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From: AndreaSews
Date: 10-25-2006, 07:32 PM (1 of 20)
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I might have posted about this some months back. DD found a book this spring called, "Make Your Own Old Fashioned Cloth Dolls and Clothing Too." She convinced me to buy it, asking if we could make them together. It is a stretch for me--I usually sew bigger things that people can use or wear, and I wasn't sure I'd have the patience! Well, I managed to stash it in a bookcase for a while, and then she spotted it recently, and asked again. Now, she's approaching 5, and I think I'll be able to find ways she can help out with the project. I assembled the bodies (I'm making 2) and the legs, and it's time to start stuffing them. I think she'll help with that. It's interesting, and it's different than sewing big things! I'm kind of intrigued at this stage. Does anyone else make dolls? These will be 18". The author's photos of the outfits she has made with the patterns are just gorgeous. Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: Sancin
Date: 10-25-2006, 08:20 PM (2 of 20)
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I learned to sew making dolls clothes, Andrea, and the love of them has stayed with me. Mind you there were no patterns and I had to sew them all by hand at my grandmother's feet while she gave me scraps. In my case, I simply drew what we wanted on fabric - not even paper - cut them out and sewed them up. My cousin, who was with me preferred crochet and knit, again without patterns, while I don't. Gram would help if we had problems but not very often. I think we were about 5 1/2 - 6 when I started. My mother made me a doll I called Peggy when I was about 5 years old that I loved and made clothes for. When my daughter was born I searched and searched through ads in paper and networked until I found some one with the same pattern and I later did sew dolls from that pattern and others. Some with quite a few pieces and really realistic 3 dimensional faces. Last year I found someone on the ebay that had those old patterns and bought some ...... and set them aside for now. I am interested in getting into making art dolls. This all planning as I have so much already started and not finished. FYI - my daughter was never interested in dolls other than Barbies for very few years and mainly because her friends had them. I think I like quilting because the smaller than garment pieces take me back to my childhood. Note the advertisment on the top of this page. Enjoy! *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-25-2006, 11:03 PM (3 of 20)
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I never made dolls...but my grandmother taught me to sew by sewing clothes for Barbie. (and embellishing, embellishing, embellishing..) I had the best dressed Barbies in Albuquerque..(of course I didn't really like dolls, but I loved making the clothes..) From there I started making my own clothes. (when my grandmother wasn't making them for me...I was a best dressed kid in Albuq. too bad I didn't like to wear dresses...even though we were made to...at school and church...but back in the 50's-60's thats the way things were.) I bet your daughter will enjoy sewing... Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 10-26-2006, 08:26 AM (4 of 20)
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I make doll clothes for 15-1/2 inch fashion dolls which are much easier than Barbie's to sew for. They can wear clothes I'm to old and fat to wear. I had a couple boxes stuffed with doll clothes but I gave the neighbor girl one of the dolls and all the clothes when we moved. I did make one doll and she's, well, awkward. I have another one that has been sitting around ready to be put together. She has a better head and I bought a doll wig so she will, if I ever get around to her, look a little better, I think. Like so many others I started sewing with doll clothes. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: lsoutherla
Date: 10-26-2006, 02:49 PM (5 of 20)
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I've made dolls when my DD was younger and stuffed toys such as various dinosaurs, bears, of course, seals, dogs, cats, etc., even a humpty dumpty from a 1950's pattern my Mother had) and doll clothes as well. A lot of the doll clothes were made of scraps to match the clothes I made for my DD. I really enjoyed making the Raggedy Ann and Andy...Complete with the felt heart and the 'I love you' stitched on it. (sold quite a few.) My Mom made one of each for me when I was little. And that's what I hugged and cried on when I learned she passed away. (wow, the tears still come quickly after so, so many years!) I'm sure I'll make a few when I become a grandmother. Andrea, you