Tuesday Tutorial with Homespun From the Heart

How to Trace and Sew Your Dolls 

Supplies Needed: 

*Muslin, regular or tea stained 

*Mark B Gone pen, pencil 

*Scissors 

*Pins 

*Scissors 

*Ruler if needed 

*Patterns 

Read the pattern you are working with first! Many designers (myself included) like to use the "Trace and Sew" method. That is what I'm showing in this tutorial. If your pattern says 'cut the arms, legs, body' then this tutorial will not work for that pattern -- when in doubt or if the instructions don't say, just email and ask the designer.

For my own preference, I use one of 2 methods to trace and sew; the one I choose depends on the finished look I want for my doll. If I want to get her extra- grungy, I will use method 1 because I can tea/coffee stain later. If not, I use method 2.

Method 1 - using regular muslin, not yet stained. 

Step 1. I keep my muslin folded in half as it comes on the bolt. Slide your pattern page underneath and use a Mark B gone pen to trace the pieces out. Follow pattern instructions - you will need a body/head, 2 arms, and 2 legs. 

Step 2. After all the pieces are traced, pin a few in place. This is how I layout my doll parts to be sewn (I like to try and use all the available space & not waste any fabric): 

Also, my own preference is to keep all the openings facing the same way at the bottom; so when I finish the body, I 'jump' my needle over to the leg, then to the next arm, etc. I don't have to cut any threads along the way either. 

Step 3. Now you sew ON the lines you just traced. If this is the type of pattern you are using, there's no need to allow any seam allowance on the doll parts. 

Method 2 - using pre-stained muslin. 

First thing is to print your pattern pieces onto card stock. Then cut those pieces out to make templates. I like to use the zip-loc bags to keep everything together for the next time I create this doll; the templates are ready to use. 

I use a pencil for this type of tracing; also I show a ruler because the pattern I am using requires 'extension' of the legs and body. It's the best way for me to extend the lines out. 

Step 1. I keep my muslin folded in half; place your templates on the muslin and use a pencil to go right around them. Follow pattern instructions - you will need a body/head, 2 arms, and 2 legs. 

Step 2. After all the pieces are traced, pin a few in place (same as above instructions). It's harder to see my pencil lines in this photo but under the light of the sewing machine I can always see them. I line up my pieces the same way as shown in Method 1. 

Step 3. Now you sew ON the lines you just traced. If this is the type of pattern you are using, there's no need to allow any seam allowance on the doll parts. 

** clothing note: most of us who design with the 'trace and sew' method add in the extra seam allowance when we create the clothing for our doll samples. So we will ask you to 'cut' the pieces out for clothing.

Thank You Cindy for this great tutorial!

You can find Cindy here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CindysHomespun

http://homespunfromtheheart-cindy.blogspot.com/

http://www.homespunfromtheheart.com/store