As usual, there is a wealth of tutorials and ideas around that I really enjoyed perusing. The whole project can be no-sew if you want - which makes such a satisfying quick project. If you want to make a set of dolls, or a felt board, have a look at what I did and some of the great links below.
I made each of the girls a small felt board with a pocket on the back (the link for this tutorial is below!). I can store them face to face, and stuff all their accessories in the pockets. I put all the parts in baggies and drew pictures of some of the parts that are inside - I don't really expect this to last long, but it makes me happy now. :) I think these are great for traveling, but a really big board would be fun, too.
I cut everything from cheap craft felt with sharp scissors. Craft felt can be thin at times, which is really okay for this project, but I did put fusible interfacing on the back of the doll bodies to make them a little sturdier. I used fabric glue for attaching permanent things like hair and bows on dresses.
My template (scroll down) includes a child and an adult size - I've only made the child so far. I cut out the bodies first, and then used my body template as a guide for the clothing instead of drawing out each garment first. I also threw in some random shapes that I thought I might use as guides, but mostly I just free hand cut everything else.
I made a playground.
The girls love the tea party. They can push the boards together when the dolls want to have a party.
Felt board tutorials:
- Jennifer Dawn has a great felt board tutorial which is what I used, and I totally recommend. I haven't used a glue gun since college, but making this board reminded me why people love them so much: they're awesome.
- I also loved this chalk board and felt board pair for a playroom
- Find more fun ideas like this postman set, at Artful Parent
Doll tutorials:
- Here is a simple felt doll template by Jennifer Dawn who made the board above.
- About has some paper doll templates and lots of clothes that would work nicely.
- If you use die cutters, this is a really nice set.
- I loved this doll and her clothes. I thought she was a bit too mature looking for my toddlers, but I love the details on the clothing. I meant to do more of that, and maybe I still will.
- Another cute felt doll set with some fun details
- You can use printed fabric for dolls, like Mayamade (with a nice travel board tutorial also).
- And if you'd rather have a full blown pattern, there are some tidy simple sets for sale on etsy by Lucky Penny.
Thank you so much for sharing the template for the dolls! I've been trying to draw the shape for a felt doll by hand and I couldn't get the proportions right. This is perfect - just enough detail without being too grown up for my toddler. Thanks!
ReplyDelete