I have designed a simple doll that beginners will be able to complete. I have called her Lily!
Erasable Pen for marking face details (I used a PILOT Frixon Ball – available at supermarkets in Australia)
Stuffing


3. Using an erasable pen, trace the face details onto the front of the doll matching your centre points.
4. You can complete the face details by embroidering with 2 strands of embroidery floss or by using fabric pens. Details for embroidery stitches here and here.
To start the embroidery, take 2 strands, tie a knot and start with your knot at least 4″ away from the start (a waste knot – thanks Jenny).
- eye outline – backstitch
- eyelashes – single stitch
- eye – blanketstitch
- nose – backstitch
- mouth – backstitch


10. Now turn it over and trim back to the doll shape.

13. Trim the side stitching off and then snip up in the middle of the rows, stopping about an inch from the end.

14. You can now plait the hair and stitch across the end to secure (about an inch from the bottom)
15. Pin the plaits on each side of the head, with the plait across the face to match the edges. Stitch the plait to the doll.
16. Stitch on the line, around the top of the head for about 3″ on both the front and back ( this is where the opening will be so it will help to have the felt and fabric stitched together)
17. With right sides facing, make sure the plaits are tucked in across the face and match up the dress neckline and hemline. Stitch around the edge of the doll ¼” from the edge. Don’t forget to leave a 3” space for turning at the top of the head. Repeat with a second row.
18. Clip curves (I used pinking shears) and turn doll to right side.
21. Take the stuffing and stuff the legs tightly. Work your way up the doll, stuffing firmly as you go.
22. Close the opening with ladder stitch by hand.

Well done! That wasn’t so bad was it – maybe now you can go ahead and make some more! It is for a great cause so Let’s See how many Let’s Sew can make for the Dolly Drive !!
Lily Dolly is so sweet!!! I am hopeless at drawing facial details, so I like how you’ve got that covered. Thanks for sharing the fabulous tutorial and pattern. Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve pinned. Great to meet another Aussie blogger
Thank you Pam! Of course I don’t mind, I would be thrilled!! 🙂
I’ve featured your Lily Dolly today… Threading Your Way ~ Features
Thank you Pam!! – I am absolutely over the moon to have ‘Lily’ featured – I designed her so that beginners on ‘Let’s Sew’ could participate in the 2013 ‘The Sewing Library – Dolly Drive’ 🙂
Absolutely darling! Thanks for sharing, I’ve added this to my plushie pin board, and think it would be perfect also for our Fluff Project at Hopeful Threads! (saw you at Threading My Way) 🙂
Thank you Kristy! ‘Lily’ would love to be involved in the Fluff Project!! 🙂
I like to sew dolls with a wardrobe already attached – and seeing how you did this gave me an “ah-hah” moment, I have been making it way too hard. I, too, like this doll and thank you for the tutorial. 🙂
Thank you Mary and welcome! I’m glad to be able to help and really appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment! 🙂