| If you want to know how to make a doll, you've | | | | machine adjustments. Make sure you've selected |
| come to the right place. The following tips will help | | | | correct settings, adjust the thread tension, and |
| you get started: | | | | shorten up the stitch length. When sewing dolls, I |
| How to Make a Doll - Tip #1 | | | | use a 2.0 or 2.5 stitch length, depending on the |
| Study the pattern, not just the instructions, but | | | | size of the doll. |
| the actual pattern pieces. You'll gain a lot of | | | | How to Make a Doll - Tip #5 |
| understanding on the construction of the doll. | | | | Doll seams are often quite narrow and sewing |
| Pattern pieces are numbered or named. They | | | | machines will "eat" them - with the needle driving |
| show you how to lay that pattern piece on the | | | | the fabric down into the feed dogs, which can |
| fabric and how many to cut. Sometimes they | | | | damage your machine. To avoid this irritating |
| include notches to aid in the matching up of the | | | | problem, make sure your needle is sharp with no |
| pieces. Watch for dots and other markings that | | | | burrs. (Remember, you should always replace |
| will aid you in eye placement or show you where | | | | your machine needles after every 8 hours of |
| to attach the arms and legs. | | | | sewing). Make sure the thread tails are pulled back |
| How to Make a Doll - Tip #2 | | | | under the presser foot. |
| Read through the written instructions before ever | | | | Start sewing on a little piece of scrap fabric. |
| cutting into your fabric. Most "store bought" | | | | When you get to the end of it, stop with the |
| patterns from the big name manufacturers | | | | needle in the down position and butt your doll |
| already have the seam allowances added in. Many | | | | piece up to it and continue sewing. After stitching, |
| of the small designers (usually to save space | | | | clip off the scrap fabric. |
| because of printing costs) don't have any seam | | | | How to Make a Doll - Tip #6 |
| allowances at all; the user is supposed to leave a | | | | For safer stitching, use the pointed end of a |
| specified margin around each pattern piece when | | | | wooden shish kabob stick to help steer your little |
| cutting out. | | | | pieces. The kabob stick will keep your fingers |
| How to Make a Doll - Tip #3 | | | | away from the needle. |
| Gather all your supplies to make the doll and put | | | | How to Make a Doll - Tip #7 |
| them in one place. A plastic tote makes putting | | | | No matter how great a stitcher you are, it's |
| away PIPS (Projects in Progress) a snap, and | | | | important to choose the correct insides for your |
| Ziploc bags in several sizes are great for keeping | | | | doll. Get the best polyester fiberfill that you can |
| small pieces together. | | | | find. It makes the stuffing process go much |
| How to Make a Doll - Tip #4 | | | | faster when you're not fighting with an inferior |
| Many smaller doll projects can be stitched by | | | | product that wads up to form "cellulite" under |
| hand. It can be a pleasurable way to spend a few | | | | your doll's skin. |
| evenings in front of the television, or even part of | | | | If you make enough dolls, you'll soon collect a |
| your lunch break at work. | | | | variety of tools that you've scrounged from |
| However, if you are going to use your sewing | | | | around the house that you can use to stuff your |
| machine, give all the nooks and crannies a light | | | | dolls with. Some of my favorites are unsharpened |
| cleaning. Next, get some scrap fabric that is similar | | | | pencils with erasers, wood shish kabob sticks, |
| in weight to the fabric you'll be constructing your | | | | bone folder, butter knife, screw driver, bobby pins |
| doll with, and practice a little. | | | | and wooden spoons. |
| During the practice session, double check all your | | | | |