Doll making on my cottage getaway

I booked a short getaway for myself and my 2 daughters (16 & 21) at a secluded and rustic, lakeside cottage, north of Kingston, Ontario. Blissfully, there was no wifi and no TV, so relaxation was top of the list with zero distractions. While rest was a priority and enjoying quality time with my kids a must, I decided to bring a few doll making supplies with me to pass the time if I had a moment here and there. I had no idea if I’d be able to actually finish a doll but hand sewing is one of my favourite ways to relax and get lost in the flow.

Here is a list of the supplies that I brought with me (clockwise in photo above):

-wool blend yarn, worsted weight(8ply)
-white thread
-water soluble marking pen
-unbleached muslin for the body
-hand sewing needles
-fabrics, elastic, trim, and buttons for the dress
-black embroidery floss
-straight homeostatic forceps (for turning and stuffing)
-pencil, pink crayon for cheeks, black drawing pen
-measuring tape, retractable
-pins
-paper for drawing out patterns, if needed
-small scissors, large scissors
-(not shown) stuffing, a notebook, and brown thread to match the yarn

“Sewing – it’s not just a craft, it’s therapy.” ~ unknown

When the girls were doing their own thing, I took the opportunity to work on my doll project. I started by drawing out my idea in my notebook. I wanted to make a simple, classic, little doll with long hair and a floppy but pretty dress.

I drew the shape of the doll that I was envisioning, paying attention to proportions. I like a shorter torso with a bigger head (relative to human proportions) with long legs and arms. I usually make the legs(with feet) as long as the head and torso, and the arms(with hand) the length from the shoulder to where the wrist is at the hips. I also made the pieces a bit wider then I wanted to account for the curvature of the fabric after stuffing. I added seam allowances(about 1/4”) to all sides, with extra length at the top end of the legs and arms to adjust length later, and to turn in.

I drew my pattern pieces directly onto the fabric(folded to cut 2 of each, with the grain of the fabric), first lightly with pencil and then with a marking pen. I then stabilized the 2 layers of fabric by pinning in the middle and cut out the body, one leg/foot and one arm/hand, then traced the opposite leg and arm onto the fabric and cut those out as well.

I brought all of the pieces, plus needle, thread, scissors, and stuffing, down to the lake with me (the cottage was at the top of a cliff with about two stories of wooden stairs down to the lakefront - I wanted to make sure I had everything I needed so I wouldn’t have to climb as often) and started to stitch. I used a back-stitch making 1-2mm stitches but I wasn’t very neat and tidy about it - this was meant to be a relaxing project so I wasn’t too concerned about being exact.

It was such a lovely afternoon in the dappled shade, taking in the views and wildlife (swans, loons, ducks, fish, a turtle, dragonflies, and 2 deer on the opposite side of the lake). Only 2 other cottages were in this particular area so it was serenely quiet, with only one or two motorboats over the course of the day.

I finished stitching all of the pieces after about 2 hours (I didn’t keep track), turned them right side out and stuffed them. Then I put it aside for the day.

After breakfast with my family the next morning, I returned to my lakeside chair to continue working on my doll. This time I brought along my entire sewing kit and was determined to get as far as I could in completing this project.

I attached the legs by tucking them into the torso, pinning in place, and adjusting the length to my liking. I then stitched across the bottom of the torso, sewing in the legs as I went. I then pinned the arms to the side, and adjusted them to the appropriate length (I made them far too long at first!). I stitched them in place at the shoulders with lots of secure stitches.

Then it was time for my favourite part: the face. With my marking pen, I lightly drew a cross on the head, with one down the center point and the other where the eyes would sit. I had already drawn a face that I liked in my notebook, so I tried to copy it onto the doll. Once I was happy with the design, I embroidered the features onto the face, and then lightly smudged her cheeks with a pink crayon. So cute!

A spontaneous idea was to embroider the date onto the back, making this a lovely memento of this trip.

Once the sweet face was done I was eager to get some hair on this little darling. I found a piece of wood that was about the length I wanted her hair (from the top of her head) and wrapped it many times in yarn. I cut the yarn at one end, giving me many lengths of yarn to work with. I folded each length in half and stitched them in place along the seam from ear to ear. I then bundled several strands and stitched them to the front where I wanted her hair to be parted, pulling them to each side and stitching them at the ears. Oh my, and she was now complete. I was so pleased with the results.

This was such a rewarding experience. I am so glad that I decided to do this project. I had no idea how long hand stitching would take and it wasn’t as time consuming as I had thought but just long enough to make it a wonderfully relaxing way to while away a lovely, yet short, vacation by the lake.

Once back at home, I quickly made her a simple dress(on the sewing machine) from this pretty plaid shirting fabric. It’s not really the dress I envisioned, and it’s a bit too big, so I may have another go at it when I find a moment. But for now it works just fine.

Have you ever hand sewn a doll?

I would highly recommend it! While this wasn’t a lesson in how to do so, there are many resources online to search for that will guide you on how to begin and expand on your stitching skills.

Happy sewing!

~Elissa

p.s. Should I offer this doll as a sewing pattern in my shop? It may not be exactly as shown, since this was made without a pattern, but I could design something similar as a digital pattern for the shop.

Visit my shop for many doll sewing patterns, big and small, that could inspire your next sewing project.