Make Your Own Dolls!

I love making rag dolls.  There are so many options on how to personalize them:

• You can customize the face:  paint it, embroider it, make it a zombie. 
• You can customize the clothes:  different fabrics, use your old clothes, make jeans for them, etc.
• You can customize the shape:  straight body, triangle body, paints with shirt, dress, skirt, etc. etc. etc.!
• You can customize the size:  make 'em big, make 'em mini, or make 'em somewhere in between!

Really, that's just the beginning of the options!  

Once you know how to make one, you can really broaden and do whatever your heart desires!

And how do you learn to make a doll?  

Design-a-Doll Digital Program!  It's just $15 in my Craftsy Pattern Store.  Purchase it now for instant download and get started right away!  It comes with a pattern, but I also show you how to design your own pattern!

If you prefer, I also have a Design-a-Doll Boy Digital Program for just $15.

Make a doll to give away and then make one to keep.  Everyone loves them!

New Digital Workshop Available: Design - a - Doll Boy

New Digital Workshop Available:  Design - a - Doll Boy!

This is the boy version of my Design-a-Doll Workshop. I had made only girl dolls until one day my nephew asked me to make him a boy zombie doll. I made it to look like him and he loved it. (And even noticed that the doll looked like him!)

This tutorial is so much more than a tutorial, which is why I have called it a "workshop."

You'll learn how to make a rag doll - from designing it to sewing it. I also teach you how to embroider the face, make my version of a zombie doll or do a painted face.

If you're not up for designing your own doll, I've included a pattern for the doll, too.

These dolls are so addicting to make!

The list of materials seems sort of long, but you probably have most of the materials already. I like to use up old worn clothes. I especially love to make the boy dolls with old jeans for their pants.

Save memories by using your kids' favorite clothes or blankets and making them into a doll. Or remember a loved one who has passed on.

Just $15 in my Craftsy Pattern Store.  Pay and you can instantly download!

Design - A - Doll!

I have been making dolls for quite a little while now and I love it.

Things I love about rag dolls:

• I love picking out the fabric for their outfits
• I love embellishing their outfits.
• I love reusing old clothes or using up fabric scraps that would go to waste to make something so sweet and cool.
• I love it when little girls love my zombie dolls - I love that they are so cool that they know that they are zombies!

My favorite memory was when my nephew asked me for a boy zombie doll, which I made him for his birthday. 

You see, I made my own pattern so I change my own pattern all the time.  I only made girls up until that time.  Caleb wants a boy, I made him a boy!

(He loved it, by the way!)

That's the cool thing about this tutorial, too.  There is a pattern included.  But I take you step-by-step through making a doll from actually designing and drafting a pattern!  It's completely customizable.

You can use any fabric - even old clothing.  Make memory dolls to remember those who have passed.  Use your children's favorite clothing that doesn't fit them anymore.  The ideas and possibilities are really endless!

Design-A-Doll Tutorial Details:

Skills:

You need to know how to sew.  I am a self-taught sewer and I only really learn new sewing skills as they are required for me to finish a project.  You'll need to know how to sew in a straight line and go around a curve for the head.  You'll have to hand-sew the head closed.

You'll need: 

• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Needle
• Embroidery floss and needle OR paint (for face)
• Fabric - for body and hair (I often use felt for hair)
• Buttons (for zombie doll)
• Any embellishments for your doll - lace, ribbon, etc.
• Stuffing - poly fiberfill

With this tutorial eBook you'll learn how to design a doll, draft the pattern and put it all together.  You'll also get a pattern (like my zombie dolls) to help you if you get stuck.

You'll want to make dolls over and over again!

You get all of this for $15!

I know you can do this!  Come out of your cocoon and emerge creatively!

Design - A - Doll