This is a doll to make by hand while watching tv or listening to your favorite music. I like to have a tall glass of ice-tea nearby to sip on when doing hand work.
To begin
If using centimeters, the conversion is 1" = 2.5cm
- Cut 2.5” off toe end and use this to make the 2 arms - see photo. Stuff each arm and attach 4” up from heel crease on each side of doll body. Blind stitch to side of doll body.
- To form legs, slit remaining foot of sock from toe end to within 2.5” of back of heel and blind stitch seams.
- The hat is the easy part. Fold top of cuff over in half and stitch across crease and pull seam to make a loose gather. Stitch back over seam to hold the gather.
Finishing details
- Use polyester fiberfill or old cut up stocking legs for stuffing.
- Use yarn color of your choice for facial features and pom-poms.
- To make edging on hat use a blanket stitch.
- Sew on features and attach yarn pom-poms as in photo to make hands and as decorations on feet and down front of doll body.
The doll in this photo was made for me by a family friend 55 years ago when I was 2 years old. You can see that even though it shows wear it still has held up all these years - much hugged and still loved!
Article and photo credit Susan Kramer
Free Patterns - How to Make Clothes and Accessories for 18-inch Dolls
Charity Note:
I'd like to suggest that if you spend time making doll clothes, anyway, that you collect a few dolls from friends and neighbors and sew a wardrobe or a complete outfit for each doll. Then donate the doll in the completed outfit to a charity that distributes used dolls and toys to kids that otherwise would not have any.
