scent_dolls

I use flannel fabrics. Wash and iron the fabrics. About 1 ¼ yards will make four
dolls; additional fabric is needed for the hats.

Cut a 22” square of flannel for each doll.

Fold the square in half across one diagonal (right sides together) to make a
triangular shape. Sew the edges, leaving an opening so that you can turn it right
side out. Turn it right side out and push out the corners.

Form a ball of batting about 2” in diameter to be used for the head. Reach inside
of the doll and place the head in the center of the long folded side of the triangle.

Gather the flannel around the base of the head to form the neck of the doll and
tie securely with perle cotton or embroidery floss (all six strands). Fasten this
well so that the baby won’t get tangled in any threads. Trim away any loose ends
of thread.

Top stitch the sides of the doll (the two shorter sides of the triangle, not the
head side). Use a decorative machine stitch, if you have one. This stitching will
close up the opening you left for turning; you probably won’t need to hand stitch
this opening.

Cut out a hat using the pattern provided. The “fold” line on the pattern should be
placed on a fold of the flannel fabric. You may need to adjust the pattern to fit
the head size of your dolls. The hat fabric does not need to match the doll fabric.

Fold up (to the inside) about ½ inch along the bottom edge of the hat.
Top stitch this edge.
Turn right sides together and sew the long edges together, starting with the
bottom edge (that you have top stitched). Turn right side out.

Hand stitch the hat to the head using a buttonhole stitch or any other stitch that
will firmly hold the hat to the head. (These will be washed in the hospital, so
sew them well.)

Tie a simple knot on the top of the hat and at the end of each of the two arms.
You are finished.

In a group, it is best to divide up the tasks so that one person cuts the fabric,
one person sews the sides, one person stuffs the heads, one person does the
decorative top stitching, one person makes hats, one person sews hats to heads,
etc. With about six people, you can probably make 15 to 20 dolls in a couple of
hours.

Good luck and thanks for your contributions to your local agencies.