Ninja Softies!

A few years back I made all the little girls in our lives these simple dolls. Well, except one boy got a super quick black Ninja. Apparently, the Ninja was a big hit. So much so, that a second was requested.

These Ninjas are made of broadcloth, but you could use anything you have that is a solid color. The arms and legs are straight rectangles of equal size and length, easy smeashy. The body is a rectangle, maybe with a little taper at the top. The body is not too much wider than the two legs together. The head I made into a circle with a neck incorporated. The top is flesh colored and the back is Gi colored.  I used scraps to make the sash, belt, and face pieces. They were are all appliqued once the body was assembled.  I stitched on the sash in a criss-cross shape to give the appearance that he is wearing a Gi.  I searched on youtube to learn how to properly tie his belt, because I'm all authentic like that,  and then I hand stitched it on. The eyes are very small buttons, however you could use just a Sharpie dot.

Do make sure all the limbs are well attached. Ninjas fight all the time when they are not hiding or invisable. Surgical procedures may be required if your seam allowances aren't enough.

I'd love to see your Ninja creations if you make this. Please post a photo of your Ninja on flickr and send me a link. Or go onto my facebook page and post a photo on my wall. 

Free Pattern 15" doll

My Daughter received this doll recently for her birthday, a typical size doll for kids right now. I have made several princess dresses for my daughter that I felt confident enough to copy the dress on the doll and use left over fabric to make more princess dresses for her new "Sweetie."
I have it here to share with you.
Link to my Google Groups post
How cute to make in blue, or pink.
As an added bonus it also fits my vintage Mandy I recently shared with her.

Please for personal use only.

Fuzzy Tree Dolls

Fabric inspires me, especially left overs.
SO I saw these dolls online or better yet I saw this one and I looked for a way to make them. Rather than printing it (cause I hate patterns) I copied the sock monkey pattern and faked it. I like the method for the legs and arms from the sock monkey, just sitch down the center then make 2 "u" shapes on either side for legs and arms.
Stripes work great for legs, I tried paisley and it was alright. So this was this years Christmas gifts. I used all existing scrap fabric that didn't have a purpose, so basically "free" except for the fiber fill I had to buy. I made 6 dolls from 2 bags of fill.
Next was the head, um a circle, around a bowl. with a little neck on it cut from some muslin we had. The arms cut in this too. Just like the legs, but a tad (equals 1") shorter.
Now after I made four I made a few modifications cause I didn't like how small the dress was to the legs, that and I made a neck. Turning this the way in the tutorial was hard, with the legs and all. So I made the last two I made, I stitched one side and turned it above one arm up to the head.

My favorite was the felt hair, the only place left for creativity. That and I started to add embellishments. Leftover dress lining for skirts, ribbon, rick rack, and tinny button eyes.
My daughter loves this type of doll, it is almost as big as her, she is light, flexible, and pretty. Note: if adding a poofy skirt over it, make the triangle at the bottom not so obtuse.