Nancy Comb

Materials:

18" X 10" strip-pieced fabric for doll

Seed beads, bugle beads and flower beads

Assorted fancy beads

Charms

Trims and embellishments of your choice

Needle and thread

sewing machine (optional)

Beading needle

Beading thread

Poly-fil for stuffing

Click here for full sized pattern

Instructions:

Strip piece a rectangle of fabric for the doll 18" wide by 10" tall. (I chose a Butterfly print for the faces because I wanted something whimsical and I can't draw faces.) Fold the rectangle in half to 9" by 10" and position the pattern on the folded fabric being careful to place the head of the doll so her face is on the fabric area that gives the desired look. Remember the pattern is a template so add the 1/4" seam allowance.

Stitch around the outer edge of the doll leaving a 1/4" seam allowance. Leave an opening to turn and stuff on one straight edge. Re enforce both ends of the opening. Turn and stuff firmly.

Use 2 beads for the eyes. If you have not used a distinctive fabric in the face area you can draw a face to fit your doll's "spirit". The doll 'hair' is made of seed beads and bugle beads strung in random patterns. Add some flower beads or fancy accent beads near the face to give her even more character.

Add beads and other embellishments to decorate your doll as you wish. The charms that give your doll her "spirit" are attached to the hands by strings of beads.

Make the embellishments fit the person you are making the doll for, show their personality in the charms and trims you select.

Tip:It is better to stuff the doll and then embellish. Be sure to clip curves!