might want to see if you 5 y/o wants to make a sock doll. They're so easy. Cut the toe off a sock and split it for the hands, the cut up the bottom of the sock up a ways to create the legs. Sew and stuff and tie the top of the sock off. For the head come down aways and twist thread around making a neck. Sew and stuff the small arms and sew them on. With a large blunt needle your DD should be able to do most. And making the clothes is so quick and easy for this primative type of doll. Of course, she can draw on a face or you can embrodier one for her. Like Sancin and Dorthy this is what I cut my sewing teeth on. My Grandmother made me a scrap doll when I was in my teens telling me this is what they had to play with when she was young. I still have it tucked away. Laura |
User: lsoutherla
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 72 |
From: Patty22
Date: 10-26-2006, 04:39 PM (6 of 20)
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Let your daughter make dolls or else she will find ways to decorate your sewing materials........... http://pelkovitch.photosite.com/Album2/DSC03988.html as my daughter decorated my ham. I can't not look at it and just laugh. Since she's away at school I just prop it up and think of her 
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Sancin
Date: 10-26-2006, 05:58 PM (7 of 20)
That's wonderful, Patty! How old was she when she did this - it looks pretty mature? And it really did no harm. Maybe I would use my ham more often if I had one like that.  FYI: The doll my mother made for me and that I made my daughter were about 15-16" tall. I believe they are Laura Wheeler dolls and have articulated arms and legs. One pattern I purchased on ebay looks just like my and my daughter's doll. I have my daughter's doll in my trunk of memories. My Peggy? Would be 60 years old now and probably left this earth or gone to live with the pixies. 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: Patty22
Date: 10-26-2006, 07:50 PM (8 of 20)
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Nancy, my daughter was old enough to know better.....maybe around 7. I can remember my jaw hitting the ironing board because it seemed like one minute I had my plaid ham and the next minute I had an egg head looking at me.
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 10-26-2006, 09:24 PM (9 of 20)
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LMAO !!!! Good one Patty...
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414
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From: weezyrider
Date: 10-27-2006, 11:17 AM (10 of 20)
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I learned to make Swiss dolls. These have molded heads that are covered with fabric, then painted. I will also needle sculpt. Since dolls don't complain - this is a good way to mess with patterns. If you make cloth dolls, the body always seems to be a little off. So you have to adjust the pattern. Also, if you get the doll clothes book by Venus Dodge - you learn to adapt bodices, sleeves, and whatever. Haven't done too much since working full time, but keep collecting books on both doll and doll clothes making. Weezy |
User: weezyrider
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 218 
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From: material_pakrat
Date: 12-23-2006, 07:57 PM (11 of 20)
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HI, I have made lot of different types of dolls over the last couple of years, and have managed to get a few other people making them too. The pattern that I have found to be the easiest to teach anyone of any age with is a "Homespun Pattern by Raggedy Pants" called "Polka Dot Annie." http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/finch3380/A1/ She her arms and legs are larger to work, so for a first-timer aren't so annoying to stuff right. And her overall construction can easily be completed by hand if you have to. You can even glue her hair on to save time. Her dress hair and face can easily be changed to totally alter the look of the finished doll. You can even glue her hair on to save time, and use gel pens for her face. My Aunt had one made completely in pink (pink dress and even pink hair !) which she raffled off for her local Breast Cancer Support Group. My biggest hint for first time doll sewers is to go big. The smaller dolls are just so fiddly that you get so frustrated that you give up. Have fun doll sewing - the look on peoples faces who receive those dolls make the effort worth while. Cheers, Soph Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: Patty22
Date: 12-25-2006, 06:20 PM (12 of 20)
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Soph.....really, really, cute dollies! Nice idea to do them all in pink too for raffling.
