After all the pattern pieces have been sewn together, it is time to stuff and shape the figure into a cloth doll.
Polyester fiberfil is the most popular type of stuffing for cloth dolls these days. It can be found in several forms and varies in quality. Other types of stuffing used in making cloth dolls are cotton batting, straw (which makes a very hard doll) and modeling products such as Model Magic, Sculpey and Paper clay. Almost anything that is malleable can be used to stuff the cloth doll body. (hair, feathers, leaves, fabric and thread scraps, plastic pellets, beans, sand, and probably even dryer lint)
If you are using the modern stuffing made of polyester fluff, look for good quality brands such as Plain Fortrel, Buffalo Batt, Polyfil, Airtex etc. (Airtex soft and silky is too soft). It should have a slightly wiry feel rather than a slippery feel and no lumps.
There are various techniques for pushing the stuffing material into the empty spaces of the fabric body and limbs.
If the pattern is a very simple, pancake type, the stuffing can be done all at once. Usually the opening is at the back or bottom of the body and the head will be stuffed first when it is all one piece. Push the stuffing firmly up into the head area. The more stretch in the fabric, the more shaping can be accomplished. Usually the head and neck will be stuffed quite firmly. Some patterns will call for a support in the neck area such as a dowel or cardboard tube. If the stuffing is done firmly enough, the support may not be needed. The material used for stuffing will almost always shift and compact over time, so that firmer initial stuffing will keep the shape longer and better.
If the pattern uses a sewn arm joint, stuff the arms firmly up to just above the elbow and stitch across the armpit area on the machine or by hand to form the arm joint. This technique can also be used for the legs and will give either arms or legs more movement after stuffing is completed. Knee and elbow joints can also be sewn in the same way. Simply stuff the lower area, stitch across at the knee or elbow and continue to stuff to the edge of the body and stitch again. This will make a floppy, huggable cloth doll that can be posed in a simple, primitive way when completed.
