For those of you who have never made a doll, and don't know where to start, I have the perfect suggestion. Get a copy of Dollmaking For the First time by Miriam Gourley. Ms. Gourley assumes you have a knowledge of basic sewing techniques and can use your sewing machine. Beyond that you have nothing to fear because everything is explained in detail, with wonderful color photos to illustrate every step of the way. Be brave, dear readers, with this book in hand you can create a lovely doll.

If, on the other hand, you have some experience making dolls, you will still enjoy this book. I think the book is worth the price just for the photos alone. There is plenty here to inspire your creativity, no matter what your skill level is. Dolls include cloth, wooden and a combination of both

In section one Ms. Gourley lists all the tools and materials you will need, shows a picture of them and explains how you will use them.

In section two some basic dolls are shown, section three takes the reader "Beyond the Basics."

There is a chapter on painting faces and a chapter on hair styles that are very comprehensive. The clothing ranges from the simplest primitive to quite fancy. All patterns are included and the pages are sturdy enough for tracing.

I loved everything about this book and I recommend it to all.

details
Dollmaking For The First Time by Miriam Gourley
published by Sterling Publishing Company
hardcover 2004
paperback 2006
ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-3459-5
$9.95 USD



Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls
Ebook with patterns and instructions to make 5 cloth dolls as well as chapters on general doll making techniques.The book includes 21 inch Lalena Doll, 21 inch David Doll, Bear Dolls, 9 inch Destiny Doll and 15 inch Annie Doll, all together in one handy book. 53 pages.Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls.

The most popular dress on the Doll Making Site, The Spring Dress for 18 Inch Dolls, is included as well as 5 other outfits, underwear, and accessories such as jewelry, a bag, a knitted hat and scarf, and the new scrub suit. There are also patterns for slender Magic Attic type dolls as well as full-bodied American Girl dolls and an antique Saucy Walker doll from the 1950's.
If you love 18 inch dolls, and want a collection of patterns for a wardrobe, all in one handy Ebook, this is for you! All these patterns are available on the Doll Making site, but I have brought them all together in one book for ease of finding and using them. Make Clothes for 18 Inch Dolls.