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: katie_burke
Date: 01-01-2007, 09:30 AM (13 of 20)
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HI, I have made lot of different types of dolls over the last couple of years, and have managed to get a few other people making them too. The pattern that I have found to be the easiest to teach anyone of any age with is a "Homespun Pattern by Raggedy Pants" called "Polka Dot Annie." http://s26.photobucket.com/albums/c140/finch3380/A1/ Cheers, Soph Hi, Soph! So, so SWEET! My DD would LOVE this and she has been dying to sew something. Looks like a good starter project for her (actually us, she is 5) to try. Can you tell me where you found this pattern? I am having trouble locating via Google search? Thanks! Katie |
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006 Total posts: 45 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-01-2007, 07:56 PM (14 of 20)
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I finished these in time for DD's birthday, mid Dec. She helped with the stuffing a bit. Here's how they came out: old fashioned cloth dolls (http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=10nskech.1y827cul&Uy=j9inmf&Ux=0) They could have used bonnets...Oh, and DD decided she'd like to make one of them a boy, so we'll be working on some pants soon... And here is a link to the book that I used: Make Your Own Old-Fashioned Cloth Dolls (http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0486263614/ref=s9_asin_title/103-6094778-8004642) It has patterns for the dolls and for a nice variety of clothes as well.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: DorothyL
Date: 01-02-2007, 07:45 AM (15 of 20)
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Andrea, Did you draw the faces freehand? what did you use to paint them on? The dolls are beautiful. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Patty22
Date: 01-02-2007, 09:07 AM (16 of 20)
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Really nice dolls Andrea. Wait until your daughter gets back to school and tells her friends what she did with her Mom........... lots of little girls will be wishing their moms would share their time with them.
Patty
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User: Patty22
Member since: 03-29-2006 Total posts: 1194 |
From: cshortsew
Date: 01-02-2007, 09:12 AM (17 of 20)
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They are beautiful. I love the colors and style of their clothes. Carol cshortsew
Projects Completed in 2007: Sewing: biscuit quilt, 7 baby dress sets, piggy pillow, 7 baby pants, eyeglass holder, purse, 5 baby outfits, toddler dress set Crocheting: red purse, piggy slippers, sweater shawl, 5 pr. sock trims, 89 squares, baby sweater, 2 afghans, toddler harness, baby poncho, baby dress Other: 14 Autism pins Works in progress: Sewing: toddler overalls & shirt Crocheting: vertical stripes afghan |
User: cshortsew
Member since: 06-28-2006 Total posts: 380 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 01-02-2007, 07:38 PM (18 of 20)
Thanks  Dorothy, the book includes line drawings of the facial features...Initially, I did tape a tracing of that onto a sunny window and trace with pencil right onto my white fabric (I've been recycling this old sheet set in so many ways!). But once you start the painting, you inevitably smudge over the lines...I ended up modifying it somewhat to my own tastes, as well as doing the best I could with the paint brushes I had. The fun part was blending colors. I used those little bottles of acrylic paint that you get in the craft stores, mixed with a little bit of textile medium, which I'm guessing will help it adhere to the fabric over time.
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007
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From: material_pakrat
Date: 01-03-2007, 10:35 PM (19 of 20)
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Just to followup on a message from Katie. http://www.raggedypants.com This is a page of ONLY Michelle's design. The one I used was Polka Dot Annie, but I would say that all of her patterns are just as easy to use. I had managed to pick this one up on ebay. She includes a "cheat sheet"with her patterns that make them so much easier too. The only thing I changed on the pattern is the body formation. It says sew her together and then slash the stomach to stuff her. But I just stuff the body, and then sew the legs in at the same time I am actually sewing up the bottom of the torso. I hate any patterns with "slash to stuff", because they just dont seem to last with prolonged dragging around by children. And there is nothing more satisfying than seeing one of your dolls become the kids new favourite must have item. Cheers, Soph Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: katie_burke
Date: 01-04-2007, 10:43 AM (20 of 20)
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OH!!! STOP!!!! How do I choose? I am going to be forced to order every pattern, Soph. LOL! These are SO cute. My daughter would have a fit over them. Thanks for sending me the link. I appreciate it! Katie Burke |
User: katie_burke
Member since: 08-22-2006 Total posts: 45 |
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