I did order these Clover fork pins I mentioned and I love them! They’re perfect for using as hair pins to set super long yarn doll hair into all sorts of hairstyles. Of course they’re for display only, not play because they’re pins but they’re also great for holding a complicated hair-do into place so you could sew it down.
Boucle is a great yarn to use if you want your doll to have curly hair. And sewing it down in loops makes for a very fun full head of yarn hair. To do this hairdo, first I pinned and sewed short bags and a base of hair around her head.
Then I wrapped the yarn around cardstock and sewed down the middle. I try my best to keep it evenly spaced but it inevitably bunches up. It doesn’t make … More
Dollmaking is a very special kind of magic. Bringing a playmate to life with love brings joy to the maker and the playmate. Imperfections become character and heirlooms are created. Loop your child in on the dollmaking choices from the beginning and they’ll be even more in love with the finished product.
The Make-Along Doll Pattern includes detailed instructions for creating a 16″ cloth doll with a full head of styleable yarn hair. Variations are included for bobbed hair, bangs, … More
Any yarn can be used to make hair for a handmade cloth doll like the Make-Along dolls… bulky, dk, sport… wool, acrylic, roving, mohair. Whatever you like to achieve the look you’re going for. It’s also fun to use a few different yarns together. Here I used two very similar shades of a golden yellow and it gives her a great full head of sunny blonde hair.
For this doll I pulled the yarn from both balls at the … More
The Make-Along Dolls Sewing Pattern got a refresh just in time for the Holiday Pattern Sale. It’s the same Make-Along Doll pattern but with some extras. Now instead of just the apron dress she comes with a few extra outfits to get you started.
Including 4 pairs of shoes! Mary Janes, moccasins, sneakers and boots.
Also included are more variations on the basic hairstyle. Including info on how to do bobbed hair, straight bangs and short boy hair.
With boy … More
Elsa has a new look this year! I’ve had this pattern in my shop for over 10 years now and she’s definitely a favorite of mine. I remember when I first started designing dolls how I was obsessed with trying to get a nice round shape for a head from a 2D doll and the lightbulb I had when I decided to just make her 3D with a gusset, ha! I wanted a doll that had a few shortcuts … More
For those new to dollmaking where to get the supplies can be daunting. But really you should be able to find everything you need at your local fabric/craft store if you want to get started straight away or online if you’re a planner.
UPDATE: I now have an Amazon shop page where I’ve collecting some of my favorite dollmaking supplies.
BODY FABRIC:
Starting with the bodies, the key to body fabric is a tight weave (so no stuffing oozes out) … More
A captivating gang of 24 huggable, lovable creatures to sew—from classics like Margot, a topsy-turvy doll, and the button-jointed teddy bear Bjorn Bjornson, to irresistible Evelyn, a wool felt inchworm decked out in mod glasses and a kerchief, and Koji, a fiercely cute spiked softie monster. There’s something for everyone here—from kids to grown-ups and from beginning sewers to advanced dollmakers. Published by STC Craft, August, 2010.
