A small baby sleeper (pyjamas) A pair of pantyhose or light weight tights. Roughly 1&1/2 to 2 lbs of stuffing, polyester fiberfil works but takes more than a denser stuffing like cotton. Clothing, roughly the same size as the sleeper, including shoes or boots and a hat. Doll hair, available at most craft stores.
What You Do
First cut off one leg of the panyhose. Then you are going to stuff around 12 inches fairly firmly. Keep in mind that this is baby's arm so don't make it too big around. Then tie a knot in the stocking and stuff the rest so it's around the same length. Tie a knot. These are the arms. Then stuff the sleeper. Pay special attention to the legs, they should be as firm as possible. If the sleeper has snaps you may find you need to sew along the opening. I put the arms in the sleeper while stuffing it to gauge how much stuffing I would need in the shoulders etc. To do this I put the knotted end through one armhole from the inside. Pulled it all of the way though until the knot an part of the "hand" were visible. Then I put it through the other sleeve fron the outside and pulled it through until only an inch or so was left showing of the other "hand". To make the head cut a 10 to 12 in. piece of the other leg of the pantyhose, I chose a spot near the top of the leg because it is wider. Turn it inside out and tie a knot in it fairly close to the end. Turn it back and stretch it then stuff it. Try to make it as round as possible. Sew the head to the neck of the sleeper. At this point I found that I needed a little extra stuffing in the neck area. Be sure to put the "tail" inside of the sleeper so it can't be seen.
Now it's time to dress baby. If you put her arms in place already you will need to remove one from it's sleeve. To put a shirt or dress on baby put it over the head first. Then put the arms (still in one sleeve of the sleeper) through the sleeve of the shirt, then out and through the other sleeve and sleeper sleeve at the same time. Kind of the same as putting the arms in the first time. You may want to stitch around the cuffs of the sleeper or clothing now. I didn't because I thought I might like to change her clothing or add a jacket in the cool or wet weather.One thing to consider when choosing foot wear is high-top runners or boots (like rain boots) support baby better and help her stand up.
Now glue or sew baby's hair in place and add a hat. Raise baby's arms up to face level and lean in a corner or against a wall.
You can personalize your doll in many different ways. I want to make one to represent each of my kids. You could match skin tones with different shades of pantyhose, add a special outfit, look for christmas clothes for the holidays.... the possibilities are endless. Use your imagination and have fun!
A small baby sleeper (pyjamas)
A pair of pantyhose or light weight tights.
First cut off one leg of the panyhose. Then you are going to stuff around 12 inches fairly firmly. Keep in mind that this is baby's arm so don't make it too big around. Then tie a knot in the stocking and stuff the rest so it's around the same length. Tie a knot. These are the arms.
Then stuff the sleeper. Pay special attention to the legs, they should be as firm as possible. If the sleeper has snaps you may find you need to sew along the opening. I put the arms in the sleeper while stuffing it to gauge how much stuffing I would need in the shoulders etc. To do this I put the knotted end through one armhole from the inside. Pulled it all of the way though until the knot an part of the "hand" were visible. Then I put it through the other sleeve fron the outside and pulled it through until only an inch or so was left showing of the other "hand".
To make the head cut a 10 to 12 in. piece of the other leg of the pantyhose, I chose a spot near the top of the leg because it is wider. Turn it inside out and tie a knot in it fairly close to the end. Turn it back and stretch it then stuff it. Try to make it as round as possible.
Sew the head to the neck of the sleeper. At this point I found that I needed a little extra stuffing in the neck area. Be sure to put the "tail" inside of the sleeper so it can't be seen.
Now it's time to dress baby. If you put her arms in place already you will need to remove one from it's sleeve. To put a shirt or dress on baby put it over the head first. Then put the arms (still in one sleeve of the sleeper) through the sleeve of the shirt, then out and through the other sleeve and sleeper sleeve at the same time. Kind of the same as putting the arms in the first time. You may want to stitch around the cuffs of the sleeper or clothing now. I didn't because I thought I might like to change her clothing or add a jacket in the cool or wet weather.One thing to consider when choosing foot wear is high-top runners or boots (like rain boots) support baby better and help her stand up.
Now glue or sew baby's hair in place and add a hat. Raise baby's arms up to face level and lean in a corner or against a wall.