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

Latest Creations - More dolls!

First, Sarah....

She is very "me" with her keyhole cover and skeleton key.  

Then we have this adorable little mini doll.

 Isn't she sweet with her lace and polka dots?

Each is available in my Etsy Shop right now.

Also, don't forget you also have the option to Design a Doll yourself!  Or to have me make a custom doll!

Dolls from Recycled Clothing

Dolls, originally uploaded by B.B. Bellezza.

If you follow me on facebook or twitter (and if you don't, why not?) then you probably already know I've been on a doll-making bend lately. I don't know what got into me. I pictured them in my head. Drew them while I was working at my day job. Dreamed about them at night. I finally had time to make them. I must say, I'm in love. There are so many more in my brain and on paper, too!

I don't know if it's because they aren't jewelry that I'm loving them so much (and I still love to make jewelry, no worries!) or that I just thought about them so very much that I loved making them so much.

I also must say, I am just tickled pink to see these 4 all lined up like that in my couch in my studio. They make me smile every time I walk in.

Details about the dolls:
For the dolls with the blue hair: all the fabric used is from used clothing except for muslin for the face and arms. The lace and buttons on the eyes are from Lancaster Creative Reuse.

For the zebra girls: The zebra fabric is from Lancaster Creative Reuse, the button eyes are also from there, the pink fabric is from clothing that was worn out. I have no idea where the ribbon and lace came from on these 2 since it came from my stash, but chances are that they are reused, too.

All the girls are stuffed with new polyfiberfill.

They aren't recommended for children to play with because of the buttons and such, but they would make an awesome addition to any fun room.

I'm tempted to sell them as twins because I think they are creepy-cute that way.