Last spring I designed a cloth doll I called Prairie Flowers. She is a simple cloth doll, 11 1/2 inches tall, made from 100% woven cotton material. Above is Lillian, one of the dolls I made a year ago.I've come back to these cloth dolls, to make the pattern available, and to see what kind of different looks can be achieved with this cloth doll pattern.
The pattern for the doll is located here:
Prairie Flowers Doll Pattern
A picture tutorial for making the doll is located here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29184580@N04/sets/72157623903215816/
The pattern for the doll is a 'template' that is traced onto freezer paper (available here: http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html, near the bottom of the page). Trace the pattern to the non-shiny side of the freezer paper, cut out, and iron the pattern to the fabric. The edge of the template is the sewing line, so make sure to leave plenty of space between pattern pieces for the seam allowance.
After the pattern pieces have been sewn and turned, stuff the pieces with your favorite stuffing material. I've mentioned this before, but the best way to stuff a cloth doll is to lightly dampen the pieces with a mist of water. Work the material in your hands after it is dampened, and stuff the body firmly. Dampening the material will help to eliminate wrinkles when you stuff.
It is also VERY important to pay attention to the stretch of your fabric, and how you lay the pattern pieces on the material. These two bodies were made from the same pattern piece; but one was laid on the fabric with the stretch along the length of the body, and the other with the stretch running from side to side. The pattern pieces are marked how they should be placed. Before ironing them on, stretch your material along the grain and across it to determine which way the maximum stretch runs.
After all the parts are nicely stuffed, it is time to make the face, and perhaps add a touch of embroidery to the neckline of the doll. The tutorial shows a way to make the faces you see here; they are a combination of paint (for the iris and pupil of the eye), embroidery (mouth, nose, eyebrows, and iris), and crayon, to blush the cheeks. It is easier to do this and the embroidery before the limbs are attached to the doll.
Two new Prairie Flowers :-) I called them this because of the flowers embroidered around the neckline.
A picture tutorial for making the doll is located here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29184580@N04/sets/72157623903215816/
The pattern for the doll is a 'template' that is traced onto freezer paper (available here: http://www.dollmakersjourney.com/supplies.html, near the bottom of the page). Trace the pattern to the non-shiny side of the freezer paper, cut out, and iron the pattern to the fabric. The edge of the template is the sewing line, so make sure to leave plenty of space between pattern pieces for the seam allowance.
After the pattern pieces have been sewn and turned, stuff the pieces with your favorite stuffing material. I've mentioned this before, but the best way to stuff a cloth doll is to lightly dampen the pieces with a mist of water. Work the material in your hands after it is dampened, and stuff the body firmly. Dampening the material will help to eliminate wrinkles when you stuff.
It is also VERY important to pay attention to the stretch of your fabric, and how you lay the pattern pieces on the material. These two bodies were made from the same pattern piece; but one was laid on the fabric with the stretch along the length of the body, and the other with the stretch running from side to side. The pattern pieces are marked how they should be placed. Before ironing them on, stretch your material along the grain and across it to determine which way the maximum stretch runs. 
After all the parts are nicely stuffed, it is time to make the face, and perhaps add a touch of embroidery to the neckline of the doll. The tutorial shows a way to make the faces you see here; they are a combination of paint (for the iris and pupil of the eye), embroidery (mouth, nose, eyebrows, and iris), and crayon, to blush the cheeks. It is easier to do this and the embroidery before the limbs are attached to the doll.
Two new Prairie Flowers :-) I called them this because of the flowers embroidered around the neckline. 
Just beautiful. What an artist you are!
ReplyDeleteLois in Cincinnati
Just gorgeous Beth. I love her.
ReplyDeleteBeth, I love Lillian! Thanks for making the pattern available.
ReplyDeleteLisa
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteLois, Jenny, Lisa, and Tracey-Ann, thank you so much for your kind words :-) If you make a Prairie Flower I hope you enjoy the dollmaking; she is very easy and sweet.
ReplyDeleteTracey-Ann, I got those stands from Magic Cabin Dolls; here is a link to the stand:
http://magiccabin.com/product.asp?section_id=0&department=0&search_type=normal&search_value=doll%20stand&cur_index=&pcode=2230
If the stand is too tall, you can take a hack saw and cut off an inch or two of the white part of the stand, which is what I did. Or, you can make your own doll stand from a small wooden plaque and two 1/4 inch dowel rods. Here is a picture and a brief explanation:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/29184580@N04/4075534164/in/set-72157621188943546/
Happy dollmaking!
Beth
I can't sew to save my life, Beth, but I admire your work. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank-you, River :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
I am looking forward toward making her. I especially like to make dolls less than 12 inches.
ReplyDeleteVery Adorable! Great job on the dolls! :D
ReplyDeleteThey're lovely Beth! Love their painted faces too!
