Felt Dolls

 We recommend using embroidery floss for these hand stitches. Use two strands from a six-strand embroidery floss so when both strands are threaded through the needle and folded over, the two strands will become four strands.

Thread the needle and tie a knot in the end of the thread.

On the inside of one of the fabric pieces, put the needle through a tiny bit of fabric. 

Pull the thread almost all the way to the knot. Stop pulling, split the thread close to the knot creating a gap then slip the needle through the gap. 

Pull the thread taut. The thread should now be knotted to the fabric.

NOTE – Tying the thread to the fabric this way will prevent the knot from coming through the fabric as you stitch.

Put the needle through to the right side or underside of the fabric depending on which side of the fabric the needle needs to be on for the next step.

Backstitches are used for outlining or adding fine detail.

Thread the needle with colored embroidery floss/thread and attach to the inside of the fabric pieces, following the ‘Attaching Thread’ directions in the Hand Stitching Instructions above.

Pull the needle to the right side of the fabric close to the raw edge, or at the point you want to start your stitches. Pull the thread to the right side.

Push the needle down about ⅛ inch away, pulling the thread all the way through. This will create a small stitch.

Push the needle back up about ⅛ inch away, pulling the thread all the way through, creating a gap from the first stitch.

Push the needle back into the same hole as step 2.2, pulling the thread all the way through. This will close the gap and complete the first backstitch.

Repeat steps 2.2 to 2.4 creating a length of backstitches as desired.

Satin stitches are flat stitches used to fill in a shape with smooth straight stitches giving a satin-like look.

Thread the needle with colored embroidery floss/thread and attach to the inside of the fabric piece, following the ‘Attaching Thread’ directions in the Hand Stitching Instructions above.

Pull the needle to the right side of the fabric at the point you want to start your stitches. Pull the thread to the right side.

Stitch around the entire shape, following the ‘Backstitch’ directions above, creating an outline.

Bring the needle to the right side of the fabric at the outer edge of the stitching done in step 3.2 near the middle of your shape.

At a slant, move the needle across the shape, pushing the needle down through the fabric on the outside of the shape. 

NOTE – A Satin Stitch can be stitched straight across, stitching at a slant gives a different look to the stitches.

NOTE – As you form the stitches, make sure not to twist the strands so the strands stay flat.

Bring the needle back to the right side next to the first stitch. Push the needle back down next to the first stich at the outer edge of the stitching from step 3.2. 

TIP – The stitches should always begin on one side of the shape and end on the other side. Although it is tempting to save thread by starting the next stitch next to a completed stitch, this creates gaps instead of a solid satin look.

Repeat steps 3.3 to 3.5 stitching along one side of the shape.

Bring the needle back to the first stitch. Repeat steps 3.3 to 3.5 to complete the opposite side of the shape.

Place the Body pattern piece onto the right side of your felt. Pin.

Trace the Body outline, draw the Eyes, Nose and all hook and loop placements, as per the pattern placements, onto the felt using tailor’s chalk or disappearing ink pen. 

NOTE – Do NOT cut out the Doll.

Follow the ‘Satin Stitch’ directions in the Hand Stitching Instructions above to stitch 2x eyes.

Follow the ‘Backstitch’ directions in the Hand Stitching Instructions above to stitch the nose.

Cut the Body loop piece from the ‘hook and loop’ tape. Place this at the pattern markings on the right side of the Body. Pin.

This is where you will attach the clothing.

NOTE – If you are adding Shoes add the loop foot piece to each foot.

Place a piece of stabilizer against the wrong side of the Front Body.

Lay another piece of felt, wrong side facing up. Place the Body on top, right side facing up. Pin.

NOTE – The layers should be in the following order – front Body right side up, stabilizer, back Body layer wrong side up. 

NOTE – The photos show a separate top and bottom loop piece, however, this was changed to one piece to ensure the clothing items stayed in place.

Stitch along the body outline drawn in step 1.1, stitching around the entire Body.

TIP – Shorten the stitches on your sewing machine. This will make it easier to stitch around the curves and maintain control where you are stitching.

NOTE – You will be stitching through three layers: front, stabilizer and back.

Press the Body.

TIP – Iron on a low wool setting and use a pressing cloth to cover the felt.

Carefully trim through all layers within ⅛ inch around the Body. 

Your Felt Doll is now finished!

The Instructions are the same for all Shoes and Clothing items.

Place the pattern piece onto the right side of your felt. Pin.

Trace around the item and all pattern markings onto the felt using tailor’s chalk or disappearing ink pen.

NOTE – Use the pattern markings as desired or add your own to personalize your shoes and clothing.

NOTE – Do NOT cut the pattern piece out.

For shoes or clothing that require detail stitching, place stabilizer behind the felt, pin. 

Stitch along the outline and details drawn in step 2.1, stitching around the entire item and any other pattern markings.

TIP – Shorten the stitches on your sewing machine. This will make it easier to stitch around the curves and maintain control where you are stitching.

Place the matching hook tape (clothing or shoe piece) onto the right side of the ‘back’ felt piece. Pin.

NOTE – We have used one piece of felt for the ‘front and back’. We will fold it wrong sides together to create the front and back. If you are using two separate pieces, trace the item onto the right side of the piece of felt, then place the hook piece on.

Place a piece of stabilizer against the wrong side of the Front.

Lay another piece of felt, wrong side facing up. Place the item on top, right side facing up. Pin.

NOTE – The layers should be in the following order – front right side up, stabilizer, back layer wrong side up.  

Stitch along the outline drawn in step 2.1, stitching around the entire item and any other pattern markings.

TIP – Shorten the stitches on your sewing machine. This will make it easier to stitch around the curves and maintain control where you are stitching.

NOTE – You will be stitching through three layers: front, stabilizer and back.

Press the item.

Carefully trim within ⅛ inch around the item. 

BUTTONS: Hand stitch glass beads at the pattern markings.

NOTE – You will only need to attach these to the front of your item.

Your Clothing is now finished!

The Instructions are the same for all hair styles. You will need the Base and Top piece for each hair style. The Doll slides into the hair piece so there is no need for hook and loop tape to secure it.

Place the Hair Base pattern piece onto the right side of your felt. Pin.

Trace the outline and any pattern markings onto the felt using tailor’s chalk or disappearing ink pen.

NOTE – Use the pattern markings as desired or add your own to personalize your Hair.

NOTE – Do NOT cut the Base Hair out.

Place a piece of stabilizer against the wrong side of the Front.

Lay another piece of felt, wrong side facing up. Place the item on top, right side facing up. Pin.

NOTE – The layers should be in the following order – front right side up, stabilizer, back layer wrong side up.  

Stitch along the lines around the entire Hair Base. 

Repeat steps 3.1 to 3.2 for the Top Hair. Continue stitching any hair details.

OPTIONAL – Add additional stitch lines as desired to create your desired hair style.

Press both hair pieces.

TIP – Iron on a low wool setting and use a pressing cloth to cover the felt.

Carefully trim each piece within ⅛ inch.