Making a Doll

Cover the Styrofoam ball.

Start your doll by covering the Styrofoam ball with a piece of cloth and securing it with a rubber band, as shown. This step is not necessary, but it adds some interesting texture to your doll and gives it the appearance of a true cloth doll. This is the head of your doll.

Create the doll’s body.

Bend one pipe cleaner in half. Insert both ends of the pipe cleaner into the base of the ball to make the doll’s body.

Create the doll’s arms and legs.

To create the arms, fold another pipe cleaner in half. Line up the top of the doll’s body in the middle of the pipe cleaner. Then, twist the pipe cleaner around the body. Fold each end inwards to create the arms.

Use another pipe cleaner to create the legs. Again, fold the pipe cleaner and center the lower body in it. Twist the pipe cleaner around the lower body. Fold the ends of the pipe cleaner in to create the legs. Bend the bottom of the legs a little to make feet.

Pick your clothing pattern.

To create clothes for your doll, you can cut out the pattern provided in this lesson. You can choose to make your own pattern by drawing the outline of your clothes on printer paper and cutting it out. Use the pattern as it is to make a dress. Cut it in half and snip a triangle out of the bottom to make a shirt and pants. Place your pattern on the edge of a folded piece of fabric (felt is recommended).

Cut your fabric.

Carefully cut around your pattern. Make sure to leave the shoulder straps intact, as shown. These will keep the top from falling off your doll.

Sew your doll clothes.

Use embroidery thread and a safety needle to carefully sew up the sides of your doll’s clothing. If you made pants for your doll, you need to also sew up the middle of the legs. Use a straight stitch or an overcast stitch for your sewing. Or you can mix them up! Work carefully with your needle!

Finish your doll.

Add finishing details. You can draw on a face and add hair. You can make your doll’s face look however you want! Make sure to use a permanent marker or a fabric marker. Other kinds of marker won’t make clean lines. Get creative! You can glue decorations onto your doll’s clothing or add pony beads to their arms and legs. Beads will add weight and help your doll sit up easier.

Play!

Now it is time to play with your doll! You can also make another one, if you have enough supplies. Have fun!