!!!!

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