Root Spirit Finished!

If you've embroidered on leather, then cloth should be a piece of cake!

I've seen muslin dolls in AC Moore's and Jo-Ann Fabrics, and I'd be willing to bet that Michael's has them, too. However, the dolls are bears and bunnies, and are rather large.... :o)

I believe Mary Tafoya (on beadpattern.com?) has stuff-it-yourself doll skins, and Sassy Art Goddess might, too. I *know* I saw them somewhere in my hunt for face cabs, but I wasn't paying much attention since I intended to make my own.

Making your own isn't too hard, since you won't need all the shaping and darts, and so forth, that you'd put in a non-beaded doll.

Trace your doll shape onto a piece of muslin. Pin that piece to a second piece and pin them together good sides together (if you're using patterned fabric; there is no "good" side on muslin).

Stitch around the tracing, but be sure to leave about 1 1/2" open so you can turn the doll inside out. If you're using a sewing machine, use a fairly small, but not tiny, stitch. If you're sewing by hand, use a close backstitch -- you'll get all kinds of pratice for doing the beading. ;-)

Trim away the excess fabric, leaving a seam about 1/4" wide. and clip the curves almost (but not quite) to the stitching line. Clipping is very important: your doll won't turn, otherwise! I use pinking shears, but still clip inward facing curves and angles with straight scissors.

Turn the doll right side out, and stuff with fiber fill or other doll stuffing. Stuff it until you can't possibly fit any more in, and then push in a little more. Be sure to use tiny bits in the arms and pack it in well with a chop stick or dowel. Use a whip stitch (or ladder stitch) to sew the opening closed.

Decorate as desired!

Arondelle

Diana Curtis wrote: > And I've made dolls but havent ever beaded one. Id love to know > which is considered the easier way too. Root Spirit has inspired me.

I stuff first, then embroider. That way, I don't have to guess whether or not the beads are going to sit flat and conform to the curves of the doll. Beading after also covers the seams.

The lady at my LBS said the she does the beading first and then sews the doll together -- but she stitches by hand. I'm too lazy to sew skins by hand. :-)

Arondelle