How to… make up your doll

Step 1 PLACE

the finished front and back of the doll right sides together, being careful to match up the edges of your stitching and using pins to hold the layers together. Choose a section of the doll that has a straight edge, like a leg or the edge of a skirt, and this will be where you will leave your gap for turning and stu ng.

Step 2 STITCH

around the edge of the doll, using small backstitches, working about 2-3mm (⁄in) out from the edge of the design – to get a neater finish, stitch following the edge of the design and not the grid of the fabric. Keep checking to see that the stitching on the front and back match.

Step 3 STITCH

all the way around the design, staying the same distance from the edge. Sew around the bottom of the feet without sewing up between the legs (where they are separate) and if the arms are close to the body, just sew around the hand rather than into a tight gap. On tight corners, sew generously away from the edges in a wide curve to allow easy turning and stu ng without puckering. Leave a gap on the long edge.

Step 4 CUT

carefully around the design, leaving a 1cm (…⁄†in) seam allowance apart from the opening, which should have an allowance of at least 3cm (1⁄†in). Snip into the seam allowance at the points of any tight curves, such as under the arms, but don’t go too close to the seam to avoid fraying.

Step 5 TURN

the doll to the right side through the gap, and use a stick to push out any corners, including the arms and legs. Fill the doll starting at the head, using small pieces of toy stu ng, and pushing them well into place. Once the doll is gently rounded, but not too firm, fold the seam allowance fabric back inside the doll and close the gap with ladder stitch.

Step 6 FINISH

by using white cotton to backstitch along the gap between the legs and under the arms (depending on the design), taking care to go through both layers of fabric and the stu ng.