Making Your First Doll

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Jun 25, 1999

It is all too easy to be put off trying to make your own dolls by the fabulous creations of experienced doll makers. "I'm not creative," and "I wouldn't know where to start" must be the most-heard excuses. But remember that everyone has to start somewhere and some time, and instead of being put off by dolls you wish you could make, consider them something to aspire to.

Sure, the first doll you make will almost certainly not be everything you'd hoped for. But you'll have practised your skills and the second one will be different again. As the creator of a doll you're only too aware of what you were trying to achieve. But show it to someone who doesn't make dolls and you'll probably be most pleasantly surprised by their reaction. They'll see it as a finished object, not something where this seam was not quite right, the hair was a bit skew and the one arm is ever-so-slightly longer than the other. And, usually, if you point out what you consider "wrong" you'll get a reaction along the lines of "well yes, I can see that, but it doesn't matter."

I've often heard it said that you should start plain and simple and build your way up. And while this is sound advice, I've never been one willing to try walking before running. I don't think there's anything wrong in trying an ambitious project as your first - provided you admit to yourself that you are being ambitious and that you may have to unpick and redo to get a result that you can live with.

For me, making a doll in pieces and then sewing it together once the various parts are made to my satisfaction is one way I don't have to redo too much. For example, if you make a face separately and then add the head to a body, you only have to make another head if you don't like the way it turns out, rather than a complete doll.

Another thing that works for me is to use a patterned fabric, going for a bold, colourful creation with a mop of hair, rather than a "realistic" look. This way it's the overall effect that grabs you first rather than, for instance, a facial expression.

For an array of useful hints, have a look at these sites: Hints 1, Hints 2, Dyeing calico with coffee. For designers, patterns, fabrics and events, try Cloth doll Connection. For a great doll-making book, read Anatomy of a Doll by Susanna Oroyan

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