ReplyDeleteThank-you, Paperpest and IcePrincess :-)
ReplyDeleteShelly, your words mean a great deal to me; thank-you!
Beth
I was sure I posted here the other day? I guess not.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, Beth, what a wonderful job you did on these dolls! And I love the tips...I had no idea about using the spray bottle while stuffing. I'll use that on my next batch.
Hi bybido!
ReplyDeleteThank-you so much for your kind words :-) I've been using the spray/mist technique for a couple of years now, and it is amazing how much easier and better the stuffing process is. The dampness actually helps keep the stuffing in place, and works especially well with wool roving for stuffing, although I've also used the technique with polyfill.
Have a lovely day,
Beth
Reminiscent in some ways of Babyland Rags. Love your pattern. :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Dixie! Thank-you for the good words; I've always been enchanted with simple, huggable, cloth dolls :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
I wanted to download the tutorial from flickr but couldn't do it, is there a secret to it?
ReplyDeleteElaine
Hi Elaine,
ReplyDeleteHmmmm, I don't know how to download a set from Flickr. You might see if there is something in their FAQ's (frequently asked questions), or maybe you can email them this question. It is something I've never tried to do.
Beth
I like your cloth doll, they are beautiful
ReplyDeleteCongratulations
have a good day
Joaefina
tijerasycuchar.wordpress.com
Thank you for sharing such a delightful doll pattern, You are very talented.I have blogged about it and i am making some for my charity drive.
ReplyDeleteThat is really cool, Sue! I'm delighted you are using the Prairie Flowers pattern for your charity work :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
You do beautiful work just like my friend Carla Finley who makes beautiful dolls by hand!
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, Jennie :-)
ReplyDeleteBeth
I love your dolls and am planning on making a couple of my own, i was just wondering what wig size do they wear?
ReplyDeleteI used size 6 to 7 wigs for these dolls. I got them from Antina's Doll Supply. Here is a link:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.dollsupply.com/shop/index.php?cPath=57&sort=2a&page=1
Have fun!
Beth
Superbe
ReplyDeletebravo et merci
Dear Beth, I am so happy to have found "your place." I'd like to get back to my 1st love, my gretest love, cloth dolls. These 2 are sweet! As for Arugami crochet,
ReplyDeleteWaaaa,I cry,looks like algebra to me! Can't "get" knit symbols either. But I can
stitch! Looking forward to finishing one,maybe I show it to you? Thank you,Tammy.
Hi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the Prairie Flowers! They are easy, and a lot of fun to make :-)
Beth
Thank you for providing the pattern - but when I tried to open the pdf - the writing was jiberish (sp?) Maybe because it's in wordpad and I have wordperfect -- anyother way to obtain the pattern? Thank you, Barbara
ReplyDeleteHi Barbara,
ReplyDeleteI used LibreOffice to create the document, then exported it to PDF. If you like, I could email the pattern to you, if you will give me your email address.
Or maybe, just try again?
Beth
Thanks, She is lovely
ReplyDeleteHi, When you say you mist the material, are you meaning the fabric or the fill? Not sure which you mean.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth Stephens
Hi Beth,
DeleteMist the fabric prior to stuffing, and mist it a bit if it appears to become dry as you stuff. You don't want to soak the fabric, but by damping it you will find that the wrinkles that usually form when stuffing a fabric doll will be much reduced. I think the damp cloth stretches a bit more, allowing the stuffing to 'take' better.
Beth
Here are some cloth doll patterns you might be interested in...
ReplyDeletehttp://www.teresecato.com
Hi! I love the pattern you made. I am 12 and have worked on making dolls, but these look wonderful! I've been looking for dolls to make to use instead of American Girl dolls (because AG is getting rid of the good dolls -- most of the Historical Characters and renaming it BeForever) These are prefect for me because they are so old-fashioned and have the embroidered flowers. I will definitely make these.
ReplyDelete~ Azure
I hope you enjoy making this doll, Azure :-)
DeleteBeth
I made one for my grandma and it turned out great! I'm not that great at crocheting but I crocheted a pretty good wig and I have no idea how to replicate it. :P
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bout to make one! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for this pattern, I've used it to make a doll for my granddaughter. I'd also like to message you privately about another project using your patterns ..... is there a way to contact you privately?
ReplyDeleteHi Carolyne,
DeleteYou can email me at: dollmaker46203 [@] gmail.com.
Beth
You did not put a line on the pattern for the front darts to shape the body, could you add them to the pattern? That would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteJane, the body darts are optional, and I just pinched in a little bit on either side to make them.
DeleteBeth
Where can I purchase this doll pattern?
ReplyDeleteThe basic pattern for the Prairie Flower dolls is freely available on this blog. Scroll down the left sidebar until you come to 'Prairie Flower Cloth Dolls,' (it is down there a ways) and you will find links to the doll and several patterns that were modified from freely available Bleuette patterns.
Deletewarmly,
Beth