Emerson’s Doll

“There is such a love, a love that creates value in what is loved. There is a love that turns rag dolls into priceless treasures.~ John Ortberg

Here she is! Emerson’s doll! Since Emerson was turning two, I didn’t want to make anything too complex. I thought a simple little doll would be perfect. I chose this pattern I have from 1980.

I must admit, I didn’t love this pattern. I didn’t like the doll’s hair, face, or the very 1980’s look of the fabric choices. I know though, that when you look at old patterns you have to look past the styling of their time, and see if the pattern has “good bones”. This pattern had “good bones” so I was confident that I could make it and be happy with the outcome.

For the body, I used some scrap muslin fabric. I love making dolls with muslin! It gives them a “homespun” feel that I believe rag dolls need. Plus, she’s a rag doll, only scraps are required!

I used the scraps leftover from last week’s dress to cut out the doll dress.

I love using scraps and making use of as much of a fabric as I can!

I gathered the skirt and sewed the pieces together.

I pinned the little bodice in place.

Once sewn I pinned the front and back pieces together. As you can see in this picture, I wasn’t the only one who thought this doll face needed some adjustment. It had all of the pencil markings from the previous owner.

The collar of the doll dress called for a trim. Since I wanted to use up as much of this fabric as I could, it dawned on me that I own a ruffler foot and could make my own trim.

Let’s talk about this ruffler foot. I have had it for YEARS! It was one of the first gadgets I bought when I really started getting into sewing. I used it, maybe once, on an apron all of those years ago. Since then, it’s been sitting in the little drawer on the front of my sewing machine table. I also keep little scissors, seam rippers, extra needles, and other frequently used items in that drawer. So, for YEARS I have scooted and shuffled this ruffler foot around, never giving it much notice. Why have I ignored it? I DON’T KNOW! I was very frustrated with myself. As a teacher I used to work with would always say when she was frustrated with herself, “I’m sick of me.” HA HA! I was very, “sick of me”!

But with this sew, it was time to remedy all of that frustration, and let this ruffler foot have it’s time to shine!

It did a beautiful job making a ruffle! I pinned it in place onto the collar.

I was quite impressed with the way it turned out!

To finish off the neckline and make a tie closure for the back of the dress, the pattern called for a piece of bias tape. Of course, I had a matching pink in my stash!

Then it was time to sew the doll. There is a dart on the front abdomen of the doll. I marked and sewed it.

Once the arms were sewn I pinned them to the body. The opening for the stuffing is on the seam, near the “elbow” of the arm.

Next, I sewed the back pieces together.

It was beginning to look like a doll!

Then it was time to embroider the face. I took to the internet to look at a variety of doll faces. It seemed to me that the more complex a doll face was, the more I disliked it. I chose a simple face.

To make the face symmetrical, I traced half of a quarter onto some old cardboard that bias tape had been wrapped around. I cut out a template. Then I used the original eye layout that was on the head piece to place the eyes. Then I turned the template upside down for the mouth.

When the face embroidery was complete, I was ready to assemble the rest of the doll.

After she was stuffed, I had to stitch it all up by hand.

Tedious work indeed.

For the hair I bought some brown chenille yarn. I needed to wrap it around a 24-inch stick as the directions called for. First, I had to find a 24-inch stick! Ever the improvisor, I looked around my house. Then I saw it on the wall, the perfect 24-inch stick!

When my husband was young, his Great-Grandfather, Sydney Mitchell (hereafter referred to as “Granddad”, as they called him.) acquired some old fruit crates. He took the pieces with the logo, ran some fishing line on the back as a hanger, and gifted these “Hi! Pa’dner” signs. Who in the family all received one? I don’t know. All I do know is that Michael, my husband, did. It hangs proudly above our kitchen window with some veggie chalkware painted by my Grandma Barbara, and my Aunt Tamy. A little research told me that the crates once held cantaloupe which makes sense since they are grown where we live. This little homemade gift to my husband, from Granddad is something he cherishes.

Here is Grandad, the handsome guy in the brown suit, seated in the front. This picture is from his 50th wedding anniversary. The little red head in front is my husband, Michael. The one in the groovy pants! The little girl in front of Granddad is Noelle. Noelle is Emerson’s grandmother. So, Granddad is Emersons third great grandfather! I’m sure he would be glad to know that his creation was helping to create something for her all of these generations later.

Granddad’s sign was exactly 24 inches long! I wrapped the yarn around it to make the hair. I sewed the hair onto some grosgrain, cotton ribbon. Sorry, I didn’t get pictures of that. I was in the creativity zone!

I made three different “hair pieces”, then laid them on the doll decided where her part should be and how her hair should be styled. I pinned it into place, as seen below. (Sorry the lighting is a little weird, it’s just the time of day I took the picture.) I had stitched all over the doll’s head to get her hair into place.

She was almost done, and I decided to give her a heart, so Emerson knows she was made with love. (Well, someday she’ll know! She’s only two! It’s the thought that counts! HA!)

I braided her hair. I used to little scrap pieces to make her bows and trimmed her hair to a manageable length.

Then doll and dress were done! They were ready for Emerson’s birthday!

Emerson loves her doll!

I think they’re going to be best friends!!

I was right, best friends! (I also made this dress for Emerson, but it was from a previously used pattern, so I didn’t write about it.)

This doll was a really fun sew! I love making homemade gifts so much! I love even more that Granddad got to play a small role in this sew.

If you think this was cute, wait until you see next weeks sew! There are a lot of summertime babies in the family!

As for me, onto the next!

P.S. Here is the link to the previously made sundress, in case you’re curious!

Alice’s Fun In The Sundress – Sewing With Grandma