How to Make Dolly Hugs

1. Download the pattern for Dolly Hugs and print it out on your printer at home. (If you do not have that capacity, email me at noni@cely.com and I will send you a copy via snail mail. Be sure to include your snail mail address. Or write me at the address below.)

Please Note: When pasted together, the Dolly Hugs pattern should measure 14 1/2 inches from head to toe. If your print out is smaller than this, you can take it to a copier and enlarge the pattern to the correct size. Make sure to enlarge ALL pattern pages by EXACTLY the same percentage!

2. Cut along the straight line at the waist of the top half of the doll. Use glue or tape to attach the top half to the lower half, overlapping the waist lines. Cut out the pattern, eliminating the outline around the outer edge of the doll.

3. You can use this as a pattern for making several more patterns out of freezer paper. This method works well if you are making the dolls out of a dark fabric. Simply use a hot iron (no steam) to press the freezer paper (shiny side down) onto your fabric. Pin the fabric in several places, and then sew around the edge of the paper and peel it off. It will be useable again, so don't throw it away!

Or, draw around the edge of the paper pattern with a pencil or disappearing fabric marker. Pin the fabric in several places, and sew around the INSIDE of the marks you have made.

4. Cut out the fabric, leaving a 3/8" seam allowance. Clip the curves, using pinking shears around the head and hands and feet.

5. Transfer the darts to the front and back of the doll. Sew the front dart, trim the seam allowance, and clip the curve. Carefully cut a slit down the middle of the back dart. Use this opening to turn the doll right side out.

6. Stuff the arms and legs tightly. Then topstitch by machine along the dotted lines.

7. Now stuff the head and body, but not as tightly as the arms and legs.

8. Use a good strong thread to whipstitch the back together, along the lines of the dart.

9. Now use the face template to make a face for your Dolly Hugs. You may want to make her with closed eyes, so that she sleeps and prays and kisses. Or, make her with open eyes so that she romps and jumps and plays.

10. Paint or draw the features using whatever mediums you prefer to work with. I find that acrylic paints work well for me. Please keep the doll washable. Make sure that your paints or markers are waterproof!

11. Next, sew some yarn around the head and design a simple hairdo for your doll. Please do not use glue. Remember that this doll should be washable!

12. Give the doll to a child who needs her, or let us find her a good home!

CHARITY DOLLS
C/O Antonette Cely
3592 Cherokee Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30340-2749

 © CELY Communications, Inc.

URL: http://www.cely.com/dollyhow.html