DollNiques

Sewing can be so much fun,

Creating primitive dolls is even much better.

I have written down the methods as to which I create my handmade dolls

and hope it inspires you to create handmade wares as well.

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Fabric

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you will need to choose the type of fabric you want for your cloth ware item.

Muslin:is most typically a closely-woven unbleached or white cloth,

produced from corded cotton yarn.

Osnaburg: is a medium to heavyweight coarsely woven cotton

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The Pattern

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first you will need to either purchase  pattern or draw your own out onto paper. 

I happen to draw mine out on poster board so that I can easily trace around them.

you will need to trace around your pattern with a mark be gone pen.

The tracing line will become your sewing line. With right sides of fabric together, cut fabric a quarter inch around the pattern. Sew around the pattern pieces & leave open where indicated on pattern, clip corners so you don’t have puckers & turn right side out. Stuff where indicated on pattern with warm & natural stuffing.

Bodies, legs & arms: on double layer fabric trace around your pattern & cut a quarter inch around the pattern. Sew on sewing line & turn right side out & stuff. Hand-stitch stuffing holes closed with matching thread, sew arms & legs to body.

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Noses

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Pinched Nose: When I make them I always start my thread from the back of the neck area, to hide all sewing. Pinch her face from side to side to make her nose stand out. Then from the back of the head, take needle to front, do a backstitch from side to side of her nose pinching & pulling to make it stand out.

here are some samples of a pinched nose

Appliqued Nose: cut muslin from pattern, stitch and turn right side out. Tuck ends inside & press flat. stitch to face with matching thread.

Wool Nose: cut nose from pattern using wool or wool felt. (*note: these tend to bleed so do this after you have stained the doll & nose prior to stitching) stitch to face with matching thread.

T Dress: cut on fold from double layered fabric. Unfold & sew along side, leave opening for sleeves & bottom of dress. Clip corners & turn right side out. Fold from arm to arm & snip section for head. Press a quarter inch & sew around to make neck opening look nice. (you may wish to leave it ragged and unraveled for a more prim look) You may wish to hem around the sleeves & bottom of dress, but I sometimes just rip them for a frayed prim look.

Bodice Style Dress: cut bodice on fold from double layered fabric. Cut skirt on double layered fabric as size indicates on pattern. Gather top of skirt, with right sides together, stitch to front of bodice. With right sides together of full dress, sew sides of dress leaving openings for arms and bottom of dress. Clip corners & turn right side out. Fold arm to arm & snip section for head. Press a quarter inch & sew around to make a neck opening look nice. (you may wish to leave it ragged & unraveled for a more prim look) you may wish to hem around the sleeves & bottom of dress, but I sometimes just rip them for a frayed prim look.