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8 Inch Baby©1999
Cloth Dolls by Stitch 'N Stuff

Isn't she sweet?  You will find our baby pattern will make a great favor or table decoration for that baby shower you're planning.  She is simple to make and oh so lovable!  She is also just the right size for little ones to play with or how about a baby for one of your larger dolls.  We have made her in leftover flannel scraps, but you can make her in any material you like.

 8 Inch Baby

MATERIAL LIST
1/4 yard flannel print *
1/4 yard peach flannel *
Poly-Fil and/or poly pellets
1/8 inch ribbon
Scraps of felt for eyes
Scraps of craft fur or yarn for hair
White embroidery floss
Scrap of fleece or thin batting
 
* Yardage given will make approximately 4 babies; however, scraps may be used

Pattern Sheet 1

Pattern Sheet 2

NOTE: Please read all instructions before beginning. 1/4" seam allowance is included in the pattern pieces. Our baby was made using all flannel material, but you may substitute any woven fabric. You may also use a knit; however, the finished doll will be slightly larger.

ALSO NOTE!!: There is no pattern piece for the baby's head; just cut a piece of peach fabric to measure 6 ¾" by 3 ¼" for the head.

  1. Using pattern sheet 1, cut out 2 body pieces on the fold. Using pattern sheet 2, cut 4 hand pieces and 4 ear pieces from peach flannel. Also cut 2 ear pieces from fleece or batting. Cut a 6 ¾" by 3 ¼" piece of peach flannel for the head.

  2. Right sides together, fold the head piece in half to form a 3 3/8" wide by 3 ¼" high square. Using a ¼" seam, sew the head piece along the 3 1/4" side opposite the folded edge. By hand, sew a gathering stitch about 1/4" from one raw edge of the fabric, pull closed and take several stitches to secure and tie off. This will be the top of head. Turn right side out and stuff. Gather the remaining raw edge in the same way and pull the basting stitches tightly around two fingers, leaving about a 1" opening. Add additional stuffing if needed, or take some out until you have a pleasing shape but not too firm. Set aside.

  3. Right sides together, sew one hand piece to each arm on the body piece. Press seams toward the arm.

  4. Leaving neck open, sew the two body pieces together. Clip curves and turn right side out.

  5. Lightly stuff the body. You can either add polypellets or polyfil, although pellets are not recommended for children under 3.

  6. With a hand basting stitch, gather the neck opening of the body and pull together around two fingers so that you leave about a 1" opening. Knot thread to secure.

  7. Using a strong thread such as carpet thread or quilting thread, hand stitch the head (with the seam in the back) to the body securing well.

  8. Cut the eyes from felt and attach to the face using the same color thread as the felt. Hint: I like to pin all the facial features in place before I sew. Just by changing the placement of the eyes and nose you can make different expressions on your baby’s face. Using 3 strands of white embroidery thread make a french knot at about the 2 o'clock spot on each eye.

  9. Cut out the nose and sew a gathering stitch about 1/8" from the edge. Place a tiny wad of polyfil in the center and pull tight to form a round nose. Attach to face. Sew 1 thumb to face just under nose.

  10. Leaving the straight edge open, sew two ears (right sides together) with 1 fleece piece on the bottom. Turn right side out so that the fleece in now in between the two flannel pieces. Repeat for other ear. By hand gather the raw edge and pull slightly to give a little dimension to the ear. Turn under a scant ¼" on the gathered edge and sew an ear to each side of head having the placement approximately between the eye and mouth

  11. Cut out front and back hair pieces from craft fur being careful to only cut the backing and making sure to follow the arrows on the pattern for the direction of the nap. Sew together along the dotted lines on the pattern. Attach to head easing in the fullness to fit the head. Fluff up fur with plastic bristle brush and trim as desired.

  12. To make the bonnet: Using flannel to match the body fabric, cut 2 pieces that measure 2 1/2" by 5 1/2" for the bonnet. Also cut a 10" by 3" piece for the bonnet ruffle.

  13. Right sides together, sew the short sides of the ruffle using a 1/4" seam. Turn right side out and press. Gather the open side and pull to measure 5" so that it will fit within 1/4" of each side of the bonnet piece. Evenly distribute gathers and sew to one long edge of the bonnet, being sure to leave ¼" on each side. Right sides together place other bonnet piece on top and sew all around piece leaving about a 2" opening on the back for turning.

  14. Turn bonnet right side out through the opening and press. Sew opening closed. Attach a 10" piece of 1/8" ribbon to each side of the bonnet for the ties.

  15. Sew a hand gather along the back edge of the bonnet and pull to fit head. Take a couple of stitches to secure thread.

  16. Using 1/8" ribbon, sew a bow on each foot.

    17. You may use this pattern to make dolls for your personal use or to sell at local craft shows and in limited quantities.  However, we do require that you credit Cloth Dolls by Stitch 'N Stuff for the design on your hangtag or in any advertising that you do.   You may not reproduce this pattern for sale or mass-produce dolls made from this pattern.


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    Graphics by Mary's Little Lamb.