Other designers prefer similar, but slightly different button jointing methods. One of the other ways instructs doll makers to run the cord through the body back and forth, tying the cord together on the beginning side. Other patterns use buttons or beads on the exterior of the limb as a decorative method. The bead or button is visible and becomes a part of the completed doll using fabric covered shank buttons, or fabric covered beads. Beads and buttons may also be painted or left as is. Bead joints are less posable and more floppy similar to the machine or hand straight stitched joint mentioned above.
Legs
Putting the legs on the body is usually very similar to the way arms are jointed. If you want the legs to be posable, a jointing device will be necessary, either a button, teddy bear joint, cotter pin joint or bead joint very much like the systems mentioned for jointing arms. This can allow the doll to sit or stand and a knee joint will allow the leg to bend. The knee is usually jointed by a machine or hand stitching, or a button joint since the movablity is limited to the natural motion of a human leg. (Elbows can also be jointed with beads and buttons.) When the upper and lower limbs are separately moveable, the pattern usually has more pieces to create separate upper and lower sections for jointing.
Stable, non-posable legs.
Some dolls are meant to stand up alone and the legs are hand stitched using the invisible ladder stitch to hold the desirable position. Movement of the leg is not an option. If the doll is stuffed firmly enough and the feet are substantial and flat, it can stand alone, without a doll stand or base. The legs and arms can also be constructed with an internal armature such as wire or chenille stems to create various posing options.
The attachment of the head will depend on the style of torso pattern. If there is a neck tab, the head can be string jointed to allow head movement. The head will have an opening in the back where it was stuffed. If the head is to be stable, push the neck tab firmly into the hole in the back of the head and ladder stitch together.
