Kitty, Ursula, and Ann!
Three more Alphabet girls, and some tips on sewing and stuffing your doll :-)
Using the best quality fabrics for your doll's body will make a big difference in how well you can stuff the doll. For a doll that will be played with, sew it up with a sewing machine on a small stitch length. Take extra care in the corners, and sew slowly.
When finished sewing, do NOT clip the outward curves of the head. Instead, trim the seam allowance to 1/8 inch. Clipping will cause little 'points' to form when you turn the doll right side out and start to stuff.
DO clip inside curves, as at the neck and inner curve of the leg.
The best tip I ever learned when stuffing the doll is to dampen the doll slightly before stuffing. This causes the material to stretch a bit, and also will let you work the wrinkles and creases out of the seams. Use a bottle mister and spray the doll, but not to soaking. The damp fabric will 'grab' the stuffing, making it easer to keep it in place. You will find that neck creases disappear if you dampen the doll before you stuff it.
I like to use wool roving for stuffing. Yes, it is more expensive than polyfill, but I love the weight it gives to a doll, the way you can smoothly feed it into the doll body, the warmth it gives a doll, and the fact that, for dark skinned dolls, you can find brown wool roving!
Well, that is all I can think of for now. I'm feeling the call of crochet, so will give the alphabet girls a bit of a rest for now.
Keep the folks in Southeast Texas, the Caribbean, and Florida in your hearts and prayers.
Love your dolls and appreciate the information on how to do a better job making them. Are they washable if using wool roving? take care and thank you from Iowa
ReplyDeleteMelody,
DeleteIf you stuff with wool, do NOT put your doll in the washing machine. You could gently hand wash it, or spot wash it. Otherwise, you'll felt the stuffing, and that would not be good!
warmly,
Beth
I would have never thought of dampening the doll bodies! You always have such great ideas. :o)
ReplyDeleteI am praying for everyone in the path of these storms. A little worried about Irma possibly visiting us as well.
Hello Carolyn; I am praying too. Joyce (Dutzie) lives in south Florida, as well as her mother. And I have another friend in Vero Beach. And this looks to be such a monster storm.
DeleteWhere are you located? Hopefully not in a direct path; be safe!
And, the tip to dampen the doll came from Gail Wilson! I probably have learned more about dollmaking from her than from any other person.
Thank you for stopping by :-)
warmly,
Beth
Han quedado muy bonitas.
ReplyDeleteMuchas gracias, Isabel :-)
Deletecon gusto,
Beth
These are so adorable! I have to learn how to sew.
ReplyDeleteThank you :-)
Deletewarmly,
Beth
Thank you so much, Joyce! Yes, clipping curves is not a good idea, leaving all those little points. Trimming the seam works much better :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are back, my dear :-)
warmly,
Beth
these tips are so useful thank you. I have always clipped the head curves and never realized why I get little points. I will also try spray misting the doll fabric before stuffing, it makes perfect sense
ReplyDeletethank you again Kate (lilipopo)
Thank you so much for stopping by, Kate :-)
Deletewarmly,
Beth